Keep sending in those questions – we love to answer them! Just remember if we didn’t get to your question this week…we will do our best to cover it another week!! As always a big thanks to my buddy Christy over at Haphazardly Hobbying who gives me so much help to get the questions answered.
Remember–there is a tab at the top of the site called “Q & A” where I organize the questions and answers from this feature so that it can serve as a quick reference!
Here are this week’s questions:
- Is it okay to stack a manufacturer’s free item coupon with a store coupon?
- I looked in the Wednesday and Thursday newspaper for the “penny item” ad and I could not find it anywhere. Where is it usually found?
- If a Rite Aid coupon says “Manufacturer’s Coupon” on it, should my store take it as a MQ or as a competitor?
- Can you use Target brand coupons on Publix brand items?
- Can I “stack” coupons with different expiration dates?
- How can I print in black and white from Coupons.com?
- Have you ever needed to take a break from couponing, and if so, how difficult was it to start again?
- How long have you been couponing?
- Can I use Earthfare coupons at my Publix?
- Where can I find the best deals for holiday gifts?
And here are the answers!
- Missy wants to know: Is it okay to stack a manufacturer’s free item coupon with a store coupon? I have a manufacturer coupon for free Cottonelle wipes and a Target store coupon for $1.00 off the same item. Can I stack them together since my Publix accepts Target coupons?
- Candie wants to know: I recently started couponing and shopping at Publix more often and I have a few questions. I looked in the Wednesday and Thursday newspaper for the “penny item” ad and I could not find it anywhere. Where is it usually found?
- Danielle wants to know: Many Rite-Aid coupons say “manufacturer coupon” on them. Do they really count as a manufacturer coupon? I have always used them as a competitor coupon, until a cashier the other day would not take one with another manufacturer coupon. What are your thoughts?
- Can you use Target brand coupons on Publix brand items?
- Tina wants to know: I have a question about “stacking.” I am new to couponing, and I just got all my coupons organized into a binder. I noticed that I have several coupons for the same amount off ($.40/2), but they all have different expiration dates. Can I “stack” these coupons with different expiration dates in order to get $.80/2?
- Kandise wants to know: How can I print in black and white from Coupons.com?
- Tiffany wants to know: I’m really starting to burn out on couponing – there’s just too much to do every day and keeping coupons organized is the LAST thing I want to do at the end of the day! Here’s my question: Have you ever needed to take a break from couponing, and if so, how difficult was it to start again?
- Christy wants to know: I want to know who on the site or in the forum has been couponing the longest. Can we take a comments poll?
- Suzette wants to know: Can I use Earthfare coupons at my Publix?
- Marie wants to know: Like everyone else, I’m on a tight budget. Where can I find the best deals for holiday gifts?
Christy: There are two ways of looking at this. On one hand, the store could (very reasonably) say that since I’m already getting the item for free they don’t need to accept a competitor (or, for that matter, their own) coupon because there is nothing left to discount. On the other hand, Publix will be reimbursed for the full value of the item and honoring a competitor (or their own) coupon is actually only going to put them out $1 in the long run. Either way of looking at this is valid; what really matters is what your store says about this!
Michelle: I think Christy has this one covered. Be sure and ask your store.
I think it will vary based on your area and your paper. I don’t get a paper on Thursday but last I heard the Atlanta penny item is in the Thursday AJC in the lifestyle section. Maybe the readers can comment where they find their coupon and hopefully someone will respond from your area.
They are not true manufacturer’s coupons. Rite Aid allows you to use them in conjuction with a manufacturer’s coupon. BUT…your store has the final call. Remember that manufacturer’s coupons will always begin with a 5 or a number 9.
Christy: Like all things, this will depend on your store, but I’d encourage you to ask your customer service or store manager if you’re not sure. My stores take them as long as the Publix brand is a comparable item!
Michelle: I have heard that some stores will allow them to be used on the Publix house brand…but this varies widely and is store specific.
Christy: You can only stack manufacturer and store coupons to increase your savings on a particular item. So if you have one manufacturer coupon for $.40/2 and a Publix (or Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc) coupon for $.40/2 of the same item, you can use both coupons to get $.80 off of two of the item. However, if you have two manufacturer coupons for $.40/2, you can only use one of them per two items purchased.
Michelle: You can never stack two manufacturer’s coupons on one item. As Christy pointed out you can use a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon but that is the only time you can use multiple coupons on one item.
Melissa from the comments had a great answer: “Under printer options you have the option to print in black and white only. I always use black and white coupons and have never had a problem. I have heard that some coupons will still print in color no matter what you do short of taking the color cartridge out, but that hasn’t happened to me yet.” I think Melissa answered this perfectly!
Just a note that my option is called grayscale (not black & white). I also have mine set for fast/economical printing. Helps me save ink and time 🙂
Christy: In the year plus since I started couponing, I’ve taken little mini-breaks here and there. Just recently I stopped doing weekly drugstore runs for a few weeks – between work and life I was just running out of time so I took a few weeks off! Since I never really stopped ‘all the way,’ it’s been pretty easy to pick right back up again. Commenters, tell us your experiences with ‘taking a break’!
Michelle: I think I am a little atypical…running my websites means that I kinda live and breathe coupons 🙂 I do take mini breaks here and there. I also am a slacker when it comes to organization. You guys would get a kick out of my desk. I have coupons everywhere and sometimes I go weeks without filing or sorting.
Christy: Yup, that’s right, this is MY question! I’m curious – how long have you been couponing? Tell us in the comments!
Just for the record: I’ve been couponing since the very end of August 2009 – and now I can’t ever imagine shopping any other way!
Michelle: Here is a little survey I put together. I am curious too. I will give you guys the results next week!
Christy: As per usual, you need to check with your store to make sure that they consider Earthfare a competitor – if so, you should be able to use them without a problem!
Christy: Michelle posts a ton of great deals over on I Heart Saving Money every day – I’ve already found a couple different presents for some of the harder-to-shop-for people on my list through sites like Jasmere, Eversave, Groupon, etc.
Michelle: While I love Publix, I can’t buy everything there 🙂 I post a ton of deals over on I Heart Saving Money including drugstore deals, online deals and really anthing and everything that I can find. There have been a ton of great deals lately and I have already put a huge dent in my shopping list!
I hope our answers to these questions were helpful! Make sure you ‘tune in’ next week for even more Q&A with I Heart Publix. If you have a question you’d like to see answered, email me at contactiheartpublix@gmail.com.
The Penny Coupon is on the lower part of page 3 of the Columbus, Ga Ledger-Enquirer, on Wednesdays.
In Huntsville it is in the Times on Wed, but the section varies each week.
Be careful about using the economical mode on the printer. I used to do this but on my printer it made the barcode look kinda funny. This resulted in a lot of people questioning their validity and having trouble scanning them. This could vary from printer to printer though.
RE: #2. The stores in my area (Brentwood/Franklin, TN) do not require that you have the coupon. If you shop at the stores in this area, just make sure you mention at the register that it’s the penny item so that the cashier remembers to give you the discount!
I agree…..hard core couponing can get old.
I have not been to publix in 3 months….not one time.
Therefore, I have not printed one grocery store coupon.
My freezer can’t hold anymore, my pantry is overfull with overage stored in plastic crates in my storage room. My weekly grocery run consists of milk, greek yogurt, fine cheeses, freshe veggies and fruits. Period. I buy most of my produce at Aldi’s. I have loved the break from couponing and publix.
Typical dinner at my house (for husband, teen, and self)
Fresh spinach greens, fresh cooked beets, fresh roasted cauliflower, cucumbers, garlic olives, carrots, chickpeas, oil, fresh lemon, crackers, water.
RE: #2 Ask at the customer service desk at your store. They generally have the newspapers near there, and I’m sure an employee would be happy to help you locate the coupon. If you’re in Birmingham, it’s on the bottom of the inside front page. Good luck!
Re: #7
Yes, I’m a bit burned out after nearly two full years of hardcore couponing. I have found it easier to concentrate on just TWO grocery stores (Publix and Kroger) and ONE drug store (CVS).
For a long time I also was chasing deals at RiteAid and Walgreens and Target and Ingles and Whole Foods….Ugh. I can’t do it anymore.
I’ve also tried to limit myself to just TWO days to go coupon shopping. Saturday morning (grocery stores) and Sunday morning (CVS). If the coupon blogging community LIGHTS UP with super deals in the middle of the week (“Today and tomorrow only!”)…I pass. No matter how attractive the deals look. I’m tired. 🙂
I get burned out once in a while – My advice is find a local friend who coupons too – I have a great friend who lives down the street – we keep each other up-to-date. Since we both know eachother’s “likes”(they are vary different), even when one of us is burned out the other will e-mail, call or stop by with info on a great deal on stuff we really love. Right now my friend is the one burned out (we try to take turns – LOL).
one comment about the penny item just to clarify–Florida does not participate, so if you live in Florida, you won’t find the coupon no matter how hard you look 🙂
Can I request a survey of your readers? I want to know how many couponers are working moms and dads versus stay-at-home moms and dads. I work a 35-hour week (almost full-time), my husband words full time and we have one child under 2. I find couponing terribly time-consuming. I really only have time to go to the grocery store once a week and maybe a drugstore, but I get frustrated when I miss out on deals due to time constraints, which happens a lot. I see all the great deals out there, but I never seem to have time to put together all of the multiple transactions and so forth, especially at the drugstore. I always read comments about SAHM’s doing couponing to help with the family finances. But, do working moms even attempt this? Am I the only one or am I just doing it inefficiently? Thanks!
I used to work and had two babies at home – and there would be no way I could have done what I do now with coupons because it is time-consuming. It is an unfortunate trade, earn more money by working or be able to save a little of what your working half brings home. I am still trying to decided myself what is best!! 🙁
Having been both a ‘working mom’ and a stay at home mom, I have to say it was easier for me to coupon while I worked. Yes, I was busy, but nothing compared to chasing kids/doing the mom thing all day. I had my lunch breaks to get my shopping plan together and I printed in the evenings.
Believe it or not, SAHM’s don’t have much (if any) more time than you do. I have 3 girls under 5 and I homeschool. I DO NOT do the drugstore game. Besides not being able to wrap my brain around it, I just don’t have the time. I find my couponing takes about 2-3 hours a week- total.
I work 40 hours a week and have 3 kids at home, the youngest one being a 3 year old. Luckily my husband is very suportive since he goes shopping with me and sees how much we are saving. I try to spend about an hour Monday night looking the sales and gathering coupons and then on Wednesday evening make my final shopping list. Then we go straight to Publix after work every Thursday. I don’t do the drug stores though.
I am a teacher and my husband and I both work full time. In the summer I am a SAHM (sort of) because I am not at work and my kids are home. We have 3 kids 11,14, and 17. I spend lots of time couponing and shopping without the help of my kids or hubby (I hate taking them to the store, they don’t clip coupons, or help file). I do it all by myself.
I have just deciced that I need to save as much money as possible since I will soon have a son in college. I hope that he will never pay for toiletries, detergent, and other college staples for his four years. I am lucky in that I live 1 mile from Publix, CVS, WAGS; plus 2 Kroger and another CVS within a 5 mile radius so if I see a sale I can literally drop what I am doing and head to the store. I cannot imagine a break from Publix!! If I had not gone there today, I would have missed out on the new coupon book that aI have been looking for since last week!!
I want to comment on question #6 about printing in black and white:
Click on the start button in the bottom left corner of your computer.
If “printers and faxes” shows up there, click on that. Otherwise, click on settings and then “printers and faxes”.
You should see a list of the printers you have available. Put your mouse over the one that’s checked (your default printer) and right click on the mouse.
Select “printing preferences”.
You should see tabs across the top saying things like “paper quality”, “finishing”, “effects”, and “basic”. What you see will be based on your printer.
One of those tabs will have an option on it to select “print in color” or “print in grayscale/black” (on mine it’s under the finishing tab). Select the grayscale/black option and then click on apply in the bottom right corner of the box. That should set your default printing as black. It’s not recommended to select the econo print option if you have it because it can mess up your barcodes.
Just remember, you’ll have to manual select color printing on your pop up print screen if you want it to color print at any time!
I’ve done this and it works for everything BUT auto-print coupons. They still print in full color and quality wasting TONS of ink. Grrr…
Yea, I didn’t mean to say it was easier if you are a SAHM. It just seems like most of the people online talking about couponing are SAH parents. I just wondered if working moms and dads just don’t even try because it seems to overwhelming or they just don’t write blogs about it or what. There seems to be a void there. I wonder what the percentage is between the two – working vs. non-working.
I think regardless of whether you work at home or out of the home – everyone is super busy these days. That is why organization is the KEY to being able to coupon regardless. My hubby and I team up on it after work one night a week. I no longer clip my coupons and find that my work experience probably makes me a very efficient couponer – each week (on Sunday afternoons when everyone is taking a nap) I copy the list of expected coupons into an excel spreadsheet. Then I go through the list and mark “not in paper” next to an that are not in there, and I add or change any that are different. This takes about 30 mins (but I am pretty proficient with excel). I then file these in a folder by date (No cutting!) Then on Monday at lunch I go through the new sale matchups and make a list of the items that we would use or that are great donation items – of course I use excel for this. Since my list of coupons are in excel, I can right then tell if I have the coupon or not ( I simply select the sheet and hit FIND and type in the item – it will give a list of each cooupon with that item). I highlight the coupons that I will need on my list so that when I get home I can look at my list and know exactly what coupons I need to cut. Then my hubby and I team up and cut them all out. This takes about 20 minutes – and it helps us to be on the same page about what we are buying. When I go to a store – I have my list and the coupons I plan to use. If I put the item in the buggy, I put the coupon in an envelope right then – when I am ready to check out all I have to do is get my envelope out. I may miss a great deal occasionally, but my sanity has a price. And an advantage to this method is that if I ever need something that is not on sale, I can see if I have a coupon for it plus, once a month I typically filter by expiration date so that I can see if there are any “good” coupons that I want to use before they expire. As you can see, I typically spend about an hour and a half each week, but I typically save 75-80% so I make more in that 1.5 hours than I would make working….helps keep me motivated.
I was couponing when couponing wasn’t cool!!!about 16 years now;)
I work full-time, but I have stockpiles so much that I only do Publix, CVS and an occasional Target or Walgreens. I still buy 4 papers and buy only what’s free or very close to it every week. Sometimes my shopping list is long, sometimes only about 5 items. I usually spend about 1.5 hours on organizing, finding and printing and then another hour or so shopping. I try to do it on the nights when my husband takes our son to his activities because I can do it rather quickly when I have no tag alongs. It is a commitment, but it has been a very worthwhile investment in my time and energy.
Just think how long it would have taken before sites like this though….kudos to you who did it on your own for years.
I have been couponing since I was a young girl with my grandmother. Some of the best times were when we would go to a local supermarket and look through their coupon bin for coupons my grandmother wanted (of course we never went empty handed, we’d take the coupons she didn’t use and put them in the bin for others). She’d get so excited when we’d find one she wanted. After I got old enough to drive I started doing the grocery shopping for my family – my mother hated going to the grocery store! My husband and I have been couponing our entire married life – 19 years and counting. He is very supportive and helps me most every time I ask. There have been a few times I’ve gotten burnt out but I hate paying regular price for anything so that has always been my incentive . So, my best guess is I’ve been couponing since I was about 10 years old and I’m 41 now.
I am single and work full time. I started using coupons in college but it wasn’t until May 2009 that I learned how to use coupons correctly. I realized that I could stockpile my pantry and toiletry shelves with free and cheap items if I shopped around sales and applied my coupons to the sales. I always thought stockpiling benefited large families but no more!
I do not buy a newspaper unless the coupons I want make it worth the value of the newspaper, which I get cheap at Dollar Tree or Wags.
I have found that as long as you consider this a Coupon Game and keep it fun, you don’t burn out. Once you let it become a job or a chore, then it is no longer fun and you want to quit.
I break my couponing efforts up into small tasks that take 10-20 minutes at a time and this keeps it easy.
#1. I clip Q’s one time,
#2. later come back and sort out my binder and remove what is expiring that week.
#3. Another time I go thru my stack of Q’s and simply shove them into the page/section they belong in, but not actually sort and file. this clears my table of loose Q’s, but if opened my binder would be full of loose ones.
#4. Lastly i come back and go thru page by page and file the q’s into the pockets they belong in.
If I ever am too busy, then I don’t feel bad If I skip a week of Cvs or Walgreens, etc… I don’t ever go beyond 3 weeks, so that my RR/ECB don’t expire.