How To Start Couponing
How to start couponing…
1. So, for me, it has really just become a challenge to see how much
money I could save and now I’m addicted to it. Not a bad addiction to have, I
might add. =D
2. If I am going to save money then I want to spend the least amount as
possible. When setting up your binders then you want to reuse anything that you
might have. So find either a 3” for everything or 2-2” binders using one for
food and one for your household items (cleaning supplies, paper goods, etc.)
Reuse any dividers that you or your school age kids might have had to have for
school. You can buy packs of baseball card holders if you like, that way you can
pair up all ‘like’coupons in each sleeve so each coupon will not have to have
their own little home.
Note: Using the baseball card holders is the easiest way to keep your coupons, but it can also
become very expensive. I'm all about saving the money, not spending it all on baseball cards, so shop around for the best deals.
3. As far as determining how to categorize your dividers that is really
up to you. I can tell you how I did it just to give you an example but I can
tell you that I will probably change or expand soon as my coupons have grown
since I made my binders.
*Food Binder: (****NEW CATEGORY ADDED***)
*SOON TO EXPIRE TAB*
Breakfast Items
Lunch/Dinner
Snacks
Drinks
Condiments
*Household Binder: (**** NEW CATEGORIES ADDED****)
*SOON TO EXPIRE TAB*
Body Wash/Soap
Cleaners
Deodorant
Emergency Supplies
Feminine Supplies
Hair Products
Kitchen/Pantry
Laundry
Lotions
Make-up
Medications (OTC)
Misc. Items
Outdoor Products
Paper Products
Razors
Toothpaste
Wipes
3. I usually check for coupons everyday, but three to four times per
week is enough if you work outside the home. You just have to work out a
schedule that works for you. You have to take time each week to check your
expiration dates because there really isn’t a great way expect for keeping the
ones soon to expire on top of your stack ready to use first. When you print out
or cut out your coupons go ahead and make time to file them in your binder. It
can get overwhelming!!! It takes some time cutting and filing coupons and then
making your lists, comparing prices etc… The end result is worth the
time!!
4. You need to be aware of when the stores new ads come out and when
they end. Be aware of BOGO (by one get one sales)! Always know the stores
coupons policies.
5. Some, not all stores price match. You have to bring in a current
sales ad and the store will override their price with the ad price and they will
take your coupons. We have done it numerous times getting items for nearly free,
to free!! Stacking coupons is also a good way to get items nearly free, to free.
Stacking coupons on BOGO’s is huge!! If there is an in-store coupon on each item
and you have a manufacturer coupon for each item, you can use it making it
nearly free, to free!!!
“Let’s say that my favorite grocery store has a BOGO on
Soleil razors. The BOGO deal is BOGO/$5.49, I have 2 coupons @ $3.00/ea, so
after tax I walked out of the store with them paying me 18 cents!!”
****(On all BOGO deals you can use 2 coupons. There is only one
exception, if the coupon says 'save $1.00 on 2 Bic Razors' Then that is the only
coupon you can use on a BOGO deal because it is $1/2)*****
6. Customer loyalty cards are extremely important at grocery stores!!
Make sure if you don’t have one to go ahead and sign up for one at any grocery
store that you might even consider shopping at. It allows you an in-store
discount immediately at the register before you even give them your coupons once
they scan your card on certain items.
7. After I have organized and filed my coupons usually by Friday night,
I log into the grocery stores I plan on shopping at and check all of the BOGO’s.
If it is a great deal and if I have a coupon for it, I add it to the grocery
list that they provide on their web site. I’m very careful to check each item
and to check for each coupon. Even if I don’t have a certain coupon, I will
google that coupon and most of the time I can find the coupon and print it out.
In the Nashville
area, Food Lion, Kroger and Publix for sure have a grocery list that you can
print online. This makes it so easy to know exactly what coupons you are going
to use and to have them ready to go. There are several databases and blogs that
do the work for you to find deals at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and
CVS.
8. Unlike Extreme Couponing, I have to buy things that I don’t have a
coupon for. Those people primarily prepare for that show. We are real families
that have to buy milk, bread, eggs, etc….So my grocery bill will never be a big
fat 0, but I have saved a tremendous amount of money. There is no way I could
have had stocked up on necessities if I had not of done this the smart
way!!!
9. As far as clipping from newspapers….you have to be smart about
which newspapers to buy!!! I would suggest that you buy 1 paper and see what is
in it before you buy too many of them. The average papers that a couponer buys
is 2 per member of your household.
10. BTW...I have single expanding folders labeled with every store that I
shop at so that when I do go shopping I pull those coupons and already have
those coupons ready.
11. When I go out on an unplanned or a planned shopping trip I ALWAYS,
ALWAYS take my binders with me. I never leave the house without my binders! You
never ever know when you might find something on clearance or on sale that you
missed and you will kick yourself in the butt because that will be the item that
you could have gotten for FREE!!!!!!
*** I NEED TO ADD HELPFUL COUPON SUPPLIES ***
1. HAVE PLENTY OF PAPER CLIPS. YOU CAN RECYCLE THEM AS
YOU USE YOUR COUPONS!!!!!
2. SEVERAL PAIRS OF SCISSORS!
3. A paper cutter helps if you have one.
4. Have a stapler and plenty of staples…I use it to hold several pages while I’m cutting them.
5. Recycle your ink cartridges.
6. If I only have one coupon print a paper I turn it over if I know the next print is only going to be one coupon and print it on the
same paper. I try not to waste anything. Even if there is writing and only one coupon I save the paper and turn it into note paper at home. I keep a tray that
I put extra paper in and that is what we write our notes to each other on etc.
7. Google coupons for Staples or Office Depot for your
printer supplies. That's what I do. (use black ink when printing your coupons.)
** DON'T FORGET ABOUT RAINCHECKS ON SALES **
1. Always get a raincheck on sale items for the number of coupons that
you have for that item.
2. Ask the Manager if they will honor your coupons if they expire
while you are waiting for the sale item to be restocked.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
"AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MONTH COUPONS ARE RESET - SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR INK CARTRIDGES AND PAPER READY TO PRINT,
PRINT, PRINT BEFORE THE HIGH DOLLAR COUPONS RUN OUT! YOU WILL WANT TO CHECK ALL OF THE PRINTABLE COUPON SITES AND THE MANUFACTURER SITES THAT YOU WILL BE USED TO GOING TO. "
MORE INFO!
Where can I find the very best coupons?
Sunday Newspapers Insert (preview here)
Coupons.com
Coupon Network
SavingStar
Red Plum
SmartSource
All You
Target.com
Manufacturer Coupons (MC) and Store Coupons (SC)?
If your new couponing, you probably didn't know there are two kinds of
coupons:
Manufacturer Coupons (MC) = A coupon issued from the manufacturer of item(s) stated and/or pictured in
the coupon. Its really easy to identify a manufacturer coupons since it
clearly states Manufacturer Coupon some where along the top of the coupon,
usually next to the expiration date (though in rare cases its located else where
on the actual coupon).
Store Coupons (SC) = A coupon issued by a particular store on the item(s) stated and/or
pictured for use at that specific store only. For example, Target, Rite Aid and
Walgreens often release store coupons, which are only allowed to be used at that
specific store. It will usually say this coupon is Good at Rite Aid Only.
Rite Aid is only an example, as it could say any stores name. Its really easy
to identify a store coupon since it clearly states Store Coupon some where
along the top of the coupon, usually next to the expiration date (though in rare
cases its located else where on the actual coupon and in Targets case says
Target Coupon).
Can I combine a MC and a SC coupons in the same transaction for the same one
item?
YES at many stores!
The best part about having a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon is that
many stores allow stacking coupons, which in better terms means using 2
coupons (a MC and a SC) on the same one item in a single transaction, as long as
both coupons mention the same exact item and size, if applicable. At many stores
like Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens, this is allowed and completely legal.
Stores like Safeway, do not allow stacking coupons.
For example, lets say a 2 liter of Diet Coke is on sale for $1.50. If I
have a $1 off Diet Coke 2-liter manufacturers coupon and a $1 off Diet Coke
2-liter store coupon, many stores allow “stacking†both the coupons towards
the one Diet Coke product and essentially you get the item for FREE and make a
$0.50 in overage.
Whats Overage or a Money Maker?
Overage (or as many like to call it a money maker) occurs when the
coupon(s) used towards an item(s) is more than what the item(s) costs. You can
basically MAKE MONEY using coupons. How awesome is that?! Stores like CVS allow
overage but the balance will be applied toward other purchases in the same
transaction, so you won't be getting actual cash back. While Target doesn't
allow overage and simply adjusts the coupon down to the purchase price, Walmart
recently updated their coupon policy and overage is finally allowed. And the
best part is Walmart MUST give you cash back if you have no other item(s) in the
same transaction.
Top Tips
Start slow.
Couponing can be very overwhelming. Invest in computer and printer to print
coupons online and call your local newspaper to see if they have any deals on
their Sunday paper.
Know your stores coupon policy.
The more you know, the less issues you’ll come across, if any. Print it
out and take it with you incase you run into any issues. I make it easy for you
to learn about Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Target
and Walmart coupon policies.
Be organized.
Organization is the key to saving money using coupons and a faster
checkout. Possibly invest in a coupon binder or simple envelopes to store your
coupons. Do whatever makes things easier for you!
Plan ahead.
Go through your weekly ads before you head out to the store. I go through
my weekly ads searching for the hot deals I have coupons for and circle them.
Only cut out the coupons you need, want and will use.
Don't waste time and ink cutting and printing out coupons you won’t
use.
Double/Triple coupons.
Does a store near your double or even triple coupons? Find out that way you
can take full advantage of these extra savings.
Pricematch.
Stores like Walmart will price ALL competitor ads in your local area. Plus,
use a coupon on top of the pricematch for even sweeter savings!
Pick the right cashier at checkout.
You're better off choosing the happy, looks like they are having a good
day employee. You don't want to be stuck with a un-happy cashier when using
lots of coupons. Trust me!
Grab a raincheck.
If you store has run out an item on sale during a certain week, CVS, Rite
Aid, Walgreens as well as many grocery stores will write you a raincheck. Plus,
use a coupon on top of the raincheck for even sweeter savings!
Build your stockpile.
Coupons can often equal FREE stuff at the register, so start a stockpile
lasting you about 6-8 weeks that way won't have to worry about running of
stuff. Amazing deals don’t last forever but don't over do it!
Donate stuff.
If you're able to score an item you don't need or use for FREE, why
don't give it to someone who can use it. It's an awesome way to give back to
your community and others in need. You'll feel great you did so!
Too good to be true.
If you come across a coupon that you think may be a fake, make sure you
check the CIC (Coupon Information Corporation) to see if a coupon is a counterfeit.
Head over here for a full list of the latest counterfeit coupons!
DO NOT EVER COPY COUPONS.
It is against the law. Fraud of this time holds hefty fines and possible
jail time.
And last of all, don't you ever pay full-price for toothpaste AGAIN!
Literally, every week a different store has in-store deals that you can pair
with a coupon, which almost always turns into FREE toothpaste.
1. So, for me, it has really just become a challenge to see how much
money I could save and now I’m addicted to it. Not a bad addiction to have, I
might add. =D
2. If I am going to save money then I want to spend the least amount as
possible. When setting up your binders then you want to reuse anything that you
might have. So find either a 3” for everything or 2-2” binders using one for
food and one for your household items (cleaning supplies, paper goods, etc.)
Reuse any dividers that you or your school age kids might have had to have for
school. You can buy packs of baseball card holders if you like, that way you can
pair up all ‘like’coupons in each sleeve so each coupon will not have to have
their own little home.
Note: Using the baseball card holders is the easiest way to keep your coupons, but it can also
become very expensive. I'm all about saving the money, not spending it all on baseball cards, so shop around for the best deals.
3. As far as determining how to categorize your dividers that is really
up to you. I can tell you how I did it just to give you an example but I can
tell you that I will probably change or expand soon as my coupons have grown
since I made my binders.
*Food Binder: (****NEW CATEGORY ADDED***)
*SOON TO EXPIRE TAB*
Breakfast Items
Lunch/Dinner
Snacks
Drinks
Condiments
*Household Binder: (**** NEW CATEGORIES ADDED****)
*SOON TO EXPIRE TAB*
Body Wash/Soap
Cleaners
Deodorant
Emergency Supplies
Feminine Supplies
Hair Products
Kitchen/Pantry
Laundry
Lotions
Make-up
Medications (OTC)
Misc. Items
Outdoor Products
Paper Products
Razors
Toothpaste
Wipes
3. I usually check for coupons everyday, but three to four times per
week is enough if you work outside the home. You just have to work out a
schedule that works for you. You have to take time each week to check your
expiration dates because there really isn’t a great way expect for keeping the
ones soon to expire on top of your stack ready to use first. When you print out
or cut out your coupons go ahead and make time to file them in your binder. It
can get overwhelming!!! It takes some time cutting and filing coupons and then
making your lists, comparing prices etc… The end result is worth the
time!!
4. You need to be aware of when the stores new ads come out and when
they end. Be aware of BOGO (by one get one sales)! Always know the stores
coupons policies.
5. Some, not all stores price match. You have to bring in a current
sales ad and the store will override their price with the ad price and they will
take your coupons. We have done it numerous times getting items for nearly free,
to free!! Stacking coupons is also a good way to get items nearly free, to free.
Stacking coupons on BOGO’s is huge!! If there is an in-store coupon on each item
and you have a manufacturer coupon for each item, you can use it making it
nearly free, to free!!!
“Let’s say that my favorite grocery store has a BOGO on
Soleil razors. The BOGO deal is BOGO/$5.49, I have 2 coupons @ $3.00/ea, so
after tax I walked out of the store with them paying me 18 cents!!”
****(On all BOGO deals you can use 2 coupons. There is only one
exception, if the coupon says 'save $1.00 on 2 Bic Razors' Then that is the only
coupon you can use on a BOGO deal because it is $1/2)*****
6. Customer loyalty cards are extremely important at grocery stores!!
Make sure if you don’t have one to go ahead and sign up for one at any grocery
store that you might even consider shopping at. It allows you an in-store
discount immediately at the register before you even give them your coupons once
they scan your card on certain items.
7. After I have organized and filed my coupons usually by Friday night,
I log into the grocery stores I plan on shopping at and check all of the BOGO’s.
If it is a great deal and if I have a coupon for it, I add it to the grocery
list that they provide on their web site. I’m very careful to check each item
and to check for each coupon. Even if I don’t have a certain coupon, I will
google that coupon and most of the time I can find the coupon and print it out.
In the Nashville
area, Food Lion, Kroger and Publix for sure have a grocery list that you can
print online. This makes it so easy to know exactly what coupons you are going
to use and to have them ready to go. There are several databases and blogs that
do the work for you to find deals at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and
CVS.
8. Unlike Extreme Couponing, I have to buy things that I don’t have a
coupon for. Those people primarily prepare for that show. We are real families
that have to buy milk, bread, eggs, etc….So my grocery bill will never be a big
fat 0, but I have saved a tremendous amount of money. There is no way I could
have had stocked up on necessities if I had not of done this the smart
way!!!
9. As far as clipping from newspapers….you have to be smart about
which newspapers to buy!!! I would suggest that you buy 1 paper and see what is
in it before you buy too many of them. The average papers that a couponer buys
is 2 per member of your household.
10. BTW...I have single expanding folders labeled with every store that I
shop at so that when I do go shopping I pull those coupons and already have
those coupons ready.
11. When I go out on an unplanned or a planned shopping trip I ALWAYS,
ALWAYS take my binders with me. I never leave the house without my binders! You
never ever know when you might find something on clearance or on sale that you
missed and you will kick yourself in the butt because that will be the item that
you could have gotten for FREE!!!!!!
*** I NEED TO ADD HELPFUL COUPON SUPPLIES ***
1. HAVE PLENTY OF PAPER CLIPS. YOU CAN RECYCLE THEM AS
YOU USE YOUR COUPONS!!!!!
2. SEVERAL PAIRS OF SCISSORS!
3. A paper cutter helps if you have one.
4. Have a stapler and plenty of staples…I use it to hold several pages while I’m cutting them.
5. Recycle your ink cartridges.
6. If I only have one coupon print a paper I turn it over if I know the next print is only going to be one coupon and print it on the
same paper. I try not to waste anything. Even if there is writing and only one coupon I save the paper and turn it into note paper at home. I keep a tray that
I put extra paper in and that is what we write our notes to each other on etc.
7. Google coupons for Staples or Office Depot for your
printer supplies. That's what I do. (use black ink when printing your coupons.)
** DON'T FORGET ABOUT RAINCHECKS ON SALES **
1. Always get a raincheck on sale items for the number of coupons that
you have for that item.
2. Ask the Manager if they will honor your coupons if they expire
while you are waiting for the sale item to be restocked.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
"AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MONTH COUPONS ARE RESET - SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR INK CARTRIDGES AND PAPER READY TO PRINT,
PRINT, PRINT BEFORE THE HIGH DOLLAR COUPONS RUN OUT! YOU WILL WANT TO CHECK ALL OF THE PRINTABLE COUPON SITES AND THE MANUFACTURER SITES THAT YOU WILL BE USED TO GOING TO. "
MORE INFO!
Where can I find the very best coupons?
Sunday Newspapers Insert (preview here)
Coupons.com
Coupon Network
SavingStar
Red Plum
SmartSource
All You
Target.com
Manufacturer Coupons (MC) and Store Coupons (SC)?
If your new couponing, you probably didn't know there are two kinds of
coupons:
Manufacturer Coupons (MC) = A coupon issued from the manufacturer of item(s) stated and/or pictured in
the coupon. Its really easy to identify a manufacturer coupons since it
clearly states Manufacturer Coupon some where along the top of the coupon,
usually next to the expiration date (though in rare cases its located else where
on the actual coupon).
Store Coupons (SC) = A coupon issued by a particular store on the item(s) stated and/or
pictured for use at that specific store only. For example, Target, Rite Aid and
Walgreens often release store coupons, which are only allowed to be used at that
specific store. It will usually say this coupon is Good at Rite Aid Only.
Rite Aid is only an example, as it could say any stores name. Its really easy
to identify a store coupon since it clearly states Store Coupon some where
along the top of the coupon, usually next to the expiration date (though in rare
cases its located else where on the actual coupon and in Targets case says
Target Coupon).
Can I combine a MC and a SC coupons in the same transaction for the same one
item?
YES at many stores!
The best part about having a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon is that
many stores allow stacking coupons, which in better terms means using 2
coupons (a MC and a SC) on the same one item in a single transaction, as long as
both coupons mention the same exact item and size, if applicable. At many stores
like Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens, this is allowed and completely legal.
Stores like Safeway, do not allow stacking coupons.
For example, lets say a 2 liter of Diet Coke is on sale for $1.50. If I
have a $1 off Diet Coke 2-liter manufacturers coupon and a $1 off Diet Coke
2-liter store coupon, many stores allow “stacking†both the coupons towards
the one Diet Coke product and essentially you get the item for FREE and make a
$0.50 in overage.
Whats Overage or a Money Maker?
Overage (or as many like to call it a money maker) occurs when the
coupon(s) used towards an item(s) is more than what the item(s) costs. You can
basically MAKE MONEY using coupons. How awesome is that?! Stores like CVS allow
overage but the balance will be applied toward other purchases in the same
transaction, so you won't be getting actual cash back. While Target doesn't
allow overage and simply adjusts the coupon down to the purchase price, Walmart
recently updated their coupon policy and overage is finally allowed. And the
best part is Walmart MUST give you cash back if you have no other item(s) in the
same transaction.
Top Tips
Start slow.
Couponing can be very overwhelming. Invest in computer and printer to print
coupons online and call your local newspaper to see if they have any deals on
their Sunday paper.
Know your stores coupon policy.
The more you know, the less issues you’ll come across, if any. Print it
out and take it with you incase you run into any issues. I make it easy for you
to learn about Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, Target
and Walmart coupon policies.
Be organized.
Organization is the key to saving money using coupons and a faster
checkout. Possibly invest in a coupon binder or simple envelopes to store your
coupons. Do whatever makes things easier for you!
Plan ahead.
Go through your weekly ads before you head out to the store. I go through
my weekly ads searching for the hot deals I have coupons for and circle them.
Only cut out the coupons you need, want and will use.
Don't waste time and ink cutting and printing out coupons you won’t
use.
Double/Triple coupons.
Does a store near your double or even triple coupons? Find out that way you
can take full advantage of these extra savings.
Pricematch.
Stores like Walmart will price ALL competitor ads in your local area. Plus,
use a coupon on top of the pricematch for even sweeter savings!
Pick the right cashier at checkout.
You're better off choosing the happy, looks like they are having a good
day employee. You don't want to be stuck with a un-happy cashier when using
lots of coupons. Trust me!
Grab a raincheck.
If you store has run out an item on sale during a certain week, CVS, Rite
Aid, Walgreens as well as many grocery stores will write you a raincheck. Plus,
use a coupon on top of the raincheck for even sweeter savings!
Build your stockpile.
Coupons can often equal FREE stuff at the register, so start a stockpile
lasting you about 6-8 weeks that way won't have to worry about running of
stuff. Amazing deals don’t last forever but don't over do it!
Donate stuff.
If you're able to score an item you don't need or use for FREE, why
don't give it to someone who can use it. It's an awesome way to give back to
your community and others in need. You'll feel great you did so!
Too good to be true.
If you come across a coupon that you think may be a fake, make sure you
check the CIC (Coupon Information Corporation) to see if a coupon is a counterfeit.
Head over here for a full list of the latest counterfeit coupons!
DO NOT EVER COPY COUPONS.
It is against the law. Fraud of this time holds hefty fines and possible
jail time.
And last of all, don't you ever pay full-price for toothpaste AGAIN!
Literally, every week a different store has in-store deals that you can pair
with a coupon, which almost always turns into FREE toothpaste.
