It happens to the best of us. (Updated)

If you are a fan of our facebook blog page, chances are you have already read about my terrible experience at a local Fred's Super Dollar.  I have taken time to breathe and reflect and find myself still upset about how I was treated.  For those of you who haven't read my blog post, I will sum up.  On Saturday I went to my local Fred's to purchase a number of things with my coupons including the Gain Dishsoap that was priced at $1.00.  Using the .50/1 Gain soap coupon, these should have been free, as Fred's doubles coupons up to .70 on Saturdays only.  So, often I save all of my Fred's shopping for Saturdays to get it all done in one swoop.  Now, I live in a small town, and as you know with small towns (or even large ones) you tend to run into equally small minds.  So I have ignored many of the ugly looks, quiet stares of dissapproval and even the occasional loud beligereance that comes with walking into a store coupon binder in tow.  Some people just don't understand that coupons are a valuable asset in today's fickle economy, I myself am a stay at home mom and my husband works for himself, so we don't even have the luxury of at least one regular paycheck, so why wouldn't I want to supplement our limited money thru the use of coupons?  If I can save a dollar, that's one more dollar I have to put toward other things like utitllies or gas.  Of course, I don't expect everyone to understand it, but I DO expect the stores I shop at to uphold their own policies and rules.  Fred's clearly does not care about upholding their coupon policy or even being hypocritical in the way they appraoch couponers. 
All in all I had around 30 coupons to use at Fred's on Saturday, I left only being able to have used about 10 of them.  I was met with disrespect, ignorant superiority, and vile behavior with nearly every coupon I tried to use.  The asst. manager seemed to find joy in making an example out of me and made sure she spoke loudly enough in a snooty tone that everyone around the registers could hear her.  I heard people snickering and even a few "mm-hmm"s from the peanut gallery as she told me repeatedly that I couldn't use my coupon on a trial size.  The item I was purchasing is a 9 fluid ounce size, harldy trial size.  To be honest, I am sure she was jealous and upset that I had managed to get something for free from her store, as tends to be the case at almost every place where a couponer finds animosity.  I DID point out to her that P&G does not sell trial and travel sizes without the appropriate labeling deeming it a trial size.  Her story THEN shifted gears "Well, I'll scan it, but if it doesn't go thru then there isn't anything I can do, I can't override the system if it won't scan"  Of course she could, she had done it before, in front of me, I even knew how to do it!  Clearly, she was only interested in denying me my purchases and in turn making herself feel good about being able to "get one over on a customer".   I was commited to standing behind my coupon, I KNEW she was trying to force my hand and make me get aggrivated enough to be escorted from the premesis.  I did not give in to her game and didn't yell even tho she interupted me mid sentence to hold up the dishsoap difiantly and asked me with a huffy attitude "DO YOU WANT THIS??????" I answered without losing control (i was VERY angry at this point) "No, not if you aren't going to take my coupon."
With that, she turned to the cash register, pulled her key and stormed off.  I finished my transaction with the four coupons I had left for $1/1 Campbell's Chunky soup.  The cashier scrutinized these coupons as well, seemed to have a debate in her own mind, and then scanned them.  I am sure the assistant manager told her NOT to take my coupons, and the fact that I witnessed a tiny war in her head over whether or not to take them, tells me she will probably not be woking there for long.  This particular store doesn't keep good help very long. 
I know that was a long summary, but trust me, this is only the tip of this atrocious experience in coupon customer relations.  I have been in contact with the corporate office and I am told that the manager has been contacted, they are keeping me updated on this case.  I have to say, I really don't hold much hope for anything really being done about it.  The manager himself has no love of coupons and did stand by in silent agreement as the asst. manager did what she did.  I am posistive that he will shuffle all blame on me and pat his asst. on the back for a job well done.  I have done what I can, I notified corporate, I did not yell and scream. 
I hope everyone can read this and walk away knowing that this is not something we as couponers have to endure.  We do not have to stand toe to toe with the aggressors and have a battle of wits, we must respectfully walk away and take it to a higher office.  Reminds me of a quote I heard recently:
"Do not argue with stupid people, for they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" ~unknown

( I will update this story as it unfolds)

Update 7/3/12:
Yesterday I recieved an email from the District manager AND Fred himself. 

"I am very sorry for the way you were treated at our store in Dadeville, Al. this type of conduct from any employee will not be tolerated. I have coached and counseled the entire store team on the coupon policy and procedures. I would like to assure you that we value your coupon business as we do with all customers. Coupons are a great source of income for a lot of people during this trying time in our economy, and a great source of revenue for us.

Again I would like to apologize, and invite you back to FRED’S to shop and see our new attitude on coupon shopping."

So, at least something has been done, and hopefully I can resume shopping there with no harassment or terrible attitude.  I would like to remind everyone that there is no excuse for ignorant behavior when it comes to couponing, many people just don't understand, and some would like to treat us as the EC participants whom they judge to be so terrible.  Remember, keep a level head, don't cause a scene, and go over their heads if need be.  NO store wants their employess to treat customers with anything less than respect.  If you think your store is doing a fantastic job, tell them so, if not, they still need to know.  We must take a stand and let these stores know that we know we have the right to use our coupons honestly and be treated fairly.  Fortunately, Fred's was more than happy to correct the behavior, and that says something to me: they value my business and would like for me to continue shopping there.  I thanked them for the apology and have decided to try again to shop at my local store, I'll let you know how it turns out.  Happy Couponing everyone!

New Couponing Class Scheduled!

I will be holding a coupon class on June 16th at the Fellowship Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in the Buttston Community of Dadeville AL.  Class starts at 11:00 am, snacks will be provided.  I will be covering topics such as:

Coupon Organization
Clipping Services
Matchups
Sales Cycles
Coupon Policies
Extreme Couponing

Class requirements:

Writing tool
Paper
Good Attitude :D

Price of Admission: FREE
No seating charge or donations needed.

Fellowship Baptist Church is located at the intersection of Denver and Buttston Rd, just down the street from Speedy's Restaurant.  If you have any questions or need directions please email me at amber_laddie@hughes.net or you can leave a message on my facebook blog page Coupon Gems.

If you have any questions you'd like to have me answer just send those along to the links provided.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Printable Coupons: Here's a few links

Try some of these links (if you haven't already) to get some great printable coupons!
( I would advise creating a "dummy" email so your inbox won't be filled with offers and newsletters from these sites)

Naked Juice $1.00/1 15.4 oz or larger

Brawny Paper Towels $1.00/1 no restrictions

 Haribo Happy Whirl spin to get a coupon

www.pullups.com Pull Ups $1.00/1 flushable wipes (register and print)

Bird's Eye Vegetables Veggie Powered Plate create a plate and get a coupon

Betty Crocker over $29.00 in printable coupons available now. Register to print. *Hot* coupons run out quickly.  (www.pillsbury.com has pretty much the same coupons as Betty Crocker, with a few variations)

Ready Set Eat $1.00/3 Healthy Choice soups

Campbell's Kitchen lots of great printables available now

Nestle .50/1 Nestle Toll House morsels, .50/2 Carnation evaporated milk.  Members are only allowed 2 prints per coupon per month.

and as always check out what is available at
Coupons.com
Smart Source
Red Plum

Using Coupons the Right Way

I just thought I would share some more insight that I have learned from my couponing experiences lately.

There have been some concerns about using coupons fraudulently, either by accident or on purpose.  ( I have noticed this from some of my trading groups).  I would like to address my opinion on this.

1.  To use a coupon for anything other than its intended purpose is fraud.  I have seen blogs promote underhanded and sneaky "it's ok to misuse a coupon" attitudes.  frankly, this gives all of us a bad rep.  MY rule of thumb is: If it goes against my Christian sensibilities and morals, then, don't do it.  I broke my own code late last year when I was convinced a certain coupon could be used to get a product for free.  Even though I felt it was a misuse of the coupon I got caught up in the sheer number of people who were able to get the deal so I figured "It must be ok".  In hindsight, I realize that just because I could, that didn't mean I should. I believe that there is so much coupon misuse out there that it has become the reason for so many stringent restrictions out there on coupons.  For example: a recent Tide Stain release coupon for $2.00/1

As you can see, there are restrictions on this coupon as far as product size.  Specifically, I am referring to the restriction "36-68 oz liquid"

Seems, pretty cut and dry, right?  Apparently not, because some people used this coupon for the 20 oz liquid and were able to get this product for free and even receive overage. Now, the case that I know of in which this coupon was used fraudulently was by accident, and the person involved apologized as soon as she found her mistake. (sometimes it IS a case of not reading all the fine print) Point of fact, READ YOUR COUPON!

There is a big difference between this:  20 oz

and this: 36 oz

The difference is not only in size, but also in price. 

Now, accidents happen, I'll admit we ALL have misinterpreted a coupon at one time or another, but the point is to be as well-informed and responsible as possible.  Please READ the coupon and KNOW the coupon policy of each store you shop.  It seems like a lot of preparation for a thing as simple as using a coupon, but it will benefit you in the long run. 

2.  THERE ARE FAKES OUT THERE
Be very careful when trading/purchasing/bidding on coupons, there are people that WILL take your hard-earned money to turn a profit on worthless strips of paper that merely LOOK like coupons.  On one episode of TLC's Extreme Couponing a shopper was shown to use MANY coupons for free toilet paper.  Later, these coupons (I believe 48 were used) were found to be fake and the store lost HUNDREDS of dollars, the shopper (whether he knew it or not) shoplifted carts-full of toilet paper.
Yes, it IS shoplifting, because the store was not reimbursed for the use of these fake coupons.
Here is an example of one fake coupon circulating now:

You can find the list of fake coupons out there by visiting http://www.couponinformationcenter.com/coupon-fraud-list.php

3. Be Informed! The only person that can keep you honest is YOU.  Use your good judgment and don't fall for scams, fakes, or other couponers' "claims" that it is okay to misuse a coupon.  Most of us are responsible couponers, but there are some who will bend and even break the rules to get a "good deal"

If you make a mistake, don't stress to harshly, mistakes happen.  It is what we learn and how we act AFTER a mistake that determines how we grow as people.
Remember, couponing is not as difficult as it seems at first, take your time, figure out your own system and you will find your own groove.  The long-term benefits will outweigh the early stress.

God Bless and Happy Couponing!

Where Do I Find Coupons?

I had a very successful Couponing Class Saturday morning and thought it would be a good idea to post some of the info I shared with them here on the blog, so here goes:

Where you can get coupons:
Sunday Paper: for a preview list of what coupons may be available in your region check out www.sudaycouponpreview.com

Coupon Insert services: remember, coupons are FREE, you are paying for the service's Time, sorting, and Shipment.  If you come in contact with someone/service that is SELLING coupons, know that they are doing business fraudulently.  In the small print on EVERY coupon you will see "coupon is void if sold, transferred, or altered" or some variation of the like.
       Some Whole Insert Services I would recommend:
          Carter's Coupons (facebook page) www.carterscoupons.com
          Krazy Insertz (facebook page)  www.krazyinsertz.com
          www.wholecouponinserts.com
                      There are many reputable services available, these are a few I have used and trust.

Clipping Services:  You can get multiples of certain coupons based on availability.  Some sites have a minimum order purchase.  As above, you are paying for Time, Sorting, Clipping, and Shipment of coupons, not paying for coupons themselves.
      I have used a few clipping services but usually go to www.coupondede.com because of fast shipment and reliability, also they have a large assortment of available coupons.

Ebay:  Buyers be wary, be sure to check the reputation of the seller before bidding on coupons.  Also, make sure you check shipping cost and shipment dates.  This info should be available to you when looking on the seller's info of the coupon you are bidding on.

Internet Coupon Printing sites:  Unless the coupon is in a .pdf format you can usually only print 2 of any one coupon.  .pdf format you can print as many as you need.  DO NOT PHOTO COPY IPs, that is fraud and you can get into serious trouble legally. 
     Be sure to check www.couponinformationcenter.com for the current list of fake coupons out there.  Using fake coupons is another way to get yourself in seriously hot water.  Remember, if a coupon looks too good to be true...it probably is.
Legitimate Coupon Printing sites:
www.bricks.coupons.com  www.coupons.com
www.couponnetwork.com
www.redplum.com
www.smartsource.comprintable
www.generalmills.com
You can also check out your favorite brands' sites to see if they have any printable coupons available, or if you can be put on a mailing list for coupons in the mail.

LIKE your favorite brand on Facebook, many times a lot of brands offer coupons for fans.

LIKE Coupon Gems on Facebook, this is our facebook blog page, to get quick and fast moving deals that we come across throughout the day.
 https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/Creature.Amber

Coupon Trading Groups:  I don't know how many times I have been in search of a coupon and been unable to find it.  This is a common problem with the so-called *HOT* coupons.  That is why I have become a member (and even an Admin) of a few reputable online trading groups.  You can post your ISO (in search of) and make trades for coupons you want.  If you decide to become a member of a trading group don't be a troll.  Adhere to your trades and be a reputable member, one bad trade can ruin your reputation as a trader and trust me, the Internet moves quickly, your name will be on a red flag list for "bad trader".  This is not a list you want to be on.  The benefits are awesome, tho.  Wouldn't you love to be able to get rid of all the coupons you don't use and receive coupons you need?  For many groups, all it takes is the price of an envelope and a stamp.


I hope this information is helpful.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you don't, you'll never get the answers you need.

God Bless and Happy Couponing!

My Walmart/Family Dollar trip this week.

I was able to save over $70.00 on this trip.  The cans of Similac, the covergirl products, the Taco Bell seasoning, Duck packing tape, the floss, and most of the Nabisco cookie cups were FREE. With the overage from some of these items I was able to buy a new pack of pacifiers for my little girl and a new book for my son.  NOT pictured here are the perishables that had to be put away immediately, like frozen veggies and milk.  My total purchase was over $150.00.  In the picture, these items only, had a retail of $109.05, my OOP (out of pocket) was $39.87. 

Here is a mini-breakdown of my trip:

Nabisco to-go cups $1.00

used $2.00/3 Nabisco particpating brands.  Essentially it was Buy ONE get TWO free. :)

Final Price: $0.33 each.

White Cloud Toilet Paper $3.98

used $2.00/1 printable coupon.  Final price: $1.98 (I <3 cheap tp)

Kraft Mayo (2) $3.42

used BOGO printable.  Final price: $1.76 each

Similac condensed cans (5) $4.97

used (5) $5.00/1 Similac infant formula checks.  Final Price: +$0.03 MM! (money maker)

Cortaid (2) reg $4.87 on sale $4.00 ea
used $3/1 Cortaid product.  Final price: $1.00 each

Taco Bell taco seasoning packet $0.64
used $0.75/1 taco Bell productprintable Final price: +$0.11 MM!

Duck Brand Packing Tape $1.00
used $1.00/1 Any Duck brand packing tape printable (no longer available)
Final Price: FREE

Cover Girl Queen Collection (4) (tweezers and nail clippers) $1.00 ea
used (4) $1.00/1 Covergirl product
Final Price: FREE

You get the point. :D
So do you still have questions about why I do this? I hope not.  Do you have questions about how YOU can do this? I will GLADLY help out in any way I can.  I have a new Couponing Class on February 18, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Fellowship Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Yes, it IS a little out of the way, but this class is totally free, no cover charge or seat charge, it is strictly an outreach project and requires no fee to attend.  If you want to attend please email me at amber_laddie2@hughes.net so I can reserve your seat.  If you aren't in my area, and have questions you think I can answer, please feel free to comment on my blog or visit Coupon Gems on facebook.  I share that page with a wonderful friend who has been couponing much longer than I.
Happy Couponing Ya'll!

This is an example of the kind of couponing I have done.  This pic is only half of a Target trip I made late last year in which I saved over $100!  I m continuing to coupon and have classes starting soon!

Many times as I have been out shopping, binder in tow, I get strange looks from employees and other shoppers.  I've heard whispers about "look there's ONE" and in general many people don't understand why I do it.  YES, it takes time and YES, it takes planning!  If you want to seriously save some money, you have to SERIOUSLY put in the time to do it.  The number one question I have heard is: "Where do you get the coupons?" This question kind of shocks me.  Our society these days is so foreward thinking that we have forgotten that there are savings tucked away inside the Sunday paper!  Almost all of my coupons come from Sunday coupon inserts, of which I DO buy in multiples, and usually no more than 4 papers each week (let's don't be too greedy now).  There are also, many resources online in which you can apply for and even print coupons from your printer.  This is OLD NEWS to some of our more seasoned couponers, but this info really isn't supposed to be beneficial for you, it's to help all those struggling newbies out there.  The ones I see in the supermarket comparing prices on brands and shelling out big money for things everyone NEEDS.  True, not every trip can you walk away having spent nothing, but if you can save $1.00 on every $10 you spend how much would you have saved on ONE TRIP?  I know I used to go to Walmart at least once a week and spend hundreds of dollars a month in that store alone.  Now with coupons and careful planning I can walk out of a store having saved at least 30%, and there have been a few times where I have walked out with a cart full and a few more dollars in my pocket than I walked in with.  (Those kinds of trips take a lot more planning).  My opinion is: "If you can save ANYTHING, you've accomplished SOMETHING"

Don't be fooled by that silly show, remember that TV is for entertainment first, shock value second, and information is last on the list.
HAPPY COUPONING

Stay tuned....

I'm a new blogger so bear with me.  I will be here to share coupon deals and general coupon help.  So stay tuned....