How to Get Started Couponing
Step 1: Find Coupons
1st step to couponing? Finding coupons! There are MANY options!
Inserts from newspapers
Digital coupons
Printable Coupons (Internet printables)
Peelies
Tearpads
Catalinas
I recommend starting with digital coupons! With digital coupons you simply need to have an account with the store. From there, you would just load the coupon you need onto your store card. For instance, Tide is on sale at Rite aid for $5.94. On their app, there is a $3 digital coupon that you can load/use and pay $2.94!
Once you feel comfortable, start using inserts! Get inserts out of your weekly paper, or if you feel comfortable… buy them from a seller aka Fairy. You would then take one of the coupons from the insert and use it at the store.
Step 2: Using Coupons
Now that you have coupons, the next step is to put them to use in an effective way! When you start out, any savings is good savings… but as you progress in the lifestyle as a couponer, you should shop and save more methodically!
Regular price $4.99= $4.99
Regular price + coupon= $4.99- $1 off= $3.99
Sale Price + coupon= $2.99-$1 off= $1.49
Only buy items when they are on sale! Don’t waste your coupons purchasing items that are full price! Buying items when they’re on sale will help you save the most money! Check out weekly ads to see when items you need are on sale.
Step 3: Stock up
Stock up on items when they’re on their sale cycle. A sale cycle is how often a product is on sale. Every 3-4 months, stores repeat the same sales! Buy enough product to last you until the next sale cycle! This gives you control over what you’re paying for your groceries!
This is an example! Colgate Toothpaste was on sale for $.50 on April 15th. As a Couponer, you should buy enough (stock up) to last your family until the July 7th sale. Stocking up doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a hoarder!
Step 4: Look at Ads. Follow IGers Who Post Breakdowns
Grocery store ads are available Wednesday. Pharmacy ads are available Sunday. Make it a point to look through ads of stores in your area to see if there are any sale items you want to purchase. Use #hashtags to find IGers who post breakdowns for the stores you shop at! (#coupon, #coupons, #couponcommunity, etc.)
Step 5: Go Shopping!
You will NEVER learn how to coupon if you don’t step foot in a store! You can ask a million and one questions about how to do a deal, but you will never truly learn if you don’t leave your couch! Go to the store! Learn their policies! Become friendly with the cashier/managers!
Step 6: Don’t be Afraid to Fail
Couponing is literally a trial and error game! What worked last week, may not work this week! Your total may be higher than expected! You may get an ugly cashier! You may grab the wrong product, it’s okay! Mistakes happen! Don’t let it define you or your couponing experience! Charge it to the game. Take a second, recoup, figure out what went wrong and learn from your mistake!