Couponing in Canada

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Here is a piece on couponing in Canada mentions Smartcanucks


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Is extreme coupon clipping worth it?

Kerry K. Taylor Jun 26, 20112 Comments
Clip, stack, trade, and redeem to get pallets of products for free. That's how bargain hunters and penny pinchers score free food and drugstore items on the TLC show Extreme Couponing. These American coupon shoppers are fanatical about finding freebies, and many stockpile racks of goods they find on sale using a multitude of manufacturer's and store coupons.

Here in Canada coupon clipping isn't as lucrative. Sure, there are oodles of websites dedicated to saving you a buck or two with coupons, but bringing home $700 in free groceries every week is unlikely, says Cassie Howard, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom in Mississauga and blogger of the uber popular Canadian coupon site Mrs. January.
"In Canada the promotions are few but the coupons are higher value, so you have to watch for those promotions and then match your coupons," she says. "But in the States their promotions are better."
Ms. Howard got serious about saving money with coupons three years ago after learning a few extreme coupon tricks from American websites. "I was just intrigued by that, so I thought I would see if it was possible in Canada. I started doing it and realized that you could not get as much stuff, but it still was possible to do it to an extreme and get a lot of stuff for very, very cheap -- or for free."
Despite the differences across the border, there are ways to snag a stellar deal with coupons. Here are six extreme couponing tips for Canadians:
1. Find your coupons online.
For those looking for Canadian grocery and drugstore coupons, sites like Save.ca, Brandsaver.ca, Websaver.ca, and .ca post hundreds in savings each week. Some sites let you print from the web page, but most require registration to snail-mail the glossy high value coupons straight to your home. Check for a complete list of excellent coupon websites to follow.
I'm a huge fan of using search engines to find discounts, promotional codes, and free shipping on the myriad of products sold through big online stores. Just launch your favourite search tool, enter the desired retailer’s name and then "coupon code". I explain the steps in 8 Stealth Ways to Uncover Big Savings with Secret Online Coupons.
2. Check those newspaper fliers.
Ms. Howard suggests that shoppers browse grocery store fliers each week, circle the items to buy, and then match coupons to those sale items to save the biggest bucks. If you don't have time to do the extreme couponing legwork, Ms. Howard recommends you check out her site once a week. "I post a weekly coupon match-up every Thursday", she writes. "So if you don’t have time to check your fliers, just watch for that post."
3. Join a forum.
Online community forums like Smart Canucks and Red Deals are great places to meet fellow savers, share deals, and even trade valuable coupons. Membership is free, and many users will answer newbie questions if you ask nicely.
4. Learn the lingo.
Talking to seasoned couponers might make your head spin if you don't know the language. Acronyms like BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) and HV (High Value) are common in forums, so check out this list of coupon terms before jumping in with questions.
5. Learn how to stack, when possible.
Coupon stacking involves using multiple coupons from different sources on one item. Most Canadian stores do not allow this practice, but if you live near a London Drugs then you're in luck.
On her YouTube channel, Ms. Howard shows you How to stack coupons in Canada, and shares her insider tips for saving with multiple coupons. Hint: You'll need both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon to stack and save.
6. Know the store coupon policy.
All couponing pros recommend you bring a store's coupon policy with you to avoid any disputes at checkout. Knowing a retailer's 'price match' guarantees and stacking rules can also help you plan trips and save time. The site .ca has done most of this work for you in their free eBook, Canadian Coupon Policy Guide. If your favourite retailer is not listed, check the store's website or call their head office for an up-to-date coupon policy.
Your Turn: Do you use coupons? Are you extreme about it? How much do you save, and what are your best tips?
Kerry K. Taylor writes at Squawkfox.com, a blog where frugal living is fun. Kerry is the author of 397 Ways To Save Money: Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less.

[Christeena]

I was just reading this article too, I posted the link on Facebook so that my friends who are starting to coupon with me can see it

[Mommy135]

Thanks for sharing! I LOVE the Mrs January website!

[liezlranoy]

That is funny how some websites are blocked off.

[Natalka]

lol - nice of her to mention SC!

[Snowbirdie]

Is extreme couponing worth it? I haven't met anyone who uses coupons and wants to go back to paying more.