Welcome to Frugal Fairhope!
Congratulations you are on your way to saving tons of money on items that you use every day.

The key to saving money and using the Frugal Fairhope site:

1. Shop your sales
2. Stack your coupons – match up store sales with store coupons on top of manufactured coupons
3. Stockpile

B1G1: Buy one item get one item for free
WYB: When you buy
MIR: Mail In Rebate
OOP: Out of pocket
FFF Tip: Frances Frugal Fairhope Tips
Peelies: Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
Blinkies: Those little black boxes that spit out coupons. They have a red blinking light on the side. These are manufactured coupons that typically cannot be doubled but can be used at any store that accepts coupons.
Blinkin’: We refer to this term when we only go into a grocery store to locate Blinkies and Tear Pads. These are manufacture coupons that can be used anywhere. We collect only one per person. We coined this phrase Blinkin’ Good Time.
Tear Pads: Pad of manufacture coupons that can be found on or around product displays.
Catalina: This is the name of the machine that prints out RRs or coupons after a qualifying transaction. You will typically find these at grocery stores and Walgreens. If you have a problem with the machine not giving you an RR, call this number 1-888-8COUPON. This is the direct number to the manufacturer of the Catalina machines.
Rolling ECBs or Rolling Register Rewards: This is a common term used when shopping at CVS or Walgreen’s. Rolling means to pay for something with ECBs or Register Rewards and get ECBs or Register Rewards back. It is rare for Walgreen’s Register Rewards to roll.
Doubling or Double Coupon: The stores will double the face value of the coupon. For example if the coupon is $.50, a store that doubles will take $1 off the purchase of that item. Most stores will not double more than $.75.
Stacking Coupons: Most stores will let you “stack” coupons. This means combining a manufactured coupon and a store coupon. Target and Publix are good examples of stores that frequently offer store coupons and allow stacking.
Rain Checks: When the item you are looking to buy is out of stock ask for a rain check. This is a slip of paper that gives you an opportunity to purchase the item at a later date at the same price that day. This also gives you an opportunity to find a coupon for that item. Most grocery and drug stores do not put expiration dates on rain checks.
$1/2: One dollar off two items.
UPC: Universal Product Code found on every product.
PDF: Adobe Portable Document Format. When you find coupons in a pdf, first make sure it is not a fraudulent coupon by checking www.cents-off.com, then save this coupon to NEVER COPY A COUPON, ALWAYS PRINT it is illegal to copy a coupon.
Bricks: The program used when using internet printable coupons.
Printable: A coupon that you print from your computer internet.
FF: FireFox
IE: Internet Explorer
Double/Triple Coupons: Some stores will routinely double or triple the value of a coupon.
Inserts: The coupon packets in the Sunday paper, RedPlum, SmartSource, General Mills, & Procter & Gamble.
GM: Sunday insert includes coupons from General Mills
SS: Sunday insert includes coupons from Smart Source insert
RP: Sunday insert includes coupons from Red Plum insert
P&G: Sunday insert includes coupons from Proctor & Gamble insert
V: Sunday insert coupons from Valassis (purchased by Red Plum)
ECBs: CVS ExtraCare Bucks. These are attached to the bottom of the receipt. This has an expiration date.
SCR: Rite Aid Single Check Rebate
RRs: Walgreen’s Register Rewards. This represents the slips of paper that prints out of a Catalina machine after the transaction. This has an expiration date.
CVS: Consumer Value Store
Glove Box Coupons: These are store coupons like $5 off $25 or $10 off $50 that we place in our automobile glove box. In case we run out of them while we are at the store.
UP Rewards: Rite Aid’s new Up Rewards program. Comes with a card and lots of coupons and deals.
White Envelope: Most coupons state you can’t sell, trade, transfer, or auction a coupon. But what you can do is purchase someone’s time to gather, sort, organize, and clip coupons and you guessed it they come in a white envelope.

Here is an example of how we breakdown our deals on Frugal Fairhope.

Dial Soap 6oz $2
-$.25 coupon 1/14 P&G
-$.30 coupon 2/15 SS
-$.75 printable
-$1 Target’s Printable Grocery Coupon
Final Price: $.25-$.75

Line 1: The first line gives you the details of the product on sale along with the price.

Line 2 & 3: The 2nd & 3rd line in this example tells you where you can find manufacture coupons for the Dial soap. The $.25 coupon came from the 1/14 P&G (Proctor & Gamble) insert and the $.30 coupon came from the 2/15 SS (Smart Source) insert. You can use only ONE of these manufactured coupons per item purchased.

Line 3: This is also a manufactured coupon. The word “printable” means that this is a $.75 internet printable coupon that can be used after you print it from the website. Just click on the words “printable” and go to the site to print the coupon. All the coupons in line 2, 3 & 4 are manufacture coupons and stores will not take more than one manufactured coupon, so go with the highest value coupon first.

Line 4: The $1 Target Printable Grocery Coupon is typically a store coupon from Target. In this example you can use ONE of the three manufactured coupons and the $1 Target printable grocery coupon (store coupon) for this one item at a Target store or a store that accepts competitor coupons (Publix). This is an example of stacking, using a manufacture coupon with a store coupon. Target does have manufacture and store coupons available to print. If the Target coupon states manufacture at the top then the same rule applies, only one manufacture coupon per item. Most stores will not take a Target manufacture coupon because it has the Target logo on it.

Line 5: The final line is the price range from the lowest to the highest that you would have to pay for Dove Soap. If you used the $.75 printable and the $1 Target printable coupon this would give you a final price of $.25. If you used the $.25 coupon and the $1 Target printable coupon then your final price would be $.75.

Keep In Mind
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you are looking for your next deal.

Don’t buy things you will never use or give away as a gift just to get a good deal.

Think about it before you print a coupon. Not printing a coupon today could mean not being able to print it when you need it vs. printing it today and never using it. The cost of ink is expensive so print carefully. There is no need to print in color ever! Set your toner on the lowest setting possible to read the small print without it blurring. Expired coupons can be sent overseas and be used at military base commissaries for up to 6 months.

Always carry a copy of store’s coupon policies

Links to current stores coupon and price match policies:

• Bruno’s coupon policy
• CVS coupon policy
  
• Dollar General coupon policy
• Food World coupon policy
• Food Giant/Piggly Wiggly coupon policy
• Rite Aid coupon policy updated 5/2011
• Publix coupon policy
• Target’s coupon policy
• Walgreen’s
• Walmart coupon policy

• Target.com price match policy
• Target low price promise
• Walmart price match policy

Trouble Printing
Here are a few tips that could help you print what you need.

• Download Firefox. This is a free download. If the link will not work with Internet Explorer we copy the link to Firefox and it prints.
• Disable your firewall. If you’re running a personal firewall, the .exe file may not install properly. Follow the instructions to disable your firewall and install the coupon printer. Turn it back on when you’re installation is complete.
• Verify that you have administrator rights. You will not be able to install the coupon printer if you do not have administrator rights.
• Make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser. This is a good resource on enabling JavaScript.
• Turn off your pop-up blocker. If you use a pop-up blocker, you need to turn it off to print coupons.
• Did you know that many companies that use bricks will actually mail you the coupon? Look for “help” at the bottom of the screen.
• By changing a few characters in the URL. Clicking on coupons.com/bricks links that they received in FireFox, will not work in Internet Explorer or vice versa. You get the “Please wait…” or “Please Install The Coupon Printer”. Change 2 characters in the URL to make a FireFox (FF) link work in Internet Explorer (IE) and vice versa. The following is a FireFox link: http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=ri3peuo59687503&bt=wg&o… To make this link an Internet Explorer link we simply change “wg” to “wi”: http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=ri3peuo59687503&bt=wi&o… If your link gives you the repeating “Please Install The Coupon Printer” in IE you are trying to print a FF link in IE. If you want to print bricks coupons on a MAC with Safari, replace the “wg” or “wi”, to “xs”. You can also do the reverse, take a Safari link “xs” to IE “wi” or “vi” or to FireFox “wg”.

Internet Explorer – “wg”, “wi” “vi”
Fire Fox – “wg”
Mac with Safari– “xs”

Drug Stores

Information on CVS ExtraCare Bucks (ECBs) can be found here. Go ahead and apply for a card for every adult member of your household, its free. Use this card every time you make a purchase from CVS. This card provides 2% back on all purchases and valuable coupons that are printed at the register that can be used for future purchases at CVS. ECBs can be used like cash, they do have an expiration date. Purchases must be greater than ECB, no change can be given. ECBs will roll over. You can use an ECB to pay for a transaction and receive ECBs for any item you purchase. CVS releases monthly and weekly ECB deals, a kiosk where you can scan your card for product and store coupons. For even more information check out. Did You Know CVS.

Rite Aid Single Check Rebates can be found here. This program gives you a rebate for purchases at Rite Aid. A check is mailed to directly to your home. This is an electronic rebate system so you don’t have to mail in your receipts. The value of the rebate does not change because you used a coupon in your transaction. Using a coupon to pay for an item that gives you a 100% rebate at the end of the month will result in a money maker. Check Rite Aid Video Value for Rite Aid store coupons, watch 20 videos and get a $5 off $20 that can be used in the store. Some stores accept the Rite Aid Video coupons as store coupons that can be stacked with manufacture coupons. Rite Aid releases weekly coupons in their circular. For even more information check out Rite Aid Money Maker.

Walgreen’s Register Rewards (RRs) can be treated like cash for products in the store, like a coupon they have an expiration date. Purchases must be greater than purchase, no change can be given. RRs will roll over as long as you don’t pay for the transaction with a RR for the same company. Walgreen’s will only allow one manufacture coupon per item. Walgreen’s register treats Register Rewards like manufacture coupons, sometimes the transaction will require a managers approval when Register Rewards and manufacture coupons are used in the same transaction. Walgreens will not let you use more coupons or RRs beyond the number of items you are purchasing without manager’s approval. For example, if you purchased two candy bars and used a RRs PLUS 2 MFG Coupons, the register will not accept your last coupon since you only had two items and three coupons. Walgreen’s releases monthly MegaSaver, Register Reward offers; monthly coupon book, monthly coupon flyer, and you can find Walgreen’s coupons and price match coupons in their weekly circular. For more information check out Did You Know Walgreens.

Helpful Hints
Here are some helpful hints for shopping

• Always offer up the store coupons first then the manufactures coupons. When shopping at CVS always hand the cashiers your CVS card first then CVS dollar off transaction coupons, CVS store coupons/manufacturer coupons, and then finally you’re ECBs. When shopping at Walgreen’s tell you cashier that you will be paying with Register Rewards.
• Try and follow the register as items are being rung up. Know a ball park figure of what the end total of your transaction before you go shopping. Just because the register beeped at scanning the coupon does not mean it took it off the bill. You could hand the coupons one at a time to the cashier, but we don’t’ think they like this, we wouldn’t. Try mixing up the amounts ($1, $.75, $1, $.50, $1…) so you can see the deductions on the register.
• Check your receipts before you leave the store or at least in the parking lot. Don’t wait until you get home. Don’t be afraid to get your money back for a mistake. You already have your receipt, why pay more for something if you don’t have too? Worse case you lose that coupon, but you get your money back.

Grocery Stores
The following grocery stores are featured on Frugal Fairhope every week. Weekly ads start on Wednesday and end on Tuesday.

• Bruno’s
• Dollar General
• Food Giant
• Food World
• Greers
• KMART
• Publix
• Target – weekly ad starts on Sunday
• Walmart – weekly ad varies
• Winn-Dixie
• More coming soon…

Drug Stores

The following drug stores are feature on Frugal Fairhope every week. Weekly ads start on Sunday and end on Saturday

• CVS
• Rite Aid
• Walgreen’s

Other Stores

The following stores are mentioned on Frugal Fairhope.

• Academy
• Ace Hardware
• Amazon
• Babies R US
• Children’s Place
• Coldwater Creek
• Gymboree
• Home Depot
• JCPenny
• Kohls
• Lowes
• Office Depot
• Office Max
• Old Navy
• Old World Market
• Restaurants
• Staples
• Stein Mart
• Toys R Us
• More coming soon…

What Makes Frugal Fairhope Different

We try and keep the most up to date information and welcome any corrections or comments you might have.

• We Post The Greatest Deals. If the final cost of an item is not cheaper than what you would find at Walmart then that deal will probably not make the Frugal Fairhope cut.
• We Have No Limits. Frugal Fairhope topics are un-limited. Through the years we hope to become your “one-stop-shop” for everything you need.
• We Are Open To Ideas. This is not just our blog it is yours. We pay very close attention to our readers needs. Do you have a particular idea or topic you want discussed or have a question you need answered? Please feel free to contact us for anything. We will do our best to help you find what you need. You can reach us at Frances@FrugalFairhope.com.
• Custom Shopping List. Create a custom shopping list that you can print, email, and Tweet
• Fixed Pages. We have found that some of the blogs that we frequent post new information every day sometimes twice a day. We found that if we miss a day, we miss information, then we have to scroll down page after page to find the information that we missed. To avoid this situation, we have put a few web pages that are fixed. These pages are updated without the standard blog post and are just a simple one page list of information. We have placed these fixed posts on the top right sidebar to make it easier to find. We will also include the date of the update so that you can tell in one glance if there have been any changes. The pages listed in the right side bar are fixed while the posts on the left side bar are not. The following are fixed pages that can be found on the right sidebar:

New Here? How Does This Work?
Contact Us & Policies
Expectant Moms Must Read {date}
Free Stuff {date}
Rebates {date}
Coupon Network
Coupons
RedPlum Coupons
SmartSource Coupons
WABF Swap Shop

So Much More Than Just Coupons
We try and provide you a one stop shop for everything you will need to save money. We offer FREE coupon workshops, links to coupons, department store deals, free stuff, giveaways, hardware store deals, rebates, restaurant deals, and our Frugal Fairhope thoughts and tips.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, become a Facebook Fan and Facebook Friend and follow us on Twitter so you don’t miss anything.

Coupons

• Organizing Coupons
• Coupon Binder Tips
• Coupon Binder Categories
• OCF File (Only In Case of Free)
• Compliments Pay Off
• Different Coupon Inserts
• Stores Make Money When You Use Coupons
• All You Magazine
• Organic Coupons
• Don’t Be A Pre-Purchase Peelie Puller
• Home Made Simple Coupon Books
• Expired Coupons
• Glove Box Coupons (those sought after $X off $xx)
• Prescription Coupons
• RedPlum
• SmartSource
• Coupons.com Printable
• Target’s Printable Grocery Coupons
• Custom Shopping List
• Price Matching & Accepting Competitor Coupons
• White Envelope
  

Stockpiling

• Stockpiling
• Stockpiling and Why You Should
• Starting Your Stockpile
• Birthday Gifts Stockpile Item?
  

Free Stuff

• Join MyPoints
• Frugal Fairhope Free Stuff
• BzzAgent
• Vocal Point
• She Speaks
• Oh Mailbox Poem
• Expectant Moms Must Read {date}
• The Best Things In Life Are Free
• Kindness of Strangers
• Giving Free Stuff
• For Our Schools
  

Job Loss

• Out of the Box Solutions for Job Loss Part I
• Out of the Box Solution for Job Loss Part II
• Out of the Box Solution for Job Loss Part III
• Free medications for Pfizer customers
• Silent Program – FEMA 1835 – 1836 DR-AL
• Silent Program – Charitable Pharmacy
• Silent Program – Children’s Dental Assistance
• Silent Programs – Discount Drug Cards
• Silent Programs – WIC
• Church on the Eastern Shore in Fairhope will provide a low cost health care facility in Fairhope.
  
• Free Cell Phone & Minutes
• KMART Discounts for Unemployed
• Free Assistance Early Intervention Program for children and adults
• Selling Books & CDs
  

Other Ways To Save

• Staying Ahead of the Disappointment
  
• You Can Do This
• Saving Money Without Coupons
• B2G1 Coupon on a B1G1 Sale
• Caregiver Marketplace Rebate
• Angel Food Ministries
• Diaper Survey
• Click Here to Join UPROMISE and Save for College
• Store To Store Stacking
• Can’t See The Register
  
• Short & Sweet Saving Tips
• Saving Money On Your Power Bill
• Free Movies and TV Shows
• Forever Stamps
• Saving Money at Disney
• Rolling CVS ECBs
  

Thank you for visiting our site.
Frances