Thank you Natalie for answering our readers questions this week!
Here are some answers to questions from our readers:
A recent Give-a-away encouraged new couponers to share questions they have. I have done my best to answer each question. There are 2 things that I tell every new couponer I talk to.
The first is, Ruth Ann offers coupon seminars. I HIGHLY recommend them. You can learn it all in just 2 hours! And start saving money right away, here is a link to the upcoming seminars: CLICK HERE to view events
The second thing is that EVERYTHING you need to learn can be found on the website.
https://www.everythingunscripted.com
You will see tabs along the top and left side with many categories. Spend time exploring each to make the most of your savings. On the right there are even helpful videos, that include topics like how to organize your coupons. Sign up for the daily news letter on the website – you’ll get all the latest deals and coupons sent to you by email everyday! You can follow her here Facebook as well as twitter, Youtube and Pintrest 🙂
Here is a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MonctonCouponLady
1. what is fpc?
Free Product Coupon
For more Coupon Lingo explained CLICK HERE
For more Coupon Lingo explained CLICK HERE
2. I’d really like to know where people get FPCs
~Typically FPCs are from a promotion. More and more these promotions are being held on the their company Facebook page. Often with a limited number of coupons available and a limited window allowed for ordering, following the trades page and The Moncton Coupon Lady Facebook page, and the trades page you will be kept in the loop when these promotions “go live”. They are also obtainable from PINS which can be found inside specially marked packaging (cereal & snack boxes for example).
3. How long do you people spend a week couponing. How much do you save. Do you got a great stock pile?
~In the beginning, when I just started collecting coupons for the things I buy and placing everything else in bag to bring to the swap, it didn’t took 10 minutes a day to order coupons and 10 minutes or less to organize. Time is definitely the one of the biggest things you have to invest to get maximum savings. How much time is spent would vary from person to person and would also depend on if they also trade coupons and volume of coupons we have to organize and how rapid new ones arrive. Myself I spend at least 5 hours a week trading and organizing – adding new coupons I get from swaps and trades etc.
Before I starting using coupons I spent $200 +++ on grocery items each week for my family of 4 plus the children I babysit Now I spend around $100. Plus another $25 – some weeks – to stock up. If you do the math, that’s about $5000 a year!!!!!
I couponed for 18 months before I gave up “brand loyalty” and started using whatever product was cheapest or hopefully free. That was when I started to stock products. 85% of my stock pile are items I bought for $.50 or less. The remainder are items I used regularly and found a fantastic deal for!!
4. Do all stores take coupons?
~Most major retailers do. Walmart, Superstore, Sobey’s, Shoppers, Jean Coutu, Lawton’s, Giant Tiger, Coop etc all take coupons, each store has their own coupon policies.
That information can be found on the website: CLICK HERE to view Store Policies
Here are some local stores who do not accept coupons: XS Cargo, Liquidation World & Dollarstores.
5. I am not clear on how people stack coupons.
~You can’t stack coupons in NB. In other provinces, some stores allow multiple coupons to be used on the same product as long as the coupon has different UPC codes which is why you often see people asking for a specific UPC code.
6. If its 2/$3.00 can you use 2 coupons for that product or cuz its buy two..can you only use one coupon?
~You are buying 2 products for $3 so yes, you could use a WUB2 (when you buy two) coupon.
7. what are the ‘rules’ of trading coupons?
Here are the rules for our trades page: CLICK HERE to view rules and guidelines on our trades page
8. I never see printable a on here for trade, is it not common to trade them??
There are several reasons you don’t see a lot if printable coupons for trade posted on the trades page.
– they generally have short expiry dates
– people tend to only print what they need because if would be a waste if they weren’t able to trade it.
– more and more retailers or specific locations of retailers are refusing printed coupons altogether or are very or are very strict on the guidelines because of fraud and misuse.
I print & use printed coupons regularly. Here are some that are currently available: CLICK HERE
And here are some tips on how to spot a fraudulent coupon: CLICK HERE
9. Wondering where to get coupons from…Times? What magazines? I have ordered a few from p&g and websaver…any other sources? I would love to know.
Here is a list: CLICK HERE for Where to Find coupons in Canada
10. Do all stores take printed coupons from the net?
No they don’t and stores are taking them less and less due to fraud and misuse. It is best to check the stores coupon policy or call before going in to avoid disappointment.
11. I see people with coupons from magazines but not sure which magazines to find them in.
The are often in Canadian Living, however,
Here is an excerpt from the where to find coupons link that is provide in # 10 above
“MAGAZINES
You may also find coupons in Canadian Magazines. I would not suggest subscribing to a magazine JUST for the coupons, but if you already read certain Canadian magazines,
watch for coupons. If you do subscribe to a magazine, chances are you receive more coupons than the News stand version. Most subscriptions come wrapped in plastic and
often contain recipe booklets, samples, etc…that’s where you will find even more coupons!”
12. What is a good amount of money to trade when trading coupons for Canadian tire money or coupons for stamps. Where I am new people are asking for these but I never know what to trade and what some are asking for seems very high.
Knowing what stamps and Canadian Tire $ are worth is very difficult to decide. I guess it comes down to whatever you are comfortable with. If it feels too high then don’t do the trade and keep looking.
Personally I think the norm is 1 stamp for every $5 worth of coupons. I think it would be $.65 for every $5, similar to a stamp.
Its also common, and understandable that people do not want to trade FPCs or HV (High Value) coupons for stamps & CT $.
13. why is just some locations in Canada able to stack well others aren’t (where I’m from we can’t)?
~In NB we can’t stack because we do not have any retailers who allow it. The only stores who officially allow stacking of manufacturer coupons are Save On Foods and London Drugs, both Western Canadian stores.
14. I do not too bad with being able to stock pile detergents, shampoos, body wash, etc. – wondering how to get more food coupons?
Attending a coupon swap is a great way to get more of the coupons you want. They are held in Moncton, Riverview & Dieppe on a biweekly basis. Anyone can attend. Unlike a trade you don’t need to have coupons to offer!!
https://www.facebook.com/MonctonCouponLady/events
Food coupons are often the most difficult to obtain multiples of because they are often limited by Facebook, websaver, save.ca etc. Or they available in booklets or tear pads at the stores, but they go quickly when available.
The best way to get more of the ones you want is to trade the ones you have and wont use for ones you will. This can be an overwhelming process in the beginning for some people but please remember the trades pages admin are happy to help you get started!
Here is a link to that page, you need to request to join.
I love answering questions and helping people who are new to couponing.
I hope that this helps all of you who are still learning the ropes.
~Natalie