The fine print on coupons can be confusing, so here's a rundown of what that fine print means!
Limit one coupon per purchase
Many people assume that this statement means that you are only able to use one coupon per shopping trip (or transaction). It, in fact means, that you can't use more than one coupon per item purchased. So, if you are purchasing three of the same items and you have three of the same coupons, you can use one coupon per item, all in one transaction!
Limit one coupon per transaction
While a purchase means one single item, a transaction means an entire purchase. So if you have a coupon that states "limit one coupon per transaction" you can only use one of them in one transaction. If you wish to use multiple coupons with this wording, you can always make several transactions, or come back on another day. (But the frugal in me would say to do multiple transactions the same day so you're not using extra gas!)
Limit one coupon per customer/person/household
This one is pretty straight forward. A customer/person is referring to each individual person making a transaction. In order to use more than one of these coupons, bring someone with you who is able to make their own transaction, while you make your own transaction using the coupon. Or, come back another day. When a coupon states only one coupon per household, this means that only one coupon can be used once for all members of your household.
Void if copied
Do not photocopy coupons! It's against the law.
Use of more than one manufacturer's coupon per item is strictly prohibited
This coupon can't be stacked, even if you're shopping at a store that allows coupon stacking. Stores (and you) must abide by the manufacturer's rules.
May not be combined with any other offer
Although this seems to say you can't use it on a sale item, it actually means you can't use this coupon for stacking. It's still okay to use it on an item that is on sale!
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to find some new Canadian coupons, then why not consider starting a free coupon exchange at your local grocery store? My local Co-op started such an exchange recently, and it’s turning out to be quite the talking point.
Unlike most coupon trading programs, this particular exchange works on an honesty basis but is extremely effective. Very simply, a basket labeled “Coupon Exchange” is located in the entrance to the store, and customers can take and replace grocery coupons as they wish.
You could say it works like a “take a penny, leave a penny” tray.
When I first noticed this coupon exchange basket a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but get excited by the idea. Since the basket is located at the entrance to the store, it’s in the perfect place to browse for coupons that might be useful on that particular shopping trip. If you don’t use them then you can just pop them back in the tray on your way out.
Now that this coupon exchange is in effect, I always bring a few good food coupons along with me whenever I shop at Co-op and add them to the tray for the benefit of others. I’ve noticed that the supply of good coupons has increased gradually since the program was started a few weeks ago, which indicates that the general response to the idea has been really good.
Maybe this is the start of a new trend in supermarkets across Canada? If you’re interested in starting up a similar coupon exchange at your own local store, then why not have a chat with the staff at the Customer Service Desk? If they agree to your idea then you could volunteer to donate the basket and a few of your own coupons to really get the ball rolling.
Louise Fiolek is the author of CanadianCouponSaver.com, a website dedicated to helping Canadians save money with coupons, daily deals, free stuff and frugal living tips. She enjoys encouraging others to live well and enjoy life to the fullest, while being savvy to money-saving opportunities.
I have a couple of new downloads for you! Since I’m organizing my coupon binder this week, I thought I’d make up a couple of forms that could make tracking the coupons you have in your stash easier!
The first one includes a spot for you to write the coupon, value of the coupon, expiry, the number you have in your stash and how many you’ve used:
The second one includes the same things as the above tracker, but I added a spot to include the coupon type (printable, Save.ca, Websaver.ca..etc) in hopes that it may help you order/print more of that particular coupon:
Click on the images to get to the downloads (PDF).
I admit, until this weekend, I didn’t have an organized coupon system. Oh, I was organized in the winter. All my coupons were neatly cut out and filed into my wallet sized accordion file folder.
But once April hit and I was back to work at the golf course, my organization went out the door. I was just happy if I kept up with my work at the golf course, household chores and running Simply Frugal, of course!
I was re-inspired to get my coupon act together this weekend when I was visiting a friend, who is a fellow couponer. She had all her coupons organized in a binder by expiry month! I’ve heard of that way before, but when I saw her binder, I decided that was a brilliant way to organize my own coupons!
I got started the next day. My Mom and I sat down and cut out all the inserts I had and recycled the coupons that were expired 🙁
Tabbed dividers (I have 13 tabs. 1 for each month and one for “free product” coupons)
Rather than explain the rest, I’ll show you some pictures!
Here’s the front. In the zippered pocket, I have all my free product coupons which I intend on having in a separate tab inside the binder once I pick up more 4×6 photo pages.
I put some scissors in the inside zippered pocket for convenience.
I intend on putting my flyers that I want to use for price matching in this area. Most likely, uncut coupon inserts as well.
Some of my tabs.
Some of the coupons I have in the June expiry section. (smaller ones which are in the baseball card holders)
The bigger coupons are in 4×6 photo pages.
So, there you have it! My new coupon organization system! Now, I’ve got to head out shopping so I can test it out!
