Extreme Couponing Tip: Working Catalina Deals

For those of you that know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Catalina Deals.  For those of us in the Northeast, we don’t really have the opportunity to get overage on items by just using coupons (except Walmart of course).  And, most of our stores have limits to the number of “like” coupons we can use.   Now, I’m not complaining because we do have double coupons which I love as well.

But with that said my absolute favorite deals, are Catalina Deals.  If you work them right you can really get some great deals.  If you work them wrong, well, you could get a headache.  Then you’ll need to get some Excedrin which has been recalled….so, let me make a list of some of the things to help make your Catalina transactions smoother and hopefully as headache free as possible.

Unadvertised Catalinas:

A lot of the catalina deals we find are unadvertised meaning that they are not published in the store’s circular or on Coupon Network.  So how do we find out about unadvertised catalina deals?  Here are a few ways:

• Print Outs: A reader may get a print out of a catalina deal when they make a purchase at the register.  Then once they email me the info, I publish it right on the site.
• Testing Deals: If there is word that another store has a catalina deal,  a reader (or even me) may give the deal a try at their local store to see if it works.  If it does, I will publish the details.
• Shelf Tags: Deals may be displayed on the shelf tags in the store showing the catalina information.

As you can image, reason #1 & reason #2 sometimes make it difficult to prove you were suppose to get a catalina offer if  the offer did not print.  But, if you believe you purchased the correct items, be sure to try and contact Catalina Marketing.  You can find their info by going to the FAQ section above.  The contact info is also listed at the bottom  of most weekly coupon match ups.

Working a Deal on Shelf Price:

At most stores (not including Acme) you can use the shelf price or the pre-loyalty card price to calculate the amount required for the catalina deal.  In the match ups, the deal ideas are broken down as if the deal is working on shelf price.   Here are some things you should know before making your purchases

• Check Shelf Prices: Be sure to check your store’s shelf price.  Many times they can be different from store to store.  If your prices are higher or lower then what I have posted, this may throw off your deal causing your catalina not to print or, in some cases, allowing you to buy even less then anticipated.
• Lower Prices for Sale: Another reason to check the shelf price is that some stores may lower the shelf prices for the sale.  Again, as I stated above, this could cause your catalina not to print if it is not calculated with the new prices
• Deals Not Confirmed: Even though I post deal ideas using the shelf pricing, remember that these are not confirmed working until someone has successfully tried it.  So, if you are new to doing deals or if you don’t have extra time or money to “try” a deal, my suggestion is to wait until there is confirmation that it is working

Buying the Correct Products for the Deal:

Buying incorrect products are one of the main reasons that catalina do not to print.

• Products Not Tagged Properly: One of the reasons that a catalina may not print is  that a product may have been tagged incorrectly for the deal.  That simply means that UPC digits could have been switched or a variety was missed or any number of possibilities.  This is not the fault of the consumer and can be frustrating I know. In most cases, there is nothing you can do except return your items if you need to.  Again, if you are new to doing catalina deals or you don’t have the extra time or money to “try” deals, waiting a few days until a deal irons itself out.
• Buying the Wrong Product:  Buying the wrong product (size, variety or flavor) will also cause a catalina not to print.  For instance, if you buy Garnier Nutrisse Creme Hair Color when the deal requires the purchase of Garnier Nutrisse Color Foam, then the catalina will  not print.   So, pay very close attention to the details of the catalina, including size, variety or flavor.

As I have mentioned in the What is a Catalina post in the Extreme Couponing for Beginners section, I would highly recommend that you not email the store’s corporate offices or demand the catalina from customer service if your catalina does not print.  These deals run through Catalina Marketing and the Manufacturer so bothering the stores will only aggravate the situation.

However, if your catalina does not print and you have met the qualification based on the sale price AND the promotion is clearly advertised in their circular or in their store, you can easily go to customer service to have them make an adjustment.  If you are basing your deal on the pre-loyalty price (also known as shelf price or retail price) or it is not an advertised promotion, then contacting Catalina Marketing is your best bet.  But, you have to understand that things don’t always go as planned.  It will 95% of the time, but you have to accept the 5% that they don’t.  Again, if you do not have the money to “experiment” with a deal, I would recommend not doing it in case it doesn’t turn out as planned or at least waiting until the end of the week when all the details have been ironed out.

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Extreme Couponing Tip: Understanding Wording on Coupons

Are you confused by the different wording on coupons?  Are you unsure if the coupon has to be used at the store listed on the coupon or if you can use it at any store?  If you see wording on coupons such as “Redeemable at Walmart” or “Redeem at Walgreens”,  in most cases these are manufacturer coupons and can be used at any store.  Please keep in mind that some stores may refuse the coupon if it has another store name on it.

Here is how to tell if you can use the coupon at any store or if it’s only meant to be used at one particular store:

“Available at”:

The above coupon states “Available at Walmart“.  This wording simply means that the item is available at Walmart Stores but it does not restrict you from using it anywhere else.

Store Logo:

This coupon shows a Walgreens logo on the coupon however it is a regular manufacturer coupon that can be used anywhere.  You can see above, that the coupon states “Manufacturer’s Coupon” and the bar codes are regular manufacturer coupons.  Plus, look for a remit address on the coupons.  That information is found under the description and begins with the word “Retailer“.  If there is a remit address, that tells you that it is a manufacturer coupon and not a store coupon.  Store coupons do not have a remit address.  In cases like the one above, Walgreens has simply paid to advertise their store on the coupon.

“Redeemable At”:

The above coupon states “Redeemable at Walmart“.  This wording is similar to the “Available at” wording above.  It simply means that you can redeem the coupon at Walmart but it does not restrict you from using it anywhere else.  In this case, as in the case of the Walgreen’s logo above, Walmart has paid to have their name advertised on the coupon.

“Only Redeemable at”:

Some coupons may state “Only Redeemable at” or “Redeem at XX Only“.  These coupons are meant to be redeemed at the store that is listed and only that store.  If you were to use it at another stores, most likely that store will not be reimbursed for the coupon since it is only to be used at a particular store.  However, it is a manufacturer coupons and, if the store has store coupons, you can still stack a store coupon with the manufacturer coupon.

I hope that helps you to interpret the different wording on the coupons.

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Extreme Couponing Tip: How To Organize Printable Coupons

There is nothing worse then knowing you printed a coupon and can not find it.  Or actually there is something worse…finding the coupon AFTER the sale is over!  Yep, I’ve been there.

You know the drill…A coupon pops up for an item that you love but there is no sale.  You print it in the hopes of a sale popping up before the coupon expires. The question is, what do you do with them all so you don’t wind up with a mounds of printable coupons?

Here are some tips to help you keep the coupon clutter under control.

::Printable Coupons

Of course, if you have a coupon binder, you can just print, clip and stick them into your binder.  But, if you are like me and keep your inserts organized whole in a file, well then, where do you put those printable coupons?   Here are some ways to help you organize them.

• Keep a hanging folder just for printable coupons.  You can even have separate hanging folders for different categories or organized by expiration date.

• Pick up some  portfolio folders from the Dollar Store.  Get the ones with holes and place them into a 3 ring binder.  Again, you can separate them by category or expiration date.  You could also get plastic photo holders and place them in a binder just for your printables.

• Use stackable mini draws to clip and store your printable coupons.  This can even be used for all those loose coupons you get from tearpads, blinkies or even the coupons you clipped and wound up not using.

::Preparing your Coupons For Shopping Trips

Believe it or not, getting my coupons together for my shopping trips was my hardest problem.  Since we find out so many deals in advance, I would print coupons knowing that a deal was coming up but, by the time the deal came, I could not find the coupon.  Or, I would be clipping a coupon out of my inserts and see another one that I knew I would use next week on a deal.  Only to find the coupon buried under a pile of paper a week after the sale ended. So hate that!

My solution was so simple.  Since I am a very visual person, I need to be able to see my “piles” of coupons.  Using stackable trays, I set them side by side and labeled them with the stores that I frequent.  In them I place, catalina coupons, ECBs or Register Rewards in the appropriate bin.  And, when I print or clip a coupon that I will be using at that store, I just throw it in the bin.  When it’s time to prepare my shopping trip, more then half of my coupons are already there waiting for me.  No more finding coupons after the sale is over!

Now it’s your turn…How do you organize your printable coupons?

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Extreme Couponing Tip: Stock Up on Dairy Products!

A common misconception is that a couponers stockpile will only consist of canned foods & paper goods.  Well, that can not be further from the truth.  Sure, those items go on sale quite a bit but they are certainly not the only things we can or should be stockpiling.

::Dairy Products You Can Freeze

One category of grocery products, often forgotten about for stockpiling, are dairy products.  There are many deals available for dairy products including cartons of milk for $0.49 (yes it does happen), mozzarella cheese for $0.75 or coffee creamer for free.  If there is a great deal then you should be stocking up and freeze the extra.  Yep, freeze the extra!  Most dairy products freeze great including butter, orange juice, cheese, milk, yogurt and more.

::Cold Storage Chart

Be sure to check out this great Cold Storage Chart.  It gives you the recommended time limits to keep dairy products and more frozen.  Here are some of the common freezer times:

• Butter 3-6 months
• Milk 3 months
• Yogurt 1-2 months
• Cookie Dough 2 months
• Liquid Eggs or Egg Substitutes (unopened) 1 year
• Juice 8-12 months

So next time there is an awesome sale on coffee creamer, don’t be afraid to buy more then you can consume by the expiration date on the package.  Then just stick it in the freezer and grow your dairy stockpile as well.

Be sure to check out how to Freeze Food Safely!

*When freezing milk, be sure to empty out a little from the container so it does not explode.

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Extreme Couponing Tip: What is a Catalina Coupon

If you have been around here even a little while, you have probably heard me talk about Catalinas.  And, if you have been to one of my Couponing Workshops, you have seen my excitement every time I talk about them.  I know, get a life right   Well, some of you may be asking, What is a Catalina Coupon?

Most of you have probably seen these coupons and not realized what they were called.  They are coupons that come out of the Catalina Machine which is located right next to the register.  The name of the machine comes from the company that puts out the coupons called, Catalina Marketing.  They are not available in every single store however, they are in thousands of stores across the country.

There are three different print outs that you can get from the machine. Here is an explanation of each one:

Catalina Coupons:

These are regular manufacturer coupons that can be used on products found at your store.  Usually they print out based on your previous buying habits.  For instance, if you buy a lot of baby items then you may get a coupon for $1 off Pampers.

The coupons have the store logo on them however in most cases, they are manufacture coupons which means that you can used them any store.  The only probably is that some stores will not accept them if they come from another store.  But, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

Catalina Deal Announcements:

Catalina Announcement Printout

These are printouts that will let you know about an upcoming Catalina Deal.  You can read more about Catalina Deals and How they Work.  Make sure to keep an eye out for  these coupons so you can plan out your deals.  Catalina Deals are some of the best ways to make money shopping!

Catalinas:

Catalina or Your Bucks Dollars

Regular Catalinas (also called Your Bucks) are what you get from the Catalina Machine once you make your qualifying purchase.  They are for a certain dollar amount off and are to be used on your next transaction.  In most cases, they can be used toward any purchase in the store however, there are some instances whre there may be restrictions.  Be sure to understand the deal and know what the Catalina can and can not be used on.

Again, if you are not familiar with Catalina Deals, then make sure to check out Catalina Deal and How they Work.

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