Tuesday, August 17, 2010

When to stock up

Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for this comprehensive list of products. This is a great reference to use for when you want to know when to stock up or when something is going to go on sale. Now....some things vary by region. (Example we have Mardi Gras so there are usually sales that time for things like red beans, rice, zatarins mixes, etc) When these things are about to go on sale you MUST get your paper for your coupons. If its full of things your family uses regularly & you have room for it AND it won't go bad consider buying multiple papers & stockpiling. I have room for a few things but not everything so I pick what I can store. I will not be one of these people whose house looks like Wal-mart threw up in their home. Hope this list helps.

January: Oatmeal, diet foods, Superbowl Sunday items (chips, drinks, snacks), oranges, pears, carrots, spinach, Christmas items, cold medicine & vitamins

February: National Canned food month, national hot breakfast month, valentines candy, Chinese new year, potatoes, carrots, spinach.

March: Frozen food month, lemons, limes

April: Easter items, ham, eggs, some baking supplies, chocolate, Earth day, organic foods, energy saver items, beets, cabbages, mushrooms. Stock up after Easter on clearance items.

May: Memorial Day, BBQ Items, paper products, insect repellent, sunscreen, Cinco De Mayo, salsa

June: National Dairy Month, (sometime a free milk catalina wyb 3 or 4 cereals), end of June is gearing up for 4th of July, blackberries

July- 4th of July items, national ice cream month, blueberries, 4th of July clearance items

Aug. Back to school items, school lunch items, office supplies, apples, plums

September: Back to School sales, Labor Day items, BBQ & summer clearance, diabetes awareness, oranges, grapes

October: Halloween candy, start of baking supplies, adopt a shelter dog month, dog food, Halloween clearance

November: Baking items, canned foods, pears, end of the month Thanksgiving decorations

December: holiday dinner food, baking supplies, canned food.


This is just a guide....not a complete list. Good luck.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Coupons

For some of my friends who are new to coupons I thought I would write a post of coupon terms so you can get familiar with them.


Learning coupon lingo
Sunday inserts (in my region) usually have 1 or more of the following
P&G-Procter & Gamble (usually once a month or less)
RP- RedPlum
SS- Smart Source

Terms
WYB-When You Buy
IPQ- Internet Printable Coupon
$1/1, $1/2- $1 off one item, $1 off 2 items
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. Two items for a dollar, 3 items for $2
BOGO: Buy One Get One
B2GO: Buy 2 Get one
Blinkies: In store coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat: Catalinas (they print out at the register w/ your receipts)
FAR: free After Rebate
MFR: Manufacturer
MIR: Mail in Rebate
OYNO: On Your Next Order
OOP: Out of Pocket
PSA: Prices starting At
UPC: Bar code
Tear pad: A pad of coupons that you tear off
Peelie: A coupon stuck on your product that you peel off

Now....some great places to get coupons are not only smartsource.com or redplum.com but the manufacturer's website. So.....like a particular cereal.....check out the website. I know Bettycrocker.com has great coupons. Do you Twitter? Follow your favorite brands as they often tweet about upcoming deals & sales. Same goes for facebook.
Some great blogs are coupongeek.com, moneysavingmom.com, commonsensewithmoney.com. Google for more.

I hope this helps some of you new to couponing.