How to Coupon

Mid-way through 2007, I heard about people saving a lot of money on grocery shopping via using coupons. I am all about saving money so I tried. I bought the Sunday paper, cut the coupons and waited until I went to the grocery store to buy what I needed. Well I only managed to save $2-$3 and it really wasnt worth it.

FASTFORWARD 2 years, now I am saving at least 50% - 80% at the cash register. THIS IS HOW!!

First there is no real set way on couponing. After reading websites and watching at least 20 youtube videos. I have my own methods which works for me. You are welcome to do as I do, but please feel free to "re-mix" it if you want.

You will need:

PEN

COUPON BOOKLET

FILING SYSTEM

EASIEST METHOD: GETTING YOUR COUPONS & STORING THEM AWAY.

In your local paper, not sure which one - but please check for your city, you should receive a booklet of coupons. Sometimes it is one, sometimes two or three. The coupon booklets that come out on Sundays are either Redplum, Valassis, Smart Source or Proctor and Gamble (P&G).

If you are just starting out, I would advice you to buy one or two papers. Flip through the coupon booklet to see what you have in there. Taking a pen or marker, on the front page, write the date in the form of MM/DD.

  - Note: they say you should buy as many papers to equate the number of people in your household.

From there, you file your booklets in date order in your filing system and that is it!! It takes about 1-2 months of saving up coupons from the paper to really be effective at couponing. Don’t get discouraged during this time as you see deals and sales using coupons that you don’t have yet. You can also get coupons online in the mean time

If you want to know what coupons will be printed for the coming Sunday go to Sunday Coupon Preview

Some coupons can be found online. They are readily available at Coupon.com, Redplum.com, Company websites, Facebook sites, in stores and you can sometimes purchase a bundle of coupons online.You can also get ecoupons. Yes electronic coupons. These are coupons that can be loaded onto your grocery store loyalty card, and are redeemed when the purchase requirements are met.

2. EASIEST METHOD: GETTING DEALS

The easiest way to get the deals and to pay less for items, is to buy the items when on sale.

I subscribe to sites such as Iheartpublix, Hip2Save and Southernsavers. These sites help me find the deals.

Some of the sites are able to preview the deals, but on the whole they match your coupons (that you have filed away) with what is on sale.There are a number of sites that go into great detail for you. So google them or click on the buttons on the right hand side of this page.

3. SOME OF THE LINGO USED

When looking at deals on different websites/blogs, you will find that a number of abbreviations are used. Do not be put off. After a while this will become second nature.

Here is a typical list of Abbreviations.

BOGO – Buy One, Get One Free
cat – catalina
ECB – Extra Care Buck (prints at CVS)
imo – in my opinion
IP – internet printable coupon
MIR – mail in rebate
MQ – manufacturer coupon
peelie – an adhesive coupon attached to product
PG – Proctor and Gamble Insert
OOP – out of pocket
q – coupon
RP – Redplum Insert
RR – Register Reward (prints at Walgreens)
SCR – Single Check Rebate (Rite Aid)
SS – Smart Source Insert
SQ – store coupon
wyb – when you buy
w/in ad q – with in ad coupon
ymmv – you mileage may vary

An Example

Finesse Mousse, Hair Spray 7 to 8.5 oz, $1.99
-$1/1 Finesse Product 5/16/2010 SS Insert (exp 8/15/2010)
Each styling product is just 99¢ after coupon! 

In English this reads:

A Finesse Mouse Hair Spray (7 to 8.5 oz) is on retailing at $1.99

Get your $1 off 1 Finesse Product  coupon from your 5/16/2010 Smart Source Insert. This coupon expires (8/15/2010)

 Each styling product is just 99¢ after coupon!