Target | 9/28/2014 - 10/4/2014

The result of my unforgettable Target couponing experience...

Transaction #1
Covergirl Eyeliner $4.49 ea.
Buy 3, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card through 10/11
used (3) $1.00/1 CoverGirl Eye Shadow or Eyeliner Product coupons
used 5% Off Covergirl Cosmetics Target Cartwheel Offer

Total OOP: $10.07 (includes tax)

Transaction #2
Pantene Aerosol Hairspray and Heat Protectant $4.99 ea.
Buy 4, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card through 10/4
used (2) $4.00/2 Pantene Shampoos, Conditioners or Stylers coupons
used $5 Target Gift Card from previous transaction

Total OOP: $7.38 (includes tax)

Transaction #3
Secret Deodorant $3.99 ea.
Buy 4, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card through 10/4
used (2) $1.00/1 Secret Deodorant coupons
used (1) $2.00/2 Secret Deodorants coupon
used $5 Target Gift Card from previous transaction

Total OOP: $7.38 (includes tax)

Transaction #4
Glade 2.99 ea.
Buy Three Get One Free through 10/4
Buy 2 Glade Candles, Receive $1.00 with Checkout 51
Buy 2 Glade Fall Products, Receive $1.00 with Ibotta

used (1) $2.00/3 Glade Fall Collection Products coupon SS 9/21 (also received in a magazine)

used (1) $0.55/1 Glade Wax Melt coupon

used (1) $1.00/1 Glade Wax Melts Target coupon

used 5% Off Glade Fall Scents Target Cartwheel Offer

used $5 Target Gift Card from previous transaction

Total OOP: $0.32 (includes tax)

Total Value: $61.35

Total OOP: $25.15 ($23.15 from cash back from apps)

Contacting Companies for Coupons

Have you tried contacting your favorite companies for coupons? This is an easy way to get great money-saving offers delivered right to your mailbox! No clipping required! Recently I contacted a few companies: Ore-Ida, McCormick, Chobani, Bigelow, and Turkey Hill.  Within a week I had gotten response emails from some and coupons in the mail from all of them! Success! Here's what I got:

(4) $.75 off any Ore-Ida product
(2) $.75 off any McCormick Grill Mates item
(1) $.75 off any McCormick item
(4) FREE 6 oz Chobani Greek yogurt
(1) $1.00 off any box of Bigelow tea
(10) various Turkey Hill beverages and ice cream product coupons

The company links above will take you directly to the company's online contact page where you can write them a short complimentary note. Here's a few tips on contacting companies for coupons:

1. Be honest and friendly. Never lie or give false praise to a company; it's dishonest and rude. However, if you truly have a complaint about a product, let the company know! They have those contact pages for a reason! Just do it with kindness.
2. Thank/praise the company for the products that you use and like.
3. Try to note a specific product (or flavor, size, package, edition, etc.) that you especially enjoy. Chances are, they will listen to your input and keep that product on the shelves!
4. Kindly inquire about sending you coupons.*
5. Provide your mailing address.
6. Re-contact the company every month or so. From my research, I'm finding that most companies allow you to contact them every 30 days for coupons. I know for a fact that Turkey Hill does this.

*Some blogs will tell you not to specifically ask for coupons, but rather wait to be "rewarded" with them for your kind comment. Well, I do not follow that rule! I come right out and ask if they would provide me with any money-saving coupons! I've studied some marketing in my courses at college, and from what I'm learning, I believe companies would love to have you ask for coupons if you ask in an honest, gracious manner. A consumer has greater odds of buying a product if he has a coupon for the item...sorry, I don't have the stats for that one readily available ;) ...so why wouldn't a company want you to have a coupon for one of their products that you already love? They're pretty much guaranteed the sale!

Where to Find Coupons

Not sure where to start looking for coupons? This Prezi gives you just a few ideas of places to find them. Coupons don't just come in your Sunday newspaper!

How to Begin Couponing

The world of couponing can be an overwhelming, scary place at first. All the terminology [What does BOGO or ECB mean anyways?], store coupon policies [You mean I can only use one coupon per transaction!?] , and the sheer amount of information on how to coupon [Just start researching it...] is exhausting. I'd like to provide you with a few basic, beginner tips and suggestions as you begin your journey to becoming a successful "couponer"!

#1 Couponing is only as overwhelming, exhausting, & time-consuming as YOU make it.

Many people tell me, "Meredith, you must spend HOURS figuring out deals, taking online surveys, and printing out coupons. It cannot be worth it." The point of my blog is to show you that saving money is definitely worth it, but you need to decide how much time and energy you will commit to doing so. For example, plan to spend at least 1 hour a week planning out your deals and looking for freebies. Or, take 15 minutes each day to look for freebies, take online surveys, etc. This will definitely change as you start getting the hang of couponing, but at least start with a game plan.

#2 Couponing will change the WAY you shop, not just the amount of money you spend.

Since I have started couponing (around the Summer of 2010) I haven't started buying all sorts of crazy items just because I could get them for 2 cents. Generally speaking, I still purchase the same types, and even brands, of items that I have always purchased. But now I buy my favorite products for a fraction of the cost that I used to pay. I still shop at my favorite stores, too. I'm just a smarter shopper. I'll be sharing my tips and secrets with you in posts to come. Stay tuned and I have no doubt that you can start saving money on products that you already buy!

#3 Couponing can be lots of FUN & allow you to be a blessing to others.

I thoroughly enjoy finding great deals! Once you've started and can see how much money you can save on the everyday items you use—toothpaste, shampoo, razors, deodorant—you will wonder why you haven't been couponing for years! Couponing has also given me the privilege to give to others. My mom and I like to put together little care packages of necessities for our friends from free samples we receive and other items we've gotten for free (or even made money on!) but have no use for. For example, I will still sign up for baby product samples even though we don't have a baby in the house so I can put together a gift bag for an expectant mother in our church. You will find you come up with creative, fun ways to share your savings!

6 Couponing Tips & Tricks for the Beginner

Take a look at these easy, simple couponing tips! They're just a few ideas to help you stay organized when you start looking for deals and some tips that have really helped me.