Getting Started - STEP #1

STEP #1 - The Coupons!!!

Coupons are available for almost anything now days and are available through several different sources...Here are the most common:

1.  Sunday Newspaper or the Saturday "Early Edition" Newspaper -

Every week (except holiday wknds) there are anywhere from 1-5 coupon inserts on average.  These inserts mainly contain manufacture coupons that can be used at any store that allows coupon usage.  Some coupons however are "store specific" and will be labeled accordingly (IE Target, Walgreens, etc.).  You can subscribe to a local newspaper with delivery service or choose to purchase newspapers as you want from a store.  Personally I get 1 newspaper delivered and buy at least 5 extra newspapers from a dollar store nearby. 

2.  Internet Printable Coupons -

These are great!  They are free to print and only cost you paper/ink.  Usually are you allowed to print 1-2 coupons per computer.  These can be either manufacture or store specific coupons.

3.  Magazine Coupons -

Magazines often have coupons along with their advertisements.  One "coupon specific" magazine is called "All You".  This magazine is only available for purchase at Wal-Mart or through subscription only.  It contains multiple manufacture coupons per monthly issue and great money saving tips, recipes, and other helpful articles. 

4.  Store Coupons/Catalina’s/Digital coupons -

As stated early some stores have their own store specific coupons you can use and sometimes you can "stack the coupon" (Using a manufacture coupon with a store specific coupon on a single item).  Catalina’s are coupons that print out after you buy a product at the store, these are coupons that can be used on your next purchase at that store.  Digital coupons can be downloaded on a shopper's loyalty card (Ex: Kroger or Tom Thumb card) from websites. 



Getting Started - STEP #2

STEP #2 - Organize the Coupons you collect

This is completely up to you and your time limitations.  If you only want to cut the coupons you will use you can do that.  If you want to be an "extreme couponer" and cut all 10 newspaper inserts you buy once a week you can do that as well.  Don't get overwhelmed, do what's right for you and what's worth your time. 

Here are the most common ways to organize:    

1.       Coupon Binder Method - Most tedious but most beneficial 

You cut all your inserts and organize each coupon in the appropriate category within your binder.  I follow "The Krazy Coupon Lady's" method and labeling system.  There are 36 different categories with space for personalized labels as well to add.  However, you can label and organize to your liking but in this case she has done all the work for you and has cute printable pages for this.  You can buy baseball card holders to hold your coupons in their categories.  I usually get mine from Target - $5 for 30 sheets.  You need 1-4 of these depending on how many coupons you have.  This method takes a while but you get the most use our of your coupons.   I also have a pencil bag with a calculator, scissors, pens, and notepad.  I also keep store coupon policies, stock pile price sheets, my seasonal sale calendars, rebates, and my price book. 

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/kclcouponbinder.pdf 

   

2.       Whole Insert Method - Much less time consuming but still organized

You keep all your Inserts together without cutting anything...Before I used the binder method above I used this method for saving time.  Each insert has a small date on the front page, but I would label the date with the insert name in large font on the front page.  Easy to see, easy to use.  You will cut out your coupons as you need them and as they are referred to by date on the coupon blogs.  You can organize the inserts with an accordion file, manila folders, or keep them in plastic page protectors in a binder.  This method is easy, but you may loose out on a few deals here and there since you can't really take this system into a store and be ready to use it if needed. 

     3.  Small Coupon Holder/Envelope System  -  I use this when I plan a shopping trip

I have labeled my small coupon holder by stores.  However, you could label yours by products as well.   But since I usually shop at multiple stores in my area when couponing, this works best for me.  I will organize my coupons and transfer them to my big binder into these smaller categories before leaving my house to shop.  It also helps to keep your coupons together in paper clips within these store categories if you will be doing multiple transactions at a store.  These coupon holders are inexpensive and you can find them at the dollar store or in the $ section at Target.  You could also do this by envelopes as well.   

 

Getting Started - STEP #3

Once you have collected your coupons and have them organized the way you like, you can start using them and start saving like The Coupon Chica!!!  There are several online coupon blogs that I follow myself - some which are listed on my side bar.  I also collect all of my grocery circulars from my Wed newspaper that is delivered to my house and look at all the other circulars I do not receive in my paper online where they are saved to my favorites.  I save all the ads and put them in my coupon binder and circle what is on sale or what I need.  I usually start my weekly grocery list along with my weekly meal planning at this time.  I decide what I need or what is considered a good price for the sale items and plan where I will shop that way.  This is also when I do my price matching. 

 

STEP #3 - Follow the sales and the blogs...