Couponing Strategy 101 – If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

[lotsasavings]

I’ve learned a lot from SC members who have posted their deals, coupons, etc. I've also learned that, not only do you have to find the coupons, you also need to use a bit of couponing strategy.

If you have young children/students, you may be familiar with the picture book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff. It’s a circle story that begins with one event, that of giving a mouse a cookie, and builds on successive results until, at the end of the book, you read, “and if you give a mouse a cookie . . .” One event leads to another until you’re back where you started.

I’m discovering that couponing strategy, especially when you can find product packaging coupons, is a little like that children’s story. (Keep in mind that I also purchased every product below when it was on sale, as any Smart Canuck would do. )

Back, in the spring, I purchased Black Diamond Cheese Slices (using a coupon, of course). Each package included, among others, this coupon: Black Diamond, $1 Black Diamond Cheestrings 16 or 28 pack or Funcheez product, 46216872, Dec 31,2014

I used the $1.00 Cheestrings coupon to purchase Black Diamond Cheestrings 16’s. Each package included, among others, this coupon: Astro, $1 Astro Yogourt excluding 175g and 200mL, 11911627, Dec 31,2014

I used the $1.00 any Astro coupon to purchase Astro Zero Yogourt 16’s. Each package includes these coupons: $1.00 Astro, $1.00 Astro Zero, $1.00 Astro Original, $1.00 WUB3 Astro Kik, $1.00 Black Diamond Cheese Spread, all expiring August 31, 2015.

I plan to hold on to my $1.00 Astro Zero coupons in the hope that Astro will have another promotion similar to the free Skechers Go Runs and Go Walks (2013) or Cory Vines $75 worth of active wear (2014). What might it be in spring 2015?

And, to bring my coupon circle back to where it started, I’m hoping that between now and August 2015 (when the latest Astro packaging coupons expire), I’ll be able to find another coupon packaging deal that would lead me back to Black Diamond Cheese Slices . . . then to Cheestrings . . . then to . . . and on it goes!

[knitting nurse]

You have learned well grasshopper WTG ...you are a smart Canuck.

[elayjosh]

I love it!
Love your title!
Love your strategy!
and Love the book .. Always read it to my kids!

[TooCouponCrazy]

Great strategy. Great shopping.

[scouponer]

Awesome!

[coupon girl]

-never heard of the book but then again mine are 29 and 32 -grown adults
-but sounds like the coupons are all coming around to you again -awesome

[terry2144]

Nice post and thanks for passing it on!

[amira84]

Wow. That was a very fun grag to read and it made me smile.
you are getting awesome(r).

[ticul]

Weel done for sure. It is nice that the coupons we always use can keep going and going like the little rabit all year round. Good for you and your family and thank you so much for sharing...................................

[ssbean]

Great post