Beginners 101 - How to start couponing!

Beginners 101 - How to start couponing:

Make a list of the stores in your area that you shop at regularly, or would go to with coupons.


Get to know their coupon policies. Policies vary by area.  For example, I have a Meijer in Three Rivers, and one in Goshen.  The one in Goshen doubles coupons, but the one in Three Rivers does not. My favorite grocery stores double coupons up to $1.00 (commonly known as Super Doubles). Those stores are hard to come by.  Some other stores double coupons up to $.50, but watch it because they will have a limit on how many they will double.  After the limit, you only get face value.
Some stores allow you to stack their store coupons with manufacturer coupons for the best savings! Some stores that do this are Meijer, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kroger, and more. You get the coupons online, in their ads, Walgreens booklet, or load them on your card.  If the store has a card (Rite Aid, CVS, Kroger), get one, or two if possible.  You will get periodic emails from them, as well as better deals!

Some stores accept competitor's coupons or catalinas. 

Here's a list of things you need to know:

Do they double coupons?

What is the maximum value that you will double?

What is the limit of how many coupons they double?

Do they take expired coupons?
Do you accept competitor coupons?




I get the ads for the stores in my local papers or online. 

Your goal is to match the weekly sales with the coupons in your possession, or ones you can obtain online.  Also, I generally only buy something (except staple items) that I can get for more than 50% savings.  I only by Health & Beauty items if I can get them for 75% off or more. 




Where do I get all of these coupons?

I will either buy SEVERAL papers, or order from an online insert service.  If you order from an online service, remember that you won't get them as soon as you would if you bought the paper.  If I buy the papers, I always make sure to recycle them. 
There are three kinds of coupon inserts to look for: the SmartSource (SS), the Redplum (RP), and once a month, the Procter & Gamble Brand Saver (P&G). There are no inserts on major holidays, so don't buy them then.  You can look at our previous blog for the Sunday Insert Schedule for better reference of what inserts are in what days.The first key to saving money is to obtain multiple copies of the inserts-- lots of them. You want to do this as inexpensively as possible.


Join the “Dumpster Divers”! Look at our previous blog of where to find the nears recycle center near you, or click here for the locations nearest you.



How to organize your coupons:

Some people keep the inserts intact and put them in a file and write the date and source on the front (SS 6/5, V 6/5, PG 6/5).  Personally, I don't care for this system.  If I do it this way, I only have the coupons I need.  What if there's a great clearance deal and I don't have my inserts? 
I clip all of the coupons from the beginning, and put them in my 3 ring zippable binder with baseball card holders.  They are organized and divided into about 40 categories.  Check out the "Coupon Book" tab for more pictures and details.

I go through my books (yes, I have more than one!) every week when I put the new ones in.  I sort out all the expired ones and mail them to the military.  They can use expired coupons for up to 6 months after the expiration date.
Use what system works best for you.



With me, I have a decent stockpile.  I'm not a hoarder, nor do I have so much that I have it in three rooms.  I do, however, make sure that my kids and I have enough stock for 3-6 months of things.  Couponing is a neccesity now since my husband passed.  I need to make sure that we have what is needed at all times.  So, if I can get deodorant for $.25 or less, I buy 20.  I keep 10 and donate 10.  I'm still paying a lot less than even buying two at full price, and I help others. 


That's how to get started...if you have questions, feel free to ask:)