Couponing is a tried and true method of saving money. It is easy to do and you are able to actually see the money you save every week. For those of you who are just starting to get into the coupon world, there are some simple things you to make the transition into coupon savings easy!
When I started couponing I started by purchasing my coupons. Although I wouldn’t recommend this method as a long-term solution, it is a great way to begin couponing and find out if saving with coupons is for you!
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STEP ONE
Start at couponmom.com or find a blog at Becentsable.com that lists your local grocery store lists. My own blog, Little People Wealth, has grocery lists for HyVee, Price Chopper, and Nature’s Pantry (an organic store in Independence Missouri), CVS, and Walgreens. Your grocery list will show the products that are on sale and the products that have a coupon available. Access the list within the first day or two after it comes out.
STEP TWO
Write your grocery list.Decide what you need and mark down the coupons that you need (along with the number you want).The coupons will be written with some letters along with a date.The letters are the insert or magazine that the coupon came in (RP = red plum, SS = smartsource, AY = All You).The date is the week that the coupon came out.
STEP THREE
Go to The Coupon Master or www.thecouponclippers.com and purchase the coupons that you want. The coupons usually cost around 10% of their value.Remember, this is not a long term solution, but instead, it is a way for you to try out coupon savings to see if it is for you!You will save quite a bit even though you are paying for the coupons.
STEP FOUR
Wait for your coupons (3-4 days). Ads are good for 7 days. If you access and write your list on day 1 or 2 then you should have your coupons on day 4, 5, or 6. After you receive your coupons go to the store to purchase your deals.
PREPARATION FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEKS
Get a Sunday newspaper that week and start clipping. Purchasing the coupons will get your feet wet (and allow you to start without a coupon stash), but it will be cheaper in the long run if you purchase a paper. Keep watching blogs for printable coupon updates. If you see one you want print it and file it with your other coupons. Printable coupons are only available to a certain print number so they sometimes are no longer available when you want them!
You can continue this process for about a month (which is how long it will take you to build up a sizable coupon stash via the Sunday papers. You also have the option of waiting to purchase the paper until you know couponing is for you. This way you are not investing in a coupon organizer or clipping coupons just to find out that it is not something you want to do! I used this method for the first month (I shopped every other week) that I clipped coupons and I found that it cost me about $15, but I saved well over $100. It is a simple non-commitment way to try it out!
Heidi writes for Little People Wealth, a money saving blog that teaches you to spend small in order to live large. She has coupon tutorials for the beginner and the advanced as well as many printable coupon sites so you can save even more!
***For more FREEBIES & coupons, “like” Coupons and Freebies Mom on Facebook or sign up for our free daily email!
Thanks for the great tips in couponing.There were a few pointers that I didn’t even know such as the best sales are usually when the coupon comes out or when it is about to expire.To say the least,couponing is for me because I really enjoy using them.
I get some savings with coupons but I have a lot to learn. Reading your tutorial has given me a better start. Thanks
I’vev never been one to use coupons a lot, but now that I am retired I have the time, and not income!