What stores do you have in your area?
Make a list. It may be bigger than you think! Once you learn how to work the system, you may find yourself shopping at stores that you thought were “too expensive”, because they actually have better deals in the long run! Familiarize yourself with their coupon policies. Ask at the customer service desk. Policies vary by store, chain and area of the country. Some stores that you thought do not take coupons actually do! Did you know that Dollar General takes coupons? Double Coupons: The stores will double the face value of the coupon, meaning that your coupon is worth twice the face value. The best kind of grocery stores double coupons up to $1.00 (commonly known as Super Doubles). Many other stores double coupons up to $.50 or $.60. Some stores also have a limit as to how many of the same coupon they will double.
No Doubles: Your coupons will be accepted at face value only.
Triple Coupons: This rare bird comes as a promotion in certain areas. The store will triple the value of your coupon up to a certain value. In this instance, a $.50 coupon would be worth $1.50!his post was taken from hotcouponworld.com
Some stores will allow you to ‘stack’ their store coupons with your manufacturer coupons for even greater savings! Some of them are: CVS, Walgreen’s, Rite-Aid, Eckerd, Toys-R-Us, Target and some grocery stores. These store coupons can come from home mailers (get on the mailing lists!), store ads, flyers and the stores’ monthly magazines.
If the store has a loyalty card, get one. Or two. This is often the only way that you will get the sale prices.
A very few stores-- mostly in the Midwest-- will take coupons that have already expired. The dates vary from 3 months to 6 months past the expiration date.
Certain stores will accept competitor's coupons for everything from FREE gift cards with a prescription to the catalinas that print after the order.
Questions to ask:
Does your store double coupons?
What is the maximum value that you will double?
How many ‘like’ coupons will double?
Do you ever have triple coupon promotions?
Do you take Internet printed coupons? (This is a big one. Many stores no longer take them.)This post was taken from hotcouponworld.com
Can I combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons?
Does this store take expired coupons ost was taken from hotcouponworld.com
Do you accept competitor coupons?
Get the weekly ads for all of your stores!
These are usually delivered in your home newspaper. If they are not, you can view them online at the store’s website. Your goal is to match the weekly sales with the coupons in your possession. You will spend less if you have a plan. Don't buy everything you need at one store just because it is convenient for you. The store across the street might have other things from your list on sale. Other Tips and Tricks of the trade: Ask for rainchecks! Look for unadvertised sales!
Look for in-store coupons! Keep your eyes on the cashier!
Buy the smallest size possible!
Don't let the cashier pull the "one coupon per purchase" line on you!
One coupon per purchase does NOT mean one coupon per transaction. Each item is considered a purchase-- many coupons actually say "one coupon per item purchased, which is a much better way to phrase it.
Item 1= this is a purchase; Item 2= this is a purchase; Item 3= this is a purchase; etc... Have them ring them up in individual transactions if they don't get it.
To further drive your point home, you can show them a receipt that has total items purchased= xx, followed by a transaction number.
Be on the lookout for those FREE coupons! 
In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God... Stephen Braveheart 
