Our Guest post comes from Roland, the founder of Coupon Pro Blog. You can connect with him on Facebook and on Twitter. I highly recommend that you do, he shares his great knowledge and fabulous coupons and deals!

Everyone is trying to save a little bit of money while out grocery shopping or at the drugstore and that best way to do so is, of course, using coupons. If your new couponing, you probably didn’t know there are two kinds of coupons: Manufacturer Coupons (MC) and Store Coupons (SC). And best of all, both these coupons can be combined for additional savings!

What’s the difference between a manufacturers coupon and a store coupon?
A manufacturer coupon is a coupon issued from the manufacturer of item(s) stated and/or pictured in the coupon. It’s really easy to identify a manufacturer coupons since it clearly states “Manufacturer Coupon” some where along the top of the coupon, usually next to the expiration date (though in rare cases its located else where on the actual coupon).

A store coupon is a coupon issued by a particular store on the item(s) stated and/or pictured for use at that specific store only. For example, Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens often release store coupons, which are only allowed to be used at that specific store. It will usually say this coupon is “Good at Rite Aid Only. Rite Aid is only an example, as it could say any stores name. It’s really easy to identify a store coupon since it clearly states “Store Coupon” some where along the top of the coupon, usually next to the expiration date (though in rare cases its located else where on the actual coupon and in Target’s case says “Target Coupon”).

Can I combine a MC and a SC coupons in the same transaction for the same one item?
YES… at many stores! The best part about having a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon is that many stores allow “stacking” coupons, which in better terms means using 2 coupons (a MC and a SC) on the same one item in a single transaction, as long as both coupons mention the same exact item and size, if applicable. At many stores like Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens, this is allowed and completely legal. Stores like Safeway, do not allow “stacking” coupons.

For example, let’s say a 2 liter of Diet Coke is on sale for $1.50. If I have a $1 off Diet Coke 2-liter manufacturers coupon and a $1 off Diet Coke 2-liter store coupon, many stores allow “stacking” both the coupons towards the one Diet Coke product and essentially you get the item for FREE and make a $0.50 in “overage”.

Oh, there’s another word you probably haven’t heard of. What’s “Overage”?
Overage occurs when the coupon(s) used towards an item(s) is more than what the item(s) costs. You can basically MAKE MONEY using coupons. How awesome is that?! Stores like Rite Aid and CVS allow overage but the balance will be applied toward other purchases in the same transaction, so you won’t be getting actual cash back. While Target doesn’t allow overage and simply adjusts the coupon down to the purchase price, Walmart recently updated their coupon policy and overage is finally allowed. And the best part is Walmart WILL give you cash back if you have no other item(s) in the same transaction.

*This post states the basic ideas and details regarding a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon at most store locations. Each store has it’s own policies and restrictions, so I’d suggest checking your stores coupon policy for more in depth details because when you are knowledgeable, far less issues, if any, will arise when checking out at the cashier stand.

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