A Beginner's Guide to Couponing
If you're interested in couponing, but aren't sure how to get started, this guide’s for you:
Where to Look for Coupons
There are lots of coupons up for grabs, if you know where to find them. By far, the best places to look are:
Newspapers- the Smart Source and Valassis coupon inserts appear on a near-weekly basis. The Procter and Gamble insert appears at the start of each month
Magazines- women's publications such as Woman's Day, Red Book, Family Circle and Good Housekeeping frequently carry manufacturer coupons
In store- look for coupons on store shelves, on products and on the back of your receipts. Also look for coupons to print out at the register
Additional places to look: Online- look to free grocery coupon sites for loads of printable couponsNot all stores take them; but if yours does, you’re in luck
Junk mail- high-value manufacturer coupons have started to appear in junk mailers, so be sure to look before you toss
Direct from the manufacturer- check manufacturer websites for printable coupons or contact companies (by mail, e-mail or phone) to request coupons
Store mailings- get a frequent shopper card for the grocery stores that you shop, and you may be rewarded with special coupon mailings
On products- look in and on the packaging of the products that you buy for special loyalty coupons
How to Keep Coupons Organized
There are lots of ways to organize coupons; the key is to find the approach that works best for you. Three options to consider:
Clipping out all coupons
Clipping out just the coupons that you intend to use
Leaving the coupon inserts intact, and clipping coupons on an "as-needed" basis
Whichever approach you choose, there are several things that you can do to ensure that your coupons remain neat and accessible:
Develop a filing system. Many couponers organize their coupons by grocery category--dairy, frozen foods, deli, etc.--but it's not the only way to go. Find a filing system that works for you--by aisle, by expiration, etc.--and put it into action.
Find a container to hold your coupons. Use a shoebox, a storage container, a coupon wallet or a recipe box--it doesn't matter what you choose--but it's important to have a landing spot for all of those coupons.
File coupons the same day you get them. Okay, so you may not always have time to file your coupons right away, but try to file them as soon as you can. This will prevent them from getting lost, and save you the hassle of having to sort through a big mess of coupons all at once.
Purge regularly. Expired coupons won't save you money, so don't let them hog space in your coupon file. Set a schedule for purging expired coupons, and stick to it.
How to Maximize Your Savings:
Shop at stores that double coupons.
Keep your coupons with you at all times--you never know when a deal might pop up
Match coupons to sales-- to help you do this
Get creative: Clever Couponing Strategiess
Coupon Clipping for Bargain Shopping Black Belts
Creativity pays big dividends when it comes to couponing. Learn how to increase your coupon savings with seven slick strategies.
Stack CouponsYou can stack plates, you can stack laundry, but did you know that you can stack coupons too? Increase your savings by combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon for the same item; or take it to the savings extreme by combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon, a sale and a rebate
Pick Up Papers When You TravelDid you know that the Sunday coupon inserts vary from region to region? It's true; and in fact, it's great news if you like to travel. Pick up a Sunday paper whenever you go out of town, and you're likely to net coupons that you've never seen before.
Buy Extra Papers
Find a bunch of good coupons in the paper? Then, consider buying an extra copy--or copies. If you know that the coupons in this week's paper will save you $12, then spending $2 on another paper makes sense.
Tip: Some stores discount their Sunday papers on Monday morning. Find out if there are any stores in your area that do this.
Combine BOGO Sales with BOGO CouponsLike freebies? Then try this: combine a buy one get one free coupon with a buy one get one free sale, and you'll get both items free. Pretty slick, eh?
Coupon the Clearance RackClearance prices are good, but they can get even better. Carry your coupons with you at all times, and you'll be ready to match coupons on the fly.
Coupon in the Trial SectionMost coupons specify the size of the product that must be purchased, but when they don't it's an invitation to get creative. Take your "any size" coupons to the trial size section of the store, and match them up to those pint-sized goodies. Then, load your cart with lots of free loot.
Triple Your SavingsMany grocery stores double coupons, but some will even triple them from time to time. Do a little research to see if such a store exists in your area. Then, keep those coupons neatly filed and ready to go.
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