Stacking Coupons: How to...

 

Using a coupon for each item that you buy is a great way to save money, but why stop at just one? Learn how to stack coupons, and walk away with more free and nearly-free items every time you shop.

Here's How:

1. Collect manufacturer coupons for the items that you purchase regularly. You'll find these in the Sunday paper, on store displays, on product boxes and online.
   
   • How to Get More Coupons:
     
     More coupons equals more savings. It's simple enough math, but how are you supposed get your hand on more coupons? Read on for several winning strategies to try:

     
     

     Sign Up for Newsletters: Devoted to a particular product or brand? Check the company's website to see if they offer a free e-newsletter. Subscribers are often rewarded with special coupons and promotions.

     Buy an Extra Paper: There's no rule that says you can only buy one newspaper, so pick up an extra one (or five) whenever you find good coupons inside.
     
     
2. Look for store coupons for the same items. You'll typically find these in sales circulars, on store websites, and on your receipts. If you have a frequent shopper card for any of the grocery stores in your area, you may also receive store coupons in the mail.
3. Match up store and manufacturer coupons for the same products. To have a usable match, the coupons need to be for the same product size, fragrance, etc. You also need to have one coupon that says, "store coupon," and one that says "manufacturer coupon."
   
4. Put your coupons to work. Shop for all the items that you've found matches for; present your coupons to the cashier; then, smile when she tells you your teeny tiny total.
   

Tips:

1. Stack your coupons with a store sale or a rebate to save even more
2. Combine a buy-one-get-one free coupon with a buy-one-get-one free sale, and you could get both items for free
3. Sometimes store associates aren't as familiar with their store's coupon policies as they should be. Print out a copy of each store's policy, and bring it with you to clear up any problems that may come up
4. Many stores accept competitor's coupons. Find one that does, and you can stack a manufacturer's coupon with a competing store's coupon
5. Here are the coupon policies for many of top grocery chains, drug stores and big box retailers:
   Brookeshires
   Commissary
   Dollar General
   Family Dollar
   Fred Meyer
   Giant Eagle
   Harris Teeter
   H-E-B
   Hy-Vee
   Lowes Food
   Marsh
   Meijer
   Menards
   Price Chopper
   Rite Aid
   Safeway
   ShopRite
   Target
   Tom Thumb
   Vons
   Walgreens
   Walmart
   Wegmans
6. Lots of stores accept competitor's coupons, including all of the following. Click on the links to view each store's policy:
   Grocery Stores
   Harris Teeter
   Lowes Foods
   Home Improvement Stores
   Home Depot
   Lowes
   Menards
   Big-Box Stores
   Walmart
   Craft Stores
   AC Moore
   Jo-Ann
   Michael's
   Office Supply Stores
   Office Depot
   Office Max
   Staples
   Pet Stores
   Petco
   Petsmart