Printable Coupons 101: How, Where & When They Work
Coupons are a sure fire way to cut back on your grocery bill, and the convenience of online printable coupons makes it easier than ever to search for your family’s favorite staples with the click of a button. Although it may sound too good to be true, printable grocery coupons (like those found on RedPlum.com) are a great way to save in just about every category you shop in – from canned goods to health and beauty products. We’re here to answer some frequently asked questions about printed Internet grocery coupons so you can save big bucks on your next trip to the store.
I've Heard Some Grocers Don't Accept Printable Coupons. True?
In years past some grocers were leery about accepting online coupons, due to a few bad eggs who decided to create fraudulent coupons. Thanks to the progression of modern technology those days have passed. RedPlum's coupons, for instance, now have security measures in place that prevent fraud. Meaning you get the coupon you want, and the manufacturers and retailers get the safeguards they need. (Told you we were smart.) Coupon issuers are also able to let users print multiple copies of their coupons, most often two, so if you love the brand or product you're able to grab a couple of the coupons.
Do All Grocers Accept Printable Grocery Coupons?
Most grocers and drugstores (including big guys like Wal-Mart and Target) accept printable coupons. The coupons you find on RedPlum.com aren’t “hey, try these and see if they work” coupons. They’re bonafide, printable coupons that you should feel confident and comfortable taking with you to your favorite store. However, if you’re unsure of your grocer’s policy on acceptance of printed Internet coupons, a quick call to their corporate customer service department will answer all of your questions. Ask for a printable statement of the stores printable coupon policy to have for your records. And hey, if you hear your store won’t take your RedPlum.com coupons let us know and we’ll get on it.
Are there any steps I can take to be sure the coupon is not fraudulent?
Yes, print all your Internet coupons from RedPlum.com; did you think we weren’t going to say that? Also, the coupon should:
1. Say “Manufacturer Coupon” and show a valid remit address for the manufacturer. This address ensures the coupon can be processed for payment.
2. Have a scan-able bar code.
3. Have an expiration date.
4. Not be a photocopy.
How to Handle Reluctant Cashiers…
If a cashier at your local store won’t accept your coupons, but you have previously checked on the store’s official policy, don’t despair. Simply ask to speak with the store manager. Present them with the copy of the store’s printable coupon policy (or let them know who you spoke to who let you know that printable coupons were accepted there) and let them assess your coupons to ensure that they meet the standards discussed on the last page.
As more and more consumers are printing coupons online and using them at stores around the country, the folks at the checkout are getting used to seeing them. But you may simply have hit a cashier who hasn’t dealt with them before. Stay calm, but don’t give up—you’re going to teach them a great lesson, and make sure that future coupon users have a far easier time at that store!
And remember to resist the urge to cave and simply tuck those coupons back into your wallet. If a store’s true policy is that they won’t take the coupons, that’s one thing (though you should definitely let Redplum know! if you hear that from a store. And we'll get on it.). But you owe it to yourself to be sure that there’s not simply a misunderstanding. A dollar off is a dollar off, and it’s worth a few moments of your time. We’ll simply never understand paying full price…
4 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill
I won’t bother rehashing why every one of us needs to spend a little (or a lot) less on the weekly grocery tab these days. Bottom line: we’re strapped, and that has many moms looking to go beyond great coupons (which you’ll find right here on RedPlum, for all your grocery needs!) for additional ways to spend less while still putting healthy, quick, creative meals on the table every night. So I’ve rounded up my favorite four tips for getting your weekly total in check
1. Meal Plan From Your Sunday Circular
Most moms we talk to tell us that “meal planning” at their house goes a little something like this: “It’s Six? What the h#@# am I going to make for dinner!” But even the most organized of households is probably doing things backwards. If you currently plan your week’s meals and then crack open your store’s weekly circular to see what’s on sale that fits into the recipes you’ve chosen for the week, you’re spending more than you need to on your groceries. Instead, do the reverse. Sit down with the print circulars for the stores you shop, or view online versions here on RedPlum. Take note of the big-ticket items that are specially priced, especially the protein sources. Now start to build a meal around those items. Are chicken breasts, red peppers and onions all on sale? That sounds like Monday night’s dinner! Ground beef, shredded cheese and lettuce also on sale? That makes Tuesday night taco night! By planning your meals around what’s on sale you can take full advantage of the items that are marked down—plus it’s a great way to ensure a little variety in your family’s routine.
Most moms we talk to tell us that “meal planning” at their house goes a little something like this: “It’s Six? What the h#@# am I going to make for dinner!” But even the most organized of households is probably doing things backwards. If you currently plan your week’s meals and then crack open your store’s weekly circular to see what’s on sale that fits into the recipes you’ve chosen for the week, you’re spending more than you need to on your groceries. Instead, do the reverse. Sit down with the print circulars for the stores you shop, or view online versions here on RedPlum. Take note of the big-ticket items that are specially priced, especially the protein sources. Now start to build a meal around those items. Are chicken breasts, red peppers and onions all on sale? That sounds like Monday night’s dinner! Ground beef, shredded cheese and lettuce also on sale? That makes Tuesday night taco night! By planning your meals around what’s on sale you can take full advantage of the items that are marked down—plus it’s a great way to ensure a little variety in your family’s routine.
2. Plan Every Single Meal
Want to know the death knell for every food budget? The “we might need this during the week” purchase. One key to making your grocery dollar stretch is planning down to the last detail exactly what you’ll need for that week. Daycare snack need to get packed? Plan what it will be every day of the week before you set foot in the store. Are you and your husband packing lunches? Don’t just buy heaps of lunch fixins’ and figure it out as you go along; you’ll end up buying far more than you need. Invest the time before you shop to plan—then reap the rewards.
Want to know the death knell for every food budget? The “we might need this during the week” purchase. One key to making your grocery dollar stretch is planning down to the last detail exactly what you’ll need for that week. Daycare snack need to get packed? Plan what it will be every day of the week before you set foot in the store. Are you and your husband packing lunches? Don’t just buy heaps of lunch fixins’ and figure it out as you go along; you’ll end up buying far more than you need. Invest the time before you shop to plan—then reap the rewards.
3. Don’t Buy Things You Already Have
Another huge money waster is coming home with an industrial size can of baking powder, only to find that you weren’t in fact out of the stuff to start with. Try this strategy: create a Word document that lists all of the staples you keep in your pantry. Print multiple copies of the list and keep them in the kitchen. Each week, check the list against the pantry before you go shopping and note anything that needs to be replaced. Then when you get to the store, buy only those items that are circled. This prevents the “I’m not sure, we might need these” purchases that really add up.
Another huge money waster is coming home with an industrial size can of baking powder, only to find that you weren’t in fact out of the stuff to start with. Try this strategy: create a Word document that lists all of the staples you keep in your pantry. Print multiple copies of the list and keep them in the kitchen. Each week, check the list against the pantry before you go shopping and note anything that needs to be replaced. Then when you get to the store, buy only those items that are circled. This prevents the “I’m not sure, we might need these” purchases that really add up.
4. Limit Produce
Calm down health nuts—we’re not suggesting for a second that you and your family eat fewer fruits and veggies. But what we are suggesting is that you not buy fruits and veggies that are going to rot in your fridge. The most expensive asparagus in the world is the asparagus that goes bad before you ever get around to serving it. Start making a note of how much your family really eats when it comes to produce. Buy a pound of beans and see if you end up with leftovers, or with not enough to go around. Then try and pound and a half, two pounds. Every family’s different, but somewhere there’s a sweet spot for everyone that will have you stocked with all the greens you can eat, without so many that you’re really paying top dollar for future fertilizer. Plan every produce purchase before you get in the car to shop. If you want your family to test out spaghetti squash that’s great. But don’t decide that at the store. Decide it when you’re meal planning. If you get to your local grocer and a particular veggie catches your eye, simply make a note and add it to next week’s menu. But there’s no need to bring it home
Calm down health nuts—we’re not suggesting for a second that you and your family eat fewer fruits and veggies. But what we are suggesting is that you not buy fruits and veggies that are going to rot in your fridge. The most expensive asparagus in the world is the asparagus that goes bad before you ever get around to serving it. Start making a note of how much your family really eats when it comes to produce. Buy a pound of beans and see if you end up with leftovers, or with not enough to go around. Then try and pound and a half, two pounds. Every family’s different, but somewhere there’s a sweet spot for everyone that will have you stocked with all the greens you can eat, without so many that you’re really paying top dollar for future fertilizer. Plan every produce purchase before you get in the car to shop. If you want your family to test out spaghetti squash that’s great. But don’t decide that at the store. Decide it when you’re meal planning. If you get to your local grocer and a particular veggie catches your eye, simply make a note and add it to next week’s menu. But there’s no need to bring it home
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