Fresh$avers

 Step 1. Ready, Set, Save! 

Well, there really isn’t too much that you must know; but there are definitely a few things that will give you a quick start! 

You will find that we use a lot of acronyms at Freshsavers.  Make sure you know the basics. Start with these:

           Matchup=a sale item with a matching valid coupon
                 or coupons (manufacturer + store coupon)

           RP=Red Plum insert from your Sunday newspaper 

           PG = Proctor & Gamble insert 

           SS = Smart Source insert

           GM = General Mills insert

 For a full list of all the acronyms, read here. 

Consider using the toolbar.  Our toolbar will provide access to our constantly changing deals without having to visit our page several times a day.  You can also go directly to several printable coupon sites and to our store guides and matchups as well as restaurant deals.  For your convenience, we’ve also added a Facebook icon in case you follow us there or if you’d just like to have your Facebook alerts on a convenient toolbar.  The toolbar is free of viruses and spyware and comes with an uninstaller in case you change your mind.  Download toolbar here. 

Step 2.  Do your homework. 

As you review deals on the site you will undoubtedly visit some stores.  As you do this, make sure you read the store guides before you go to each store.  When you get there see if you can identify some of the items mentioned in the guide.  Where are the store ads kept?  Are there coupon booklets available?  Are there special tags or end caps?  Can you identify clearance merchandise?  Is there a special area where manufacturer coupons are kept?  Watch for this near pharmacy areas too.  As you begin to learn the available tools in each store, you’ll feel more and more comfortable with the policies, procedures and especially the people.  Don’t forget about the people at the stores you shop at frequently.  If you have a good shopping experience with a certain cashier who knows how to handle coupons then write his or her name down or remember their face for next time.

Step 3.  Be prepared to make mistakes. 

Many of the deals on this site require you to combine coupons.  Especially when you are at a pharmacy store, you must know the rules for combining coupons.  Again, make sure you review the store guides.  Because there are so many rules and the knowledge/experience of your cashiers will vary, you will certainly make some mistakes.  Just remember – if you pay for a mistake, you probably won’t find yourself making the same mistake again.  Try not to hold up other customers in the event of a discrepancy with a cashier.  Instead, head over to customer service and explain your situation.  If needed they should be able to grab the coupons you cashed in.  If you paid more than you wanted to then ask for a refund. 

Step 4.  Start slow and work your way up to SUPER SHOPPER!  Unfortunately cash registers have not yet been programmed to behave in exactly in the correct way for all coupons and all store rules.  Also – ability of the cashiers to use their registers can make a big difference in some stores.  

For each store I recommend that you start with only one or two items with multiple coupons for each.  Pay close attention to how the cashier rings up your coupons.  Did they successfully scan each one?  Did you see the value of the coupon subtracted?  Don’t forget to watch to be sure the item price rings up correctly before the coupons.  Did the register beep or stop for any reason and the cashier had to intervene?  This is okay if the cashier needed to enter a value for a coupon (as in buy one get one free).  If there were any other beeps – especially for a second coupon for any item then this may indicate poor programming or an unskilled or uninformed cashier. 

Be cautious for any future transactions at these stores.  Be sure to review the stores guides for any recommendations about the particular order of handing over or stacking the coupons for the cashier.  This will lessen your odds of problems when combining coupons.  Once you get familiar with a certain store, rules and cashiers, you’ll find it easy and exhilarating to save! 

Step 5.  Pay it forward. If you intend to use a lot of coupons at any store on a regular basis like daily or several times a week, then you may want to share some of your extra coupons with your best cashiers.  If they appreciate the gesture, then you’ve made an invaluable ally and you can be extra sure they’re watching your coupons ring up correctly! 

 Step 6.  Know where to get coupons.  There are many places to get coupons.  As your savings abilities improve you’ll find yourself wanting more coupons.  There are several ways to get more: 

1. Get the Sunday paper from the largest city near you.  If you’re not sure which city in your state has the best newspaper for Sunday coupons, then buy a copy of each one on the same day one time to find out. 
2. Check pricing for newspapers at various locations.  The Wal-mart near me sells Sunday papers for $1.  You may also find them at dollar stores. 
3. Start a coupon group.  Talk to others to see if they use coupons. Different people use different coupons, so sharing with others is often a good way to trade what you don’t need for what you want.  The best benefits from this method are usually that you may be able to get a bunch of coupons for a favorite item that may not be cheap or free; but that you buy on a regular basis anyway.

 Step 7  Decide on an organizational method.  Once you dedicate yourself to using coupons you’ll want to pick an organizational method.  

1. Maximum Savings, Minimum Effort Method.  I recommend this method for people who work full time or just don’t want to spend hours clipping coupons.  To use this method you will need to have folders to organize your coupon inserts each week.   Every Sunday you will label a new folder with the date and store the coupon inserts inside it.  When you’re ready to shop, just check the coupon matchups and then locate the corresponding date folder to find the coupons you need.  This way you can get great deals on the items you want without having to clip any coupons you won’t use.  Drawback:  With this method there is no good way to organize printable coupons or mail coupons.  
2. Super Shopper Method.  If you’ve got the time and you love to shop for deals, then you may want to cut all your coupons.  This method allows for maximum savings since you can carry all your coupons to the store.  You will need a large organizer for this method.  There are several commercial products available like these:

            or you can purchase a 3-ring notebook.  The best binders I’ve found for this have an outside zipper and a shoulder strap.  2 sets of 3 rings is even better.  The one I have also has pockets and a zipper pack which is handy for scissors or for periodic coupon booklets. The one I use is

 

  You will also need a supply of baseball card pages and some dividers.