When I started couponing I was a bit overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start, what to do, or how to do it! My parents helped me out a lot, especially my dad! He is quite the penny pincher haha! I created this blog to help others understand better and to help them save money like my dad has taught me. So first things first, Coupons come from many different places; Newspaper inserts, online, blinkies, peelies, tear pads, Facebook, Product websites, etc. You never know what will go on sale so a "stock" of coupons allows you to swoop in and grab items when the best deal pops up.
1. Stock up on Coupons
- Buy/clip the coupons for all items you would like; I suggest buying/clipping 1 per family member. I have a family of 4 so I get 4 for us plus an extra 2 because I count my parents, I coupon for them too. We used to get the inserts in the newspaper but now they come in the mail. If your are friends with your neighbors and they do not coupon, ask them if you can have their inserts. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Facebook is a great place to find freebies, samples, and coupons. You can pretty much find any and every company on Facebook and they are constantly giving away coupons. You have to act fast though; they can be gone in a matter of minutes.
- Catalina Coupons- These print out with your receipt at most stores. Some people leave these at the register or throw them in the trash! Most of these coupons are for money off on your next purchase!
- Blinkies-You can find blinkies all over the supermarkets. Most likely the coupons might not be next to the product so your grocery run might turn into a scavenger hunt.
- Tear pads are also located throughout the store.
- Peelies- You can find peelie coupons on the products.
- Hangtags- You can find these on the product also, they'll usually be wrapped around the product.
- Online coupons you can find on different websites
- You can also go to websites that offer clipping services and pay for coupons. Please note that coupons have handling fees and shipping fees.
Coupon Sites
Coupon Clipping Service
- Mobile coupons you get from stores when you sign up to receive text message store ads and if you have a smartphone you can look for an app for the phone for example
2. Organize your coupons
- You can organize whichever way you'd like. You need to know what you have and where you have it so that you may find them quicker. I have a mine organized by category and each category is numbered. I also have them split into 2 sections because I have so many coupons. I also have an Accordion Portfolio that holds all the sale ads. I have my Coupon Binder set up with a table of contents. If you'd like to know more ways to organize, just head over to my post here Couponing Tips: Ways to Organize Coupons
- Make sure you have a copy of the coupon policies to your favorite stores handy at all times. I would recommend having them in an accordion folder at the end of your binder. You have to know if they Internet printed coupons and the coupon limit per transaction if you can MFC with SC and if they do, then you might want to find out if they have a limit. If for some reason you cannot find the store coupon policy online, then ask customer service or the manager. Get organized before you leave the house, have a game plan and stick to it. You don't want to go over if you have a set budget amount to spend. Remember to put a list a together of the things you want to buy at each store. Matchups are important to have with you so that it makes your shopping experience a lot quicker. So grab ALL of the Store sale ads and see what coupons you can match them up with to make it a great buy and make your list that way. Also, try to find a convenient time to go shopping- it is always better to avoid the rush hours and it is easier without the kids. Don't forget to ask if your store doubles and up to what amount. You can find that in the store coupon policy but it can be tricky. Planning also involves knowing your stores' coupon policies. Check out the stores' policies below. Print them out and have them with you at all times.
Coupon Policies
- Look at your list and start gathering your items. Don't forget to check out the clearance area for some better deals. Don't be embarrassed to use coupons! Coupons will slow down the check out process but in the long run, it is saving you money. Watch the register to make sure the sale prices are ringing up correctly and that each coupon is scanned properly. Don't be scared to say something if needed.
- Avid couponing leads to stockpiling! The goal here is to buy before you need an item while it's cheap or free., and to avoid having to pay full price when you indeed need it. Buy multiple items at your rock bottom price (you will learn that every store varies). It also eliminates last minute shopping trips just for 1 or 2 items and it will eliminate those impulse buys. Sales tend to cycle so try to buy enough to get you to the next cycle. Cycles are commonly every 3 months.
Start small.
- Start with one store and get familiar with the whole couponing routine and build up from there. Learn one and move on to the next store. Once you are comfortable at your store then move on to other stores.
- Don't try and hit up all of the stores or you will be overwhelmed and go crazy. If you miss a deal, don't worry about it, a new one is just around the corner. make sure you balance family time with couponing-this can easily consume you if you aren't careful. Look at the lists below to see what goes on sale in what month.
Best To Buy and When:
January
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Holiday Clearance, Toys, Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale, Bath & Body Works Semi sale, End of January Boots and Winter coats, Plenty of good deals on Workout equipment for those New Year’s Resolutions (that everyone makes and can never stick to), workout clothes, diet aids, soda, oatmeal, frozen finger foods, linens, TV's, computers, electronics, cameras, air conditioners, furniture, bikes, sneakers, houses, gift cards, and exercise equipment
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February
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Perfume, canned foods, TV's, furniture, Oral care products, cameras
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March
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Gardening Tools, Luggage, Cleaning Items for Spring Cleaning, luggage, and frozen finger foods
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April
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Dresses, Easter Clearance, Final sale on Winter Overstock, Coats, Hats, Gloves
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May
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Paper products, Linens, Car Engine Oil, Outside Sidewalk Sales
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June
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Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale, Bath & Body Works Semi Sales, Building Supplies, Televisions
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July
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Target Toy Clearance (Around July 22nd, 50-70% off), Air Conditioners, Craft Supplies
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August
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Summer Clothes Sales, Summer/Beach Toys, Camping Gear, Patio Equipment, Back to School Items and Office Supplies
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September
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Back to School Items and Office Supplies Clearance, Outlet Sidewalk Sales, Winter clothes
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October
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Rakes, Fishing Gear, Bikes, Cars, Houses
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November
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Halloween Clearance (first week in November), Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Blankets, Heating Equipment
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December
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Holiday Décor, Lots of Store liquidations through January 1st, Storage containers, Party Ware
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- A common pitfall to new couponers is buying things because you have a coupon. If you won't use it and it's not free then don't buy it. You will just end up spending unnecessarily if you spend money on something you don't need or want.
- Remember the cashiers and other shoppers are human beings just like you. Be courteous and respectful to your cashier. Try not to empty the shelves so that others can get a great deal as well. Know the rules and if the cashier doesn't know them then try to explain it to them, ask for a manager if need be.
- If you expect too much of yourself right from the start then you will get frustrated and quit. Keep trying and keep going and soon it will be second nature. remember to have a budget and if you have money left over from your shopping trip then just put that leftover money into your next shopping trip budget.
- Expired Coupons can be donated to the Military to use overseas. I want to share with you an amazing way to give back to those serving our Country! You can donate your expired coupons to be used by military families. They are allowed to use expired coupons 6 months up to 1 year after the expiration date on base and at the commissaries abroad. I really hate throwing away expired coupons so when I found out years ago that families can use them, I was just ecstatic!
- The coupons are placed in common areas around each base and soldiers and their families can use them for up to 6 months after there expiration date.
- You should separate your coupons into two small envelopes.
- You can also ask friends or your coupon buddies for all of their expired coupons as well. If you have a lot then make sure to separate them into 2 boxes and make sure all of the same coupons are grouped and tied together with a rubber band. (I like to keep things super organized to make their work a lot easier)
- Separate the envelopes or boxes into:
- Food Items
- Non Food Items
For more information on organizations, you can send your expired coupons to visit Overseas Coupon Program, Coupons toTroops, or Support our Troops
- When researching deals you will find a lot of coupon lingo, below you will find a list of some coupon lingo. It might take you a while to get used to it so please do not get overwhelmed. It took me a few weeks!
Coupon Lingo
OOP
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Out of Pocket
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RR
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Register Rewards (Walgreens)
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DQ
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Double coupons
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CAT
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Catalina; prints at the register with your receipt and can be used on future purchases.
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RP
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Redplum
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PG
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Proctor & Gamble
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DND
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Do Not Double
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ETS
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Excludes Trial Sizes
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YMMW
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Your mileage may vary
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IVC
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Instant Value Coupons (Walgreens Store Coupons)
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GM
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General Mills
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MC
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Manufacturer Coupon
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MIR
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Mail-in-Rebate
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Peelies
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Sticker coupons found on products
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Tear Pad
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A pad of manufacturer coupon found in the store
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BOGO or B1G1
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Buy One Get One Free
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IP
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Internet Printable
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Blinkie
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Manufacturer coupons found in little machine dispensers throughout the store, sometimes by the products
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RC
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Rain Check
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OYN
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On Your next Order
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UPC
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Universal Product Code aka Barcode
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WYB
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When you buy
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Happy Couponing!
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