How Do You Stack A Coupon?

I occasionally get asked what the term “stacking” refers to. Often when people hear this term, they tend to think it means that they are able to use two coupons on the same item. This *can* be true, as long as they are not the same *type* of coupon.

How many “types” of coupons are there?

--Manufacturer Coupons
--Store Coupons
--E-Coupons (these are a paperless form of Manufacturer Coupons)
How will you know what kind of coupon you have and if they can be stacked? This one is pretty simple! The coupon will tell you! At the top of a coupon, it should read either “manufacturer coupon” or “store coupon”. Store coupons should also have the store’s logo on them somewhere. Sometimes the coupon will say the specific store’s name on it, like “Target Coupon”. If you clip a coupon from a store’s circular, chances are it is a store coupon, unless it says otherwise. The coupons that print from the scanner at CVS are store coupons.

So, back to this stacking business. Most stores will allow you to use both a store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon on the same item. This is what is meant by stacking. You cannot use two manufacturer’s coupons for the same item. They will beep because they are the same type of coupon.

Since e-coupons are manufacturer coupons, the stores in my area no longer allow them to be stacked with a paper manufacturer coupon. You should be able to stack them with a store coupon, though.

Some people even consider it “stacking” when you use a coupon on a sale item because you are redeeming two different types of discount for that item.

Where can you find store coupons?  Often, they will be in a store's circular (think Walgreens, Tom Thumb, etc.)  Some stores, such as Target, have printable ones on their website.   *Note:  Target's printable coupons contain store coupons and manufacturer coupons, and you will not know which type it is until you print it and see either "Target Coupon" or "Manufacturer Coupon" on the top.

What stores near you have store coupons that you can stack?

Check back tomorrow to learn more about when to use a coupon most effectively!  Subscribe to my emails to make sure you don't miss anything!