This blog was created to help friends and family get started with couponing - so how do you actually get started and where do you get coupons from?
Here's how I do it... (although there are many ways!)
Getting Organized
To be effective at couponing, you need to be organized. Let me emphasize - you NEED to be organized. I used to go stopping with a sandwich bag of coupons and a dream -
it does not work. The time you spend during the week will be getting organized - but it will pay off in the end.
Here's my recommended way of getting started. You can pick all of these up at Walmart for less than $10 - or just raid your kids' closets. You will need:
- a 3 ring binder - preferably 3 inch. Mine is open - but everyone recommends one that zips. I went with the traditional binder because it's what I had... but when I need to replace it, I'll go for the zip one.
- 2 pencil pouches (with holes)
- 1 package of about 30 baseball card holder/ sleeves
- a pen
- a simple addition and subtraction calculator
- a 90 page spiral bound notebook
To put it all together...
- The baseball holder sleeves are used to organize your coupons. Make sure you organize your layout! Mine is personal items, household items, dairy, frozen food, meat, condiments, boxed/canned goods, snacks and drinks. Feel free to add binder dividers make it easier... I havent gotten that far yet!
- The first pencil pouch is for your calculator (to estimate your savings if you're unsure if something is a deal) and pen. I also use it to store any Register Rewards or other "on your next purchase" coupons, so I dont forget to use them.
- The second pouch I use to save my receipts - and circle in a big marker my savings. I like go back every month or so and add up my year to date success! :)
- The spiral notebook - I just use it to make my grocery lists and other "to dos"
I also have a "Rock Bottom" list - which is a list of groceries I regularly buy with their rock bottom (lowest sale price of the year + coupon) buy list. Just because its on sale and has a coupon, doesnt mean it's a good price! I started by using one from another blog and have slowly updated it to reflect Maryland prices.
Where to get coupons?
First - let me say, if you're getting started this weekend: not every weekend has coupons. Most do. This weekend does not. So dont run out and buy 30 Sunday papers.
- Newspaper subscription. This will pay for itself!!! Groupon has had a deal 2x this year for a year's subscription to the Baltimore Sun for $10! I get the Thursday-Sunday plan - which generally gives me 2 sets of coupon inserts per week. Dollar Tree also sells Sunday papers (go Saturday for the inserts) for $1 - which is much cheaper than the store price. I only pick up extra papers if the weekend inserts are great.
- Friends and neighbors! My mom rocks - but does not use coupons - so she gives hers to me! :) She's also in a different county- and sometimes the inserts or even coupon values are different. Which can be a big bonus!
- Looking inside of packages - I've found great coupons inside the back of a box (like 75 cents off of Fiber Plus bars - that will be doubled!)
- Online (either through online coupon aggregaters, product websites, Target website, etc)
- All You magazine (sold only at Walmart)
- Writing manufacturers - recently I wrote a local manufacturer and told them how much my kids love their brand of French Toast Sticks. My reward? 6 coupons - 1 for a free package, 2 for $1 off, and 3 for 50 cents off, good through the end of the year. Since these boxes go on sale for about $1 every couple of months - if I play it right, I can turn these into 6 free boxes. A savings of $24. (Complaints also yield an impressive score - but only do it if it's a legitimate complaint)
- Grocery store circulars
Pick a Store
Spend some time checking out the stores near you that have the best prices ... and best coupon policies. I ended up changing my "go to" store because of this. I had always shopped at Weis because it's so close, I could literally walk there. Weis prices are okay and they double coupons up to 50 cents - and then I found Giant, whose prices are comparable and sometimes less, who double coupons up to 99 cents. This discovery has saved me tons.
Resist the urge to shop at 5 stores in a day to get the best deals available. I tried this twice. And spent 4 hours grocery shopping. If there's one or two amazing deals at a store other than my normal store, I'll try to pick it up on my way home from work one day - over adding it to my weekend trip. It's easier and I'm less likely to wander and look for other deals!
Here's the stores I shop:
I do not shop at all every week. But these are the stores I know. Also get to know their coupon policy - especially the policy on doubling! I've linked my stores policies above.
Other Basic Rules
- Try not to shop with kids - they're distracting and expensive! :)
- Not shop when you're hungry
- Avoid the "I'm going to swing by the store for a few things..." - plan your trips!
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