Since I’ve started this blog a little over two weeks ago, I’ve been learning how to save money by learning how to coupon. In that time I’ve been able to save up to 91% on a recent trip to Target as well as paid $0.76 (before taxes) at Walmart for buying the things I’d be using everyday. I decided to start a How to Coupon series where I share what I have learned so far from couponing, and go from there. I hope this will help anyone else who wants to learn to do what I’m doing. It’s no where near extreme couponing, but I want to save as much money as I can. I will be linking my posts under the, “How to Coupon” tab to make the posts easier to find in the future.
First things first. Where to find coupons?
Sunday Newspaper Inserts
Depending on your region, most newspapers have up to two or more inserts on any given Sunday. Be on the look out for Redplum, P&G and Smart Source for manufacturer coupons which can be stacked with in-store coupons for additional savings.
Magazines
The best magazine that I recommend getting a subscription to is All You magazine which can be find at Walmart. You can typically find over $50 worth of savings, and most the coupons are grocery coupons. You can even find them in magazines you’d never think of looking in. I’ve found a few good coupons in Shape magazine for buy one get one free Pure Protein bars.
In store
You ever see those coupon dispensers at the store? Well, that’s what I’m talking about here. I seem to be finding them more and more lately in my local stores. Also, I’ve been noticing lately that some people will leave unused coupons laying around the stores if they are not using them, and it could be an unexpected surprise if it’s coupon you’ve been looking for. I recently found a coupon on one of the bread shelves at Walmart for $0.50/1 Bison chips dip and I had been searching everywhere for this coupon to buy chip dip for my boyfriend.
Online
There are a lot of places you can find printable coupons online from Facebook, to manufacturers websites. Here are a few places you should sign up to if you’re looking for printable coupons:
Red Plum
Smart Source
P&G
Coupons.com
Direct from the Manufacturer
You can email a company and request coupons and you might just receive them. Recently, I emailed Folgers a compliment saying how much I loved Folgers coffee and asked if they gave out coupons. About a week later, I received a letter in the mail with two manufacturer’s coupons good for a $1/1 which doesn’t expire until June 2012. I ended up pairing my coupons with a good sale at Rite Aid and only paid $5.99 each for two tubs of 2lbs of coffee!
On products
These days you can find a lot of coupon stickers on products, or sometimes inside the box of a product. I have found coupons for $3/2 Axe Bodywash, $1/1 Listerine, $1.50/1 Kashi product, etc just for products I was already buying.
Store mailings
When you sign up for a stores loyalty card, make sure to leave your correct address incase the store sends out special store mailers.
