I love my friend (and fellow Eleven Mom!) Jenn here at Frugal Upstate. We both have a passion for saving money, but have different philosophies. I like to cut coupons and she likes to make her own laundry detergent, so of course I like to incorporate her frugal wisdom in my life (though I’m still working toward home-made detergent!).
So Jenn knew I knew a thing or two about electronic coupons (ecoupons) given my work at Shortcuts.com and asked me to write a guest post for her on the topic. I had to say yes, and hope you enjoy learning more about ecoupons!
Ecoupons are online grocery coupons you click on and they get loaded onto your store loyalty card so the next time you shop they’re automatically redeemed at check-out. They first came on the scene a year ago when Kroger added Procter & Gamble eSaver coupons to their site. Shortcuts.com launched in March and ecoupons were off and running.
The primary grocery stores offering ecoupons today are those in the Kroger chain, including Kroger, Baker’s, Smith’s, Fry’s, Dillons, King Soopers and Ralphs. The Safeway chain, including Vons, Dominicks and Tom Thumb, also offers eSaver ecoupons, but Kroger really offers the most today in terms of ecoupons.
Don’t worry if you don’t see your grocery store on the list above. More stores are signing on to ecoupons so they’ll be available to you before too long. Plus, anyone can take advantage of the Upromise eCoupon program (more on that below).
Getting Started
It’s easy to start saving money with ecoupons. Just go to Shortcuts.com, Cellfire or P&G eSaver to set up an account and link your store loyalty card. While Shortcuts.com is owned by AOL, you do not need to be an AOL member to sign up with Shortcuts.com.
Once you log in to these ecoupon services you’ll find coupons for top brands like Huggies, Betty Crocker, Colgate, Yoplait and Pillsbury. Many times you’ll even find coupons you won’t find anywhere else. Add up to 50 ecoupons to your card at any time. Plus, ecoupons are a “green” solution since you don’t print out or cut any coupons.
If you want to add ecoupons to any of your store loyalty cards, not just your Kroger or Safeway card, check out the Upromise eCoupon program. The only catch is that you don’t get money back using these ecoupons. The coupon value goes straight to your Upromise college savings account.
Ecoupons: Do’s & Don’ts
DO remember that ecoupons do not double so plan accordingly if you have print coupons for the same item that may double at your store.
DON’T stack an ecoupon with a manufacturer’s coupon that you’ve clipped from the newspaper or printed out from the web. Because ecoupons and print coupons are both manufacturers’ coupons this is inappropriate double-dipping.
DO check back on ecoupon sites frequently for new coupons. Shortcuts.com, for example, is updated more frequently with new coupons than printable coupon sites.
DON’T forget to check your receipt to make sure your ecoupons were deducted from your total. For Shortcuts.com, contact Customer Service to resolve any problem quickly.
Erin Gifford is Communications Director for Shortcuts.com by day and moonlights at CouponCravings.com to share the best grocery, retail and drugstore deals. She can also be found on Twitter at Twitter.com/CouponCravings. Or following Twitter.com/Shortcuts to stay up-to-date on ecoupons.
The Keyboard Princess says
Thanks for the tips. I’ve linked to you over at my blog!
Kendrajoy says
Erin, if I have a eCoupon and a manufacturer’s coupon in “hand” and would prefer to use the regular manufacturer coupon because it’s for a larger amount is there any way to do that? Or will the ecoupon block my ability to use the better paper coupon? (Does that make sense?)
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Kendra-
I asked Erin to pop over and answer but I’ll give you my “I think” answer until we get the definitive.
I THINK that if both coupons are hard copies (ie the eCoupon is printed) you can use whichever you like. If you have the coupons loaded onto a card of some sort, I think the register will automatically use the one on the card first and that you can’t opt to use the cut out coupon instead.
Not totally, 100% sure though.