Image courtesy Kristian D. Double Coupons
Some stores double coupons up to a set value. For example, stores that are part of the Kroger family typically double coupons up to $0.50. That means for each coupon you use, the store will give you twice the coupon’s value. A $0.25 coupon will yield a discount of $0.50 and a $0.50 coupon will yield a discount of $1.00. At stores where this policy is in place, a $0.50 coupon is actually worth more than a $0.55 coupon.
Some stores will double higher value coupons up to $1.00 total discount so that a $0.55 or $0.75 coupon would give you a $1.00 discount.
You do not need to use two coupons on one product. A single coupon will be worth double its value at certain stores.
Kmart regularly offers double coupon days during which they will double any coupon valued at $2.00 or less. During these double coupon days, you can snag some great freebies, particularly if you have high-dollar coupons.
Check out this list at About.com to find a store near you that doubles coupons. I suggest calling your local store or stopping by customer service to clarify their coupon policy.
Overage
When you use a coupon that is worth more than the cost of the product, some stores allow overage. For example, if you use $1.00 coupon at Target for an item that costs $0.95, Target will take off the full $1.00, giving you $0.05 overage. Most stores will not actually hand you a nickel so you need to buy other products to see that discount. Walmart, CVS and Walgreens also allow overage. Other stores don’t allow overage. Instead, they adjust the coupon to the cost of the product.
Stacking
Some stores allow you to use two coupons on one product. This is called coupon stacking. Only stores that issue their own store coupons allow coupon stacking because one coupon must be a store coupon and the other must be a manufacturer’s coupon. It’s easy to tell store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons apart because that information is written on the coupon. Stacking coupons often allows you to buy products for very little money or even to get them for free.
Several regional grocery stores issue store coupons. Check your local store’s website, and sign up for the loyalty card and email notifications to receive store specific coupons in your mailbox.
