I’ve gotten quite a few emails recently from readers who are new to couponing and just have no idea where to start. So I thought it would be fun to put together a little challenge for all the new couponers out there to help them get started! I’ll give you some information about the store, deal, etc. along with a little list of matchups to try out your new couponing skills. I’d love for you guys to ask any questions along with share what you were able to score in the comments section. That way we will be helping others who have the same questions 
I’ve been thinking about how to do this for a while and I think the best place to start is at Walmart. Walmart has lots of low prices and I feel it’s the easiest store for you to start couponing at since there’s not any “extra” coupons or rewards. It’s just a low price coupled with a manufacturer’s coupon = great deals. So here’s a little about Walmart…
First things first. Here is Walmart’s couponing policy. I suggest to print out the coupon policy for each store you plan to shop at and have it with you. There are times when you’ll come across a cashier who is not familiar with the policy…so it helps to be able to show them that you are just playing by their store’s rules 
Here are a few highlights of Walmart’s policy…
- They accept print-at-home internet coupons except for FREE products. “Buy One Get One FREE” internet coupons are fine, just not FREE without any other purchase.
- They accept checkout coupons (“Catalinas”) These are the coupons that print at the register in some grocery stores, Target, etc. Walmart will accept those coupons (even if they have, for example, the Target logo on them) as long as they say “Manufacturer Coupon”, are for a specific item, have a valid expiration date, and scannable barcode. Note that dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase (Ex. $5/$10 purchase) are not accepted.
- If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase. This is awesome! This means that if your coupon is for more than the item you are purchasing, you can use that “overage” towards other items in your transaction or they’ll even give you cash back! There are not many stores that will actually hand you money back.
Walmart also price matches. Here is Walmart’s Ad Match Guarantee policy. It is pretty straight forward. One important thing to note is that coupons are accepted on price matched items. For example, say you have a $3/1 manufacturer coupon for an item and see an awesome deal on that item at another store on sale for $3 and at Walmart that same item is $5, you can price match the item to get it for $3 at Walmart and THEN use your coupon to get it for FREE
Challenge #1
Now here’s the fun part! Below you’ll find a list of some great deals you can currently score at Walmart. I tried to find deals with very recent newspaper coupons or printable coupons since you are new to couponing and may not have a coupon from back in, say, August. Try to spend as little as possible…lets try to keep it under $10. Feel free to venture from the list below or stick with just these items. And please don’t waste your money buying things you’ll never use. If you don’t see anything you’ll use on the list below, maybe just take a look at the coupons and head to Walmart to see first-hand what you would pay for an item if you were buying it. Please share any questions in the comments below and feel free to share your store run too!
Campbell’s Spaghetti O’s Pasta, $0.68 each
$0.50/5 Campbell’s SpaghettiOs Pasta printable
Final cost $0.58 each!
Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce, $0.88
$0.50/1 Frank’s Redhot printable
Final cost $0.38!
French’s Mustard, $0.88
$0.30/1 French’s Mustard printable
Final cost $0.38!
Mom’s Best Oatmeal, $1
$1/2 Mom’s Best Naturals Ready to Eat Cereal or Oatmeal printable
Final cost $0.50 each wyb 2!
Nabisco Snack Packs, $1
$1/2 Nabisco Snacks printable
Final cost $0.50 each wyb 2!
Old El Paso Seasoning Mix, $0.72
$.50/1 Old El Paso Seasoning
Final cost $0.22!
Starkist Tuna Pouch, 2.6oz, $1.06
$0.50/1 Starkist Tuna Pouch Product, exp. 2/12/12 (RP 01/01/12)
Final cost $0.56!
Sun-Bird Seasoning, $0.78
$0.25/1 Sun-Bird Seasoning or Soup printable
Final cost $0.53!
Tabasco Sauce, 2oz, $0.98
$0.50/1 Tabasco Product printable
Final cost $0.48!
Mentos UP2U Gum, single pack, $1.28
$1/1 Up2U Pack, exp. 3/1/12 (SS 01/01/12 #2)
Final cost $0.28!
Colgate Toothpaste, 5oz, $0.97
$0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 1/21/12 (SS 01/01/12 #2)
Final cost $0.19!
Oral-B Floss, $0.97
U by Kotex Liners, $1.24
$1/1 Kotex U Product Kotex U Product printable
Final cost $0.24!
Tampax, 20ct, $3.27
$1/1 Tampax Product, exp. 1/31/12 (P&G 01/01/12)
Final cost $2.27!
Tampax Pearl or Tampax Compak, 20ct, $4.18
$2/1 Tampax Pearl, exp. 1/31/12 (P&G 01/01/12)
Final cost $2.18!
Beechnut Stage 2 1/2 Homestyle Textures Baby Food, $0.63 each
$1.10/4 Printable Coupon (zip code 77380 under “Baby”)
Final cost $0.35 each wyb 4!
Beach-Nut Baby Food, $0.46
$1/3 Beech-Nut Baby Food printable
Final cost $0.17 each!
Beech-Nut Cereal, $1.50
$1/1 Beech-Nut Cereal printable
Final cost $0.50!
Johnson’s Baby Lotion, $1.97
$1/1 Johnson’s Baby Lotion printable
Final cost $0.97!
Pull-Ups Flushable Moist Wipes, 42ct refill packs, $1.64
$1/1 Pull-Ups Flushable Moist Wipes printable
Final cost $0.64!
Ivory Bar Soap, 3 bars, $1.24
$0.20/1 Ivory Bar, exp. 1/31/12 (P&G 01/01/12)
Final cost $1.04!
Tide Laundry Detergent, 40oz, $5.97
$2/1 Tide Product, exp. 1/31/12 (P&G 01/01/12)
$2/1 Tide Laundry Detergent printable
Final cost $3.97!
(Thanks Must Love Coupons and I Heart the Mart!)
Now get to shopping! Happy saving!
Wish I had a Walmart near by to try this. Thanks for the extra help in getting started!!
Oh no! Well we’re going to work our way through the stores so maybe the next one will be by you…you might be able to find similar deals for some items at your local grocery store or Target if you want to try it out there
One really important thing for anyone new trying this, especially with Wal-Mart, don’t get frustrated if you have a cashier who gives you a difficult time. Ask to speak to the manager if necessary, nicely of course, use that copy of the policy when necessary, with both cashier and manager, and then if you still have an issue after your purchase, email their corporate office. Believe me, you will have someone calling you and taking care of whatever issue you have within 24 hours. At least that’s been my experience. Just stay calm and as long as you’re playing by their rules according to their policy, remember that you’re doing nothing wrong and they need you to be a happy customer who will continue to shop there.
Great advice Nancy!