Things You'll Need:
- Printer
- Spreadsheet software
- Sunday newspapers
- Coupon organizer
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Step 1
The first step in couponing is having coupons! Whether you buy Sunday newspapers or have them delivered, the #1 rule of couponing is NEVER THROW OUT COUPONS. I can guarantee that something you think you may *never* need or want can end up being useful in couponing.
I find it common for newbies to ignore this advice, but please don't. You'll kick yourself later. -
Step 2
Many new coupon users have trouble budgeting their stockpiling.
It helps to plan out your shopping trip on a spreadsheet beforehand. I use one created by Erica at iheartcvs.com. See the resources section below for links to free spreadsheet software (if you do not have MS Office) and a link to the spreadsheet. -
Step 3
Keep your shopping lists. Tracking what you often buy also helps identify what items you should be stockpiling. Most savvy shoppers realize that grocery stores have wild fluctuations in their pricing. Why pay $1.99 for the pasta you need this week when *last* week you could buy it with a coupon when it was on sale and pay only 25 cents, or even get it free?
When things are cheap or free I try to pick up a six month stock. But you don't have to start big, do what you can and plan for the future. -
Step 4
Grocery stores put out their new advertisements on Tuesday for sales starting Wednesday. Check out CouponMom.com for what is on sale in your area. I try to concentrate on items that can be purchased 80% off or more.
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Step 5
CVS pharmacy is the best drugstore in the USA, in my opinion. Every month they have at least two free items, and weekly free items also. Their ExtraCare Bucks program jumpstarted me into couponing. Check out iheartcvs.com for major savings. Erica at iheartcvs.com is amazing!
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Step 6
My system of organizing works for me, but everyone I know does it a bit differently.
Here are my tips:
Clipping every single coupon is a huge waste of time once you are fully stocked with current Sunday inserts. Instead I check both of my delivery Sunday papers and decide which one has the best coupons, then I go to the newstand and buy four more.
* I collect 6 Sunday inserts and it seems adequate for my family of four.
* Having the same exact insert in duplicate makes organizing much easier
* I separate the fliers into single pages, then collate the pages
* Coupons that I know will be used are clipped and filed into my coupon organizer (see resources for a recommendation)
* Remaining single pages are kept collated and intact, slid into 3-hole punched clear page protectors and filed into a large 3-ring binder for easy storage and viewing. It is easier than it sounds ;)
