What is an Overage?

An overage is when the product you have is a price that is lower than your coupon.

Example:
Colgate toothpaste
Regular price: $2.39
Sale price: 99 cents (and you even price matched!)
You have a coupon for: $1.50
You have an overage of 51 cents per toothpaste you purchase.

This means that the coupon can be accepted (some stores say "yes" to the overage), some say "no" to the overage, but will accept the coupon UP TO the value of the sale price (example: 99 cents will be written on the coupon to show that you got the toothpaste for 99 cents, it's still "free" to you, but you don't get the difference). Some stores won't accept the coupon at all.

The BEST store for accepting overages is Walmart.

The best time to have an overage, is when you can get enough of one coupon to get the product overage and use the overage towards your other cart purchases (items that are more difficult for finding coupons and discounts for- like fresh produce, meat, eggs, etc).

Check a "coupon policy" for each store in order to find the specific way that overages are dealt with.

When IS it a Good Time to Use a Coupon?

The best time to use a coupon is when there is a sale. You will get more "bang for your buck" and save more money.

The next best time, is if you need the item (example: toilet paper) and it's a critical low time in the house, you can't wait for the next sale cycle in the store... make your own "sale" by using the coupon. At least you are still saving "something" and not paying full price.

The best time to try a "new" product on the shelves is when you have a coupon! When a new product comes out, product taste testing in stores or demonstrations for a products effectiveness are usually performed. This is also when they hand out coupons (sometimes) and this is when you will find the product on special (sometimes). Use the coupon (watch for Smart Source, Red Plum, etc for "new" products about to hit the shelves, and have your coupon ready for when it arrives in stores).
This is when to buy a product, on sale with your coupon, when it's new. Then, if you don't like it; it's not as big a ding to your pocket-book!

"Yeah, but you really don't use that!"

The number one mistake, in my humble opinion, is buying something you don't use just because you have a coupon.

It's not saving you money if you are spending money on an item that you don't use!

Your real savings come when you use a coupon on an item that you do use in your household!

Example:
You get a coupon for Fruit Roll Ups. You don't buy them because you prefer your kids to have a real piece of fruit with their lunches, not a pre packaged (etc) snack. But, you have a 50 cents off coupon, and they are on sale this week for $1.47. You get the box for 93 cents. Are you really getting a good deal if you are compromising your shopping list and nutrition of your kids, if you purchase this item? Would you be better off buying the fruit that you normally purchase (and it happens to cost more this week because you are comparing the sale of the Fruit Roll Ups versus the fresh apples during the mid-winter)... it's tempting. But don't give in. You'll feel better in the end knowing that you stuck through and sent the kids with something you feel good about.

(Nothing against Fruit Roll Ups, it was just an example!)
The same could be said of sugary cereals, pre packaged meals, meal starters, etc.

Rain Checks

A "Rain Check" is basically a piece of paper allowing you to purchase a sale item at a later date because the store has run short of supply.

A typical rain check is dated and has an expiry date (maybe weeks or month), quantity of the item you want to purchase, a size, brand and store where it the rain check is valid. It will also have a signature from a department or store manager, or other authorized employee.

Example:
Metro runs a sale on chicken leg 1/4's for $1.49/lb. They run out of the chicken and offer rain checks to customers who ask for them.

The rain check will only be valid at Metro, by the expiry date, on the exact item and for the exact quantity specified. You cannot purchase chicken at the sale price (after the sale is over) without your rain check. You will have to give Metro the rain check, you can only use it once; even if you only buy 3 items and the rain check said you can have 6. All 6 must be purchased at the same time. You cannot exceed the 6 (example) that is specified on the rain check, you can only have the maximum.

Some stores have an idea when the "truck will be in" with the next shipment, while other stores may offer just a general "sometime next week." Either way, the rain check will be good for a length of time, just don't forget to use it!

There are the few stores in our midst that do not issue a rain check for items in their stores. This is inconvenient for the customer and frustrating. It's just their policy. The only thing you can do (besides not going back to check) is to ask when they expect a new shipment with your desired sale items on it to arrive.

Can I Use A Coupon With A Rain Check?

Yes. A coupon and rain check are two very different pieces of paper. One is a discounted price for a specific item that is kept until you are ready to redeem it. The other is a piece of paper entitling you to a sale priced item that the store ran short of during their sale. There is no reason that a rain check and coupon can't be used together.

Coupon Collection & Trade Initiation

The Hunter Gatherer

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear, is "Where do you get all these coupons?" My response has become pretty much a stock answer, "I usually trade them online and find them in stores."

In order to better enjoy a shopping trip, which to some may seem like a bore or work, I have my soon to be eleven year old son be a hunter and gatherer of coupons for me. He really enjoys finding the ones which he thinks I have missed (on lower shelves or way up high).

The biggest chore for him is trying to carry his new found booty. The bounty of coupons can be somewhat more than his hands can hold at times. With more excitement then you'd probably expect from a preteen boy, he brings stacks of paper to me in another aisle where I continue to shop. The young coupon-hunter holding his plunder with much happiness, shows me ones that he feels are "better," "higher value" or "people are so going to want to trade you for this one mom!" Off he goes to conquer the rest of the aisles in the store. The limit of coupons, (per item) is reasonable and he generally respects the limits I've set for taking coupons in stores. One skill, I just really have to get him checking the dates on the coupon before he brings it to me, unpopular items or coupon pads that are really out of date tend to be forgotten for months beyond expiry.


Just where do we find the coupons in stores?
Coupon pads hang from shelving in aisles of the stores, window displays in the freezer and dairy sections may have a suction-cup display with coupons on a pad, laying on shelving/between items and attached to the physical container or item which you are purchasing (a peel off label sometimes called a "peelie").

Another place to find coupons 'in store' are at the cashier/check outs for special promotions there may be coupons which are only redeemable at that particular location.

Stores and pharmacies like to promote their stores by offering a calender near the turn of a new year. These calenders sometimes have coupons in them and it's worth asking if the store has any calenders left when you are shopping again. One local pharmacy was giving out calenders well into May of 2009, (not many customers need a calender for 2009 by then), so it's just for the coupon savvy shoppers at that point to ask for a few extra.

The cashier's would load me up with 3-5 calenders per shopping trip (which is good for the store too; the coupons are getting used and the store knows that they can order a certain number of calenders the following year for distribution). When the Pharmacy-store recycled the last box of calenders, the one cashier said she thought of me when she saw the manager take them all away; she wanted to ask for them, but didn't know how to contact me, (I'll be sure to give her my email for next time a coupon stack is about to go to waste in the recycle bin!)

Local 'free' newspapers have inserts "Smart Source," "BrandSaver" and "Red Plum" are three that come to mind. Magazine subscriptions play host to several varieties of advertising media including coupons and mail-in-rebates (MIR). Coupons are also found inside and printed on packages of consumer goods (like food, beverages, clothing, etc).

Manufacturers place contact information on most packaging, making it easier to request coupons (and even samples) from companies. A politely worded email or handwritten letter also go a long way with some companies because many reward customer loyalty and sincerity with coupons.

Swap then Shop!

Trading coupons with coupon-collecting friends is a great thing to offset your stash; but just how do you meet other coupon-collectors? Internet groups are the best suggestion.  Membership should be free to groups and have at least one active moderator. There are a few groups, I am working on making a simple website to use for this purpose.  In the meanwhile, I would recommend advertising on Kijiji or talking to your co-workers, mom's groups, or other people you interact with.


Top 10 Check-List for Initiating a trade

1. Message the person you would like to propose a trade with after you have read over their available trade list and wish list.  (you may have to ask if anyone on Kijiji or other online communities have wishlists).

2. List the coupons you are interested in (totalling them up is a nice thing to do, but not required) and propose a trade either from your trade list or your personal coupon stash, which matches as closely as possible to items on their wish list (totalling them up is a nice thing here as well, but not required by all traders).

3. The person you are proposing a trade with, will contact you (usually it doesn't take too long) and accept, modify or decline your propsol. NEVER take it personally if you are turned down or asked to modify a trade. It's not about you personally, it's about coupons and the value each of us places on them.

4. Assuming an agreement is reached, you exchange addresses for the coupons to be sent.

5. Have your envelope weighed at the post office to ensure correct postage.

6. Send your envelope.

7. Message your trade partner to let them know that you sent your side of the trade.

8. Message your trade partner to let them know that their side of the trade arrived.

9. Start the car, you have coupons to use and savings are in your future!


What happens when a trade goes wrong?

The trade never shows up, the trader stops communication, the trade envelope is not what you traded for?  Before jumping to conclusions to take the matter to a moderator of the website (if you are using a forum style online community).  If you are trading on Kijiji, you may have made the trade in person, so you could just refuse the trade or ask for it to be modified.   Be fair, honest and remain mature about the circumstance. Give the person on the other end of the trade, the same benefit of the doubt that you would appreciate.


How long should I wait until a trade is declared MIA?


A missing trade is something none of us appreciate, but at some point it can happen.

Factors to keep in mind when calculating the length of time that an envelope "should" take to arrive: day of the week, time of year/season, strikes and holidays.

For example, if an envelope is mailed on a Thursday, you have to consider what time does the mail LEAVE that mail box. If it's picked up on Friday and travels that day, then sits for two days on the weekend, you have gone from Thursday to Monday, (5 days) with only two days the mail was physically moving towards it's destination. Add in there, a holiday (like Easter) where you have mailed it on Thursday, it sits in the mailbox Friday through to Tuesday, it won't start moving until Tuesday (out of six days, the mail didn't move until Tuesday, so one day in six that it really moved anywhere!).

Honesty: The Best Policy

Basically, be honest about when you send your end of the trade and report when the trade was received on your end. Have patience with the mail system, because as much as a trader would like to instantly have the mail arrive in your hands, it's not going to happen.

I usually would consider a trade missing after about fourteen working days (these are days that the Canada Post is physically moving my mail, not holidays or weekends.) I would contact my trade partner and inquire about the trade, verify when it was sent (things happen and being realistic is reasonable) and keep an open dialogue with your trade partner. This type of event is not a common occurrence and really needs to be discussed between partners. I can't stress enough honesty, patience and maturity when dealing with trades. It's easy to blow things out of proportion, keep a cool head and a favourable outcome is much more likely.

Sale + Coupon = Big Savings!

Many thousands of coupons are flooding the market at any given time with an honest attempt to influence your purchase of a particular product. But when is using a coupon a good deal and when is it just a waste of money?

In your household you know what you regularally purchase and what are considered treats. You also know about new products on the market through advertising with any number of strategically placed promotions in a variety of media forms. You see the new laundry detergent marketed as "2x the cleaning power," or the "candies now with no artificial colours!" Something to grab your attention and get you thinking about the advertisement song (jingle) or the well built model showing the latest car or clothing designs.

So when is it a good deal to use a coupon?

I would suggest that the best time to use a coupon, is during a sale. If I know of a promotion within the timeline of the expiry of the coupon, then I would use it at the sale. This keeps more money in my pocket, through both the sale price and the coupon redemption. If the product is not on sale or is something that rarely goes on sale, then I would use the coupon to save money on the purchase.

Another good time to use a coupon is to try a new product, the advertisements are ringing through your head as you enter the grocery store and picking up that 'special' item to 'try it' is on your mind. You didn't need to write it down on your list, because the jingle has played in your head for a week now leading up to this moment. This is definately the time to use a coupon because you aren't sure if you'd like the product and paying full price would seem wasteful to you in the end if you didn't like it; you will remind yourself that, "well at least I used a coupon and didn't pay full price."

What could be considered an unwise use of coupons?

If I were to make purchases outside of what I normally buy for my household, 'just because it was a good deal,' is not wise use of the money that it took to complete the purchase. For example, if shaving lotion for ladies were on clearance and I had a coupon for the item, purchasing this is a waste if I don't have a reason to own it because I'm allergic to it.

I have heard and seen people talk about their stock piles of treasures which cost next to nothing and if it's something they normally buy, getting for a great deal is wonderful bargain shopping! When I hear of other people who buy the products to donate to shelters and food banks, I think that is just fantastic; both sharing and saving themselves money all in the same purchase. I totally applaud that. Excessive shopping and hoarding, however in some individuals can be a serious mental problem with real life effects. If you feel you're needing some help because your shopping has turned into excess, hoarding or obsession; I encourage you to contact your medical professional. There is strength in asking for help when you need it.

Coupon Usage Tips:

How to use more than one coupon during a sale and save even more!

Kellogg's Brand Cereals were on sale for $2.99 a box.

Raisin Bran $2.99 (sale price) - $2.00 coupon (back of cereal boxes) = 99c

Special K $2.99 (sale price) - $1.50 coupon = $1.49

99c + $1.49 = $2.48

$2.48 - $2.00 coupon (WUB 2 Kellogg's Cereal coupon) = 48c for 2 boxes!

Take advantage of the sale + coupon = greater savings.

Use individual coupons + "WUB*" more than one product coupons, for the same purchase.

*WUB= when you buy

Here's how you do it... (unless you have a cashier, which I have never had... that doesn't understand this)...I give them one box of cereal and one coupon. I give them the next box and that coupon. At the end of the order (or after they have rung it in anytime after the coupons are rung in) I give them the WUB 2 get $2 off coupon.

Here is what I say... I am very pleasant and never assume that they know what to do, or not to do with a coupon, I just say hi, how are you and start ringing in groceries... then I say, I have a coupon for that box of cereal. They scan the cereal and enter the coupon (some set them aside for the end, but most ring in as we go when we do it one at a time).

Then when they go to scan the second cereal box, I say "oh I have a coupon for that as well!"

When that is rung in, I hand them another coupon and say, "I get a bonus today, because I bought two boxes of cereal, I get another coupon off!" and the cashier looked at the coupon, smiled and said, "well yes you do!" That was it, just that simple. Twenty-four cents for a box of cereal, now to find a coupon to have milk with it!

You Trader!

Coupons have long been in circulation for basic marketing purposes for over 120 years. Historically, the Coca-Cola Company in 1887, incorporated with Asa Candler as a partner, is credited with significantly changing the business with his unique advertising methods. Complimentary coupons for Coca-Cola were mailed and distributed in magazines giving away a phenomenal 8.5 million free drinks between 1894 to 1913. By 1895 through this marketing method, every state in the US was serving Coca-Cola.

In 1909 C.W. Post used coupons to aid in the sale of his breakfast cereal, a penny coupon per box. Within the US today, about 3 billion dollars in transactions are made because of coupons. [a]

With the birth of the Internet, coupon availability and access has grown. Online coupon codes, printable coupons and access to manufacturer addresses for requesting coupons, have become much simpler.

So how does one collect coupons? Coupons can be found in grocery store aisles hanging from coupon pads, a fridge or freezer magnet may hold a pad of coupons in some sections of the store, laying on top of display shelves, a point of sale cardboard display in the middle an aisle, at the checkout, in a flyer, store promotion calender, counter display (like a pamphlet holder with a coupon in the pamphlet) and directly on merchandise. Coupon clipping from magazines and newspapers became very popular during the Great Depression, in order to save as much money as possible. "By 1957, the first-ever clearing house devoted entire to the redemption of coupons was created (it was called the Nielsen Coupon Clearing House at the time and then it’s name was eventually changed to the Manufacturers Coupon Control Center or MC3). This marked the beginning of the era of the coupon as a crucial part of the world of business. By 1965, more than half of the people in the United States reported that they were coupon clippers."[b]

Where do trades for coupons take place? Trading for coupons has become quite fun with the Internet being a major source of coupon~users coming together online. In person trading and local groups, also make coupon trades more personal and interesting to meet other people. An exceptional website is one which allows members to access several options for finding a variety of resources and methods of obtaining coupons. Forums, discussions, online up to the minute coupon database, access to hundreds of freebies, where to enter contests, product and store reviews, weekly flyer's for stores coast to coast, sales promotions in a small town to a blowout clearance in a major city the information gets posted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Regular contests for members of the online community are a great participation incentive (not that we need one!)

Questions about trading coupons are frequently sent to me and I encourage "newbies" to ask anything and everything. In an article to follow, I'll be outlining the major and minor thoughts and questions new-to-coupon-use people frequently ask. If you are new to coupon use and have a question, please feel free to send me a message. I will do my best to answer your question or find someone who knows the answer for you.

A Penny Saved

Coupons are a way of life in our household budget. Trading and using them are important for our regular purchases in order to keep our family finances under management.

Working with "newbie" coupon users has really allowed me to understand the people that don't come from cost~cutting households. Some "newbies" are surfacing in desperate need of coupon~using mentors during the difficult economic times.

 To me, saving money is even more important than earning it. Saving money which I have already in my bank account makes more sense than trying to earn more to replace what I've spent because I didn't use wisdom with my purchases. There are times when a purchase has to be made without a coupon or sale, that just happens. The more that can be stretched out of one dollar, the better.

Coupons just make sense when it comes to smart shopping and taking care of my family budget.