Using coupons to buy free things can make you $$$

One question I get all the time is, "I have coupons but they are always for things I don't need."

At what point do you buy something because it is cheap or free?

There is a method to purchasing an item that you may not normally use, to get money towards another item.

For example:

This week at Walgreens Nivea Body Wash for Men is on sale for $5.99.
While we do not use this product I will buy it for the following deal.

Purchase Nivea Body Wash for Men - $5.99 and get $5.99 back in Register Rewards.
Use the $3 coupon off Nivea Body Wash for Men
Total $5.99 - 3.00 Coupon = 2.99 Out Of Pocket and $5.99 back in Register Rewards
Final Cost - FREE plus have $2.99 in overage that you can use towards another item.

For example:

Do the above transaction and purchase 3 Reach toothbrushes for .99 each
Total cost. 5.99 Nivea & .2.97 Toothbrushes = $8.96
Use the $3 coupon for Nivea
Cost: $5.96 plus $5.99 in Register Rewards
Final Cost after using the Register Reward in your next transacion is .03.

Extreme Couponing would take it one step further.

Do the above transaction for the Nivea and Toothbrush but this time use (3) $1.00 coupons for the toothbrushes
Final Cost: All four item for FREE plus $5.99 Register Rewards to use next time.

I will donate the body wash to the shelter, the toothbrushes for the bags and use the $3.00 to purchase other items.

While I would not purchase something that I can not donate or use for free, if there is money to go towards overage it almost always works out to be a great deal.

It is important to rememeber that you do not see the saving until you actaully spend the Register Reward - if you forget about them or let them expire you are losing all the savings because you have already paid for the item out of your pocket.

I will use my $5.99 in Register Rewards and spend it on items that will earn me more Register Rewards , continuing to use coupons on the item and so on and so on....

A Register Reward is like Cash - don't lose them and don't forget to use them.