Here's the great thing about modern couponing. You don't have to clip all of your coupons each week and file them each away in little plastic baseball card holders/notebooks like I've done in the past. It is a LOT of work for coupons that you MIGHT use, and for me personally it is rather tempting to see coupons languishing, precut and ready, in my old coupon binder. I am more likely to impulse buy when this happens, which does NOT save me any money.
There is a better way! Just get a file folder and take out the coupon inserts (Red Plum, Smart Source, etc) and put it in the file folder along with the date from each Sunday paper like so:
This way they are ready and organized for the next step.
I still like to look at the store circulars because I'm highly visual and pictures click with me. But, when you are short on time and don't want to have to wade through miles of newspaper, there is another option (and it will make your life SUPER easy!) and that is to do the footwork all online. I like the coupon mom website for this, but there are many others out there including krazy coupon lady. *Side note: I usually do this part coupon organization/matching during naptime or after the Little goes to bed* To find the best prices, let them do the "work" for you. Here's how (I'm using coupon mom as an example, as I love that site!):
Whenever possible, stack a store coupon on top of a special price. Safeway will offer you special prices based on items you have previously purchased that you can load to your card for easy savings that can also stack onto coupons, because it is a special store price and not a manufacturer coupon (read Part 1 of the coupon series if you need a refresher on that). Recently I got a special price (NOT a coupon, but a reduced price offer) on my favorite kind of pickles. It just so happens that I also had a $1 off two manufacturer coupon, so I ended up getting two jars of my favorite pricey pickles for less than half price. Sweet!
Also, keep in mind that for fresh produce, meat, and other perishables often the store circular is where you are going to find the best prices, so it's still worthwhile to look at the paper circular or the online version.
It really, really helps to stay organized. I use a coupon wallet for shopping the day of, which keeps my coupons in categories and organized. I also make sure I have a list (and often my smart phone which allows me to double check prices etc) with me. It is easier to shop without my little one, as she distracts me (and eats coupons. No joke).
This way they are ready and organized for the next step.
I still like to look at the store circulars because I'm highly visual and pictures click with me. But, when you are short on time and don't want to have to wade through miles of newspaper, there is another option (and it will make your life SUPER easy!) and that is to do the footwork all online. I like the coupon mom website for this, but there are many others out there including krazy coupon lady. *Side note: I usually do this part coupon organization/matching during naptime or after the Little goes to bed* To find the best prices, let them do the "work" for you. Here's how (I'm using coupon mom as an example, as I love that site!):
- Go to www.couponmom.com and go to grocery deals by state, select your state, and then select "Search items' best prices across all stores" and type in what you are looking for. I am looking for packaged Halloween candy for a good price to hand out at Halloween, so I type in "Mars."
- They do all the work for you on where the best deals are. Here is what came up for me:
I see that there is a deal that works well for me at Rite Aid, with coupons that came out in the a September Red Plum coupon flyer. I choose the Rite Aid deal because I already know I will be going there to pick up a prescription anyway, and will be using the "up rewards" probably the day after this purchase. Your time is worth money, too! If you have to drive across town or make a special trip for one or two items, you may not really be saving money. Consider that when choosing which store has the best deal for YOU :)
I get the folder out with the coupon date that Coupon mom gave me, open the folder and find the Red Plum flyer. There's my coupon! I clip it and am ready to go! Easy peasy folks! :) (remember, you also might need a coupon that came out in the store's weekly flyer, which often happens at places like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and some grocery stores. If you don't have that flyer, you can usually ask at customer service and get one)
You can also use a coupon database to stack store sale coupons. Websites like Coupon Mom will go through the weekly ad for you and show you where you can stack coupons (such as by listing Safeway weekly specials and what coupons are still current that would apply). They will tell you when a coupon came out for the products that are on sale and what circular it is in (e.g., "Red Plum August 12-17 2013"). Go to your handy file folder, find the coupon, and clip! It's that easy!
Whenever possible, stack a store coupon on top of a special price. Safeway will offer you special prices based on items you have previously purchased that you can load to your card for easy savings that can also stack onto coupons, because it is a special store price and not a manufacturer coupon (read Part 1 of the coupon series if you need a refresher on that). Recently I got a special price (NOT a coupon, but a reduced price offer) on my favorite kind of pickles. It just so happens that I also had a $1 off two manufacturer coupon, so I ended up getting two jars of my favorite pricey pickles for less than half price. Sweet!
Also, keep in mind that for fresh produce, meat, and other perishables often the store circular is where you are going to find the best prices, so it's still worthwhile to look at the paper circular or the online version.
It really, really helps to stay organized. I use a coupon wallet for shopping the day of, which keeps my coupons in categories and organized. I also make sure I have a list (and often my smart phone which allows me to double check prices etc) with me. It is easier to shop without my little one, as she distracts me (and eats coupons. No joke).
That's it! Make sure to check your receipt; with a well planned shopping trip, you will be amazed at how much you can save by planning ahead and sticking to the list. As you get familiar with prices, you will be better able to spot a "great deal" and stock up when you find it.
That's it for our beginner's coupon series! Happy Couponing everyone! :)
That's it for our beginner's coupon series! Happy Couponing everyone! :)
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