Couponing 101

Here are some tips that help me coupon and shop quicker:


Prep:

• First and foremost, decide where you would like to do your groceries and make sure to read that stores coupon policies. This is VERY important. 

• Visit the coupon sites that you like and print the coupons you need as well as (if available) overage coupons.

• Here are a list of sites that I use and love, www.coupondivas.com , www.iheartthemart.com , www.thekrazycouponlady.com , www.mommysavesbig.com - these links are also available on the front page of my blog on the right side.

*Use different zip codes to get different coupons. The ones that work best for me are 77477, 90210, and 10119

{If you shop at Walmart (like I do) they accept price matches as well as overage (overage is when the coupon is worth more than the product and the remaining goes towards the rest of the purchase or is given to the customer in cash)}.

• If you shop at a grocery store that price matches, make sure to visit other stores sites and make a grocery list of products that are cheaper than where you are going (i.e., If I find toothpaste cheaper at Publix than Walmart I will either add that to my grocery list from that site or bring in the flyer so Walmart will price match that item).

*Walmart cashiers usually keep a flyer with items they price match so you don't need to bring anything in with you on your trip, but I prefer to have it just in case. If you don't have access to a computer to make a grocery list, grab the fliers and circle what you need and write them down. 

• After gathering your coupons and grocery lists, organize the coupons and make a note either on your grocery list what items have coupons (I usually just write a "C" for items that have coupons).

*Make sure to read the coupon policies on the coupon.Tricky coupon lingo: most coupons say "Limit one coupon per purchase" this means just the purchase, NOT the entire transaction. So once you have enough coupons to match the product, you can get as many as you want. If it says "Limit one coupon per transaction, you are only allowed 1 coupon for the entirety of your transaction (some places may allow multiple transactions).


*Organizing your coupons is vital to your shopping trip. Use whatever technique works the best for you. I use a 2 inch trapper keeper ($10 @ Walmart) with plenty of pockets and photo page inserts (from Walmart & Hobby Lobby, $2-$4/pk.). Having everything organized will make this venture way less stressful and faster. Here's a site that has some really nice coupon organizers www.couponclutch.com/ .


Let's go shopping!:

• Please make sure to eat a good meal before heading out. These shopping trips can sometimes take 3-4 maybe even 5 hours. The last thing you want to happen is to start purchasing the unnecessary because it all looks good at the moment. You also want to have a good energy level so you can be more alert and focused. Also, keep an eye out for clearance/sale items, the goal is to try and get the most out of your coupons!

• If this is a large shopping trip, I recommend using 2 carts, (hopefully you have someone to go with you). One for items that are NOT price matched and the other for items that ARE price matched. This is an excellent way to organize the cart because when it comes time to pay its going to be fast and stress free for both you and your cashier. They really appreciate this. 

*When getting items that have coupons make sure to check it off your list and put the coupons in a spot where you can place all of them so when it comes time to pay, you know where all your coupons are. 

• Start with non grocery items first and them work your way from the boxed/canned/paper products down to the frozen and produce.

Time to pay:

• Let the cashier know first how you will be setting up the transaction. Start with the price matched cart and place (if any) the BOGO items first, then the items that have various values that are price matched. When your price matching cart is finished continue to the next cart and when everything has been rung up hand the cashier the coupons and watch your total drop!

Just FYI:

• Your first trip couponing will most likely be more expensive because this is all new territory. After that initial purchase, your totals will most likely be less and less because eventually you will end up getting only the items that are on sale or that you have a coupon for. Its a learning experience that will save you a ton of money (sometimes even get paid) and will have you saying "I can't believe I didn't do this sooner!"

Thanks for reading and please feel free to ask me anything!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Sincerely,




Cindy