If you’re new to couponing, don’t worry. Learn about the best couponing secrets in this ultimate guide to couponing for the beginner.
If you haven’t begun dabbling in the couponing world until now, then you’ll be surprised by how much time and dedication it takes to coupon effectively. We’re not talking about finding one awesome coupon to use on your favorite cleaning product. We’re talking about completing entire grocery trips and spending under $5 or even getting paid to shop!
Couponing to this extent is an art. You’ll need to know what you’re doing before you ever walk through the grocery store’s doors. With a few couponing secrets from us, however, you’ll be on your way to extreme couponing in no time.
If you want to start couponing but aren’t sure where to begin, then continue reading below. Here’s everything you need to know about couponing in our couponing guide for beginners!
Gather the Supplies
You know you need coupons to begin couponing, but coupons aren’t the only necessary supplies to become successful. If you’re going to take couponing seriously, then you’re going to need to stock up on some important couponing supplies.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Computer or laptop
- Printer with ink
- Binder with plastic dividers and labels
- Coupons
That’s all the supplies you’ll need, but we encourage you to gather everything together before you begin.
Collect Your Coupons
Now that you have your necessary couponing supplies, it’s time to collect your coupons. When you think about coupons, you might think about store newsletters, which isn’t incorrect. However, there are more ways than one to collect coupons.
To be the most effective, you’ll need to collect coupons from a variety of sources. This gives you the best chance of racking up the savings. Here are a few different ways to collect your coupons.
Mail and Newspapers
Every so often, you’ll find coupons in your mailbox. Instead of tossing these out without looking at them, set them aside for your couponing collection. You should also subscribe to the weekly newspaper.
Although the subscription will cost you money, if you’re serious about couponing, it’ll save you money in the long run. The weekly newspaper comes loaded with a variety of coupons that you’ll want to take advantage of.
Coupon Websites and Apps
There are several couponing websites and apps that you can use, such as Kroger digital coupons. When locating coupons on couponing websites, you’ll need your laptop or computer to print them. You can even find couponing websites that list all manufacturer coupons.
You can also consider using couponing apps, which won’t require you to print.
Store Flyers and Newsletters
When you walk into an actual store, there should be store flyers near the entrance and newsletters posted on bulletin boards. Be sure to grab these flyers as you walk in. Something else you might want to check out is signing up for an email newsletter.
Ask the store if they have an email list that you can join. If so, then you’ll have deals and coupons sent right to your phone!
Organize Your Coupons
When things get real in the couponing world, you’ll need to stay calm and organized. The more you get into couponing, the more coupons you’ll accumulate. To ensure you’re always getting the best deals, you’ll need to have all coupons organized in a way that makes accessing them and using them easy and error-free.
Here are some great organization tips.
Binders
This is where your binder will come into play. Take your binder with dividers and labels and insert your coupons into the plastic holders. Try to find a binder that as multiple sections in each plastic holder so you can fit multiple coupons on one page neatly.
You want to be able to open your binder and flip through multiple pages that allow you to see all of your coupons’ fronts and backs.
Expiration Dates
As you’re placing your coupons in the binder, be sure to check for expiration dates. All coupons have expiration dates, and you’ll want to be aware of them. Organize them by their expiration dates in a way that works best for you.
You can even consider highlighting the dates on the coupons so they stand out.
Categories
Another way to organize your coupons is by category. You can organize your coupons based on the store the coupon is for, based on the type of product the coupon is for, and more. Whatever way you want to categorize your coupons, do so in a way that works best for you.
You may need to do a trial and error to determine the best method for you.
Know Your Coupons
The last step is to know your coupons. The last thing you want is to approach the register only to learn that some of your coupons can’t be used on certain items or the store won’t accept them.
Here’s what you need to know.
Stackable Coupons
There are coupons that can be stacked on top of one another. These stackable coupons are normally manufacturer and store coupons. What it means is that you can take a store coupon for a product and use it together with a manufacturer coupon for that same product, getting double the savings.
Manufacturer vs Store
What’s the difference between manufacturer coupons and store coupons? A manufacturer coupon is one that’s issued by the manufacturer of a certain product made by the manufacturer.
A store coupon is one that’s issued by the actual store that you’re buying the item from.
Store and Coupon Policies
Stores have their own couponing policies depending on where you shop. It’s a good idea to have a solid understanding of the couponing policies for the specific store you’re shopping at. You should also know all of the terms given by the coupon itself.
This means read the fine print. If an issue comes up with either the coupon or the store, then you’ll know how to respond.
Can You Keep These Couponing Secrets?
As a beginner couponer, you’ll need to have these couponing secrets in your back pocket. Have this guide handy when you’re ready to begin your own couponing journey, and you’ll be a professional before you know it!
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