Using Freebie Coupons Wisely

Don't you get so excited when a new FREEBIE coupon hits your mailbox or computer screen? I just want to run out, snag the product, and then smile because I paid nothing for it. But WAIT!!!

You can put your free product coupons to work for you! Stores like CVS regularly offer coupons like $3 off any $15 purchase. The $15 limit is before coupons. If you can fill your cart with items that you have coupons for and items that you have freebie coupons for, you can get your total to $15 very quickly. Then, you can get an additional $3-worth of merchandise free!

Here's a CVS scenario to show what I'm talking about.

Purchase:
1 Suave Body wash $3
1 Dr. Pepper 20 oz. $1.59
1 Planter's nuts $3.99
1 Johnson's Buddies soap $1
1 Charmin toilet paper $5.49
Merchandise Total: $15.07

Coupon Savings:
- $3 Suave freebie coupon
- $1 Dr. Pepper freebie coupon
- $3.99 Planter's freebie coupon
- $1 Internet printable Johnson's coupon
- $0.25 Charmin coupon from newspaper insert
- $3 off $15 CVS coupon
Total Coupon Savings: - $12.24

Total Out-of-Pocket Cost: $2.83 plus tax

You can also use freebie coupons as fillers. If you are already planning to purchase $17 worth of merchandise (before coupons) at CVS and have a $4 off $20 coupon, then throw in a $3 freebie item. That will raise your total bill without raising your out-of-pocket, allowing you to benefit from the $4 off coupon.