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SAVINGS INTELLIGENCEby Secure Bytes Solutions LLC
DEAL LITERACY · ORIGINAL GUIDE

The best coupon is the one that reduces your real total.

A large discount can still leave you paying more than a different offer. Compare the entire transaction, not just the coupon value.

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Start with the qualifying purchase

Read the offer carefully: eligible products and sizes, minimum purchase quantity, expiration, geographic limits, online-only terms, loyalty membership, and redemption limits. Do not assume that two offers can be combined unless the retailer permits it.

Example: a buy-two coupon that is not actually the cheapest option

Illustrative numbers — not a live promotion

Retailer A sells an item for $4.50 each. Buying two costs $9.00. A $2.00 coupon for buying two lowers the total to $7.00, or $3.50 each. Retailer B offers the same eligible item at $3.29 each without a coupon, or $6.58 for two. Retailer B is $0.42 cheaper before other costs and taxes.

Calculate a qualifying deal

  1. Confirm each item qualifies, including size and quantity.
  2. Calculate the merchandise subtotal before coupons.
  3. Apply only discounts you can legitimately redeem, in the permitted order.
  4. Add non-discounted items required to meet a threshold.
  5. Consider shipping, pickup fees, taxes and extra travel where relevant.
  6. Compare against a second retailer even if no coupon is available.

Know the difference between potential and verified savings

An offer seen in an old advertisement is not a confirmed current price. A screenshot does not prove that an item is in stock. Rewards received after a purchase are not the same as an immediate reduction at checkout. Track each separately.

When Savings Intelligence eventually displays approved retailer promotions, we intend to show the source, applicable restrictions, and update time. We will not mark an offer as confirmed when its conditions are unknown.