Each week, our resident Couponista, Amy Leneker, shares her personal shopping experiences and extreme couponing tips so that you too can be a Coupon Expert!
When couponing, a great tip is to remember layers. The more layers of coupons (i.e., the different kinds of coupons) you have, the bigger (and better) the deal. And besides, what doesn’t get better with more layers? Peanut Buster® Parfaits, seven layer dips...yeah, you get my point!
With a little creativity, it’s possible to have multiple layers of coupons on one purchase. You just have to think outside the box!
Keep an Eye Out for Deals on Items You Want
My daughter is turning two this Christmas and I’ve been watching to see when the Step Two toy kitchen would go on sale. When it did, I was ready to make my move! The toy kitchen, which normally sells for $99 at Fred Meyer, was on sale for $79.99. Plus, I had watched the ads and found an extra 10% off toys coupon, for an additional savings of $8.
Senior Citizens Are a Secret Weapon
But of course there’s more to the story. Using one 10% off coupon is hardly blog worthy! Tuesdays during November and December are Senior Days at Fred Meyer. That means they get an extra 10% off almost everything. I was desperately seeking a senior! So I did what I always do when I’m desperate—I called my mom. She was up for the mission.
She called me to report that her senior discount saved another $8 off the price of the kitchen (it did cost her a little pride, though—she isn’t used to being called a senior). But then, when she showed me the receipt, there was another 10% taken off. I asked how in the world she managed to do that. Her answer was, simply, “I just asked.” I laughed and said the coupon student had just become the teacher!
The Bottom Line
So in the end, the $99 kitchen cost me only $61.73. Huge savings! And how did I show my mom how grateful I was for her help? I took her out for Peanut Buster® Parfaits.
