What is rolling and how can it save you a lot of money???

   I think this is an important beginning lesson for any couponer or even the casual couponer to learn.  Rolling is when you receive some type of reward for buying a certain item and use it on your next purchase to lower out of pocket expense.  For example, lets say Pampers diapers are 2 packages for $18 with $4 in Extra Care Bucks (or ECB.)  So, when you buy the 2 package your receive the $4 (that prints with a bar code on your receipt.)    Now, lets say Colgate toothpaste is on sale for $2.79 with $2 ECB.  There is Secret Deodorant on Sale for $1.99 with $1 ECB.  And finally Zyrtec is $5.99 with $5.99 ECB.
   If I were to purchase everything together my total (without coupons for the sake of the argument but still a shame) would come to $28.77 out of pocket with $12.99 ECB.  Not bad, but we can do so much better!!! This is where a little strategy comes in handy.  If we break these up into 2 transaction, which will be fast because you have so few items! 

   Transaction #1

Colgate Tooth Paste

Secret Deodorant

=$4.78 out of pocket

with $3 ECB

Transaction #2

Zyrtec

Subtotal=$5.99

Use $3 ECB from Transaction #1

Total= $2.99 out of pocket

with $5.99 ECB

Transaction #3

2 Packages of Pamper

Subtotal=$18

Use $5.99 from Transaction #2

Total=$12.01 out of pocket

with $4 ECB

So, total out of pocket is $16.79!  That's a lot better than $28.77!  And that's with out any coupons at all!!!  This requires absolutely no preparation and you save $11.98!  This is something you can do with just an extra few minutes in the store.  Plus, you have $4 to use on your next purchase.   

  

    Now, lets look at if you were to use some coupons with these transactions!  Let's say you had (2) $1.50 off 1 Pampers, (1) $5 off 1 Zyrtec Coupon, (1) $1 off 1 CVS Coupon for Colgate, (1) Manufactures Coupon for $1 off 1 Colgate and (1) $1 off 1 Secret Deordant.  With all of those coupons you will subtract another $11 bringing your out of pocket cost down to $5.79.  That would be a total of $22.98 in savings!  Plus, with your $4 ECB you have an awesome deal! 

  If you shoot to do this with a few items a week that you need, (or may not need but are money makers like the Zyrtec (5.99-$5 coupon= .99 out of pocket, but you still get $5.99 ECB) that makes you $5!) you will eventually build up ECB (or whatever the rewards are) to help you spend less of your own money on future purchases!  This can be done at Walgreens, CVS and Homeland (sometimes.)

 

I know this concept may be a bit confusing and if you have question please feel free to contact me at brandicoffman@gmail.com and I can further explain any thing that doesn't make sense!