Couponing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Couponing
Where are the coupons?
Print them online at CouponsiWant.com! Our easy to use site combines the best of the best manufacture coupons. Check my Coupon Coach Blog for the week’s best deals! The Sunday newspaper is also great source of coupons. Buy the newspaper, or ask your friends and family for coupons. If they get a newspaper but usually throw out the coupons then they’ll probably be happy to give them to you. I try to save 2 copies or print 2 of each so I can shop B1G1! You will also find ‘blinkie’ coupon dispensers and coupon tear pads in the store as you shop.
Organize your coupons!
- Envelopes. You can start by clipping and putting them all in an envelope or check file. But, once you’ve been couponing for a few weeks you will need something bigger.
- File by insert. With this method you just file your inserts by date in a box and use an online coupon database to find the coupon you need. This method doesn’t require much work but you might miss out on unadvertised deals by not having all of your coupons with you at the store.
- Coupon Binder. With this method you would clip all of your coupons and file them in baseball card holders in a three-ring binder. With this method you can carry your binder to the store and have all your coupons with you while you shop.
Using Your Coupons
Know your store’s policy and work from there. Stacking coupons is my favorite way to purchase items at their lowest price. Some stores will allow you to use one store coupon (the discount is provided by the store) and one manufacturer coupon (the discount is provided by the manufacturer) per item. Some stores will accept competitor’s coupons. Read the weekly store ads to see what is on sale and which stores have the best prices on the items you need. If you don’t get the weekly ads delivered you can usually view them on the store’s website. See if you can match coupons to the sale items to get an even better deal!
Make a List and stick to it! I know it’s exciting to get started, but don’t go out and use your coupon immediately! If you use that 50¢ off toilet paper right away when it’s not on sale you aren’t reaching your saving potential! Wait until toilet paper goes on sale for $1 then use the coupon.
Start slowly. Don’t buy a ton of everything as soon as you get started or you will blow your budget! A stockpile takes time. Set aside a part of your weekly grocery money for stockpiling and do what you can with what you have. Typically sales go in 6 week cycles so you only need to buy enough for 6 weeks. So, if you eat 1 box of cereal per week then when you find cereal at a rock-bottom price then you should buy 6 boxes. This way you have cheap cereal that will last you until you can buy it at a rock-bottom price again.