Archive for Helpful Hints
Using Roboform to Request Free Samples
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If you love free samples like I do, you will find that you spend a lot of time filling out your name, email address, address, etc. into the forms. Roboform saves me quite a bit of time by filling these forms in for me.
It took just a few minutes to download the program and then fill in my personal information and it saves me so much time now when I request free samples. All I have to do is click one button and all of my information is automatically filled in for me. The software is free to download. Just click here to download the software.
There is a lot of information that you can fill in, but since I was only planning to use it for requesting free samples, I only entered in information that I thought would be pertinent when filling out free sample forms. I also made sure to use the email address that I use solely for requesting free samples.
There are not really any great samples available right now, so I thought instead I would talk about requesting free samples. I have had a couple of readers write to me and ask if it is safe to request free samples. The answer is: not always. However there are ways to make sure that you are always requesting your samples in a safe manor.
There are only two sources that I request free samples from. First, from major retailers such as WalMart, Walgreens or Costco. Secondly, directly from the manufacturer, and only if it is a well known, reputable manufacturer.
I have set up a separate email address. I haven’t noticed a very big increase in the amount of SPAM I receive, but it just makes it easier for me to use a separate email address. I don’t give my exact birthdate, because I think that is too much information to give out. I give a close enough date so that I am in the right demographic.
I never request samples that require you to qualify first. Also, most sites have a privacy policy. If you are concerned about how your information will be used, read the privacy policy and see what they intend to do with your information.
The bottom line is, you have to do what you feel comfortable with. If you are really hesitant, just consider requesting the samples that come from WalMart. I have had really, really good experiences with them. They ask for the same information each time and their samples always come. They are a very reliable source for your free samples.
Register Rewards
Posted by: | CommentsWith so many deals at Walgreens this week involving Register Rewards, I have had a lot of questions about Register Rewards.
What is a Register Reward? A RR is a manufacturers coupon that prints out at the end of your purchase. It prints out of a separate printer next to the machine that prints out the receipt. It is a manufacturers coupon that you can use on your NEXT order.
What can I purchase with a Register Reward? There are restrictions on each RR that are printed on each RR. This will vary slightly. All RRs MAY NOT be used on presciptions. All RRs also say that they may exclude : alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, stamps, dairy products and gift or phone cards. This means that it is up to the individual store to decide.
Most RRs that come from P&G products may not be used on other P&G products.
Also, remember that when you are using your RRs, they are manufacuturers coupons. So the rule still applies, you may not have more MCs then items. So, if you are buying 3 items and you have 3 MCs and you want to pay with an RR, you would need a filler item.
What is a Filler Item? A filler item is an inexpensive item that you won’t be using a manufacturers coupon on. Some examples include candy, gum, pencils or small packages of tissues.
Will I receive multiple RRs if I make multiple purchases? The answer is, it depends. For instance, this week their is a promotion when you purchase 3 bottles of Tylenol, you will receive $5.00 in RRs. If you purchase 6 bottles of Tylenol, you will only receive (1) $5.00 RR. However, if you buy 3 bottles of Tylenol and then purchase the Toothbrush that is also producing a RR in the same transaction, then you WILL receive both RRs.
If I use a RR from product X to purchase product X again, will the RR print? This is called rolling RRs, and most times this doesn’t work. If you pay for product X with a RR from product X, you will be able to do the transaction, but then your new RR will not print out. But what you can do is buy product X, then use your RR from product X to buy product Y and then use your RR from product Y to purchase product X.
When do my RRs expire? Most RRs have an expiration date that is two weeks from the purchase date. However, this can vary. I have gotten a few recently that don’t expire for 3 months!
When the promotion says purchase a certain dollar amount of product X to receive a RR, is that before or after coupons? The amount is before coupons. For example if the promotion is buy $10.00 worth of bodywash and receive $3.00 in RR. If the bodywash is 3/$10.00 and you have (3) $1.00 MCs, that will work just fine. Using coupons on a promotion should have no effect on whether a RR prints or not. A MC is a form of payment just like cash is.
My RR didn’t print, what do I do? First talk to the manager. Sometimes the machine is just not working. Ask them to try ringing you up on another register and see if it works. Some managers will give you a gift card in place or just cash, but that has never happened for me. There is a form that you can fill out and mail to the Catalina company. My preferred route is to call the Catalina company directly. There number is 1-888-8coupon. Press option 3. They will take your information and find out if you bought the right items. When they have determined that you did purchase the qualifying items, they will mail you a RR.
Where To Find Coupons
Posted by: | Comments1)The most obvious source of coupons is your local newspaper. There are 3 different coupon inserts and not every paper includes all of them. If your paper doesn’t carry all 3 inserts, you may want to check into getting a different paper, if it is feasible.
To find out what inserts your paper carries and what inserts other papers carry, go to hotcouponworld.com, click on “resources.” Under Locating Coupons you will see “Newspapers with Inserts.” Find your state and compare what inserts it gets with other local papers.
Shop around to get the best rate. I waited and waited, and my local weekend edition finally went down to $1.50 a week. Two weeks into my subscription it went down to $.99. So don’t be afraid to ask if they have any discounts or promotions going. Sometimes you can get a better deal by subscribing through their website.
If you only use 1 or 2 coupons out of each week’s paper, it will pay for itself.
2)Ask relatives, friends and neighbors to save their inserts for you. Many people take the newspaper, but don’t use any of the coupons. Both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law save their inserts for me. My mother-in-law clips a few coupons, but gives me the rest. My sister-in-law doesn’t use any of hers, and so I get her whole insert.
3)The internet. Shameless plug: First of all, my little coupon printer over to the right is an advertisement for me. You support this site every time you print coupons from there. I am in no means going to get rich from you printing coupons from there, but if you need the coupon anyway, it would be great if you printed from there. Thanks!
Also on the right, if you click on Printable Coupons I have put up some great sites for printing coupons from the internet. I do not receive anything for referring you there, but they are the sites that I have found to have the best coupons and be the easiest to use.
Some stores do not take IP’s or internet printables. There is only one store in my local area that I have found will not take any IP’s and that is Winco. Stores like Rite Aid and Foods Co. seem to have a different coupon policy depending on what store you go to. According to Walmart’s coupon policy that I found online, they do accept IP’s, but some cashiers that I have encountered there had never even seen one and thought that they were photocopied coupons. I have found that the best thing to do is to call ahead and ask if they accept IP’s.
4)Keep your eyes open while at the store. Many stores will have special displays that will have coupons or there are little machines called blinkies that distribute coupons. I have gotten some of my best coupons from these blinkies or tear pads. A few weeks ago my local Rite Aid had a tear pad of John Frieda coupons. I grabbed quite a few and have already used 3 of them at other stores.
5)Send in for those free samples. Many free samples will include coupons in them.
6)If there is a store that you shop at regularly or a product that you use regularly, get on their mailing list. I signed up with one of my local grocery stores, Raley’s, and they email me 6 coupons every week. In this week’s set of coupons was a coupon for a free bag of potatoes with any $10.00 purchase.
In the past few weeks I have also received coupons from Michael’s and Clean & Clear. I have even received coupons from clothing companies like Express and New York & Co.
It also never hurts to send a company an email and let them know that you appreciate their product and ask them if they have any coupons to send along. Many times they are happy to oblige.
7)If there is a specific coupon that you really want, consider buying it. There are two websites that sell coupons for a very good rate, The Coupon Master and The Coupon Clippers. I have never used these services, but I have heard very good things about them.
I would only consider doing this if it is a screaming deal on something you need, and you can fit it into your budget.
When you are actively looking for coupons, you will find that they are everywhere. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you will be amazed at how fast you can accumulate a large stash of coupons.
How To Get the Best Deals at Rite Aid
Posted by: | CommentsRite Aid is a drugstore with locations throughout the U.S. Click here to find your nearest store. Their promotional program mainly consists of their rebate program. They also have in store coupons that can be stacked with manufacturers coupons. Their store coupons can be found in their weekly sales ad and in their store.
Rebate Program- Single Check Rebate
The thing that is complicated about their rebate program is, some of the rebates are good for a few days, some are good for a week, some for a few weeks and some for the whole month. I also find their rebate booklet a little complicated to digest. It is set up by category, so if you are looking for health and beauty items you turn to that section. But, like I said, the rebates are all for different time frames, so it can be a lot to take in.
Now, how do you go about claiming you SCR? There are two ways. First, you can pick up their Rebate Directory, these are usually found at the front of the store near the weekly sales ad. There is a form on the back. Fill in all of the necessary information. Make a copy of the completed form, and you keep your original receipts. Mail it in and you should receive your money in 4-6 weeks.
The second way to claim your rebate is online at riteaid.com. From there, click on “Single Check Rebates” (it is near the bottom of the page on the left). Click on “Sign up for SCR.” Enter your information and click on “Submit my Request.” Next you will enter the information from your receipt. A few days later, they will send you an email letting you know which rebates have qualified. DO NOT request your check until the end of the rebate period. Once you request your check, you CAN NOT request any other rebates, for that rebate period. They say that if you request your check online, it should arrive within 2-3 weeks. Mine, however, seemed to take longer than that.
When you receive your check it will say, “use your check toward any purchase at Rite Aid.” Don’t take this to mean you have to use it at Rite Aid. It IS a check and you can deposit it at your bank.
Coupon Policies
Previously Rite Aid did not take Internet Printable coupons, however, most Rite Aid’s will now take them. So to find out if your Rite Aid does, you just have to give it a try. They also provide you with printable coupons from Rite Aid if you sign up at their website. To sign up click here.
Most Rite Aid’s allow you to use a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item, this is called “stacking coupons.” You can tell that it is a store coupon, because Rite Aid’s store coupon’s bar codes start with the letters RC.
Rite Aid frequently offers Rite Aid store coupons in little pamphlets or booklets. I have found these at the front counter, the cosmetics department and the pharmacy counter.
Hope this helps! If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to find you an answer.
Rain Checks
You can get a rain check on a rebate item and still get your rebate. It is a bit of a complicated process that you have to stay on top of, but Coupondink at Hot Coupon World has the scoop on how to ensure you get your rebate when using a rain check. Requesting a rebate can be well worth the time when there are fantastic rebates and the shelves at your store are bare.
Organizing Your Coupons
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have been clipping coupons, even for just a few weeks, you are going to have quite a large stockpile of coupons. What do you do with all of them? When I first started couponing, I used a little coupon organizer that I bought at the store. It was called a coupon organizer, and you have probably seen them before. They are about the size of an envelope and mine had 13 little pockets inside to organize your coupons.
The problem is, if you are a serious couponer, you have too many coupons for this little thing to hold. I would spend forever at the store trying to find the coupon that I wanted, and I couldn’t remember what coupons I had.
One of the most popular ways to organize coupons is a binder. Many people use a 3 ring binder and then they fill the binder with baseball card organizers. You can buy these at any office supply store. The problem that I had with this method, is that the baseball card organizers seemed too small to fit your coupons in, and I didn’t want to mess with having to fold my coupons. Plus with the baseball card organizers there are 9 coupons to a page, for me that is too overwhelming and sends my brain into overload.
Another way to organize coupons is with a box. You can use a photo organizing box, or a shoe box or a Rubbermaid type box, any box really. Then you just put organizing tabs in to separate the sections.
You can click on this forum at Hot Coupon World to see pictures of the ways people are organizing their coupons.
After a lot of thinking and going back and forth, this is the coupon organizer I bought:
(Excuse the grimy fingerprints!)
If you are going to use a photo organizer, make sure that you get one that the photo pockets open to the inside and not the edge, otherwise your coupons will fall out. I also like that there is a lot of room in the middle part so that I can get my coupons out easily.
I also bought these index tabs. They are made by 3M and cost about $3.00. They have their own adhesive on them and are really easy to use.
These are the categories that I have in my book:
