COUPON QUEEN: Readers ask about expiration dates, holiday deals

Do you have a coupon question? Send it my way! Here are two recent questions that I have received from readers. Q: When do coupons actually expire? I tried using a coupon on October 15th that expired October 15th, but when I attempted to redeem it, the cashier refused it on the grounds that it had already expired. I didn't want to argue, so I just didn't buy the product. Now wondering if that was the correct interpretation. Tonya D., Elyria A: A coupon should be valid through the end of the day printed on the coupon. This means the coupon should be accepted the day it expires. Many manufacturer coupons now have the expiration date encoded within the barcode on the coupon. This makes it easy to verify at the register as it will either be automatically accepted or not. Coupons that are put out by smaller companies such as restaurants or privately owned companies sometimes will allow you to have a little more leeway in terms of coupon expiration. Some even take coupons after they have expired, but that is up to each company. In the future, if you feel the cashier may be mistaken or you just want more clarification, simply put that item aside and kindly ask to speak to a manager. This way you aren't holding up the line and are able to get a bit more information before leaving the store. Q: This year we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and I'm a little worried about the cost of feeding such a large group of people. Do you have any tips on saving money? Linda S., Lorain A: Not all sales are created equal, grab your store ads and pick which store will give you the most bang for your buck. While comparing prices, be sure to keep both Walmart and Aldi on your radar. They both recently announced that they were dropping prices on Thanksgiving favorites from appetizers to desserts. You can also save by looking for store-brand products that won't make a difference in the recipe. Items such as creamed soup, baking spices, and sugars and flour won't change the taste of most recipes, even if you choose the cheapest option. If your Thanksgiving guests ask what side dish to bring, take them up on the offer. It will save you time and money. When planning what dishes to make yourself, choose ones that fit your budget and can be made with items that may already be in your cabinets. Lastly, skip new, expensive decor and use everyday items that you already have, such as glasses and candleholders. If a few new things are a must, take a trip to a discount store such as Marc's or Dollar Tree. Just be sure to shop early, as some of the seasonal items can sell out before the holiday week. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Dollar General. Canda Dry, A&W, 7Up, Sunkist or RC Cola 2 Liters = 3/$3 - you must buy three! Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.