Couponing 101

A guide for beginners

www.DiscountQueens.com

 If you clip coupons every now and then, toss them in
your purse, and pull them out occasionally, if and
when you remember, then you probably think you
know a thing or two about coupons—and you’re likely
not impressed.

 Here’s the cold, hard truth, so brace yourself—you’re
not doing it right! If you want to see big savings—I’m
talking hundreds of dollars off of your monthly
grocery bill—then, pull out your scissors and stay
tuned. We’re revealing the dirty little secrets of the
most dedicated and successful coupon divas. Here’s
your step-by-step guide to becoming one too:


 If you’re serious about learning how to coupon
effectively, you’re going to need some coupons–
and lots of them. While you may want to start out
small to prevent feeling as if you’re drowning in a
pile of glossy barcodes, eventually you’re going to
want a reliable source of mass coupons.


 Here are some ideas:


 The newspaper. Yep, there are some advantages to going
the traditional route. Subscribe to a local newspaper (after
checking to be sure they provide coupons, of course), and
ask if you can get a discount on multiple subscriptions. A
subscription can significantly slash your coupon
investment by taking dollars off of the newsstand prices
each month.

 Friends and family. You’d be surprised—and delighted—
to know that there are people who love you who will just
hand over their coupons without batting an eye. Who
knew? Resist the urge to school them on the fact that
they’re giving away money—if you want to count them as
an ongoing source of coupons, that is.


 The web. It’s official; you can buy anything on the web, including
coupons. Simply go to a coupon-clipping site like The Coupon
Clippers or Coupons &Things by Dee Dee, and choose the coupons
you want. Typically, you can purchase multiples of entire
newspaper inserts or just the ones from each insert that you’re likely
to use. This is an inexpensive and efficient way of getting multiple
coupons delivered right to your mailbox! Of course, you can also go
to sites like Coupons.com, SmartSource, or RedPlum that offer
internet printable coupons (IPs) and have them delivered right to
your printer instantly! Click, clip, and print—it’s that easy!

 Facebook. If you’re not on Facebook, you should run to the nearest
computer and sign up right now because the rest of the world is
waiting for you. No, seriously. Facebook is not just for college
socialites. Companies are taking advantage of the marketing
opportunities that Facebook has to offer, and what does that mean
for you? Yep, you guessed it! More coupons! All you have to do is
“like” a company on their Facebook site, and they’ll often let you
print a coupon for their product—sometimes two!


 The train. The coupon train, that is. Yes, they exist and you
can join one today. Simply log on to a popular coupon site
like A Full Cup, locate the coupon train thread, and find a
conductor. The conductor will match you up with a weekly
partner who will trade coupons with you. This is a great
way of getting rid of the coupons you can’t use and
stocking up on the ones you need the most. Choo-Choo!

 The dumpster. No joke. You wouldn’t believe how many
people toss their coupons in the garbage can. Talk about
throwing away money! If you’re brave or adventurous
enough, their loss could be your gain. Just make sure you
ask first before you go dumpster-diving!


 There are a variety of ways to organize your
coupons. Simply, choose the one that best fits your
personality and capabilities:


 The Accordion-Style Organizer
This is probably the most popular choice and is great for the
beginning couponer. Simply label each compartment in the
organizer by the type of grocery item (i.e. canned good, frozen food,
cleaning items, etc.), clip your coupons, and file them according to
type.

 The Binder
If you’re a self-described coupon queen, you’re going to find out
quickly that the accordion-style organizer just won’t cut it—usually
about the time you figure out that you can’t close it or fit it into your
purse any longer. That’s when you know it’s time to upgrade to a
binder. Get yourself a 2 or 3 inch binder depending upon your
needs and some clear plastic inserts with divided pockets—like the
kind used to store baseball cards. Use tab dividers to separate
different types of coupons just as you would in an accordion-style
organizer. With a binder, however, you’ll find that you have a lot
more space for your enormous collection of coupons and you will
likely be able to find coupons more quickly and easily as well.


 The File Cabinet
If you don’t have much time to clip coupons, but still want to see some
savings, the filing cabinet method is for you. Simply staple your weekly
coupon inserts together, label them by date, and file them away. When
you plan your weekly shopping trips, you can use a trusted blog or
online coupon database to point you to the coupons you need. Then,
pull them from your file, clip the ones you need, and off you go to the
store to save big!

 The Envelope System
The envelope system is a perfect companion to any of the three
methods above and will keep you organized on shopping day—which
just might be everyday if you’re a true coupon diva! Simply, purchase
some of the longer-sized mailing envelopes (or plastic ones if you want
something more durable), label them by the names of the stores you
frequent most often, and file the coupons you need for that store each
week. Sorting your coupons into the appropriate envelope before you
leave home will save you a lot of time and energy while doing the
actual shopping. You can also use these envelopes to store reward
cards, store coupons, and other store-specific incentives.


 Of course, you can combine one or more of these
to suit your needs—there are no right or wrong
answers, just savings! Whichever method you
choose, be sure to bring your coupon organizer
wherever you go; you never know when you’ll
find an unadvertised deal or clearance rack—the
perfect opportunity to whip out your coupons!


 There’s so much more to couponing than simply
clipping them and handing them to the cashier.
It’s actually a very intellectually-stimulating
process, and the craftier you are, the deeper your
savings will be. Here are a few tips to guide you
on your journey to becoming a coupon
connoisseur:


 Stack store and manufacturer coupons to maximize
savings.
 Use two coupons on Buy-One-Get-One-Free deals.
 Wait until the product goes on sale to use your
coupon for that item.
 Combine coupons with reward programs such as
CVS’ “Extra Care Bucks” and Rite Aid’s “UP”
rewards.
 Combine coupons with rebate offers.
 Use coupons on clearance items for deep discounts.


 Be prepared to be called all sorts of names from “crazy” to
“cheap” to “extreme” (thanks to TLC’s new show), but just
remember, you’re the one bringing home the bacon at .50
per package, and the name-callers are likely just jealous of
your skills. Be prepared for this kind of heckling and
decide beforehand how you’re going to deal with it. My
advice—don’t get angry or flustered—simply, smile and
offer them a few tips or even a coupon for one of the items
in their shopping buggy. You never know—you may just
score a coupon buddy!

 Once you learn the tools of the trade and start to rack up
the savings, you’ll be hooked. Some may even say
obsessed, but can you think of a better thing to be obsessed
about than saving money? I didn’t think so.


Visit our site for more tips about printable
coupons and to download this FREE E-book.


Couponing 101

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