If it Smells Fishy: Hook, Line and Sinker

Around the Cutting Block

Word around the cutting block is that newspapers will have both RedPlum and Smartsource this weekend. I was lucky enough to get this weekend’s RedPlum from the nice mail man friend I mentioned previously and I personally like the coupons this weekend! :)

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Dollar Tree accepts coupons! As long as it is the same product, size, etc that matches your coupon.

HOWEVER if the coupon exceeds the product amount there is no overage (like Wal-Mart in my previous blog) it is priced down to $1.00 making the item free. Keep in mind coupons for JUST FREE items, are not accepted and it is up to the discretion of the store’s managers the bulk amount you can by (assuming your coupon doesn’t have a limit of course!)

 

Listen Up Baby Couponers: FRAUD and EXTREME COUPONING

So, I’ve come across the topic of fraudulent coupons within the couponing community… This is something to be EVER VIGILANT of. This not only gives couponers a bad rep it is just poor taste. Some might know the incident that happened with several participants of TLC’s show Extreme Couponing where a few people OPENLY used fraudulent coupons on the show and got items for free. This is truly disgusting and is called STEALING, no matter how you slice it or dice it.

So how can you tell a FAKE from a real one?
Besides using the site below, buy your coupons in Newspapers or sellers with a reputation of selling quality merchandise such as Ebay. If it’s too good to be true it may be a fake. Do a little research on that particular coupon if not sure. It’s one thing to mistake a fake for a real one, it’s another to blatantly use them knowingly. Besides nobody likes a crook couponer, the only thing that should be crooked about your couponing are the lines when you cut the coupon out of the insert. Keep it straight (preferably your coupon cutting too lol).

 
You can find a list of fraudulent coupons here:

http://www.couponinformationcenter.com/psa-list.php

But isn’t couponing a form of stealing? NO. Never. When used properly and according to the store’s limitations and manufacturer’s limitations you are doing “smart shopping”. Trying to push off coupons for items you DID NOT BUY or are NOT the same item as your coupon… STEALING. Coupons that have expired and you are trying to push them through.. STEALING (unless you are in the military – you can send expired coupons to different military places for the families of our Armed Forces to use). Be mindful of the coupon’s and store’s policies. If you make a mistake learn from it, but don’t abuse the system. Ultimately couponers will suffer in a change of policy, which apparently already has happened in quite a few places. Do couponing the HONEST way.

 

Truth About Extreme Couponing (TLC show)

This isn’t Extreme Couponing, but I promise your savings will be.

Let’s be honest. That show is a little off the deep end. In normal day to day life is it possible to score hundreds for less ABSOLUTELY… buying 400 boxes of cat food in one transaction making them free? Not so much.

Like CSI, crimes are not solved that quickly and the show, although entertaining, can be a pile of crock to what the actual limitations and problems are.

Same with couponing.

Stores and coupons have limitations… and 400 boxes in one transaction or even 15 transaction is not always the truth. OFTEN your coupon has a limit of 4 per item. Some don’t have limits BUT the store does. Then there is the limit # per HOUSEHOLD, limit # per transaction, etc. And there are times you get lucky on both ends and there is NO limit at all.

The doubling that occurs for coupons on that show doesn’t happen around my area unless a limited time TRIPLE COUPON deal is going on. From my experience on watching the show (and trust me that I love to watch it lol) A LOT of rules are bent, A LOT. Doubling ON AVERAGE, in stores that have the ability to, is up to .99 cents. Not the $1.98 you typically see on Extreme Couponing.

So just a heads up, is it possible to get your items for little to nothing? ABSOLUTELY!

But when it comes to 199 bottles of Vitamin Water, or 300 Dog Can foods in one transaction, with what seems like triple doubling, no limitations on coupon or store it’s a little tough and in many places not very often possible. I never say never because it can and probably does happen. BUT for right now, NORMAL couponing is enough to stock pile your home and still keep you paying less. No need to have 1000’s of coupon inserts to get yourself stable with cheap to free household items. Little by little! :)

Well until next time!

CLIP IT, USE IT, LOVE IT... GOOD LUCK! <3