Team 10: 21 Things to to be an Epic Couponer

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Hi Tami!

A few days after I joined SC, SDM had one of their 20x bonus weekends. Even though I had precious few coupons (managed to pull the Smartsource and Red Plum out of the recycling bin!) I did a shop as I was pleased to learn from SC that coupons reduce the amount you pay but not the total required for the points. I spent $40 after tax and got the 20x which typically requires a spend of $50 pre-tax.

That's one of the MANY things I've learned. I think SC is more practical and relatable than shows like Extreme Couponing. I love the sharing and learning.

Yes! This is a wonderful thing I've gotten some awesome points deals with very little OOP. Although I only recently started doing it, lol.

[katie333]

Tami, I've got an SDM question. Let's say you are planning to redeem some points. It is wise to also use coupons on that trip, assuming you are buying items with coupons? I presume they can be used to reduce the total before you use your points to make the payment?

[lucy16076]

I've only been a member of SC for one month now, but the information & knowledge on this site is incredible! I wish I had more time to sit & read it all, but as luck would have it, my work schedule is hectic. My learning so far has taught me not to be shy about using coupons, that SDM is my new fav store & that this site is a comradery of smart people not out to scam anyone, but to help us all live frugaly in a world with rising prices...it teaches us that we're able to save a little here so we can spend a little there....hopefully the "there" is someplace with a warm, sandy beach & fancy drinks!
Thank all of you for being patient with me. I may not have the most to contribute right now, but I'm learning & doing my best with the time I have to meet you all & chat!
Cheers!

[lucy16076]

Yes! This is a wonderful thing I've gotten some awesome points deals with very little OOP. Although I only recently started doing it, lol.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this reply right...but yes, SDM is my new fav store. I too started my coupon frenzy at SDM on the 20X points day! I was happy to walk out with some new makeup having made use of their Covergirl promo, a tube of toothpast for $.25 with 3000 bonus points & still money in my pocket ....

[lucy16076]

can someone please explain to me the difference between replying with the 4 different buttons we have?? I am not sure I'm doing it properly...

On another note, can anyone remember where ROYALE was on sale this week if anywhere?

I also have a fair amount of baby coupons for various things...are we going to arrange somehow a way to trade amongst ourselves, or should I post with the site? I'm not sure how to do this, so thought I'd ask.

Cheers all!
R

[lucy16076]

Yes! This is a wonderful thing I've gotten some awesome points deals with very little OOP. Although I only recently started doing it, lol.

I have posted a slidecast (slideshow with audio) that show you my coupon "binder", coupon stash, stockpile and some tips on stockpiling just to get started.

You can jump ahead to the particular slides that are of interest and the sound track will skip along accordingly.




Start the slideshow. (16 min)


Your Activities

1. Create a post and introduce yourself a bit (ie. from Kamloops, mom with 2 kids ...). Just hit "reply" on this thread and type away.
   
2. Share the story behind the Smart Canucks "name/handle" you chose
3. Tell us how you found out about couponing.
4. Do you have a pet(s) and if so tell us about them and post a pic if you like ...
5. Share your thoughts on the tour and whether you think you'll stockpile a little or a lot.

Bonus Question

Anyone have ideas for a great name for Team #10? Please post your idea(s) here and then we'll pick one.

Thank you for all the great information. I love that you donate & don't take advantage of the couponing system. This way everyone wins!

[dahliagrower]

Hi Lucy - there is a thread started by Anndougherty called
The Official Hot Deals and Coupons To Use With Flyers Thread April 29th to May 6 .... that starts about Tuesday/Wednesday for the next week (Friday to Thursday).....

If you want the places that have it on sale today then you will need to go back to last week's thread for the Hot Deals and Coupons.

There are about 5 places that have Royale on sale starting this Friday - various sizes and prices. Most are in Ontario rather than out West where I am so I don't know the different stores but they range from Metro - Longos - No Frills etc. I've found this thread helpful as it starts when the flyers are available from Couponlady. People put in the coupons that they plan to use for the various sales. Gets you into the idea of how to best use the coupons that you have.
On the other question - if you use the PM then its a private message that only that person can see.... if you use the quote - then you put their message into yours as a quote - no idea about the other two options.... Perhaps someone else can help with those. LOL

[lucy16076]

Thank you! I do know of this thread...thanks for the reminder & the info!
Off to bed...night night ....

[Out_of_the_Loops]

Hi Tami!

Glad to have u on team 10. I have yet to master the optimum points program so I am ready to learn when we get to that. That being said I have kind of shyed away from my local SDM as I have had some negative experiences with the cashiers and my coupons. At London Drugs they are just so wonderful about them even when you are stacking. Which I must say took me some courage to try lol.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Tami, I've got an SDM question. Let's say you are planning to redeem some points. It is wise to also use coupons on that trip, assuming you are buying items with coupons? I presume they can be used to reduce the total before you use your points to make the payment?

You can use coupons to reduce your cost but your total for redemption HAS to be The amount your redeeming for. So if you have 95,000 points and you go on bonus redemption day that's $200- you can get $250 worth of stuff, use $50 in coupons, but your oop (out of pocket) has to be $200. Hope that made sense
And always buy a gift card first and then use it to cover your taxes- you get points for buying gift cards!

I'm not sure if I'm doing this reply right...but yes, SDM is my new fav store. I too started my coupon frenzy at SDM on the 20X points day! I was happy to walk out with some new makeup having made use of their Covergirl promo, a tube of toothpast for $.25 with 3000 bonus points & still money in my pocket ....

The Covergirl promo was amazing!! I bought $100 worth of makeup and got my money back in points And isn't it fun to get stuff so cheap? SDM can be so expensive but they have great sales and the points program gets people in there I think.

Hi Tami!

Glad to have u on team 10. I have yet to master the optimum points program so I am ready to learn when we get to that. That being said I have kind of shyed away from my local SDM as I have had some negative experiences with the cashiers and my coupons. At London Drugs they are just so wonderful about them even when you are stacking. Which I must say took me some courage to try lol.

Thank you, I'm glad to help! I had an optimum card for years and never really accumulated anything until I stumbled across SC!

It sucks that cashiers can be so bad with coupons Stores really need to train them better, I think. I've been lucky and haven't run into too many problems but I know a lot of people on here have had horrible experiences.

[katie333]

Hi Tami!

Glad to have u on team 10. I have yet to master the optimum points program so I am ready to learn when we get to that. That being said I have kind of shyed away from my local SDM as I have had some negative experiences with the cashiers and my coupons. At London Drugs they are just so wonderful about them eveI when when you are stacking. Which I must say took me some courage to try lol.

Bleh! That's too bad re: negative experiences. So far, and my fingers crossed, other than a few older cashiers who really scrutinized my coupons and kind of sighed, I haven't had any issues. I had the most wonderful supervisor at Walmart who was overriding my purchases and a new cashier at SDM who was so impressed with me. In my cashier days I would have been impressed myself. At least you can stack out there! I'd be shopping at LD all the time if I could!

[onlybluemomma]

Hey everyone!
My name is Jenn, i'm 26,married and have 3 boys (8,5,3) who eat me out of house and home (already!) so I love finding a great deal on cereal and school snacks (we go through a lot!). We have a golden retriever named abbie who is a pain in my kneck most days but we love her.

I'm always looking for tips and tricks on saving money and love checking in at smartcanucks.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Bleh! That's too bad re: negative experiences. So far, and my fingers crossed, other than a few older cashiers who really scrutinized my coupons and kind of sighed, I haven't had any issues. I had the most wonderful supervisor at Walmart who was overriding my purchases and a new cashier at SDM who was so impressed with me. In my cashier days I would have been impressed myself. At least you can stack out there! I'd be shopping at LD all the time if I could!

Same here, the worst I have ever got was cashiers reading every little word on the coupon, lol. But they always put them through in the end. I'm such a chicken, I dread the day I come up against a nasty cashier Thanks to SC though I know my rights and what I can and can't do with a coupon.

[Out_of_the_Loops]

They interrogated me as to where I got my J&J FPC. I kindly pointed to my baby and explained the new parents pack. Still would not let me use it on a gift set . Then they accused me of using photocopied coupons when I had internet printables. I tried to explain and the second time the assistant manager snapped that she knew what they were. I just wanted to melt into the floor. I am very shy and I felt like they thought I was a criminal. Sheesh I am just trying to save a little money. I am willing to give it another try at a different SDM location just not that one. It definately scared me off coupons a bit but then some wonderful cashiers have brought my confidence back.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

They interrogated me as to where I got my J&J FPC. I kindly pointed to my baby and explained the new parents pack. Still would not let me use it on a gift set . Then they accused me of using photocopied coupons when I had internet printables. I tried to explain and the second time the assistant manager snapped that she knew what they were. I just wanted to melt into the floor. I am very shy and I felt like they thought I was a criminal. Sheesh I am just trying to save a little money. I am willing to give it another try at a different SDM location just not that one. It definately scared me off coupons a bit but then some wonderful cashiers have brought my confidence back.

That's horrible!! I'm really shy too and I probably would have been in tears, lol. Although, I am PMSing right now so I might have ripped her head off

Like I said before, cashiers are not properly trained on coupon usage and policies. It really should be an integral part of their training, especially with couponing being so "hot" right now. I don't blame you for being turned off... an experience like that would bug me for days. I hope you have better luck at another location!!