Using Joann's and Michaels Coupons to Get Cheap Craft Supplies

I'm constantly getting great deals at Joann Fabrics and Michaels by using their coupons. I have two "crafting"-related hobbies: cake decorating and scrapbooking, so I'm in these stores quite a bit. I never pay full price for any of my supplies and the main reason for that is the coupons.

How do I get Joann Fabrics coupons? How do I get Michael's coupons?
There are a few ways you can get a Joann's or Michael's coupon. At Michael's, most times(if not all) when you're at the checkout, a coupon prints out with your receipt. The coupon is usually valid for the next week, starting on Sunday. It's usually a 40% or 50% off a regular priced item. At Joann's, coupons do not print with receipts, but sometimes they'll put a flyer with a coupon in your bag.

You can also search online for Joann's or Michael's coupons. Simply do a Google search for "Joann's coupon" or "Michael's coupon." When you find a coupon, the website typically has a link for you to print it out. It's usually the same coupon that's given out at the Michael's registers during the previous week. Feel free to print as many as you'd like! Technically, you can only use these coupons once/day for one item at Michaels, but some cashiers will ring your coupon items up on separate transactions.

Additionally, you can find coupons in the Sunday circular ad for each store, and you can sign up on each store's email list for coupons.

Both stores accept competitor's coupons
You can use Joann's coupons at Michaels and vice versa. So, if you find a 50% off coupon for Joann's, but Michael's only has a 40% off coupon, use your 50% off Joann's coupon at Michaels for a better deal.

How do I use Joann's or Michael's coupons for the best deals?
Pay attention to the weekly sales flyer. The coupons are NOT good on sale items, even if the sale price discount is not as good as the coupon. For example, say you want to buy scrapbooking embellishments. They're on sale for 30% off, but you have a 40% off coupon. You can't use the coupon on the sale item.

This can happen a lot at these stores and it might frustrate you. They always seem to put the item you're looking for on sale during the same time they have a 50% off coupon offer running. One way to get around it is to check out the competitor to see if the item you're looking for isn't on sale. For example, recently I wanted to buy a scrapbook rolling tote. I waited until I had a 50% off coupon. I had one for Joann's and visited the store, only to find that all scrapbooking totes were 40% off. RATS!

So I visited Michael's. Their totes were regular price, so I used my Joann's coupon at Michaels and got my rolling tote for 50% off.

If you can, try to wait until there's a 50% off coupon before making a large purchase. In my experience, there seems to be a 50% off coupon at least once a month.

And try to avoid buying something "on sale" for 30% off or less. Just wait until it goes back to full price and use a coupon-these stores ALWAYS have coupons running...and if they don't, their competitors do! And don't purchase "clearance" items unless they're at least 50% off!