Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts - Coupon Policy

I could not find a policy online, so I contacted customer service -

Me :

2 questions - What is your coupon policy about: competitor coupons and stacking coupons? Thank you! Heather

Jo-Ann :

Thank you for contacting Jo-Ann Customer Service.   We apologize for our slow email response time and appreciate your patience.

We do honor competitor’s coupons advertising specific discounts/pricing on merchandise and product categories that is identical to Jo-Ann Stores and the competitor. All Jo-Ann Stores exclusions and limitations apply.

We issue various forms of coupons for our guests to use in our stores. The stores are able to honor only one "like" coupon per customer. The stores would not be able to accept multiple coupons of the same barcode such as from the newspaper inserts, email, or bagstuffers. These are limited to one per customer.  If you have a Jo-Ann Stores preferred customer direct mail coupon, email coupon, bagstuffer coupon; these are all separate coupons with different barcodes and can be scanned through the registers on one transaction.

Me :

So I can buy one item and then use a "50% off one item" coupon, then use the email "20% off entire order" all in one transaction?

Jo-Ann :

Thank you for contacting Jo-Ann Customer Service.   We apologize for our slow email response time and appreciate your patience.  If you only purchase one item on the transaction using the 50% coupon, the 20% off entire order coupon will not be applied since it cannot be combined with any other coupon.

Sincerely,
Alexia
Jo-Ann Customer Service
888-739-4120

It looks to me that you CANNOT in fact use 2 Jo-Ann coupons in the same transaction. Make sure to always read the fine print!

Reader Trips - Publix 78% savings

First of all, I did not use ALL of the coupons listed below. I used no more than 1 competitor/store coupon and 1 manufacturer coupon per item.

Milk - 2.99
Ghetto Beer - 7.69
Killians - 9.89
Bread - 1.69
Tortillas - 2.19
2 lettuce - 1.29ea
2 Chi-Chi's Salsa - 2/$4
Mushrooms - 1.69
bananas - 1.57

4 Coffeemate - 3.27
Used 4 FREE coupons from House Party 
Total - Free


2 Philly Cooking Creme - 2/$4
-$3/3 Philadelphia Cooking Creme 10 oz, Parmesan grated cheese 8 oz,  or Dressing 24 oz, (Winn Dixie coupon), Kraft Foods Save on Fan Favorites home mailer
-$1.50 off Philadelphia Cooking Creme, SS 3/06 or in-store dispenser

-Free and/or $1.50 off Philadelphia Cooking Creme VocalPoint home mailer
Total - .25 each 
 
4 Lysol Toilet - 2/$4
-$2/2 Lysol cleaning product (Winn Dixie coupon), Winn Dixie Spring Forward for Savings booklet
-$1 off Lysol No Mess Automatic toilet bowl cleaner, SS 3/06
-$1/2 Lysol No Mess Automatic toilet bowl cleaner, SS 3/06
-$1/2 Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner, SS 3/06 or printable
Total - .50 each 

12 Kellogg's Crunchy Nut - BOGO 2.81 (These were 4.09 regionally... WHAT?!?!?)
-$1 off Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut flakes 14.1 oz AND Crunchy Nut O’s 10.8 oz cereals (Winn Dixie coupon), 14.1, Winn Dixie Spring Forward for Savings booklet 
-$1/3 Kellogg’s cereals (Target coupon), RP 3/06 
-$1/2 Kellogg’s cereal, 10 oz +, RP 2/13 or RP 3/06 or RP 2/06

-$1/3 Kellogg’s cereals printable
Total - .20-.40 each

USED - (2) $5/$50 from a BoyScout Fund Raiser (Thanks Andrea!)

Vendor Coupon - 33.78

Store Coupon - 22.00

Special Price Savings - 22.98

TOTAL SAVINGS - 78.76

TOTAL OOP - 22.12

Coupon Class - 101

I put together a list of notes from a BUNCH of different coupons and then added what I found to work for me. If you have more tips, post a comment! Thanks, Heather.

Getting coupons

• Online: Install the coupon printer... you will be prompted to install it if it is not already on your computer. It uses cookies, but that is to prevent coupon fraud. Many people dont like to install them thinking it is collecting personal data. What it collects is how many times you have printed a specific coupon and stops you from hitting your limit. You can use multiple computers though to get more prints. I have a list of places you can print coupons from on the left hand side of my blog. Of course when I post a deal you will be directed to a link of where to print that coupon from.

• Sunday Newspaper: You can get up to 10 Orlando Sentinels delivered to your home. Request the El Sentinel (Saturdays) and you will get an extra set of coupons. Go Recycling for Sunday coupon inserts. Ask neighbors for their inserts when they are done with them.

• Magazines: Get all of the free magazines you can. You dont have to read them, just glance through for the coupons. There are a lot of baby coupons in the free parenting magazines that your pediatrician gives you free subscriptions to.. those welcome kits, ya know.

• FREE Samples: I often post FREE Sample offers. These samples often come with high-value coupons, so sign up every time. Create a secondary email account for all of your samples and freebies. NEVER EVER EVER EVER give out your real email address to anyone but family and work.

• Email the company/go to their website: You know you want a specific product, go to their website, go to their facebook, then email them praising them for their product and (dont skirt the issue) ASK for coupons... DO NOT FORGET to leave your name and address. 

• Junk mail: high-value manufacturer coupons have started to appear in junk mailers, so be sure to look before you toss

• On products: look in and on the packaging of the products that you buy for special loyalty coupons

Getting Organized!

• Using Envelopes: This is the method I used when I first got started. You would simply make an envelope for each of the categories you have coupons for (beauty products, baby products, pet food, laundry & dish, personal care, etc.) Then store the envelopes in a plastic tub. That inevitably leads to the accordion file.

• Accordion File: This is part of the method I use now! You can purchase the small wallet-sized ones or the larger paper size one.

• Box or a single file: My favorite way to store an insert, the WHOLE insert.... I take my stack of inserts each week and make a single mega insert for each (RP, SS, V, PG) Then when I make my weekly matchups and use the coupon database, I know exactly which insert on which date I will find my coupons and they will be ready for me to clip 8 at a time. With this method you are not clipping coupons you might not use... you also wont have to sort through your coupons to figure out if they are expired.

• Coupon Binder: made by using a trading card holder, organize by category, alphabetically, by expiration date. CON - You miss out on some high valued coupons you might not generally clip, things that could be free or even give you overage on other items.

• MULTIPLE Organizers. I use the file system for my inserts, the accordian foor my clipped coupons and a little coupon clutch for what I use all the time (coffee creamer, cereal, freebie coupons) and for current trips.

Get shopping!

• Check the Ads: Sit down with your local grocery ads and see what is on sale. Try and plan your meals for the week around what is on sale. Now...
• SCREW THE ADS - there are many sites that GIVE YOU the weekly run down WITH the coupon matchups! *For the things you need to search for use a database like the one HERE (look for the drop down on the menu bar)

• Coupon Match-Up: Obviously the best scenario is to get something on sale and use a coupon for it! There are many coupon databases available. You type in the TYPE or brand of product you want, all the possible coupons that are current and in use pop up. Print straight from there or search your inserts. 

• Write a List: Writing a list will make your shopping trip easy, and keep you from impulsive shopping. You know exactly where things are in your store and you are less likely to browse! Several of the website I link to use a click and print format. Click the items you are interested in and at the bottom you can click print nad you get a personalized list of ONLY the items you want WITH the coupon matchups!

Get Stockpiling!

• Find a Place to Store: Designate a place, cabinet, etc. to store the extras you will buy. If you have a designated place, it will help keep you organized and keep you from being stressed out about where you will store your extras when you get home.

• Find the Best Price: Each week when the ads come out, sit down with them and see if something you frequently buy is on sale and then see if there is a coupon that matches up to it. If there is, that’s the time to STOCKPILE! 

Other Stockpiling Tips - 

• Do Not Stockpile Noodles: Unless you have the room to freeze them a few days and then keep them in the refrigerator, just keep a couple of boxes on hand, They seem to go on sale every other week. If you have ever had weevils, you will never again stockpile noodles.

• DONATE: Every few months (or weeks if you are a crazy couponer) go through your stockpile and what you haven't used at all in the past 3 months, donate the oldest half. You can give it to a shelter or a church or a friend in need... even friends NOT in need... just make sure there are no weevils. 

Other 101's I have posted -

KEY WORDS - 101

Coupon Fraud - 101

Coupon Fraud - 102

My Coupon Sites - 101

Coupon Stacking - 101

Starting to Coupon - 101

Stockpiling 101

Organizing 101

Walgreens - unraveled - (101)

Rebates - 101

Budgeting Basics - a 101

Couponing 101 - for the organized couponer...

Coupon Printing 101

My Walgreens Trip - Spent $4 Saved $65

I wanted to hit up Walgreens for the free Pediacare... knowing that it wasn't Sunday morning and everyone and their dog knows about the deal by now, I chose to start several miles away and work myself closer to my home (The nearby Walgreens sells out soooo fast!)

The first Walgreens I went to had plenty of Pediacare, but very little to cover my overage. Being that I picked  up 12 bottles before church on Sunday and just had the manager adjust the manufacturer coupon down, I decided to go more prepared and at least get something yummy to cover the overage. Low and behold I not only got the yummy, but I got Register Rewards!

1st Transaction 1st Walgreens:
3 - Pediacare (limit was 3) $5.99 ea
--$5.00 in-ad Coupon
--$2.00 Printable Coupon
4 - Trident gum $1.29 ea
--BOGO 3/6 RP
1 - L'il Critters Vita Gummies - $5.99 (not the one pictured but the manager told me to do it anyhow)
--$3 off from March coupon booklet
TOTAL - 2.88
SAVINGS - 26.58
GOT - $1.50 off Pediacare

2nd Transaction 2nd Walgreens:2 - Pediacare $5.99 ea
--$5.00 in-ad Coupon
--$2.00 Printable Coupon
1 - L'il Critters Omega-3 - 5.99
--$3 off from March coupon booklet
2 - Trident gum $1.29 ea
--BOGO 3/6 RP
2 - Cottonelle Fresh Wipes $.99 ea
RR: $1.50 wby 2
TOTAL - $3.53
SAVINGS - $25.29
GOT - $1.50 RR and $1.50 off Pediacare

3rd Transaction 2nd Walgreens:
2 - Pediacare $5.99 ea
--$5.00 in-ad Coupon
--$2.00 Printable Coupon
2 - Cottonelle Fresh Wipes $.99 ea
RR: $1.50 wby 2
TOTAL - $.59
SAVINGS - $13.50
GOT - $1.50 RR and $1.50 off Pediacare


Looks like I will be making a few more rounds to pick up some more Pediacare... with overage!

In total I spent $7.00, in total I saved 65.37... and still I walked out of there with $3 in RR to use next time.

Walmart - Coupon Policy (new)

Corporate coupon policy
Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase.

Reader Trips - My Publix Trip

This was NOT a good week for couponing. However I did get my Winn Dixie Baby Club coupons (one set for myself, one set for my husband) they included 3 coupons - one for $10/$50 and another for a dozen free cupcakes... I will be using those without a doubt for Atlas' birthday later this month! Plus I still had a $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupon and since Publix is about to stop taking competitor coupons, better use it now!

8 - Milk-Bone Dog Biscuits or Snacks, 22-26 oz, at $3.15 BOGO($1.57 ea)
-$1.50 off Milk-bone dog snacks, RP 2/06

TOTAL - .03 each

4 - Milk-bone Soft & Chewy 2.99
-Free Milk-bone Soft & Chewy dog snack max 5.6 oz WYB (2) dog snacks, RP 2/06

TOTAL - FREE

2 - Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta, 14.5-15 oz, at $1.03 BOGO
-Free Chef Boyardee product coupon requested by mail

TOTAL - 2 FREE

2 - Breakstone Sourcream - 1.49
2 - .55 manufacturer

2 - Kraft singles - 2/$5
-$1/2 Kraft Sliced or Singles cheese (Target coupon) printable
-.55/1 Kraft Regular singles, SS 2/13
2 - Muir Glen diced tomatoes - 1.33/1.34
2 - $1 Publix Italian Days (expired publix coupon)
2 - $1 printables

TOTAL - MONEY MAKER .66 each

2 - Uncle Bens Rice, Boil-in-Bag, Enriched Long Grain or Brown Whole Grain, or Fast Cooking, 14-15.8 oz, at $2.29 BOGO ($1.14)
-$1 off Fresh beef WYB Uncle Ben’s Plain White or Brown rice, RP 2/13
-$1 off Uncle Ben’s White or Brown Rice, RP 1/09
*I found peelies for $.75 on them (saved them, they weren't the better deal)

TOTAL - .14 each

4 - Sundown Vitamin B6, 150 ct., $3.59
-$3 off Sundown Naturals vitamins 120 ct + or Osteo Bi-Flex 120 ct (Publix coupon), Green Advantage flyer
-$1 off Sundown or Marvel vitamins, RP 1/23
-$1 off Sundown Vitamin or Supplement product, RP 2/20
TOTAL - MONEY MAKER .41 each

12-pack Ivory Soap - 4.99
Tortillas - 1.79
Carrots - 3.69
Lettuce - 1.29
Mushrooms - 2.69
Publix toasted oats cereal - 2.69
Bananas - 2.04
Publix Salsa - 1.99

*Reese Crab meat - 3.99

*Tilapia - 6.78

**Dinner was amazing!!! My hubby is the best cook ever!

3 - Pretzels - 3/$5
2 - Buddig Sandwich meat - 2/$6
Killians - 9.89
Ghetto beer - 7.69

Used the $5/$30 and $10/$50 Winn Dixie coupons

Vendor coupon - 33.19

Store coupon - 31.00

Special Savings - 22.64

TOTAL Savings - 86.83

TOTAL OOP - 54.88

Reader Trips - I get pictures made at Target - WAY CHEAP

For the past (almost) year I have gotten photos made each month. The first month was at Sears and I was NOT impressed with them. I moved on to Target and have never looked back.

First of all. You can do this online archival service. For $10, your pictures will remain online for 2 years for you to look at, order from, snag to post on Facebook, etc.

Secondly, when you go to "edit" the pictures, you can save them and order them or you can email them to yourself. Right click and save as... The quality is not as good as the print, obviously, but for memory's sake (or Facebook's sake) it will do in a pinch

Third, you can send the log-in codes to your in-laws and parents. (They can order their own prints!!! Brilliant, eh?)

Fourth, and likely most importantly... they take ALL competitors. So do this... Sign up for the emails from Sears, JCPenny's, Target, Picture People and PictureMe (Walmart.) Then pick the best deal.

This is what I did.

Sears always offers a FREE Portrait Collage.
Target will give you a free 8x10... or they will make the silly collage if you so want. (We have 5 grandparents and 3 greats... the extra 8x10 is great.)
PLUS, since it is a different ad, it is a different pose!!!

SOOOOo you get the $7.99 Target package
2 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - 3x5.5
16 Wallets
*When you order, you will get an email with a How'd-We-Do survey... TAKE THAT. They will send you a $3 coupon via email that you can print (more than once if need be - I forget to print it sometimes so I print it a few times and put it in my coupon file)

Combine with whichever coupon is best... You can find a TON of these coupons in magazines too! They are those annoying things that fall out or make you keep flipping to page 78.

I used a $4 coupon from signing a release so that Santa could use the photo Atlas and him at Christmas, the Sears coupon and stacked it with Targets $7.99 portrait package = $3.99 + tax = $4.25!!!