So here are a few pointers I can give you:
Tip 1: Be Organized.
I hate to say it, but you will NEVER be successful at couponing if you are not organized. But what does "being organized" mean? There really is no set definition. You just have to know what coupons you have and where they are at. Coupons are NO GOOD to you if you can't locate them when it's time to use them!
There are basically THREE ways to organize coupons:
Filing Method - Simply gather your inserts into one pile (if you receive multiple papers) and put them in a folder. Label the folder with the date of the insert, and refer back to that week when you need to clip a coupon. (Most coupon websites will let you know which insert, and date of insert a coupon is located in.) *Don't clip coupons until you are ready to use them. You can clip the coupons you need before your shopping trip, put them in a smaller accordion file, and take that with you when you do your shopping.
No Clip Folder Method - Place your inserts in a plastic sheet protector, along with a list of all the coupons in the insert. Carry all your inserts in a binder that you can carry to the store. (Don't forget to bring scissors.) You clip coupons as you need them at the store.
Are you thinking that keeping lists of the coupons you receive weekly is a little too time consuming...never fear, check out Fabulessly Frugal's coupon lists. They prepare them for us.
Binder Method - Clip your coupons and keep them organized by categories in baseball card folders. Some people separate sections in their binder with pre-printed dividers. Some people make their own according to the aisles at their favorite grocery store. There really is no right or wrong way.
Tip 2: Collect Coupons!
There are many different ways to collect coupons, below are a few options that I think are useful.
Subscribe to a Newspaper - Sites like A Thrifty Mom and Fabulessly Frugal have prearranged deals with the newspapers in the area, that allow you screaming deals on your Sunday paper. You can also purchase Sunday papers at your local grocery store. *TIP I would steer away from places that have Sunday papers accessible to the general public. There has been a lot of coupon theft going on, and I would hate for you to purchase six papers and not have the inserts in them.
Print coupons on the internet - Feel free to visit our printable coupons page and database for sites that we access on a daily basis.
Coupons in the store - Be on the lookout for blinkees (the little machines that automatically spit out a coupon when you pull one out); peelies (coupons that are stuck to the outside packaging of a product); and tear pads (they look like a "notepad" of sorts and are usually hung by the product they are promoting.)
Stores also frequently offer in store coupons in their weekly ads or catalinas, which are coupons that print at the register after you buy a product.
Ask friends and family - Do you have friends or family who get the paper, but don't coupon? Do you know people who get cat food or dog food coupons but don't use them, ask them for them! You can also do coupon swaps or coupon trains. I spend a lot of time swapping out coupons with my friends. I don't have babies in the house but I save my coupons for my friends who have babies. It just makes it easier when you can save coupons with people you love.
Tip 3: When in Rome....Do as the Romans Do:
There are many others, who have done the leg work, who have people in the stores, researching the deals, doing the math. Copy them (yes you heard me right.) It's not hard to do what others do, and that is the key to successful couponing. I will frequently direct you to other sites that have store matchups that I like. If you start out doing what they do, you will eventually get the hang of couponing. After a few great trips, you will get a little confidence under your belt, and eventually you will be figuring deals out on your own!
Some abbreviations you might see on my site, or on other coupon sites:
Get familiar with the lingo, it's pretty standard across the board, and you will see it often.
Couponista Lingo BOGO or B1G1 = Buy one get one FREE MFR = Manufacturer Coupon OOP = Out of Pocket P & G = Proctor & Gamble Newspaper Insert RP = Red Plum Newspaper Insert RR = Register Reward SS = Smartsource Newspaper Insert |
I do have a handful of favorite sites that I visit on a regular basis, and I will be showing you where they are in my blog. I’m not here to take the credit for anyone else’s work, I simply want to help people save money, if I can. So enjoy my site and feel free to get in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook or on here if you have any questions ;)
