Coupons 101 - Stacking coupons

After reading the previous post, I thought, "Maybe I should have started with the basics."  But I was so happy about paying $.56 for (2) toothbrushes, (2) Mello-Yellows, a full-size hand sanitizer and a body brush that I forgot all about the basics. So let's get back to the basics.  The first concept, stacking coupons, is discussed below.

Stack Coupons

Retailers who offer store coupons (locally CVS, Target, Walgreen's) will accept 1 manufacturer and 1 store coupon for each item.  This often means big savings.  For example, Target currently has 5-count Zyrtec allergy medicine for $5.29 regular price.  Target has a store coupon for $4 off any Zyrtec item.  $1.29 is a great deal.  But combine with a $2 off manufacturer coupon (found here: https://www.zyrtec.com/zna/offer) and all of a sudden you have free allergy medicine.

Things are a little more complicated when you a coupon offers a certain dollar amount multiple items.  Let's imagine there we want cereal that retails at $3/box. We will say there is a Target coupon that offers $1 off two Kellogg's cereals and a manufacturer coupon for $1.50 off three Kellogg cereals.  We can use both coupons, yes.  But what is the best way to use these?

• We can buy (1) at $3 ($3/box)
• We can buy (2) and use the Target coupon and pay $5 ($2.50/box)
• We can buy (3) and use the Target coupon AND manufacturer coupon and pay $6.50 ($9 - $1.50 manufacturer coupon - $1 Target coupon for ($2.16/box)

Note that we could not use the Target coupon until we reached the item amount (2) boxes of cereal.  We also could not use the manufacturer coupon until we reached the minimum there (3).  But once we met the minimum amount of items, we could stack and use both and save 28% per box.  Some coupons will allow you to use more than one per transaction (look for phrase like "One coupon per transaction" - if not there, you may be able to use more than 1 coupon in a single transaction).  If this is the case, you can buy larger quantities and drive your per item cost down lower.  Keep in mind, while you save more per item, your OOP may increase.

Where do you find store coupons?  Walgreen's puts out several coupon books (Infant Care, Seasonal Beauty Guide and monthly coupon magazine - all of which are free and located either at the front of the store or at the beauty counter), CVS has the "magic coupon machine" where Extra Care cards can be scanned and coupons printed and Target has a very nice coupon site (go to Target.com and on the bottom there is a coupon link).  There are many other retailers that offer store coupons, so don't be afraid to ask the customer service counter.

Coupon stacking is very important to save money.  But combining with other deals, like weekly sales, is also important.  In the next post I will demonstrate how store cash-back offers can save you OOP dollars.