Like many stores, Wal-Mart does accept coupons. In fact, they accept almost any coupon; they certainly accept more coupons than most stores do. Wal-Mart will accept competitor coupons and even match advertised prices on items they carry. Despite their excellent reputation for price matching and accepting coupons, however, there are still some rules and regulations Wal-Mart employs that you should be aware of. This way, you will be able to maximize your savings while minimizing your stress.
General Coupon Policies at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart does embrace most of the coupon policies found in the majority of retailers. The coupons must not be expired and must display a scannable bar code. You must also redeem coupons for the exact brand and size indicated on the coupon. Substitutions are not generally accepted by Wal-Mart or any other store. It is also important to present your coupons at the time of purchase. You cannot go back with your receipt and a coupon and expect to be given a refund.
It is also important to note that, for the most part, if a coupon exceeds the sale price of an item, you do not receive the different in cash. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, coupons contain the words “no cash value” and so you probably cannot receive cash. There may be some instances where the extra value of a coupon can be applied to the rest of the transaction, but it is unlikely that you will receive any refund based upon coupon discounts.
Wal-Mart's Manufacturer Coupon Policies
The most common kind of coupon is a manufacturer’s coupon. These can be found in newspapers, flyers, on or in packaging for other products, and can even be ordered online. Wal-Mart will accept almost all coupons regardless of where you found them. However, they need to include the correct information. They have to specify the product and size and identify the exact discount. For example, the coupon must state how much you’ll save by using the coupon or, in the case of buy-one-get-one or similar coupons, how many items you must purchase to qualify for a free item.
In addition, all manufacturer coupons must have an expiry date or specifically indicate that the coupon does not expire. Also make sure that all your coupons have a scannable bar code and address. This address is necessary for Wal-Mart to be able to redeem the coupons at a later date, so the store will not accept them without this. Coupons issued by manufacturers are also required to state that they are "manufacturer's coupons" in most cases.
Printable Coupon Policies at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart prides itself on accepting a variety of coupons, so most stores will accept coupons that you print at home. But you’ll have to follow the rules. First of all, obtain your coupons from a valid coupon site such as Coupons.com or another recognized site. Never purchase coupons off the internet, as many times these coupons are photocopies or otherwise forged. Make sure that all coupons have an expiry date and bar code as well as an address for Wal-Mart to redeem the coupon. If any of these things are missing, your coupons will probably not be accepted.
There has been some concern recently over coupons printed on black-and-white printers. This is not an issue at Wal-Mart. As long as your coupons are printed clearly and are not photocopies, the bar codes should scan well enough that they will be accepted at Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart's Register Coupon Policies
Sometimes you will see a coupon printed at the bottom of a receipt when you purchase items. The receipt may be from Wal-Mart or elsewhere, but the coupon was printed from a register. Wal-Mart tends to accept these coupons even if they are from competing stores. The same basic rules of all coupons apply. The coupons must have expiry dates, bar codes, and a valid address for remittance.
Do not attempt to photocopy these or any other coupons. It is in clear violation of the rules and may result in you not being able to redeem coupons at that particular store. Also, photocopied coupons tend not to scan well, so they probably wouldn’t work anyway.
Competitor Coupons and Price Matching at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart accepts most competitor coupons. They will generally do this according to the terms listed on the coupon. The only real restrictions are that all competitor coupons must indicate a price (include buy-one-get-one coupons) and Wal-Mart must sell that specific item. This means that you cannot use a coupon for a competitor’s brand at Wal-Mart.
If a competitor advertises a product at a lower price than Wal-Mart offers, take the advertisement to Wal-Mart. In almost all cases, Wal-Mart will match the price, preventing you from having to shop at multiple stores. The advertisement has only to indicate the specific product on sale and the dates of the sale.
Coupons Not Accepted at Wal-Mart
Despite accepting almost all coupons, Wal-Mart still has its limitations. Wal-Mart does not accept coupons that do not specify a product. For example, a coupon that state “50% off entire purchase” or “$10 off your next purchase” will not be accepted at Wal-Mart. Also check any printable coupons for free items. If they do not require a purchase, they are not valid at Wal-Mart.
While competitor coupons are accepted, any coupon that states that it is only valid at a specific retailer or offers a percentage off any product is not valid at Wal-Mart. Competitor coupons will not be accepted if they state that they can be doubled or tripled, and buy-one-get-one coupons must state a specific price.
Wal-Mart accepts almost all coupons for almost all products. There are very few coupons that cannot be used, though there are some instances where you will require the approval of a manager to use your coupons. If you’re using more than 40 coupons in a single transaction, or the total value of the coupons exceeds $50.00, expect to wait a few minutes for a manager to approve your coupons. In addition, any single coupon worth more than $20.00 must be approved by a supervisor or manager. For current details, consult the current Wal-Mart Coupon Policy.
Many people are searching for a way to save a little money and coupons are an excellent way to save more than a few dollars. In some cases, it is even possible to make money by using certain coupons wisely. And whether you are new to couponing or a veteran of the sport, finding coupons can be an exciting venture. But you have to know where to look.
Traditional Coupon Sources
Some of the best coupons are often found in more traditional sources such as flyers, newspapers, and coupon books. Pick through your “junk mail” and newspaper on a daily or weekly basis for occasional coupons that can save you a great deal of money. You may also find coupons in your local phone book. Check inside the front or back cover or in a center insert. Some phone books even have an entire coupon section. These coupons are often quite valuable, so collect as many as you can. Many of your friends and family members may be willing to let you use their coupons if you ask. This means you may have more than one of any given coupon, and sometimes they can be stacked. Read the terms and conditions on each coupon to learn if they can be combined.
Coupon books are still very popular. These come in two forms: large coupon books that are often purchased through fundraisers and smaller coupon booklets specific to certain stores. If you truly love to use coupons, purchasing a coupon book is a great way to save money. And often these coupons can be combined with those from retailer coupon books for even greater savings. Many stores offer their own coupons books, either for free or for a small fee, including K-Mart and Walgreens. Check your favorite stores for details on how and when these coupons can be used.
Online Coupons
The Internet is an excellent place to locate coupons that can be used at most retailers. Many sites exist that allow you to either order coupons that will be mailed to your home or print coupons on your own printer. You shouldn’t have to pay money for these coupons, so don’t get them from online auction sites. Instead, visit legitimate sites such as SmartSource.com. Other sites can be located by entering “free coupons” or “printable coupons” into most search engines.
Before heading to the store, make sure your coupons have a bar code, expiry date, and the manufacturer’s address (for the retailer to remit the coupon for compensation). If your coupons don’t have these things, assume that they’re not valid. In the case of coupons you print at home, don’t cut them out. Make sure you’ve printed the URL of the webpage across the top or bottom of the sheet. Most store managers will recognize the URL of legitimate sites and will be more likely to accept your coupons.
If you are a fan of certain products, try visiting the company website. Often you can sign up for a newsletter or mailing that will enable to receive coupons on a regular basis. These coupons might be mailed to you or made available on the Internet. Either way, you’ll be able to save money on your favorite brands. Another benefit to obtaining your coupons directly from the manufacturer is that they’re often of more value than other coupons. Coupons that offer $5.00 or even $10.00 off a particular item are not unheard of. Many companies offer coupons and samples, such as Procter and Gamble. A quick Internet search will reveal even more possibilities.
Coupons can be found everywhere, from the inside cover of a phone book to your e-mail inbox. These coupons can save you a great deal of money over the course of the year. If you’re interested in maximizing your savings, keep your eyes open for new opportunities to obtain valuable coupons.
Coupons have always been popular, but in recent years the art of extreme couponing has taken on a life of its own. Extreme couponing isn’t simply using coupons now and then. It is a dedication to using coupons to obtain maximum savings on an ongoing basis. Extreme couponing can save the experienced shopper over 80% on the standard grocery bill. However, for the beginner, extreme couponing can seem a little intimidating. If you’re interested in mastering the art of extreme couponing, start small and slowly hone your craft.
Extreme couponing requires some basic knowledge. Start by knowing your local stores. Each store will have a different coupon policy. Often, these stores will have their coupon policy posted online, as Wal-Mart and Kroger do. Other stores will have a printed brochure or pamphlet that outlines how and under what circumstances coupons are accepted. You may have to ask the store manager for information on coupon policies at individual stores. Understanding the policy of each store will help avoid problems and you’ll discover which stores allow you to stack or even double your coupons for maximum savings.
Once you understand local coupon policy, you have to acquire some coupons. You can find coupons in many different places. Check local newspapers and flyers first. These often have time sensitive coupons that you might overlook. The Sunday paper is usually full of coupons. If you’re hoping to purchase multiple items, you might want to purchase multiple papers. Consider purchasing a subscription to your local paper, or even two or three. You’ll save money on the paper and stock upon valuable coupons.
The Internet has become an excellent source for coupons. Internet coupons come in two varieties: coupons you print at home and those that you request to have mailed to you. Either type of coupons are valid at most stores. Just make sure that every coupon you collect from online sources has an expiry date, a scannable bar code, and the manufacturer’s address (for the retailer to remit the coupon). Never purchase coupons from online sources as they might not contain all the necessary information to be accepted by most major retailers. As for printable coupons, don’t cut them off the paper after you’ve printed them. Leave the URL at the top of the page intact. Store managers will be able to see that you’ve obtained the coupon legitimately. Some excellent sources for online coupons include SmartSource.com, RedPlum.com, and Coupons.com.
In addition to bookmarking these sites, you might want to subscribe to couponing websites or mailing lists. These sites often let you know what coupons are available and from whom, making your shopping easier. SavingMoneyPlan.com and KrazyCouponLady.com are just two examples of sites you might want to visit.
Now that you have your coupons, you have to organize them. How you do this is up to you. One of the most popular methods involves using a small expandable file folder. Group your coupons according to expiry date and product type. This will make them easier to find while you’re in the store, saving you time. It will also help you keep track of which coupons expire when, maximizing your coupon use and your savings.
Coupons and flyers in hand, it’s time to plan your shopping trip. Take your flyers and circle the best prices on the items you intend to purchase. You’ll maximize your savings if you’re not too concerned with specific brands. Remember that many stores such as Wal-Mart will match any advertised price on an item they carry, provide you have the flyer to prove the price. This may save you from running to several stores in one day.
Once you’ve located all the best deals, pull out your coupons and match sale items with your coupons. By combining your coupons with the sale price of a particular item, you can probably save 50% or more. You may even be able to get some products for free. If you notice that your coupons actually exceed the sale price of the items, check store policy to see if they permit overages. It’s unlikely that the store will give you cash, but overages can be applied to the rest of your grocery bill if store policy permits.
Saving money takes an investment of time and effort. It doesn’t just happen. You’ll have to devote time to find coupons, organizing coupons, figuring out local coupon policies, and organizing your shopping trip. All of this sounds like it takes a great deal of time, but if you concentrate your efforts, you’ll find that you can do all of this in about an hour a week. The time invested is well worth the money you’ll save.
Marriage is a huge decision and an exciting time in anyone’s life. It is easy to get caught up in this excitement and focus on the ceremony and reception. However, sometimes couples are so focused on wedding that they forget to consider the marriage that comes after. One of the factors to securing a happy future is discussing key issues before the wedding. Perhaps the largest issue that must be addressed is financial. It may not seem very romantic to discuss money while you’re picking flowers, but certain questions are necessary.
Debt
Perhaps one of the most concealed issues prior to marriage is the question of debt. Who has the debt and how much? It’s important to disclose this information at the outset of the engagement, especially if you have a lot of debt. Perhaps your partner won’t mind helping you pay it off and straighten out your finances. However, if you hide the information until after the marriage, you’re just asking for trouble. Be honest about how much debt you’re bringing into the marriage and avoid the resentment that will occur later on.
Bank Accounts
Before you get married, you need to decide if you’ll have a joint bank account or maintain individual accounts. If you trust each other completely, at least on a financial level, you may only need joint accounts. Otherwise, you might want to have a joint account for joint expenses and individual accounts for individual expenses. This makes each person responsible for any wants and needs that may occur.
Who Pays That Bill?
If both partners make the same amount of money (or almost the same amount), then it’s usually simplest to allow everyone to pay for half of the expenses. But in many cases, one partner may earn significantly more than the other. Perhaps one partner is a stay-at-home-parent. In this case, you really need to discuss who pays for what. If you just assume that you already know the answer to this question, you will likely experience resentment towards each other at some point.
What Do We Do If We Lose Our Jobs?
Have a candid conversation about what to do in the event of financial disaster. What if you lose your jobs? Discuss how you would manage to pay the bills for a few months. If you don’t have any cash reserves, consider how you will build up enough savings to survive if the worst happens and both of you are laid off at the same time.
Financial Goals
Long-term goals are a good thing, but they need to be discussed. If one of you wants to take expensive vacations and the other wants enough money to pay for your children’s education, you may have to have a discussion about how to deal with these different goals. Perhaps they can both be met on your current income. Perhaps not. If not, explain to each other why you have those particular goals and try to compromise.
You should also have financial goals as a couple, things that you both want to accomplish. Before walking down the aisle, create a plan. Outline the steps you need to take in order to accomplish your shared goals. Don’t forget to address how you will afford large purchase. Will you borrow money or save? It may seem like a simple question, but it can drastically change how you relate as a couple.
Financial Styles
While there is no right or wrong when it comes to spending styles, it is important to discuss how each of you likes to spend money. Partners with very different spending styles may find themselves arguing over money on a frequent basis. If one of you is responsible and saves judiciously and the other racks up the credit cards every day, a clash is almost inevitable. The two of you could end up resenting each other all over a little money.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t get married. But get married with a plan. Make a list of income and expenses and indicate who is responsible for paying what. Then discuss disposable income and what you should do with it. You may both have to compromise. Perhaps the saver agrees to spend a little and the spender agrees to stop using credit cards. The marriage can still work if you both approach it with open eyes.
When Do We Consult Each Other?
It’s important to establish clear rules when it comes to buying various items. While you probably don’t need to consult each other when buying a head of lettuce, it may be unwise to buy a new car without discussing it. Make sure each partner understands when a purchase needs to be discussed beforehand.
How Do We Invest?
Investing is wise, but it’s also a big deal. It’s not something one person should handle alone, not when that person is married. Discuss investments early on to make sure you both agree when it comes to what investments you hold as a married couple.
One of the largest issues cited in divorces cases is money. How much is available and what is done with it is important to people, including you and your prospective spouse. It may seem awkward to discuss money before you’re married, but understanding each other financially is one of the most powerful things you can do to save your marriage.
