Jan 5 | Money Saving Tips
Coupon Stacking in Canada
Coupon stacking in Canada is a very popular topic when it comes to coupon use!
Unfortunately, traditional coupon stacking is no longer available in Canada. 🙁
Since I’ve been out of the coupon game for quite some time, I’m not sure when London Drugs and Save-On Foods stopped allowing coupon stacking.
But don’t let this discourage you from using coupons!
There are still a couple of legitimate methods that will allow you to “stack” coupons or deals.
Method #1
First of all, since the introduction of cash back apps, it may be possible to use a coupon at the store, then redeem a cash back offer from an app at home. For example, say you have a coupon for Melitta Coffee Pods. Use that at the store, then redeem the cash back offer for $2.00 found in the Caddle app.
One thing to watch for is wording like this: Cannot use this offer with any other print or in-app coupon or rebate. This literally means what it says. You can’t use a coupon AND redeem the cash back offer for the same product. This wording is found in Checkout 51 most often.
Cash-Back Apps that I love:
Method #2
Secondly, this is very loose “stacking”, but it’s still a great way to use coupons and save money for future purchases.
I love the PC Optimum program. By scanning my card, I’m able to collect points with the personal offers they have for me each week as well as the bonus points that can be found in the flyers.
So with one grocery shopping trip, I can redeem coupons and collect points that I can use as a cash discount another time! Sometimes, you may have a coupon and be able to collect points on the same product!
Do you use cash back apps or the PC Optimum program? What are some of the great deals that you have gotten by using these methods?
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Jan 4 | Coupons
How to Maximize Coupon Savings in Canada
There really is a technique if you want to maximize coupon savings in Canada. Call it extreme couponing or just smart couponing, it is possible to get items for free or really cheap in Canada! It takes a bit of practice, but I’m sure you’ll have fun trying! After all, saving money is fun!
Let’s get going on the secrets that will help you maximize coupon savings in Canada, shall we?
Start Slow
You’re most likely itching to start using coupons right away on as many items as you possibly can to see how much you can save. It’s great to be excited!
However, if you start this way, you’re going to quickly overwhelm yourself and quite possibly, not see any significant savings on your grocery bill! Not to mention, you’ll likely purchase items you never intended on buying, only because you had coupons to use.
Sure, you only paid $2.99 for an Air Wick air freshener, but it won’t get used because some members of your family are sensitive to strong scents, for example.
This is not smart couponing because you are most likely spending extra money on items you’ll never use, since you’re just so excited to use those coupons. 🙂
Start out by gathering only a small collection of coupons from coupon sources like Save.ca, webSaver.ca or this list on Simply Frugal. Organize them into a small coupon organizer, so you can easily find the coupons you need, when you need them.
Using Coupons takes Planning
Are you ready for the number one secret to maximize coupon savings? Use your coupons when an item hits a rock bottom sale price. You want to be looking for items that are a good price even before coupons come into play. And, of course, items that are also liked by you and your family.
How do you find the sales? Check out your weekly store flyers that come in your local newspaper or find the store flyers online. I like to use the Flipp app or the Reebee App.
Start making a shopping list with the deals you can use your coupons on.
Once you’ve become more comfortable with matching your coupons with deals, start collecting more coupons from some of the coupon sources I’ve outlined in this post.
Use Price Matching to your Advantage
Many stores in Canada offer a price match guarantee. They’ll match the advertised sale price of any competitive retailer as long as it is the exact same item and in the current sale period. They’ll even accept coupons on top!
Here is a list of Canadian retailers that price match in Canada:
- Best Buy
- Staples
- The Source
- The Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Rona
- Leon’s
- The Brick
- No Frills
- FreshCo
- Giant Tiger
- Maxi
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Canadian Tire
- Toys R Us
- PetSmart
Remember There Will Always be Another Sale
Stores run sales in a cyclical manner. The cycles last anywhere from 6 – 12 weeks. Sometime during the sale cycle, any particular item will be at its highest price and at its lowest price. You’ll want to use your coupons when an item is priced at its lowest.
I would recommend you start a price book to track your store cycles. Use a small notebook to record the prices of things you buy most often each week for 6 – 12 weeks. You’ll start to see when you should stock up on the items you need.
It’s Okay to Not Hit Every Deal
Couponing takes a lot of time if you’re going to hit up every deal you possibly can. Time is money. Instead, I recommend that you focus on the best deals that week for the items you need. For example, if you already have 10 sticks of deodorant but are nearly out of laundry detergent, prioritize the laundry deals over the deodorant deals.
How Much You Spend Matters More than How Much you Save
I’ve said this many times, but what you spend is definitely way more important than how much you save. A 55% savings might be impressive, but the 45% you actually spent is what matters the most, since what you spend comes out of your pocket!
If you’re consistently going over your grocery budget every week, by trying to save money on items you may not necessarily need, you’re pushing yourself farther away from any financial goals you have set for yourself. Stick to your grocery budget, even when that means passing up good deals, and you’ll see your bank account grow and your debt get smaller!
What are your tips to maximize coupon savings? What are your favourite deals to snap up?
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Jan 3 | Coupons, Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips
Where to Find Canadian Coupons
The first and most important step in getting started with coupons in Canada is, well, getting coupons to use! This is really the easy part because coupons are actually really abundant in Canada!
Today, I am going to give you a list so you know where to find Canadian coupons that will help you save money! Coupons are a great way to save money on food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and more.
Here is where to find Canadian coupons so you can get your coupon stash growing quickly:
At the grocery store
Grocery stores can be a treasure trove of coupons. There are several different kinds of coupons you can keep an eye out for.
- Tear pad coupons – These can be found on the front of shelves or on those cardboard display cases, usually very close to the product for which the coupon is intended. Some large grocery stores also have large coupon boards at the front entrances where you will find dozens of tear pad coupons. As you find the ones you think you will use, keep in mind that you don’t have to use them on the day that you take them!
- Peelies – Peelies are those little sticker coupons that you can sometimes find attached to products. Recently, I have found them on cereal boxes, feminine products, and granola bars. Keep an eye out! These are meant to be taken only when you purchase the product on which they are found!
- Hang Tags – Like peelies, but they are actually hanging on products with an elastic. These are also meant to be taken only when you purchase the product on which they are found!
- Rep Coupons – You know those booths that are set up in grocery stores with someone handing out samples or simply bringing awareness to a product? They often have coupons to give out!
Printable Coupons 
If you have access to a printer, you will love to know that there are so many printable coupons available to Canadians. Many companies Like Save.ca, webSaver.ca, GoCoupons.ca and P&G offer coupons that you can immediately print right from home, cut out and take to your local stores to redeem. Check out the giant list of printable Canadian coupons that are available on Simply Frugal!
Mail to Home Coupons
Some companies run promotions where they mail coupons (for free product, or money off) to you via Canada Post. One such company is Chapman’s Ice Cream. Every year you can request for them to mail you a $4.00 off coupon to use on their ice cream products. Save.ca is also a coupon service that offers mail to home coupons.
Be sure to keep an eye out for coupons from fast-food restaurants! These you don’t have to sign up for. They just come as junk mail and can be quite valuable if you utilize restaurants like Subway, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, etc.
In product packaging
You can also find coupons inside specially marked boxes or packages that may be used for future purchases. I often see these coupons inside cereal boxes, granola bars and taco kits.
Free Samples
Many times when I fill out a form for a free sample, when it arrives, it comes with a coupon. Sample boxes from companies like SampleSource often add coupons into the box along with the samples.
Email Newsletters
Join email lists of the companies that you often buy from, if they have one. When you sign up online, make sure to check the box that asks if you would like to have special coupons and offers sent to you. I also recommend having a separate email address for signing up for things like this. You wouldn’t want to clutter up your personal email! Gay Lea, Oxi Clean, Saputo and Oasis are all examples of companies that regularly send out coupons with their newsletters.
Email your favourite companies
If you have a favourite product, there is absolutely no harm in emailing or calling that particular company asking if they have any coupons available to mail to you! Many companies are very willing to send coupons your way if you ask!
Coupon Apps
Also known as Cash-Back apps! If physical coupons aren’t your thing, cash-back apps might be a better option for you! The way most cash-back apps work is:
- Download the app
- Browse the list of cash-back offers then buy your groceries
- Select the offers you purchased
- Upload your receipt
- Earn Cash Back when your receipt is approved
The best Cash Back apps in Canada are: Checkout 51, Caddle, Eclipsa, webSaver Digital Coupons, Honey (for online shopping) and Rakuten (for online shopping).
The Ultimate List of Canadian Coupon Sources:
I’m positive these ideas will help you with where to find Canadian coupons! What’s your favourite way to grow your coupon stash?
Here’s the list of posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Jan 3 | Coupons, Money Saving Tips
How to Organize Coupons
Now that you know where to find Canadian coupons, you’re going to have to figure out some sort of organizing system so they don’t end up expiring before you use them. There are many different ways to organize coupons, but you may have to try out a couple of systems before you find one that works best for you.
In this post, I’ll be listing several different ways on how to organize coupons. You’re sure to find a system that will work for you!
Coupon Organizing Method #1 – The Wallet Size Expanding Folder
This was my first method of coupon organization. I picked up a wallet sized coupon folder from a local dollar store. You can also find them on Amazon. The folder from the dollar store already included pre-categorized sections like, baking goods, beverages, cleaning products and condiments. Feel free to personalize each section to how you like it. Maybe you want to organize your coupons by expiry date. Or label each section with store names so you could place all the coupons you intend on using at a particular store in the appropriate section!
This coupon organizer is similar, but more like a wallet!
Coupon Organizing Method #2 – Use Envelopes
Organize all your coupons using envelopes. Make an envelope for each category. (such as Meat, Dairy Products, Cleaning Products, Paper Products, etc.) Accumulate all the coupons you plan on using and store them in the corresponding envelopes so they can be easily found.
Coupon Organizing Method #3 – The Coupon Box
Use index cards to create all the categories you’ll need. With this method, your coupons will be really easy to find, but you may find it a bit bulky if you want to bring it into the stores you shop at. Here’s an example from Monica Wilkinson using a cute recipe box, including the categories she uses.
Coupon Organization Method #4 – The Coupon Binder
The coupon binder is a hugely popular coupon organization method and is the one I’m currently using. It’s fairly simple to create your own using a three-ring binder, page dividers, trading card holders, and perhaps a zippered pocket to hold scissors, random coupons, or a calculator. I’ve also heard of people using photo albums instead of a binder! Here are a couple of tutorials to help you get idea on how to create a coupon binder system that may work for you:
How to Sort your Coupons
Now that you have some ideas on what to put your coupons in, you may want some ideas on how to sort your coupons.
- Organize by product: Rather than create categories, you could group all your similar product coupons together. For example, all shampoo coupons together and all makeup coupons together.
- Organize by expiry month: Create a section for each month of the year and place the coupons according to the month they expire.
- Organize alphabetically: Put your Irish Spring coupons in the “I” section and your Crest coupons in the “C” section.
- Organize by category: Probably the most popular way of sorting coupons. Place all coupons in broad categories such as Meat, Paper products, and Snacks.
I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to organize coupons with a system that will work for you!
If you’re a coupon user with a system already in place, how do you organize your coupons?
Here are the other posts in the How to Coupon in Canada Series:
Jan 1 | Coupons
How to Coupon in Canada
The forever increasing grocery costs can really destroy a grocery budget. Am I right? Before you start to get stressed with increasing prices, know that there are many ways to reduce the amount you spend at the grocery store. Things like signing up for grocery store reward programs and making a meal plan and corresponding shopping list are fantastic ways to see savings.
Another great way to save money on groceries is by couponing! Couponing is a fun way to see even more savings on your grocery bill.
If you have been wondering about how to coupon in Canada, then I hope to help answer your questions by providing a complete guide to couponing in Canada!
Here’s the list of posts you can learn from:
