Coupons 101 Lesson 4: Coupon Etiquette

Before "Hitting the Stores," I think there's something else that needs to be addressed first. And that's coupon etiquette.

1. Pay close attention to your coupons. If you look at your coupon, you may see tiny print on it. It may say, "One coupon per person," "one coupon per shopping trip," "only 4 like coupons," among other things. The manufacturer's have these phrases written on coupons in an effort to allow others to be able to get good deals. If a coupon limits a person to be able to buy only one of an item, there means that there will be items leftover for others to get. 


•  Along the lines of being respectful to the cashier, also be respectful to other couponers. We are all trying to save our families a buck. If you go into a grocery store, try not to clear a shelf. (If there are only 5 items left on the shelf, I don't deem it clearing a shelf if you take the remaining items. If the store recently stocked, the shelf is full, and you take ALL of the items....then I consider that to be clearing a shelf.) I usually only buy enough items for my family's needs. Over time, though, I will go back to the store and buy more of that same item. I like to give others a chance to partake of the deals, too. It's so discouraging to go into the store and see that shelf cleared. REMEMBER, though, if you do come across a cleared shelf for an advertised item, you can always get a raincheck.


2. Keep it legal. Photocopying or creating/buying fraudulent coupons in illegal. You may notice that most times you can only print two coupons per computer. This is again so that everyone will be able to get the good deals that are out there. 


3. Be respectful. When you get to the checkout, strike up a friendly conversation with the cashier or simply say "Good Morning! How is your day going?" This can make checkout so much easier. If there are people waiting in line behind you and your transaction is taking a while, recognize and apologize.


4. Only use one MF coupon per item. The only time you can use two coupons on one item is if one is a Manufacturer's coupon and the other is a store coupon. There may be times when you can use THREE or more coupons; It's not very likely, though.


5. Donate. Each coupon has an expiration date. (If it doesn't have one, then it's most likely fraudulent or super old!) If your insert coupons expire, you can recycle them or donate them to military families overseas because they can use them for 6 months past their expiration date. One of my favorite blogs has a page that explains more about how and where to donate your expired coupons.


6. Find balance. Remember that you don't have to get every deal that's out there. It's okay to pass it up. Other deals (and sometimes better deals) will come around. I usually do my couponing when my little guy is taking a nap and at night when my husband is having his "I need a break from work and time to watch some sports!" time. I make sure to spend time with the ones I love because saving money means nothing if I don't have my sweethearts to share it with.


7. Have fun. Couponing can be stressful at times. You may spend an hour or so planning your shopping trip, getting all of your coupons together and organized, and then an hour or so at the store. It's so nerve wracking to get to the cash register, watching as your order total goes higher and higher. And then when you hand your coupons to the cashier you get to watch as your total goes down! Saving money is tons of fun! If you feel too stressed, find a coupon buddy. You can get together with your coupon buddy to plan shopping trips and/or go shopping together. You can help to take the load off of one another.