Coupons 101 - Manufacturer Coupons

My Nevada Grocery Smarts guru Colette always tons of helpful tips for her readers and her Grocery Smarts instructors. Recently she wrote a complete post about manufacturer coupons that I wanted to make sure and share with you:

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One question I get several times a week is, "Where's my RedPlum?"... so I thought it was time for a quick insert review in case there were others out there wondering which inserts come from where and why you may be having trouble getting your hands on the weekly RedPlum.

SmartSource: Comes in the Sunday paper almost every Sunday (excluding major holiday weekends). Overall, it contains the largest selection of coupons and is the single best, most consistent source to collect your inserts.

RedPlum: RedPlum is handled through a direct, targeted mail program that is delivered through our "Tuesday Junkmail". Every household in the greater LV area gets this junkmail packet (it also contains your weekly grocery store ads), BUT it's contents vary depending on your zip code and even subdivision. Unfortunately, not every household gets the RedPlum coupon insert. I've personally spoken to the Regional Representative for our area and he confirmed that although you can register on their website to "receive offers" this will not add you to the coupon insert mailing list. Good news is... the boundaries of this program are adjusted from time to time, so keep checking your mail every week because one day you may just get added. And, if it seems to disappear into thin air altogether - your area got bumped off the list. Bummer, but that's how it works. Sorry. And even though the wrapper may say "RedPlum". if there is not a packet of coupons inside, you are NOT receiving RedPlum coupons. The Home Depot and Famous Footwear ads do not count as coupons. :)

Proctor & Gamble (PG Saver): This insert is a little bit fickle and can show up in either the paper OR in your junkmail if you are lucky. If you get the RedPlum, you are more likely (but not guaranteed) to get this one as well. This packet has been released in the newspaper a few times in the last year, but it typically comes in the junkmail - so watch both.

Other Inserts: Other inserts indexed by Grocery Smarts include General Mills (released occasionally in the paper), Unilever (comes in your junkmail if you are lucky), Campbells (released once or twice a year in the paper) and Kelloggs - also in the newspaper.

If you've been to one of my classes, you know as a Grocery Smarts Instructor I can offer exclusive discounts on Sunday Only papers and I can take your order over the phone anytime if you want to get started. If you are going to jump into couponing at all, having the paper is key to increasing your overall savings AND is the single most consistent place to collect coupons. The coupons from the junkmail are great if you get them and printable coupons are nice, but neither are 100% available to everyone all the time.

BUT... If you are still DYING to get your hands on the RedPlum inserts or the P&G ones... you can get them from my coupon friend, Dede like I do... she sells whole, uncut inserts for cheap! This is where I get my RedPlums and where I stock up on P&G's too!

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Next week we will talk about the in's and out's of printable coupons, so check back!