How To Read the Coupon Index Column

When you check out the printable grocery shopping lists from Grocery Smarts, do you ever wonder what all that lingo in the coupon index column means? Here it is all explained for you=)

The other common question we get asked is what does DND and DNT mean?

DND and DNT mean, do not double and do not triple. If there is ever a double coupon day (rare here in Utah) it just means those coupons will not be able to be doubled or even tripled.

Did you Know?

Yesterday I was checking out at the grocery store and there was a "newbie" in front of me.

(We have all been there, nervous, trying to make sure things really ring up and the right price and trying to be as nice to the checker as possible.)

She seemed flustered and out of sorts, so I began helping her. Her total came to an amazing price, then she handed over her coupons. I was shocked at how many rules she asked the checker to break and how many "illegal" moves she tried pulling out! As she left and I started checking out, my checker proceeded to tell how awful the last few day had been at the store because people were asking the checkers to do all kinds of CRAZY things.

I couldn't help, but feel like I wish everyone knew how good this really is without having to "cheat" the system.

I want to make sure that all my readers are well educated of the "coupon" rules, so stores will be relieved not afraid when you say your from Grocery Smarts!

I also want people to know that as long as we do follow the rules, we wont run into issues, where stores will quit taking Internet printables, coupons, limiting transactions, or even be afraid of Grocery Smarts gals!

So ..... Did you Know?

• Photo coping coupons is illegal- Stores are paid face value plus .8 cents per coupon. If you photocopy them, they will not be reimbursed for them. That is considered stealing or coupon fraud.
• You can only print 2 IPs (internet printables) per computer or HOUSEHOLD! Most grocery stores are very aware of the 2 per household rule and will limit you to 2. That is for their own protection. They need to make sure that they are reimbursed for them.
• There are more grocery stores than Albertsons? LOL. I know a lot if people have been e-mailing about the lack of items left on the shelves at Albies. Don't panic, you can take your ad and go to Walmart where they will price match the item. Just make sure you have the ad with you!
• If a store is out of an item they will issue you a rain check for the sale price and you can use your coupons with it, as long as they don't expire, next time you go shopping!
• Everything goes on sale AGAIN! No sale is the BEST sale ever. I promise it will go on sale again
• It isn't nice to harass the checkers and ask them to "bend" rules for you, no matter how nice, or how much you flirt with them!
• We need to follow the coupons rules. Don't try and use it after its expired, or double it when it says not to
• If a coupon says only 3 per family, per shopping trip---follow that rule.. You will end up holding up the lines, getting more items that someone else who follows the rules could be getting or even making stores second guess their decision to let people use coupons!
• It is okay to help a "newbie"
• You are still saving a TON of money, even though you didn't get that ONE free item! LOL
• That if we follow the rules and continue to not "abuse" the system" this will keep working and we will be able to keep saving money on groceries!
• It helps to be organized before you get to the check out. Take an extra minuet and make sure your on budget and have things in the order you want them

Most of all HAVE FUN shopping and keep sending me in all your great pictures with your savings and out of pocket costs! Keep up the savings guys! I am so proud of my "She Shops Smart" readers!

Coupon Policies

After my advanced coupon class last night, which was so much fun, we discussed coupon policies. Here you go gals!

Target
Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping at any Target store, and we make it easy to use them at our stores. But because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target:

-We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued coupons.
-We'll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
-We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item; in that case, we'll adjust the value of the coupon to equal the price of the item.
-We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.

All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of sale.

Have questions or want more information about using coupons at Target? Check with a Guest Services Team Leader at your local store. You can also give us a call at (800) 440-0680, or visit us on Target.com. Either way, we're here to help!

Walgreens
Walgreen stores accept a variety of coupons everyday. The coupons fall into two categories:

#1. Walgreens issued coupons and
#2. Manufacturer issued coupons

The following are some guidelines for accepting these types of coupons.

We will accept one Walgreen issued coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits such use.

Walgreens Roto Ad coupons, IVC (Instant Value Coupon) coupons, and a manufacturers coupon can be used towards the purchase of any one item.

Walgreens does not provide cash back if a coupon is presented from more than the purchase value of the item.

Walgreens does not accept coupons from other retailers or coupons for products not carried in our stores.

All valid coupons must be presented to the cashier at the time of sale.

When purchasing a Buy 1 Get 1 free item, only one coupon can be applied towards the purchase because the customer is only purchasing one item.

If a coupon states good on any size of the product and does not specifically exclude trail sizes of this product, the coupon can be used to purchase trial sized products.

Internet coupons can be accepted whether they are printed in color or in black and white.

Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.

As a company we do not price match.

If an item that was purchased with a coupon is returned, we will refund theprice paid by the customer. Example: If the item retail was $1.49 and the manufacturers coupon was $.25 off, we would refund $1.24.