Take Advantage of the Free Stuff

Couponing Old School

When I first started couponing, my focus was on getting free stuff.  I didn’t know anything about sales cycles or rock bottom pricing or any of the strategies necessary to make it effective.  I clipped everything and printed almost everything I found.  Talk about tripping over dollars to save a dime!!!

After replacing a couple of expensive ink cartridges, I got a bit more selective about what coupons I printed.  Along the way, I learned what I needed to know to customize the process for my family.

I made sense of the sales cycles. What to stock up on. When to buy and how much to buy.  I fine-tuned my brand loyalty philosophy (Iams cat food for life) and realized that any paper towel would do.

This is a process that continues to change.  Changes to store policies regarding coupon acceptance. Changes to the offers that the manufacturer makes.

All of this is bottom-line related, and fraud prevention is a big part of that.

In the meantime, many stores are offering a growing selection of digital coupons that eliminate the need for printing or clipping coupons at all.  These are usually manufacturers’ coupons that cannot be combined with a paper coupon, but they can be combined with store coupons and grocery rebate apps.

This page contains affiliate links to products I use, love, and recommend.  See my disclosure policy.

Rebate Apps

Manufacturer’s coupons and store coupons can be used in conjunction with Ibotta. When you first sign up with Ibotta, you receive a $5.00 bonus when you process your first rebate.  The payout requirement is $20.00, so you have a head start. 

Plus, there are a ton of bonus opportunities to help you earn even more.  But it’s more than just groceries.  It’s travel, clothing, pets, dining, and Uber.  And the list goes on. 

Online businesses from Amazon to Zappos participate.  Sign up here and see what it’s all about!  New offers are being added all the time.

Two other apps I use regularly, Checkout51 and Fetch.

Checkout51 provides weekly cash-back offers on grocery essentials. Browse the deals, shop as you normally would, and upload your receipt to earn cash back.

Fetch simplifies the process—take a photo of your receipt to earn points on nearly every purchase, which can be redeemed for gift cards.

Check the app for bonus points on select products, which you can stack with sales and coupons.

Both apps take just seconds to use and add up to real savings over time!

Free Offers for Best Customers

Also, loyal customers are seeing some sweet surprises in the form of free products. 

For example,  Publix recently offered a free package of Arla Cream Cheese, and Kroger offers “Best Customer” coupons on items you purchase regularly. 

Mine usually includes Private Selection breads or Nature Valley granola bars. Each week, I try to work the free stuff into my menu plan.

Check your grocery store websites weekly to see what they may have for you.

Digital Coupons

How many store loyalty cards are hanging off your key chain? I have 16.

Well, one of them is my library card.

Use your grocery store’s digital coupons with your loyalty card to save more.

The selection of store and manufacturer’s coupons has increased so much over the last few months. It’s a way for stores and manufacturers to combat coupon fraud. It turns into a win-win for everyone.

Sign up for digital coupons from your grocery store. With such a large number of coupons offered now, there is no longer a need to clip or print coupons. In addition to popular manufacturers’ coupons, your store may offer weekly deals or freebies through its digital coupon database.

Check it out weekly so that you don’t miss out on the deals.

Brand-sponsored freebies

MySimilac Rewards for those starting (or growing) a family. Sign up to receive benefits such as Baby formula coupons and a free Shutterfly photo book.

Bzz Agent to receive and review a wide range of popular products.

Amazon Baby Registry. If you are an Amazon Prime member and are expecting, you are eligible for a free welcome box.

To receive your free welcome box gift, you need to have an active Amazon Prime account, create a baby registry with at least 10 unique items, and have over $10 in purchases from your registry.

It just takes a moment to monitor the store websites or the online community activity to find those products or opportunities that interest you. 

The more you participate in these activities, the more tailored the offerings are to you.  Any product that you would use anyway is one more thing to cross off your list.  Go ahead and sign up for these programs and see if you can fit them into your routine.

There have been no issues with spamming or a bunch of annoying emails.  On the contrary, the programs are worthwhile and have been valuable.  I use the products, and the process is fun.

If these programs don’t work for you, it’s a simple matter of unsubscribing, but give it a go.

Stacking 

The magic happens when you can combine a good BOGO sale, a coupon, and a rebate from your favorite rebate app. The final price can be pennies. It might just be the sales tax. When you find a deal like this, buy as much of the product as you can, following store policy, of course.

I am not an advocate of hoarding, but if you can get for pennies on the dollar all of the toilet paper you will need for 3 months, then go for it.

Taking advantage of these opportunities means that I can keep my grocery budget under control. I’ve also established my rock bottom pricing for the products we use regularly.

How to Use a Price Book to Save Money on Groceries is a blog post I wrote to help figure out rock-bottom pricing. Download and print the useful worksheets and find your rock-bottom prices.

I don’t pay for toothpaste or shampoo. I won’t pay more than 3 bucks for a bag (11-13oz) of coffee. Cereal, granola bars, and lunchbox snacks are usually under $1 a box.

Look for amazing deals on pasta, sauces, and soups.

Your list won’t look like mine, but I do hope you find the deals that help you save money every day.