Couponing Basics Part 7: Stacking Coupons

If you've been using your coupons for a while now, you might be starting to feel pretty comfortable. It could be time to take another money saving step and stack some coupons!

But....what exactly does that mean? 

Well, you already know that stores allow one manufacturer coupon per item. Some retailers, though, also offer their own store coupons, which can be stacked, or combined, with a manufacturer coupon to equal extra savings. At these stores, like Target, you are allowed to combine one manufacturer coupon with one store coupon.

Store coupons come in different forms. At times, you'll find them in paper form in store ads or flyers. You'll also see online printables, e-coupons, which link to your store card, as well as mobile coupons, which are redeemed using a barcode on a smart phone.

When you look for deal matchups on this and other coupon websites, you'll be made aware of any deals that involve coupon stacking. If you want to start looking for stacking opportunities on your own, though, begin by looking through your coupons and then browsing store coupons for matches. 

Target and Harris Teeter would be great places to begin. 

Visit the Target coupon page to look through and print coupons. As I browsed the Target coupons, I noticed many potential stacking opportunities. For example, there was a Target coupon for $5 off a Brita water pitcher. There was a manufacturer coupon for $4 off the same product in this week's Sunday paper. By using both coupons, you can deduct $9 from the price of the Brita!

Coupon stacking is also easy to do at Harris Teeter grocery stores. Look for electronic store coupons by logging into the Harris Teeter website. Visit the e-vic coupons link and load coupons to your store card. Right now, there are a number of opportunities to stack coupons to score great deals. For example, right now, Fiber One bars are on sale for $2.50. You can stack this printable manufacturer for $0.50 off (which will double to take off $1.00), with an e-vic store coupon for an additional $0.40 off. Using both coupons, the register will deduct $1.40 from the price, making the cost of the bars $1.10.

Though it takes just a bit more effort to stack coupons, the pay out can be well worth it! Happy stacking!

Stack 'em Up - Target Mobile Coupons

A while back, I posted about stacking coupons as a way to increase your savings. One way of doing this, is using Target Mobile Coupons, which are different from those you are able to print directly from the Target website.

Visit the Target Mobile Coupon website (scroll down to coupon alert). Enter your cell number, and you will be sent special coupon offers twice a month, via text. It took a few days for my first set of coupons to show up. The message from Target will include a list of all available coupon offers. It will also include a barcode, which the cashier will scan when you wish to apply a coupon. These mobile coupons are considered Target store coupons, and so can be stacked with manufacturer coupons. You are able to use one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item. Each mobile coupon may only be used one time per phone, though you could have them sent to multiple phones within your household.

No smart phone? No problem. I don't have one either. You can still receive the coupon texts from Target. You will be sent a URL, which you can type into your computer. Either print the page and bring it to the store, or pull the web page up on an i-pod and bring the i-pod with you. This is what I did today.

Here is a look at the coupon stacking I did today, using Target Mobile coupons.

Olay Regenerist Fash Wash - on sale for $5.99 (could also get cleansing wipes)
- $3 manufacturer coupon (10/2 P&G insert)
- $3 Target Mobile Store Coupon
= FREE

Transformers Dark of the Moon Toy (starting on a Christmas Giving Tree donation) - on sale for $9.99
- $5 Printable Coupon (from Target website, but is a manufacturer coupon)
- $5 Target Mobile Coupon
= FREE

Stack 'em Up!

Today was a coupon stacking extravaganza for me and my shopping buddy, Nolan. What exactly does that mean? Well, the quick and easy of it is that I used manufacturer coupons AND store coupons to equal BIG savings.

Coupon stacking can be done at stores that offer their own in store coupons. You will find store coupons for places like Target, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. These coupons, some found in newspaper inserts and others online, are only redeemable at the stated store. The great thing about these store coupons, is that you are able to use one store coupon PLUS one manufacturer coupon on the same item.

Here's a look at my coupon stacking transactions...

Rite Aid:

Someone in our house fills a prescription that is in the same family as Prevacid, which is on sale this week for $21.99, down from $30. I found a $4 manufacturer coupon online, which would bring the price to $17.99. Rite Aid was also offering a $4 store coupon, through their ad perks videos. Visit the ad perk site, where you can watch brief advertisements and print coupons as a reward for your time. These two coupons brought the price of the Prevacid down to $13.99!

BUT...things get better! I will be able to submit a mail in rebate for a full refund, AND I earned $10 in +UP Rewards (Rite Aid currency) for purchasing over $20 of Prevacid. I can use this UP Reward on any future purchase of $10 or more.

After my rebate, I will have made $10 and have a one month supply of a needed prescription!

Prevacid 28 ct. - on sale for $21.99
- $4 manufacturer coupon = $17.99
- $4 Rite Aid ad perk coupon = $13.99
submit for mail in rebate (good for purchase price minus $4 coupon)  = FREE
+ earn $10 +UP Reward

TOTAL = + $10 (after rebate and UP reward)


Ulta:

After buying the Sunday paper, I had a great CoverGirl coupon in hand. It was for $8 off two CG face products, which would include anything meant for your skin, not eyes or lips. I also had an Ulta coupon for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more. This coupon was courtesy of my fantastic sister in law, but you can find Ulta coupons online or in your mailbox by signing up here.

By stacking these two coupons, I would be able to get $13 worth of free makeup. Here's what I did.

CG Loose Powder - $5.89
CG Bronzer - $3.99
Rimmel London Eye Liner - $3.19
total before coupons = $13.07

- $5 off $10 purchase Ulta store coupon
- $8/2 CG manufacturer coupon

TOTAL = $0.07 for three products 
(I didn't pay any sales tax...because the subtotal was so low??? Not really sure.)

So...after store cards, coupon stacking, and rebates, I will have saved nearly $45 today AND earned $10 in store rewards...not too shabby for a Tuesday. :)

Here's a bonus look at my shopping buddy - just because I think he's awfully cute!

Reader Response: Have you scored any great deals by stacking coupons? Which store did you shop?