With grocery prices increasing and the average family’s grocery budget stagnant from wadge freezes or even decreasing with unemployment, more and more individuals are turning to coupons to help bridge the gap. Here in Central Texas there is a growing subculture of coupon clipping mommas trying to save a dime for their family and provide high quality nutrition for their loved ones. One such individual is Jennifer Prisock.
Jennifer Stapleton Prisock is a mom, Mary Kay consultant, catering specialist for Carinos, couples fishing tournament participant, fellow avid couponer and the founder of the Waco Coupon Queens facebook page. She was recently interviewed by the KWTX Moms Everyday program about her couponing techniques and experiences. Jennifer frequents Target for some of their best coupon matchups. One of the two aired segments are attached to this article. You can watch the other segment HERE.
Q. What is Target’s coupon policy?
A.
- Target accepts one Manufacturer Coupon and one Target Coupon for the same item (unless prohibited by either coupon). You can print target coupons from their website.
- Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (but the register doesn’t do this automatically-the clerk has to catch it, I have had overage here before)
- We can’t give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.
- We gladly accept valid internet coupons that contain a clear and scannable bar code.
- We do not accept internet coupons for free items with no purchase requirements.
- Guests can receive Target Mobile Coupons by signing up for Text Alerts at Target.com/mobile or by texting COUPONS to 827438 (TARGET).
- To redeem, simply show your coupon barcode to the cashier. With one simple scan, all applicable coupons are applied.
- Buy One Get One Free Coupons (BOGO):
- If a Target BOGO coupon is used, one additional manufacturer coupon maybe used on the first item.
- If a Manufacturer BOGO coupon is used, one additional Target coupon may be used on the first item.
Target has promotions where they give you a gift card for purchasing certain items that week. You can use the gift card another day, or split your items into 2 transactions and use it on the second transaction.
Example: Buy 2 of the following products and receive a $5 gift card. When you use your coupons, these Gift Card promos make for some cheap or free items, after you factor gift card savings.
Example Moneymaker Scenario:
Buy 2 Softsoap Ensembles hand soap $6.00 each
*Promo: Buy 2 Softsoap Ensembles, receive a $5 gift card*
Use 2 manufacturer coupons $2.00/1
Use 2 Target Coupons $2.00/1
Total Out of Pocket: $4.00, but you receive a $5.00 gift cardFinal Price: $1.00 Moneymaker, when factoring GC savings
Recent Favorite Deal from 8/9: Buy 4 Dove Deodorant ($3.49 each)-get $5 target gift card: There was a 'buy hers get his free' coupon in the paper (x2), PLUS 2 target coupons for $1/1 Dove Men care items (x2). SOOOO I gained $0.02 on this deal!!! Remember the rebate is for PRE-COUPONS. So even though I only PAID for 2, they still give you the $5 gift card because I GOT 4
Q. What are your favorite items that you always buy at Target?
A. Raid ant and bug spray (stacking) =$1.14 normally $3.69
Nurtigrain bars (stacking and on sale) =$1.50 a box, normally $2.99
Target brand grocery items (printable target coupons on an already low price)
Luvs Diapers – they have promotions where you get a $5 gift card back when you purchase 2 boxes. So when you have the $1/1 coupons, you save 3.50 per box, that equals $0.17 per diaper!! (they have had it twice in the last 6 mo) They have this promotion on Pampers and Huggies as well
Target coupons on their clothes. There recently was a $3 off womens denim jeans and they had clearance for $4.49, so we were getting $25 jeans for $1.49!!
Q. What couponing techniques do you use while shopping at Target?
A. I visit couponing101.com and krazycouponlady.com and see what kind of coupon match-up are out there.
I print out all target coupons that I think I will use (every week) (even if I don’t have a mnfct coupon at that time to stack with, because I could get one before it expires)
‘The perfect storm’ is where the item is on sale, you have a manufacture coupon, AND a target coupon AND they will give you a gift card back J
Bring your coupon binder with you EVERY TIME! I went in for diapers and saw they had paper towels on major sale and I had 2 coupons…this wasn’t an item I was going for (but would need) so I got it. PLUS they always have great unpublished clearance items!!
Q. What is your favorite thing about couponing at Target?
A. That I can match their in-store coupons with manufacture coupons & I get gift cards for future purchases. And they have catalinas (coupons that print at the register)
And Target has the largest travel-size section in Waco. Check your coupons because some do not put a restriction on these items. So for example:
We don’t use Degree Deodorant, and there was $1/1 coupon in the paper. So I used the coupon to get free travel sizes (.99) and donated them.
Q. What difficulties do you have while coupon shopping at Target?
A. No problems so far with target. Everything has gone smoothly
Q. What average savings do you expect from a normal coupon trip to Target?
My average savings so far has been $11-$20 a trip. (about 30% total, with non-coupon items too) But I have been going almost weekly. I would say a beginner needs to start off by matching just a couple of items…then start looking for the ‘gift card back’ deals.
If you would like to learn more about couponing in Central Texas visit this Examiner's personal blog at Boobie Babble and check out the Waco Coupon Queens page on facebook.
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