[pennywatcher]

One mistake I made at first was using my free coupons willy-nilly as soon as I got them. Now I realize if I save them, a deal might come around where the free item can a) increase my order total so I can use a $X off $Y coupon, b) count as one item in a buy X, get $Y offer (at the register or in rebate form), c) count as $X in a buy $Z, get $Y offer (at the register or in rebate form), d) earn me a second free item if the store is having a B1G1 sale, or e) give me a no-cost way of getting CVS to print my new CRTs.

One mistake I didn't make was trying to work/learn all the stores at once from the start. I started with one drug store and one grocery store and later added in more stores once I'd figured out most of the ins and outs. I stayed away from CVS until I had a good handle on several other stores since CVS is, IMHO, a bit more complicated.

When I first found HCW, I wanted to go right out Sunday/Monday and get the deals. I don't know that I'd go so far as to call that a mistake. The advantage is that the stores are more likely to have the stock. I found, however, that it was better for me to wait until later in the week as people posted about surprise finds or glitches in the system. Waiting resulted in fewer trips for the week.