Where do I get coupons?
Sunday Newspapers, Blinkie machines, Store flyers, Coupons.com, Smartsource.com, Redplum.com, tearpads in store, winetags, All you Magazine (sold at Walmart), other magazine publications, inside products, free samples recieved in the mail, friends, family, customer loyalty programs such as Gerber, Pampers, Huggies etc. Ebay, coupon cutting services on the internet. I love couponclippers.com. Coupons are everywhere and once you start looking for them they will become more obvious.
How do you organize coupons?
There are several different methods. You just need to find what works best for you. It may be a bot of a trial and error type of situation. I had tried 2 or 3 different organization systems before I found 1 that really worked for me.
The binder? Go here http://www.utahdealdiva.com/2009/09/my-coupon-binder.html for a great example of how to set this up. Thanks Utah Deal Diva
Whole Inserts? There is no cutting involved. I personally use this method. I simply 3 whole punch the inserts, place them in a binder and date them. This way, when I need a coupon, all I have to do is go to the correct week and cut it out. I find that I loose alot less coupons when keeping them intact.
Accordian File? Make different categories for each section. Everybody has their own different “ideal”: categories. Such as Meats, Dairy, Beverages, Breakfast etc. You know what will work best for you.
How many prints can you make of each online coupon?
Most websites allow you 2 prints per coupon. The easiest way is to print the 1st copy then hit the back button and refresh the page. This will send the 2nd copy to your printer.
What if I am out of ink and want a Internet printed coupon?
Go ahead and send it to your printer. It will keep that file until you are ready to print it. This way you will not miss out on the coupon.
Why was a coupon mentioned not in my weekly inserts?
Some coupons are regional therefore not everyone will get them. The amount of the coupon may also vary from region to region.
How many newspapers should I get each Sunday?
Some say 1 per person in your household. There is no right or wrong. It depends on how much you want to buy. My only advice is that you always buy an even number of papers. This is primarily for B1G1 deals. That way you can use 1 coupon for each item. I personally buy 4 to 6 papers a week and we have 6 family members. It is an individual decision. And everyone has a different rhyme or reason for their own amounts bought.
What is a stockpile?
A stockpile are the items that you buy at the lowest possible price. Sales on products run in cycles. So you want to purchase enough to last your family until the next cycle. Now, when I say stockpile, I am not saying go out and buy 100 tubes of toothaste just because it is free. Buy what you will need until the expiration date comes or the next approx. sale cycle. As you get a feel for things, you will learn what you need for your families stockpile.Now, with that said, I will quite often buy more than I know we will use so we can donate it to the local battered womens shelter and the children’s home. I coupon for my family and not like the TLC Extreme Coupon show. SO, when I say stockpile dont mistake it for the shows “stockpile”
How do you get started with a stockpile and what do you start with?
First, realize that building a stockpile for your family does not happen overnight. It takes time. Take a portion of your weekly budget and dedicate it building you stockpile. If you were to take your whole food budget and apply it you may get some killer
deals….. but it would be hard to feed you family on just the items you are able
to stock up on that week. So if your weekly budget is $100.00 then apply $10 of
that just to your stockpile. That way you are still able to provide the basics
for your family.
My food stockpile consists of pasta, sauces, cake and brownie mixes, peanut butter, jelly, pickles, canned goods, cereals etc. My “other” stockpile consists of toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, soaps, sanitizers, razors, floss, shampoo. comditioner, laundry needs etc.
What are the sale cycles?
These are not set in stone, but if history repeats itself then approximately every 3 months, products will go on sale and they well vary in price sometimes just a few pennies, or up to a
few dollars. Also sales will come by season, for example in January and February there will
be lots of new coupons for health or diet food.In the summer we will see lots of picnic and BBQ items on sale, or sun screen and razors. We should be able to get salad dressing, mayo and pasta at great prices.
salad, sports drinks, crackers etc. for a good price. In the Fall you will see
a great price on baking items, and canned goods.
What don’t I pay for? (or pay very minimal for….50 or less)
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, bodywash, hair products, deoderant, dish soap, fabric softner sheets,condiments, pasta sauce There is more, but you get the point. You will eventually set your standards as well.
