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.
I found this on about.com
Friday, May 1
Walgrees Trip
Walgreens Trip from April 28th 2009 I know its a little late lol I have been so busy with the kids and organizing that I have not been on in awhile! (I did 2 transactions cause I got 2 razors and wanted ECBS for them both)
Transaction #1
Bayer blood glucose meter $14.99
Shick intution razor $8.99
Cover girl foundation make up $7.99
I used the free up to $30.00 off meter coupon (so $14.99 off) and a $4.00 off schick razor coupon then I used a $5 Register Reward from the Nivea deal making my total $7.98 now I am not sure why but it would not let me use another Register Reward we tried so many times finally I just paid the $9.00 total OOP becuase of the tax and did the second transaction! (I am not thriled about this transaction but the second one is better) Oh and I got a $5 RR for the meter and a $3 RR for the razor so got $8.00 in RR back not to bad!
Transaction #2
Schick razor $8.99
Gerber yogurt melts $3.99 (my 1.5 year old son started saying mine mine mine had to get them for his cute little but lol)
A&W freezer pops $2.00 (Had to get the princess something lol)
Chewly sprees .89 (Yup hubby went with me again)
Sweettarts .70 (Yup for the hubby again)
Gummy bears .99 (for the princess)
Us Weekly magazine $3.99 (Horrible waste of money I know)
Perfect 10 hair color $11.99
3 pc. scissor set $3.29
Head and shoulders shampoo $5.99
1 gallon skim milk $2.49
1 gallon 3% milk for the baby's $2.49
Total was $56.32
Coupons I used were:
Free hair color coupon so $11.99 off
$4.00 Schick razor coupon
$28.50 in Register Rewards
After coup0ns and Register Rewards with tax and all I spent $5.52!! Woohoo!
Transaction #1
Bayer blood glucose meter $14.99
Shick intution razor $8.99
Cover girl foundation make up $7.99
I used the free up to $30.00 off meter coupon (so $14.99 off) and a $4.00 off schick razor coupon then I used a $5 Register Reward from the Nivea deal making my total $7.98 now I am not sure why but it would not let me use another Register Reward we tried so many times finally I just paid the $9.00 total OOP becuase of the tax and did the second transaction! (I am not thriled about this transaction but the second one is better) Oh and I got a $5 RR for the meter and a $3 RR for the razor so got $8.00 in RR back not to bad!
Transaction #2
Schick razor $8.99
Gerber yogurt melts $3.99 (my 1.5 year old son started saying mine mine mine had to get them for his cute little but lol)
A&W freezer pops $2.00 (Had to get the princess something lol)
Chewly sprees .89 (Yup hubby went with me again)
Sweettarts .70 (Yup for the hubby again)
Gummy bears .99 (for the princess)
Us Weekly magazine $3.99 (Horrible waste of money I know)
Perfect 10 hair color $11.99
3 pc. scissor set $3.29
Head and shoulders shampoo $5.99
1 gallon skim milk $2.49
1 gallon 3% milk for the baby's $2.49
Total was $56.32
Coupons I used were:
Free hair color coupon so $11.99 off
$4.00 Schick razor coupon
$28.50 in Register Rewards
After coup0ns and Register Rewards with tax and all I spent $5.52!! Woohoo!
Free Comic Book Day!
Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.
Go here to enter your zip code and see if your store is participating
Monday, April 27
Walgreens Trip April 26th 2009
Went to Walgreens yesterday before church for the Nivea and meter deal! I did a total of 5 transactions this is how it went:
Transaction #1
Nivea body wash $4.99
Bayer meter $14.99
Used $1 Nivea coupon and up to $30.00 off bayer or contour meter
Total OOP $4.29
Got back $10.00 in RR (One $5 for the meter and one $5 for the Nivea) (It was supposed to only print out a $4.99 RR but it did $5 even! Sweet made a penny lol!)
Transaction #2
Nivea body wash $4.99
Bayer meter $14.99
Used the $1.00 off Nivea and the up to $30.00 off Bayer or contour meter
Total OOP $4.29 and got back the $10 in RR
Transaction #3-5
Each time I just bought one Nivea body wash (I just purchased them all seperate) each time I used a $1.00 off coupon and each time my total was only $4.29 and each time I got back a $5 RR.
After it was all said and done my total OOP for yesterdays trip was $21.45 and I got back $35.00 in Register Rewards and 2 meters and 5 Nivea Body washes! I plan on going back for more body washes later on in the week I just did not want to clear the shelves I want to let other people get what they want first! I think its kinda rude when one person buys like 50 of the same item and does not let anyone else get anything!
On a side note I had the dumbest rudest cashier ever! I told her I am doing 5 transactions and seh was like lokay thats fine yada yada (well shes really young and never smiles and is always rude like you can tell she does not want to be at work) so I hand her my meter coupon and she goes Oh wait I need to call the manager about this coupon and I am like seriously I just used one the other day and she goes Like I said I need to call her it wont take but a minute and I am like fine please hurry though I am on my way to church so the manager gets there and shes like this lady thinks she can use this coupon but if you look in the flyer she is going to get $14.99 back mail in rebate and I was like are you for real I cant get the money back if I dont pay anything for it!!! And the cashier was like shes right just use the coupon! That just went all over me! Who in the heck is she to tell me I cant use my coupon becuase they are offering a mail in rebate on the same product!!! Its not coming out of her pocket! Oh man that just went all over me!!! (She also got attitude with me because last time I went in there I only paid like .40 something cents for my total! I told me husband if this happens again her attitude with me I am calling and complaining this is 2 times now I have had to deal with her teenage attitude and I have had enough lol! Okay rant over! Yay I got more back then what I spent lol!
Transaction #1
Nivea body wash $4.99
Bayer meter $14.99
Used $1 Nivea coupon and up to $30.00 off bayer or contour meter
Total OOP $4.29
Got back $10.00 in RR (One $5 for the meter and one $5 for the Nivea) (It was supposed to only print out a $4.99 RR but it did $5 even! Sweet made a penny lol!)
Transaction #2
Nivea body wash $4.99
Bayer meter $14.99
Used the $1.00 off Nivea and the up to $30.00 off Bayer or contour meter
Total OOP $4.29 and got back the $10 in RR
Transaction #3-5
Each time I just bought one Nivea body wash (I just purchased them all seperate) each time I used a $1.00 off coupon and each time my total was only $4.29 and each time I got back a $5 RR.
After it was all said and done my total OOP for yesterdays trip was $21.45 and I got back $35.00 in Register Rewards and 2 meters and 5 Nivea Body washes! I plan on going back for more body washes later on in the week I just did not want to clear the shelves I want to let other people get what they want first! I think its kinda rude when one person buys like 50 of the same item and does not let anyone else get anything!
On a side note I had the dumbest rudest cashier ever! I told her I am doing 5 transactions and seh was like lokay thats fine yada yada (well shes really young and never smiles and is always rude like you can tell she does not want to be at work) so I hand her my meter coupon and she goes Oh wait I need to call the manager about this coupon and I am like seriously I just used one the other day and she goes Like I said I need to call her it wont take but a minute and I am like fine please hurry though I am on my way to church so the manager gets there and shes like this lady thinks she can use this coupon but if you look in the flyer she is going to get $14.99 back mail in rebate and I was like are you for real I cant get the money back if I dont pay anything for it!!! And the cashier was like shes right just use the coupon! That just went all over me! Who in the heck is she to tell me I cant use my coupon becuase they are offering a mail in rebate on the same product!!! Its not coming out of her pocket! Oh man that just went all over me!!! (She also got attitude with me because last time I went in there I only paid like .40 something cents for my total! I told me husband if this happens again her attitude with me I am calling and complaining this is 2 times now I have had to deal with her teenage attitude and I have had enough lol! Okay rant over! Yay I got more back then what I spent lol!
Friday, April 24
Gillette Fusion (500 given away a day)
500 GIVEN AWAY DAILY CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE IF YOU MAKE IT! IF NOT YOU CAN CLICK TO HAVE A REMINDER SENT TO YOUR INBOX EVERYDAY TO REMID YOU TO COME BACK TO THEIR SITE AND TRY AGAIN!
FREE SCHICK QUATTRO TITANUM TRIMMER RAZOR
FREE SCHICK QUATTRO TITANIUM RAZOR! CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR ONE TODAY!
Kroger Trip April 23 2009
So I got some coupons in the mail and decided to go Krogering! I thought I did pretty good!
I got:
3 Capri sunrise juice boxes ($1.79)
10 McCormick grill seasonings (10 for $10)
10 angel soft toilet paper (10 for $10)
11 birds eye steam fresh vegetables (10 for $10)
2 Johnson & Johnson buddy bars ($2.18)
Reynolds wrap 100% recycled foil ($2.99)
Nesquik strawberry powder milk flavoring ($3.19)
Ramen Noodle pkgs (.99)
Chocolate gold fish crackers (1.00)
Hostess Chocolate donuts ($2.50)
2 Axe Body spray on clearance ($1.29)
Degree Men's deodorant on clearance (1.19)
2 nail polish on clearance for (.50 each)
Right Guard extreme men's deodorant on clearance ($1.09)
gerber yogurt melts ($2.50)
gerber fruit leather strips ($2.50)
(Don't go shopping with your kids and husband other wise I would not have gotten the deodorant the body spray nail polish donuts and chocolate goldfish lol that would have saved me around $6.00 or more! Oh well lol still was not a bad trip)
Coupons used were:
.50 off one angel soft doubled to $1.00 X10 making them all free!
$.100 off any McCormick spice X10 making them all free
1.00 off Axe X1
.75 off one degree X1
.50 off one hostess donuts doubled to $1.00 X1
.55 off foil X1 (but I have the rebate form printed out so this will be free!)
.75 off gerber snacks X1
.35 off one birds eye steam fresh X11 doubled to .70 making them .30 each
$2.00 off any Johnson buddy's products (making the bars .09 cents each)
$1.00 off one capri sunrise product making them .79 each X3
Free product coupon for the Nesquik flavoring
Original total before coupons: $61.36
After the coupons my total was $21.42
My receipt shows with the Kroger plus savings coupons and bonus coupons the total savings is $70.56!
I got 49 items for $21.42
Wednesday, April 22
Earthday free Reynolds Wrap
TODAY ONLY GET THE REBATE FOR THE FREE REYNOLDS WRAP!!
CLICK THE LINK FOR THE PRINTABLE REBATE FORM!
Tuesday, April 21
Save 15% at Walgreens and get a FREE Reusable tote!
Tomorrow for earth day (April 22 2009) Walgreens is giving away free reusable bags with any purchase! Just take your coupon along to take advantage of this deal.
Click the link below to get your coupon!
This will also save you 15 %!
REYNOLDS REMINDER!
DON'T FORGET TOMORROW IS EARTHDAY AND TO SIGN UP AND GET FREE REYNOLDS WRAP REBATE!
Kroger Trip for tonight
Went to Kroger today and got the following:
10 bags of rice cakes 10 for $10 had $1 off coupons making them free!
10 birds eye steam fresh meals (all that was left was rice corn and brocoli ) 10 for $10 had .35 cent coupons doubled to .70 so .30 cents per bag equals $3.00
1 McCormick grill seasonings 10 for $10 bought one and used the $1.00 off coupon making it free!
I also had to get milk too so I spent about $9.00 total (bought 2 gallons of milk) so not bad for all I got! Darn the milk for $2.50 a gallon lol!
I have more coupons coming in the mail so will be making another trip as well.
10 bags of rice cakes 10 for $10 had $1 off coupons making them free!
10 birds eye steam fresh meals (all that was left was rice corn and brocoli ) 10 for $10 had .35 cent coupons doubled to .70 so .30 cents per bag equals $3.00
1 McCormick grill seasonings 10 for $10 bought one and used the $1.00 off coupon making it free!
I also had to get milk too so I spent about $9.00 total (bought 2 gallons of milk) so not bad for all I got! Darn the milk for $2.50 a gallon lol!
I have more coupons coming in the mail so will be making another trip as well.
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