Couponing 101: Controlling Your Checkout Amount

You  are well on your way to becoming a couponing expert!

You have made the commitment and are scouring the ads for the best deals.  

Now let’s talk about controlling your checkout. 

Unfortunately there are sometimes problems at the register either with the cashier, the computer or the coupons. 

  

You want to be prepared for this and it starts with a well organized shopping list.

The Well Organized Shopping List:

1. Be prepared
2. Shop with a detailed list with prices, item counts, coupons and store ad in hand
3. Double check the stores coupon policy to make sure nothing has changed since your last visit.
4. Bring an empty envelope so as you put items in your cart from your list, move the coupons into the empty envelope.  This helps to assure that your counts are correct and that you don’t accidentally forget something.
5. Before you go to the cashier, do one last count of your coupons and items. I know this sounds redundant but it makes checkout time about watching the computer and cashier and not about having to count coupons.

Now it’s time to head to the checkout.

1. First, never go to the "self checkout" with coupons.  You will find yourself there for 30 minutes longer than if using a cashier because a manager needs to come over to authorize every coupon you scan. It’s not worth your time!
2. Be very selective on the cashier.  In my experience, older men are tend to be the worst cashiers when you have coupons!  Again, in my experiences, they have been rude, degrading, grumpy, and make the most mistakes. Personally, I prefer to go to younger cashiers because they don’t have any preconceived notions on people with coupons. If you get stuck with a cashier that is unwelcoming to your stack of coupons just carry on, their bad mood is not going to derail your savings!
3. Also, ignore anyone with comments or grimaces to your use of coupon. I have had a couple cashiers that asked if I was poor, or if I was a hoarder, or one of “those crazy couponers.” I just laugh it off, and remind myself that my budget is NOT any of there business.
4. Now it’s the big moment... ask the cashier to wait until you have unloaded your cart to start ringing in the items.  This way you can focus on the register screen.
5. Also be sure to give your store savings card before your items are scanned. As fun as it can be to see the numbers do a huge drop at the end of your transaction it is vital to see that your sale items are ringing in correctly.
6. Watch as each item is scanned, you have your list so you know how much they should ring up .
7. If anything comes up wrong speak up immediately, I am never shy if something comes up wrong even if it’s off by a few cents, no one watches my pennies better than I do!
8. Finally,  watch as each coupon scans to ensure that the correct amount of money is deducted and if it’s supposed to double, that it does. If you catch problems at the register , you will avoid a trip to customer service. 

At the end of each transaction I always thank the cashier for their patience and quickly double check my receipt for any problems. 

Sometimes it may not seem that a dollar or two is worth your time but if you let the store get you for two dollars every time you shop you can be losing out on hundreds of dollars each year.

Check back next week to learn more on how to find your coupons! ~Marsha

Guest Blog Post from Family Made Simple fan, Marsha Giroux. Marsha, the mom of Harry, 2 ½ and Sophia 1 resides in Rhode Island.