I know some of you are new to couponing, so I wanted to share my tips to beginning and growing your coupon stash.
1. Subscribe to the Sunday paper. There are anywhere between 1-4 inserts each Sunday and after just a few weeks, you’ll have a good start to your stash. The typical inserts include Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP), and P&G. There is usually a big P&G insert at the beginning of the month, so you’ll want to make sure to get that one.
I recommend subscribing rather than just picking up the paper, though, since there are more coupons for subscribers. Many papers offer options to just buy the weekend or Sunday paper, which may be cheaper for you.
2. Along the same lines, it can help to get multiple copies of the inserts. Some ways to do this include asking friends, family, or neighbors that don’t use coupons for theirs, checking recycling centers/bins, or ordering multiple papers. And yes, I have gone to the recycling bins and I’m amazed at how many coupons are thrown away each week!
3. Sign up for Samples. Each week, I highlight many different FREEBIES that companies are offering. Although it is great to try the samples, they usually come with some high value coupons as well.
4. Use Printable Coupons. There are multiple places to get printable coupons. You can scroll and print coupons from coupons.com in my sidebar or go directly to Coupons.com! You can print each coupon twice (until they are reset) and new coupons come out each month.
Other places to get printable coupons include:
5. Check your grocery store for “blinkies”, those little machines on the isles that have coupons. I never paid attention to these before, and actually didn’t even see them. But once I started using coupons, I was amazed at how many of these machines are out there! Many times the coupon will match with an item already on sale, but if it doesn’t I just hold on to it until that sale comes up (and since they are manufacturer coupons, you can use them at any store that takes coupons).
6. After you check out, you will probably get coupons or “catalinas” printed with your receipt (especially if you used coupons in your transaction). Many people disregard these, but they tend to be products that you have just purchased or similar products. They usually can only be used at the store you just shopped at, but if you frequent the store, you will most likely use it.
7. Check the products you buy for coupons inside packaging. Many products come with coupons to buy the same product, most Glade products, razors, feminine products or diapers do this (in my experience). Again, this is something I didn’t pay attention to until I started couponing, but there are plenty of products with coupons in them, and many times they are high value, too.
8. Sign up for e-coupons. These sites allow you to load coupons onto your shopping card. Nice service so you don’t have to clip or carry any of the coupons.
9. Many stores also have printable coupons on their websites, too. Some duplicate each other, but if it is an item you need/want then that is a good thing!
10. Check resources. Use the Coupon Database to find coupons for the products you want or need. It will save you time and money!
Of course these are just some things that work for me. Are there ways that you have built your coupon stash? What works/what doesn’t? I’d love to hear your tips!
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