This week I am putting Ask I Heart Publix on hold to go over correct coupon usage.  I have had a fair amount of questions lately and several folks emailing me deals using coupons inappropriately….so I thought today would be better to do a review of coupon basics.
Here on the site I reference all types of coupons.  There are blinkies, tearpads, hangtags, insert coupons, booklet coupons, printables and more (Need a definition of each coupon??  Just click the basics tab at the top of the site)  The majority of coupons you find are manufacturer’s coupons.  It is very easy to identify a manufacturer’s coupon –when you look at the barcode these coupons will ALWAYS begin with the number “5” or the number “9”. Often the coupon will state “manufacturer’s coupon” on it…but not always.  If you are in an area where Publix doubles coupons, coupon 50¢ and under that begin with the number “5” will automatically double at the register.  Those that begin with the number “9” will not automatically double and will need to be manually doubled by the cashier.
Some manufacturer’s coupons may have a store name or logo printed on them.  Unless the coupon specifies that the coupon MUST be used at a specific store, you should be able to use the manufacturer’s coupon at any store that accepts coupons.  So, if you happen to print a coupon from the Target website where the barcode begins with the number “5” and has a Target logo–that is still a manufacturer’s coupon.

The biggest things to remember about manufacturer’s coupons is that you can only use one per item purchased AND to use it you must abide by the wording.  So if you have a coupon that is for $1 off when you buy 2 boxes of crackers, in order to use that coupon you must have TWO boxes of the specified cracker.  Since you have used a coupon to discount those two boxes, you will not be able to use another manufacturer’s coupon on either of those crackers.  If you happen to pick up a box of crackers that has a peelie attached to the box, you must make a choice – use the peelie or use the coupon you had intended to use.  I have had to stop many cashiers from pulling my peelie 🙂  I just explain that I have another coupon I plan to use to discount that item and that I will save that peelie to use another time!
The wording on coupons is very important. The wording can be tricky especially when you are using coupons that require another purchase or apply to multiple products.  Your best bet is to look at what item is being “discounted” .  Here are a couple of examples:

-$1 off when you buy Nabisco Cookies and Milk — In this case you must buy both cookies AND milk in order to get the $1 discount. No other coupons may be used on either the cookies or the milk!
-$1 off milk when you buy Nabisco Cookies –Here you are getting a $1 discount on milk when you buy a qualifying product.  The coupon does not discount the cookies so you may use an addtional coupon to “discount” the cookies.

If you stick to the wording and make sure you are using the correct coupons on the correct items you will be good to go 🙂 
One of the great things about Publix is that they allow you to use a Publix (or competitor) store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon!!  Just like manufacturer’s coupons you must abide by the wording.  Store coupons are pretty easy to spot.  Most Publix coupons have a LU number. You might spot a few with a barcode…but remember the barcode will NEVER begin with a “5” or “9” and Publix coupons are usually identified as a store coupon.
Now let’s talk about printable coupons.  Most internet printables have a limit of two prints per computer. They limit the prints for a reason. The company that issues the coupon only want to allow so many to be redeemed as they are the ones that will have to pay the store when it is time for the coupon to be reimbursed!
You never want to copy internet printable coupons!! By using copied coupons you are creating coupons that should not exist! Manufacturers are not obligated to reimburse these coupons as they are copies! I know many of you are asking how will anyone know it is a copy…well, each coupon has a unique code that appears on the coupon. I have circled the number in red to show you where you will find the number.

IP sample

Would you make a copy of a coupon from the newspaper? Making a copy of a printable coupon is no different! Print limits exist for a reason. If you read the fine print on the coupon it says that the coupon is VOID IF COPIED! If we want stores to continue to accept printable coupons we have to make sure that we use them appropriately. Remember…a few can spoil it for many!
Here is an example of the location of the pin number on SmartSource coupons:

smartsource IP

I hope this has helped. I know most of you are coupon pros…but we all had to learn the ropes at one point. If you have other questions–leave them in the comments. I will try to check the comments throughout the day and maybe some of you pros can also throw in any coupon advise you might have for new couponers out there!!