Couponing 101 - Stacking up

I just found the perfect stacking up example.
Not long ago, I went through a not very pleasant situation @ Publix, where the cashier didn't understand this concept. My lesson learned was: I have to educate the employees if necessary.
Have in mind, most of them don't have a clue about coupons or they are just simply scared to get fired over coupon related mistakes.

(click on image to enlarge)

Coupon on the left: it states is a Publix coupon = store coupon.
Coupon on the right: manufacturer coupon and ready to print.

You can redeem both of them for the same group of items, in this case: 3 Fruit  Cup Snacks packs.
Hope you have the store one from a couple of weeks ago Publix booklet.
You can print the manufacturer one from HERE.

Have questions? email me: info@photographybyrosiehernandez.com
or leave a comment on my Facebook.

Couponing 101 - getting started...

Start slow. This is super important, not only so you don't lose your sanity or get discouraged BUT to clearly understand how each store works. Before heading out the door, grab your weekly flyers and draw some scenarios with no more than 3 or 4 items each.

Know your coupons. I do this all the time. It's humanly impossible to remember what coupons you have, which you already redeem... go over your binder, folder, envelope or whatever you use to storage your coupons on a weekly basis.
Also, know the stores coupon policies. Click HERE for more info.

Size doesn't matter. At the end of the day, the most important thing to accomplish using coupons is to spend the less possible $ out of your pocket. There is nothing wrong with buying travel size products. Most of the time and after coupons you can get them for cents or event for free.

Where do I find coupons?
Sunday newspapers (they are called inserts)

 Magazines subscriptions (All You is my favorite one)

Store flyers (Publix, CVS, Walgreens, etc.)

Blinkies (in-store coupon machines)

 Free samples - visit Freebies and Coupons section to get yours

Mailed coupons from manufacturers - visit To keep to toss section to get yours

Online printable coupons - check out our daily blog updates to get yours

Facebook manufacturer pages - "like" So Fla Coupon Therapy page to get the latest deals from FB.

Need a binder? click HERE to order yours.

Couponing 101 - Winn Dixie

Winn Dixie offers a complimentary reward card, which you can get from HERE to participate in special programs and promotions not available to non-cardholders.
You can use the card in many gas stations as well and get some extra points. For more info about it go HERE.
To get B1G1 FREE you must buy the 2 items to get the discount, and you can use 2 MC on this promotion (one for the item you pay for, one for the free item).
The registers at Winn-Dixie print catalina coupons. Most of them are MC for a specific product, others are $ OFF a certain amount of ANYTHING in store coupons.
Winn Dixie doesn't price match or take competitor coupons, but you can stack one MC + one SC per item.

Winn Dixie doesn’t have an official coupon policy but all of the above has been experienced by me - If you have any questions: 1-866-946-6349 or go to Winn-dixie.com and select the ‘Contact Us’ link.

Couponing 101 - organizing your coupons

There was a time when a couple of coupons were just the perfect extra cushion my purse needed.
Fortunately, sooner than later they took over my wallet - that's when I knew I needed to organize my coupons.

C-Line Biodegradable 13-Pocket Expanding File, Coupon Size, 1 File Folder, Color May Vary 48410
$4.99
In a blink of an eye, I went from a regular white envelope to a sturdy plastic divider... so, my suggestion is to skip all of the above and start with the organizer of all organizers: The binder!

Case-it Grey Zipper Binder (D-250)
$12.99
Efficiently designed 3-ring binder with 2-inch O-rings, rigid body construction and a handle and shoulder strap. This convenient binder also features a full mesh pocket on the outside and two inner pockets for easy organization. What I like about this one is that you can carry it on your shoulder.

25 Ultra Pro 9 Pocket Page Protectors Fits 3-Ring Binder for Baseball and Other Sports Cards!
$5.90
The 25 (Twenty Five) count pack 9-pocket pages is just the right size to start your coupons' binder. Love the quality of these pages... I know they will last for ever!

What's the order of my coupons?
Drinking products (sodas, juices, milk, shakes, etc.)
Cereal (dry, bars, etc.)
Dressings (oil, seasoning, sugar, etc.)
Dairy products (cheese, yogurt, butter, etc.)
Meats (fresh cuts, cold cuts, etc.) and Salads
Cookies and Crackers (including candies)
Ice cream and Desserts
Bread and Frozen (pizza, vegetables, etc.)
Shower Time (body wash, soap, hand soap, etc.) 2 pages
Hair care and Shampoos
Lotions (including colognes, body mist, makeup remover, etc.)
Makeup and Deodorant
Dental care (toothpaste, toothbrush, mouth wash, floss, etc.) 2 pages
Vitamins (adults, kids, fiber, probiotic, etc.)
Remedies (adults and kids)
Pet food
Paper goods (toilet paper, kitchen towel, tissue, diapers, etc.)
Cleaning products (detergent, softener, dishwasher detergent, multi-surface cleaner, etc.)

Couponing 101 - Walgreens

I'm not going to lie here - took me a while to figure out how Walgreens works.
Actually, it's pretty simple.
To make the most out of your $$$, check out Walgreens weekly flyer + monthly booklet (tons of extra coupons there) + any other online printable manufacturer coupon you can get, of course.

Example:

Diapers are on SALE for $9.49
Walgreens is giving me back $2.00 *Register Rewards
1/$3.00 OFF online manufacturer's coupon
I paid $5.49 BUT, I've got $2.00 *RR

*Register Rewards
You can earn Register Rewards when you make a qualifying purchase of eligible item(s)
advertised in our Weekly Ad, or an in-store promotion.
Your Register Rewards coupon will print out at the register, with your receipt, to redeem on
your next shopping trip.

How can you use Register Rewards? Make multiple consecutive purchases.
The $2.00 RR you've got from the diapers can be used on your (right away) next purchase.

IMPORTANT: the number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction: example HERE.

Official Walgreens coupon policy

Couponing 101 - CVS

If you didn't get your CVS card yet HERE is your chance. Start earning ECBs today.
How it works:
Every time you go inside your local CVS stop by the Coupon Center machine (big red "ATM" look alike) and scan your CVS Extra Care Card.
Have in mind that the printed coupons you will receive are time sensitive - read the expiration date and take advantage of them!

You can combine CVS offers with manufacturers coupons and get great deals on your everyday purchases.
Bonus: milk is cheaper than anywhere else (Publix, Target, etc.) sometimes $1.00 OFF.

My FREE rewards of this week were:
CVS bandages 30ct. (up to $4.29 value)
Caramello Candy Bar (up to $1.19 value)

Also, I've got a bunch of $1.00 OFF coupons (from the CC machine), I used the gum pack one, paying just cents for it.

Official CVS coupon policy

Couponing 101 - Publix

I just want to remind you I'm not a stockpiler. I buy products my family and I consume on a daily basis... and some extra to get us by until the next sale.
I rarely buy newspapers cause' luck of good inserts.
I mostly rely on word of mouth, stores flyers, manufacturers online offers and free coupons websites.

Get quick and easy access to dozens of name brand coupons at Coupons.com!

How to get products for 1/2 price, cents or even for FREE?

I always start with giving a visit to my local supermarket. I grab their current flyers, I take pictures of the isles that I'm interested in and I leave (most of the time with merchandise I scouted during my last trip, of course).

The trick is to combine SALE + store's coupon + manufacturer's coupon.
I know, it looks like the perfect equation (hard to get)... but, don't get discouraged - it happens!

This is a very good example of it:

Listerine

1/$2 OFF Publix's current flyer (good til' 8/5/11)

1/$1 OFF manufacturer's website coupon

Regular price is $4.39 - coupons ($3.00) = your price $1.39 for 1lt.

Things to have in mind:

• Florida is well-know for not doubling coupons, meaning you can only use 1 manufacturer coupon + 1 store coupon per item max.
• No percent-off purchase or percent-off items coupons accepted.
• When getting a BOGO free, you need to buy both items to get the offer.
• You cannot receive Cash Back on an item purchased. No money-makers here.
• They accept competitors (ex. Target) coupons which can be combined with SALE + manufacturer's coupon.
• Each store has it owns competitors and policy. It doesn't matter it belongs to a chain.

Check out your local Publix weekly ads from your computer or smart phone HERE

Official Publix coupon policy