Beginner - things to keep in mind

With the new couponing shows such as Extreme Couponing, (TLC channel) there are a lot of new coupon users just starting out.  With so many new couponers trying to save an “extreme” amount of money,  sometimes you could, inadvertently,  use a coupon incorrectly.  Using coupons incorrectly may, in time,  cause stores to adjust their coupon policy and possibly restrict some use of coupons

1. Do Not Copy Coupons - This is a very big NO-NO.  You can not copy coupons.  This is actually against the law and is considered fraud.  In most cases, you can print 2 coupons per computer.  If you need more coupons, see if friends or family members can print for you. 

2. Unique Codes:  Coupons are coded to work for each product and dollar amount of the coupon.  However, there are numbers on the coupons that will change with each coupon printed.  This is how they insure that they are not getting copied coupons.  Here is where you can find those numbers on your coupons:
Coupons.com Coupons: There is a small barcode located under the expiration date.  There is a different number for each coupon printed.
Smart Source Coupons: On the left side of the coupon, there is a pin number.  There is a different pin number for each coupon printed. Update: Some of the Smart Source coupons may have the pin number located around the perimeter of the coupon.

4. Fraudulent Coupons: If you received a coupon from a friend in your email or spotted one online and you are not sure if it’s legitimate, you can check at Cents-off. They have a list of coupons that have been reported as fraudulent.  If you have received a fraudulent coupon, DO NOT use it.

5. Use The Coupon How It Is Intended: Be sure to only use the coupon how it was intended to be used.  If the coupon is for $1/1 off Maxwell House International Delight Coffee, don’t try to use it on Maxwell House Regular Coffee.  If the coupon states “any Maxwell House Coffee” then you are free to use it on any of the Maxwell House products.
Also, pay attention to the size restrictions on the coupon.  If there are no size restrictions or it states “on any”, you can use it for any size in that product including trial or travel size.

6. One Coupon Per Purchase: A lot of consumers and cashiers think that this means you may only use 1 coupon per shopping trip.  What this actually means, is that you can use one coupon per item purchased. 
So, if you were buying 4 Cheerios, you can use 4 $1/1 Cheerios Coupons.Occasionally you will see coupons that are 1 per transaction.  In that case, you will only be able to use 1 coupon even if you purchased more then one of those items in your transaction.  There really are not too many of these coupons around.

7. The Value of The Coupon:  Pay close attention to the value of the coupon.  If the coupon states $1/1, you can use it to take $1.00 off 1 product.  If the coupon states $1/2, you can use it to take $1 off 2 products.  So, for the $1/2 coupon you can only use one coupon for 2 products.