I have received quite a few emails and comments lately asking about the way that I do coupon matchups. I understand that more and more people are using coupons these days and I have to admit, sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that not everyone has been using coupons for 20 years as I have (wait - you mean it is NOT "all about me"?)
So here is a recent email that I received:
Mindi -
I am hoping that you can explain something. I see that you often include a $1 off 1 coupon and a $1 off 2 coupon in your matchups. Does this mean that I can use both coupons when I am buying 2 items? I am new to this and just trying to figure this out. Thanks!
Denise
So - the short answer is: NO...you can't use a $1/1 and a $½ coupon when you are buying just 2 products!
So what is Denise talking about? Well, the easiest thing is for me to just grab a recent coupon matchup...
Dannon Activia, $1.99
$0.75/1 Dannon Activia
$1/1 Dannon Activia Yogurt 10/10/2010 SS Insert (exp 11/7/2010)
Final price: as low as $0.49 after coupon
Yes - I have listed 2 coupons for the deal...but you can only use one of them. I am simply telling you ALL of the options for finding the coupons. In the case above, perhaps you didn't get the newspaper on 10/10/2010 or maybe you hit the limit on the printable coupon. It makes sense for me to tell you about all the available coupons!
But wait - occasionally you CAN use multiple coupons on a single purchase.
Some stores (like Safeway/Genuardi's, Rite Aid and Walgreens) have in-ad or eCoupons that can be stacked with manufacturers coupons. In those cases, I try to make it very clear in my matchups by using the words "STACK WITH" (for in-ad coupons) or "LOAD" (for eCoupons) in the matchup. An example:
Thermacare Back Patch (1 ct), $2.99
Get a $2.99 Single Check Rebate when you buy 1
$1/1 Thermacare HeatWrap
$1/1 ThermaCare 9/26/2010 RP Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
STACK WITH
$1/1 Thermacare Product Rite Aid Video Values
Final price: as low as FREE + $2 overage after coupons and SCR
In this case, you have an option of 2 manufacturers coupons to stack with the single in-store coupon. You can still only use one of each, but I am trying to tell you about all of the available coupons to maximize your savings!
Any questions or confusion? Post them in the comments!
