Lately, I've been listening to some of my friends as they brag about which K-Cup has the best flavor. In one conversation, I didn't want to admit that I didn't know what a K-Cup was or that when they first started talking, I thought they were merely bragging about things that some women should just keep quiet about.

At the dentist office recently, I couldn't help but notice a carousel filled with an assortment of K-Cups on a table in the corner. It whispered to me. Softly, but firmly. "Come to the K-Side of life."

Beside the carousel was the beauty of all coffee inventions - the Keurig. As my son was escorted down the hall to, as he put it, be "tortured by small dental devices," I decided it was time that I had something K-wonderful to brag about and I had a cup of hot tea. I wanted to try a cup of coffee and wasn't ready to leave when my son returned. "Could you possibly ask the dentist for a second opinion on the cavity he just filled," I asked as I grabbed another K-Cup? But, nooooo, we had to leave.

So, I've been on the hunt for a deal since then. I can't stand it any longer.  I've recently given in to a Kindle, so I figure why not give in to a Keurig coffee brewer. Here's what I bought today at Kohls:

Keurig® B60 Special Edition Coffee Brewer, Regular $189.99, Sale $149.99.

• use 30% off promo code: SaveWith30
• Paid $104.99, plus tax
• Received $20 Kohls cash

There are two other models that are priced lower, but I like the settings and water reserve on this one.

Next time you see me, just try to ignore me if I brag a bit about K-Cups. They are not cheap and I'll be on the constant search for deals. At least I have something to look forward to at the dentist now!

When you pick up today's Anniston Star, make sure to check out the Clip2Save local coupons on page 7A.

Resturant coupons include:

• Sonny's Bar-B-Q (Oxford): Buy 1 lunch special or dinner entree and get one for $.99, with the purchase of two drinks. Expires Oct. 8, 2011
• Peerless Grille (Anniston): Kids 12 & Under eat FREE with adult purchase, drink not included.
• My Family Table (Jacksonville): 10 % off total ticket. Expires Oct. 31, 2011
• Food Outlet: Free saltines with coupon and additional $20 purchase. Coupon good Sept. 14-Sept. 20, 2011.

Auto coupons:

• Anniston Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram (Anniston): Ladies special $26.95 oil change with free tire rotation, plus get 10% off any service. Tuesday only. Expires Sept. 30, 2011
• Jacksonville Muffler & Auto Repair (Jacksonville): $5 off oil change. $5 off coolant service. Expires Dec. 31, 2011
• Executive Detail Shop (Anniston) Ladies Day on Wednesday, $5 off any service. Truck, SUV $75 special, regular $100.
• Neat & Clean (Anniston): $20 off wash & wax special on cars and trucks. Expires Sept. 30, 2011

Computer service coupons:

• Computer Solutions (Jacksonville): 10% off for all JSU students (with valid I.D.) and all Jacksonville City workers.
• Gamecock Computers: Back to School Special - $50 virus/spyware removal/clean up.

Arts & Entertainment coupons:

• Works of Art (Jacksonville): 10% off all group and parties booked Aug-Sept.

If there was one thing I thought was understood about the basics of coupons, it’s that you can’t copy them. Nobody likes a copycat. And that goes for coupons. But, I’m hearing from local cashiers, managers, and readers that we have a good number of copycats in our neck of the woods. Folks, it is wrong to copy coupons. If you look at the fine print on a coupon, it says, “Void if reproduced or copied.”

There are three main types of coupons:

1. Coupons that you cut out from newspaper inserts like Red Plum, Smart Source and P&G.
2. Coupons that you print off the Internet and have a limited number of prints.
3. Coupons that you print off the Internet and have an unlimited number of prints.

According to Coupons.com, printable coupons have been available on the Internet for about 10 years. The main confusion of copying coupons deals with coupons printed off the Internet from websites like redplum.com, smartsource.com, and manufacturer websites. Most of the websites allow for a coupon to be printed twice from the same IP address. That means two times per computer. Some people think, “Well, if I can print two, why not 20?” Here’s why you can’t.

For one thing, each coupon has a unique code that makes that one coupon valid and the code is good only one time. So, if you copy that coupon, the store will only get reimbursed once. With the increase of Internet use and couponing, you must know that if you copy coupons you are indirectly stealing from the store if you use the coupon more than once. People don’t like copycats and most outright hate thieves.

Another thing with coupons printed online is that your IP address from your computer is printed in very, very small print around the outside of the coupon. If you copy the coupon, your IP address will eventually be blocked and you won’t be able to print coupons from that computer. This is the main reason I don’t “coupon fairy” my printable coupons. Meaning I don’t leave my coupons in stores for strangers to use. I can’t control if someone copies that coupon and I don’t want to take the risk of my IP address being flagged.

It might be a little confusing that you can print coupons online but you can’t copy them. I didn’t think there was any confusion at all about copying coupons from newspaper inserts, but, apparently, there are some local coupons doing it. Companies will not get reimbursed for a copied coupon and the loss will eventually trickle down to consumers. 

The only time that you can copy a coupon is ones that are print off the Internet from manufacturers and have an unlimited number of prints. This is a coupon that is in a PDF format. The code is not unique and it’s the same one on all of the coupons. It should go without saying, but the company doesn’t expect you to copy the PDF coupon 100 times. If you think people don’t like copycats and thieves, they pretty much abhor a shelf clearer. So, you might have 100 of an item, but no friends.

Got a question? Email me at tshadrix@annistonstar.com. 

To verify if a printable coupon is valid, go to www.veri-fi.com and follow the instructions.