Beginners Guide to Couponing
This week I want to spend some time going back over a few basics with those that are just starting out in the coupon world or those just needing a refresher course!So are you ready? Let’s go!
So, you want to save some money, but you aren’t sure how to get started? With coupons, of course! This post is all about saving big with coupons, without going all crazy coupon lady on anyone. Be sure to leave your couponing tips in the comments!
Be Prepared
First, you have to find the coupons. Are you going to use the Sunday paper? Get a subscription so you don’t pay full price each week. You’re a couponer now! Never pay full price. 🙂 Are you going to print coupons? Get the most inexpensive paper you can find, and set your printer to print in “grayscale”. It’ll save you ink, and money. Keep an eye out for deals from Office Max, Office Depot, etc for sales on paper and other supplies.
*My Tip- instead of grabbing coupons out of the paper each week, I use a coupon clipping service! You can see a few choices and my tips on coupon clipping services over here.
Next, get organized! Whether you’re going to use the binder method, the filing method, or some other method you come up with, the coupons must be organized or you’re going to waste time. And we all know that time is money, honey! If you find that you spend too much time organizing coupons, then try my method posted here!
Make your shopping list, then head to the store! When you make your list, you want to pay attention to three things: what’s on sale, which items you have coupons for, and which items you need/want. (download the Favado app that can help you with that!)
Once your shopping list is complete, gather your coupons. Keep them all in the front of your binder for easy access, but don’t leave the rest of your coupons at home. Take them with you just in case you see an unadvertised deal in-store that you can get for free or really cheap with your coupons.
If your store price matches, be sure to grab your local ads so you can save even more money on your next shopping trip!
Tips and Tricks to Keep in Mind
It’s important to shop at the right stores, too. Whether you prefer to shop at Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, or a local grocery chain, it’s important to check the prices at each so you don’t waste any money. Creating a price list is a great idea, because you won’t have to rely on memory (we all know how accurate that is) when it comes to pricing things.
Realize that it’s not all about the coupons – the big savings come when you combine price matching, coupons, and store sales. That is why it is important to stay on top of the ads each week – you don’t want to miss a thing! Be sure to download the Favado Smartphone app that will do all of those three things for you! All you have to do is push a few buttons!
n. If you have several coupons, go ahead and buy several items (pay attention to coupon policies). Even if you can’t use them right away, if you got the items for free or cheap you can put them in your stock pile or donate them to charity.
Last but not least: be patient! Coupons aren’t designed to work well as soon as you get them. Pay attention to sales cycles, store sales, and your price list so you know exactly when you should use your coupons to get the most bang for your buck.
What are your best couponing tips for beginners? Share them in the comments!
You can find more basic coupon tips in our Coupon Basic Section!
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