Get the Most out of your Coupons

First of all, I know it's a little late, but don't forget to pick up your Sunday paper!!

Alright, I was asked a question this week, which I thought I'd answer in more detail for everyone who is wondering.

"Can you use a store issued coupon for the same item as a manufacturers coupon?"

The answer is usually YES. Here are some great coupon scenarios for you to try and take advantage of.

Many stores issue their own "store specific" coupons. You know it is store specific if it says the name of the store directly on the coupon. Some stores also issue "manufacturer's coupons" (manu for short), so if it says "manu" at the top even if it was issued from Target, you can use it anywhere you want.

99% of the coupons you'll clip from newspapers/magazines/online/etc will be manufacturer's coupons.

PLEASE DO stack your coupons!! I have yet to find a store that does not allow this. Stacking coupons means using more than one coupon for one purchased item. There are many ways you can do this, and many ways you can not.

Most manu coupons will say something similar to "not to be used with any other offer"... this means it can not be used with any other manu coupon, but does not limit it to using it on top of a store coupon.

So if you have a $1 off coupon issued from the manu( ie: proctor & gamble), then you have a $1 off coupon issued from the store(ie: walgreens) you can save $2 on that one item by using both coupons.

Okay, now take it further. Try not to use your coupons unless the sale option is really great. You could use both of those coupons and save $2 on some make up... or you could wait until the store has a B1G1 (buy one get one) free sale on that make up. Now, you are saving $2 AND getting a free item.

OR better yet... use those $2 worth of savings when the store offers you money/register rewards/coupons/etc back for purchasing the item. CVS and Wags (walgreens) are great about this. Buy something for $4 get $4 back to use on your next purchase. So essentially the item is free. Use both your coupons worth $2 and *WHAMO* you've just made a profit of $2 by purchasing this item!!

If you have a $/$$ (ie: $5 off a $20 purchase) entire purchase coupon, you should be able to use it at the very end after all your other store and manu coupons.

This is really just the beginning of how to stack coupons. Give it a try if you haven't yet.

*I didn't get any couponing done this week- I was way too busy with birthday plans, so I hope to make up for it this coming week :)