Couponing 101 - How To Get Started - A Must Read For Beginners

Every day I see people asking to be shown how to coupon.  People wanting to learn to coupon.  Offering to pay someone else to teach them to coupon.  I believe 100% that you do not need to spend money, to save money.  And that you do not have to attend a class to learn to coupon.  Classes are definitely helpful but if you want to learn, and I mean really want to learn, then you can EASILY learn online, without paying someone else and without attending any classes.  That's why I created this blog.  That's why I put so much time into this for you, so you can learn without paying anything and without attending a class (because they really can be hard to find).

If you are going to learn yourself, online, you must be diligent and you must put some time into it.  Read blogs, research things, ask questions to other couponers and jump in head first.  You'll find that's it really very easy.  The hardest part of couponing is simply finding the deals and getting the coupons for the deals.  That's it.  That's all that can be difficult sometimes.

First of all, I want to tell you, that I am NOT an extreme couponer nor do I want to be.  Do I get stuff for free?  Absolutely.  Do I have more than a years worth of stockpile of anything in my home?  Maybe toothpaste, but that's about it.  Generally, you don't have to buy a massive stockpile of anything because sales do come around, again and again.  I never pay for (or pay very little for) toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels...  I get free/really cheap food all the time.  I am a simple couponer, I don't get anything I don't need or wont use, unless I plan to give it away (which I've done in the past many time, if I can help a struggling family, I will definitely get things I don't need).  That said, I could easily start extreme couponing.  And you can too.  BUT I want to tell you one thing that most of these extreme couponers/massive stockpilers don't...  They don't tell you how much their paid for the coupons they used.  Do they still get awesome deals?  Yes, they do.  But it's not always "Completely Free".  They either paid for the newspaper, used a clipping service, or got their inserts in bulk from a coupon fairy.

As you can see, my stockpile is modest.  This is stockpile of detergents.  It doesn't look like grocery store shelves, but it's a decent little stockpile.

My stockpile is a constant work in progress.  It's not always easy to find room for everything.

There was recently a deal at Family Dollar that would get you FREE All Laundry Detergent.  I was able to print 2 x $1/1 coupons a few weeks ago and I had those on hand already, it didn't cost an amount I can even track to print those on 1 piece of paper.  But, for those who purchased 10-20 All Detergents, well here's how much one person paid for 10 coupons on Ebay:

There was also $0.45 shipping.  So, if this person was going for the FD deal, they actually paid $11.95 for 10 All Detergent, which is over $1 each.  Again, not a bad price, but when they tell all their friends about it... They said it was completely free, which just isn't the case.  I just don't want there to be any misconceptions about extreme couponing and stockpiling.  It IS going to cost you some money, you wont actually get everything completely free.  Unless you can find someone to give you a ton of inserts, you are going to have to pay a little bit for coupons.  But hey, $12 for 10 bottles of laundry detergent?  AWESOME deal still.  Now, you can of course get coupons for much cheaper than this, through a clipping service or Coupon Fairy.

Read more about stockpiling HERE.

So, now you've heard my speech.  Let's talk about couponing.

First, where do you get coupons?  I have a whole page written up about it, check it out here and here:

Where is the best place to get coupons?  This is probably one of the first questions you will ask as a newbie couponer.  And the answer is...  All over the place.

Obviously, your first option is the Sunday newspaper.  Check out the Sunday Coupon Preview every week to see what coupons are coming up in the paper and decide if you want to buy it or not.  Remember, inserts are regional so different areas will get different coupons.  The Dollar Store sells papers for $1 but you  may have to get there early to claim yours.

There are some different clipping services online for coupons and inserts.  Many local groups, like my own, also offer Coupon Clipping Services.  However, my go to when I do not have access to a certain coupon, is Coupon Flea Market.  

Print coupon online.  

You can print coupons right here on my blog (Same coupons you will find on coupons.com).  You can also print coupons on these sites:

Smart Source

Hopster -  Not a lot of selection, but you have the option to "Boost" the value of your coupons!

Save.com

Target - Target store coupons and MF coupons

Swagbucks - Earn Swagbucks when you print and redeem coupons

Mobile Coupons

Target – Text OFFERS to 827438

Family Dollar – Text DEALS to 28767

Dollar General – Text JOIN to 34898

Here are some online coupon databases, which are pretty awesome if you are searching for something particular

The Krazy Coupon Lady

Southern Savers

More and more companies are giving out coupons on their Facebook Page.  You can usually get some pretty high value coupons during special promotions.

It never hurts to just ask a company for a coupon.  I have received many coupons from companies, just for asking for coupons.  

Also check out:
Kellogg's Family Rewards
Pillsbury
Betty Crocker
All Kimberly-Clark sites (You will have one logon and password good for all the sites)

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Now that you have coupons, you need to find a system of keeping them and keeping them organized.  Most people find a Coupon Binder is the easiest and more resourceful option.  I have mine organized by Category (Food, Household, Personal Care, Baby, Pets).

On average I get 10 insert sets a week and this is the easiest way for me to store and organize bulk coupons.  You can make your own coupon binder or buy one premade.

A coupon binder is going to cost you, $10-$40, depending on what you get and who you get it from.  I sell them for $10 each.

The most important thing is to figure out what works for you and get organized.

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Now that you are organized, it's time to use those coupons!

Here's some basic lingo you're gonna want to know...

$1/1 = Indicates the value of a coupon, in this case $1 off 1 item
AC: After Coupon
AR: After Rebate
CAT, Catalina: Coupons which print at the register after your purchase is made.
CPN: Coupon
DND: Do Not Double
Double: A coupon that can  be doubled in value
ETS: Excludes Trial Size
MFG, MFR: Manufacturer
OOP = Out of Pocket
P&G: Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
Q: Coupon
RP: Red Plum
SS: Smart Source
Stacking: Using a manufacturer coupon in addition to a store coupon for an even lower price
WYB: When you buy

Check out every store's Coupon Policy before you go, learn what they do and do not allow.
Coupon Policies

*I'm an working creating a page about couponing at each of these stores and I will update with a link as I complete each one.

Albertsons
CVS Pharmacy
Commissary
Dollar General
Family Dollar
Fred Meyer
Rite Aid
Safeway
Target
Walgreens
Walmart
Winco

So, now you know where to get coupons, how to get organized, how to shop at each store...  Now, how do you know where to get deals and what coupons to use?

I follow blogs.  I also find deals on my own, but I've been couponing for years.  Follow my blog and others for the best deals.  We will always give you a break down of what coupons to use, where to get the coupons and how the deal works.  If you have questions, always ask!  I have not seen a blogger who isn't more than happy to help anyone with their questions.

So, that's pretty much it.  Now go get some deals!