Does Couponing Make Cents?

Attention southern savers! Spiraling grocery prices and the popularity of such TV shows as Extreme Couponing, have made coupon redemptions a trend among consumers.

But does all that clipping make "cents"?

Some experts advise using generic items and skipping the coupons for real savings. What's your experience.

I scoured online sites, spoke with a few grocery and drugstore managers, and sought advice from couponing devotees. Here are some tips:

• Scour multiple newspapers and online sites for coupons on necessary items, including Parade Magazine, www.FreshDeals.com and  www.grocerycouponfree.net, www.kelloggs.com.
• Ask friends to share their newspaper inserts.
• Learn the lingo and how to decipher the jargon.
• Organize coupons – by the expiration date, item or alphabetically.
• Store these physically or digitally (try Wowpons, an app for that!)

It’s wise to match coupons with items already on sale for more significant savings. CVS and Walmart offer savings cards and on the printed receipt, you’ll find other deals for your next purchase. Use them.

Understanding the acronyms and deciphering the jargon can also be helpful. Here’s the breakdown:

• BOGOF: Buy One, Get One Free
• B2G1: Buy Two, Get one Free
• DND: Do Not Double
• EXP, X: Expires
• FAR: Free After Rebate
• GC: Gift Card
• IP: Internet Printable
• MC(MQ): Manufacturer’s coupon
• MIR: Mail-in Rebate
• MM: Money Maker deal: amount of the coupons, rebates, discounts, vouchers exceed price of the product
• NED:  No Expiration Date
• POP: Proof of Purchase
• PSA: Prices Starting At
• ONYO: On Your Next Order
• OOP: Out of Pocket
• PQ: Printable Coupon
• Q: Coupon
• TMF: Try Me Free

Although the jargon can also be confusing, couponers say it’s wise to check whether a store allows an overage (when the value of your coupon exceeds the cost of the item you’re buying). Some stores will apply the amount of the overage to your other purchases, but since not everyone will, do your homework. It's also helpful to know which stores will match coupons from competitors.

When deciphering the lingo, it's wise to know a purchase is equal to only one item. "Limit one coupon per person/customer, per transaction” means you can only use one coupon during each transaction.

If your coupon says, "limit two like coupons in same shopping trip," it means you may use two identical coupons per day, in that store. If it says “limit one coupon, per customer, per item” for each item you purchase, you must have an individual coupon.

Some grocery stores allow as many as five purchases of the buy-one-get-one free of the same item, per store visit. Thats why it's good to establish a relationship with the cashiers and store managers and get the inside scoop.

Stacking means you can use a manufacturer's coupon and a store coupon in tandem with one another.

When you get the hang of couponing, do some digging around and see if your favorite stores offer double coupon deals.  (That means that at designated times, a coupon is worth twice its face value.)