Coupon Request Wednesday!

It's that time of the week again! Just yesterday I received 2 Michelina's FREE item coupons and a FREE item coupon from Dannon, writing to companies is really paying off (and it makes checking the mail even more fun!). This week I only wrote to two companies because we've all been sick and I haven't been able to find the time:

• Smithfield: I was really impressed with their bacon and wrote in to let them know that. Response: A nice thank you along with a note that they occasionally release printable coupons and are currently developing a new coupon program for members of their online community to use at certain retailers.


• Zatarain's: Sent a compliment about the red beans and rice, also mentioned that I'm really looking forward to the new low sodium varieites. Response: Waiting, will update as soon as I hear back.

Coupon Request Wednesday

I hope some of you are following along with me as I write to companies in request of coupons. So far, I've had great results in scoring tons of high-value and FREE item coupons...and I'd love to know that some of you are seeing the same results! Here are the three most recent companies I've written to:

• Dannon: Compliment about the convenience and cuteness of their Danimals line for my toddler. I also wrote that I love being able to serve him such a fun healthy snack option, especially as he's starting to get picky about what he'll eat some days. Response: Sent a coupon for one FREE (up to $5.50) 4 or 6 pack Dannon cup, drink, or dual tubes and two $0.50 on any one Dannon product (excluding 5.3 and 6 oz cups).
• Duracell (P&G): Compliment on the long-life of their batteries (on a recommendation that they send free item coupons) especially compared to the cheaper battery options we've tried. Response: Thanks, but they have no coupons or samples to send at this time. They mentioned checking the P&G inserts for coupons.
• Michelinas (Bellisio Foods): Compliment of their Chicken Fried Steak. Response: A thank you letter with two FREE entree coupons (max. value $2.50)

So, who are you writing to? I'd love to hear how this experiment is working out for you! If you're new to this series, you can see a list of companies I've contacted and the results or else just catch up on all the posts with this label. Good luck!

Coupon Request Wednesday

Sorry to get this up so late! I hope that those of you who are participating are starting to see some coupons roll in. Here's the latest in who I'm writing to:

• Rosarita Refried Beans (ConAgra): I wrote in to say we love thecreaminess and flavor if their vegetarian refried beans, and that I'm excited to hear they'll be releasing a salsa soon. I also asked for coupons. Response: They sent me a letter with details on the new salsa and a $0.50 off any 1 can of Refried Beans coupon.
• Lindsay Olives (Bell-Carter Foods): Sent an email letting them know how much we love their black olives and described an old family tradition I'm continuing with my kids involving olives (in order to let them "help" with fancy holiday meal prep, they get to stuff olives with cream cheese. It's yummy and time consuming.) Response: They sent a nice letter and two $0.55 coupons.
• Windex (SC Johnson): Emailed them with a story about my attempt to switch from Windex to a knockoff brand (this was pre-couponing) and how badly the other product worked in comparison. Told them we don't use any other brands for window cleaning products now, and thanked them for continuing to make such an excellent product. Response: they're sending me a FREE product coupon to thank me for my loyalty.

If you're new to this, or want to see what my past results have been so far, you can check that out here. Have you had success in writing to any other companies? If so, I'd love to hear about it!!

Coupon Request Wednesday

We're doing great so far! Hopefully you've found some time to write to a few companies as well- because the coupons are really starting to roll in this week! Here's who we're writing to this week if you're playing along with me (and if you aren't, let me know how things are going with the companies you've contacted!).

• Ken's Foods: (email: service@kensfoods.com) I LOVE their Cesar dressing, and wrote in to let them know that it really is the best I've ever purchased. I also asked for coupons. Response: I didn't get an email back, but did get an envelope full of coupons (including: FREE Ken's dressing or marinade, FREE Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, $1/1 Ken's dressing, $1/1 Sweet Baby Ray's, and $1/1 Ken's Marinade. The $1 coupons should make for free products with Albertsons doublers and have no expiration date. Jackpot!).


• Duncan Hines: I wrote in and let them know that I really enjoy their moist cake mixes, and that I have one recipe in particular that never comes out as good with any other boxed mix. Response: I got a thank you note in the mail along with a $0.35 off any 1 Duncan Hines Product coupon.


• Bar S: This one sounds silly, but I wrote to them and explained how I originally thought that because their products were so cheap they would taste awful and be a waste of money BUT that after trying their bacon I was really impressed with the flavor and quality.

Coupon Request Wednesday

I mentioned my experiment in writing to companies last week, and hope you all found the time to send out a few requests of your own! I was feeling pretty successful last week and getting my mail this week has been a little bit extra fun. I received coupons for FREE Flintstones, FREE Texas Toast, and two $0.55/1 Fresh Express coupons that will pair nicely with sales this week! This is who I've been writing to this week:

• Green Giant (Betty Crocker): I opened a can of corn this week and it was almost 25% filled with soggy corn husk. I wrote to them letting them know I love their canned corn product but wanted to let them know about my recent disappointing experience. They said they'll be sending a FREE item coupon to replace my bad can. I don't suggest you write to them to complain if you haven't had a bad experience, but perhaps compliments will work in your favor? (Got 2 FREE item coupons worth up to $6!!)
• Quaker Oats (PepsiCo): I wrote in to let them know how much we love the Lower Sugar Maple flavor and asked for coupons (we can eat a ton of this stuff!). Response: they currently do not have coupons to send out, bummer!
• Eggland's Best Eggs: I wrote last week to ask for coupons and never heard back. This week I got a newsletter with a silly message at the bottom with a phone number to call and a code to mention so I could get a coupon. I don't know what the coupon is, but if you want to try your luck- call (800) 922-EGGS (3447) and mention code "THEBESTJUSTGOTBETTER". The coupon is supposed to be good so you can try their new eggs, so maybe we'll all get lucky with a free item or high value coupon?

How did you all fare last week? Get any exciting coupons or promising emails? I'd love to hear how things went for you!

Let's get some coupons!

It's not much of a secret (and I'm sure you all feel the same way) but my favorite kind of coupons are FREE item coupons. There's nothing more fun then getting your groceries for free, especially when the freebie is so easy. I also love high-value coupons, but who doesn't? If you're new to couponing, you might wonder where some people get such great coupons. Even if you're an advanced couponer, it's easy to forget how easily you can obtain high-value and FREE product coupons for items you regularly use. The trick? Writing to companies whose products you love and asking for coupons!

It really is that easy! Of course, what's the fun in just talking about this? I hope you'll all join along with me as I write to a few companies each week, to compliment the products I already use (or that you use) and we can see where this experiment takes us! To make it easy, I'm going to suggest just a few companies each week- I'll even provide you with links to their comment pages! It will be fun to see how rewarding a few minutes each week turns out to be. Hopefully, you'll pop in once in a while and let me know how things are going for you as well.

Here's who I'm writing to this week (and results):

• Flinstones Vitamins (Bayer): I wrote to them and let them know how much I love My First Flinstones for my two year old (no more cutting regular ones in half) and asked for coupons. Response? They're sending me a coupon for a FREE box and a pack of other Bayer coupons.
• Fresh Express (Chiquita): I wrote to let them know how tasty I think the Cesar Salad Kit is and asked for coupons. Response? They're pleased I like their product and will be sending some coupons my way for future purchases. (Received 2 $0.55 off any 1 Fresh Express Product coupons).
• Marzetti: I wrote about how surprised I was that their Cheesy Texas Toast was as delicious as it is and asked if they mailed out coupons or made them available in the newspaper. Response? They're pleased I took the time to write them and will be sending a coupon. (Received one coupon good for a FREE package New York Brand frozen bread product).

I wrote to all of these companies late last week, and had received email responses from each of them. As for Fresh Express and Marzetti- I'll be happy to post what coupons they send once I receive them. So, start your writing! (Of course, if you don't use or have never tried these brands, feel free to write to another company whose products you really do use and enjoy. I don't want to encourage dishonesty in exchange for coupons! I would be more than thrilled to hear who you're writing to and what results you get.)