Beginner's guide to super couponing!

Find some coupons!

Coupons can be acquired from several different sources. I will explain to you a few of the sources that I know of that you can use to start building up your coupon supply.

The Sunday newspaper inserts are your best place to find coupons. Every Sunday you can expect to see 1-4 inserts in your paper. They will range from Proctor and Gamble, General Mills, Red Plum and Smart Source.

• I recommend purchasing 1 newspaper per household member. To see if you would like to purchase additional newspapers you can go to Taylortown Preview Saturday night for a list on what coupons will be in the Sunday newspaper.
• Ask your friends and family for coupons. If, they get the newspaper they’ll probably be happy to give them to you. If, they aren't using them.
• All You magazine sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. The cost is $2.49 and it well worth every penny. I usually buy a couple of these at least.
• Internet Printable Coupons- Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Box Tops for Education, Coupon Bug, Coupons.com, Red Plum, Smart Source. Must of all Internet coupons can be printed twice by simply pressing the back button and then your refresh button.
• eCoupons- Are an internet (or mobile) coupon you can download onto your loyalty cards (Safeway, City Market & King Soopers here in Pueblo).  No need to clip any coupons.  The two main ones I use are Cellfire and Shortcuts, but you can find others under printable coupons on the right hand side of this page!
• Look for blinkies these are the little red machines located throughout a store that are placed in front of a specific product offering money off of that product.
• Catalinas these are coupons that are printed out by stores after you purchase a certain product.
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  Peelies these are types of coupon that are stuck onto products.

Double Coupon 101

Let's say you have a $.35 coupon if a store doubles it's worth $.70, but if you have a $.75 coupon it will only be double up to $1.00 and if you have a $1.00 coupon it will just be $1.00.

Here in Colorado we have two major retailers that doubles coupons everyday King Soopers (City Market) and Safeway.  Albertsons do double coupons, but you have to watch their ads because it's not all the time!

Coupon Lesson #4 - Readers Questions

First I have to start by saying "I LOVE MY READERS", especially when they empower me with their coupon questions! I feel like Miss Coupon when someone asks little ole' me a coupon question! So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Question #1

I have a baby in diapers can you please tell me where you would recommend purchasing diapers from? - Amy

Amy, normally I buy my diapers from drugstores... yep drugstores. The reason being is because they have some of the most competitive weekly ads around. Combined with their rewards/rebate programs and coupons you can actually make money while you shop. For example each week items are offered cheap or free after rebate/store coupon. When you add a coupon in the mix to those cheap or free items, they become a money maker.

Question #2

How many items of each do you purchase when you stock up on an item? -Debbie M.

Debbie M., sales are normally ran every 12 weeks. So I purchase enough to last me until the next sale, depending on how much of that item my family will use in 12 weeks. Some super-couponers recommend 6 months on non-perishables.

Question #3

How much time does it take to clip and sort your coupons? - Jamie

Jamie, I send on average one hour of time each week clipping and organizing my coupons.

Question #4

At what price or percentage off retail, do you build a stockpile? -April

April, my stockpile is built by items I have purchased for around 25% off retail value or less (often free).

Question #5

Do you save more than you spend on printing coupons? -Dave

Dave, absolutely!!! You can always conserve your ink by changing your printer settings to gray scale and black cartridge only.

Do you have a question you would like me to answer?

Email me at pennypincher77@live.com

Free Coupon Lesson #3 - Pueblo Penny Pincher

Free Coupon Lessons

Lesson #3

Two statements I get ALL THE TIME...

“it’s cheaper for me to buy generic then to use coupons”
I have said many times before, but I remember the days I thought I had to shop at Walmart because their prices were the lowest, but then I started clippin’ coupons!
The “secret” to couponing is matching coupons to store sales and promotions/rebates/etc.
For example, if you were to go to Walmart or Super Target and buy a 4 pack of Yoplait yogurt you would pay $2.00 (groceries stores on non-sale days would be higher), but lets say Safeway is having a sale this week for $1.50 each and I have a $0.50 coupon which at Safeway they double coupons so now my $0.50 coupon is worth a $1.00. So instead of paying $2.00 at Walmart, you have paid $1.00 at Safeway... pretty sweet deal huh!

“there is never coupons for items I buy”
I love this question because it’s funny... I always ask when someone says that. Do you brush your teeth or wash your hair? Sure sometimes you can't be picky about what brand your spaghetti sauce is, but who cares when you can buy 3 jars for the price of one! I do have a couple of favorites that I’m willing to pay more for, but I still look for them when they are on sale (fyi Charmin Blue Package t.p. lol and Captain Crunch cereal ha).

I'm ready to get started couponing - Lesson 2

Lesson #2

(if you haven't read lesson #1, you can go here first)

You're probably wondering how do I get a year supply of toothpaste for FREE. Well, it's pretty simple... COUPONS! The common question is where do I get them. The best and least expensive place to get your coupons is with MULTIPLE newspaper subscription (Sunday & weekends only). For example the Sunday Denver Post is $2.00 each on the news stands, but when you subscribe with the link above it's only $0.63 per week. I currently get four papers per week, unless there are some smokin' coupons and then I might get an additional paper or two. Yes, you read that right I get a minimum of four papers per week. The reason being is when an item is at rock bottom or free it's hard to stock up on it, if I only have one coupon. For example this week at King Soopers they are having a promotion in which you can get Land O Lake butter, Bumble Bee Tuna, Playtex gloves, Carnation evaporated milk, Halls cough drops, Rolaids, and others when you use your coupons. If, I only had one paper I would only be able to get one of each item for free. Instead I was able to get five!

Another great way is to ask your neighbors, friends and family if you can have their unused coupon inserts. You can also get tons of free printable coupons at Coupons.com, Red Plum, SmartSource, Target (remember you can use Target coupons w/ manufacturer coupons for the same item), Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Box Tops for Education, Coupon Bug, Eat Better America, Brinks.Coupons.com.

How do I get started couponing?

Lesson #1

I'm often asked how to get started couponing. My answer is the same every time. Change the way you shop! Get rid of everything you know about grocery shopping. I remember when I thought I had to shop at Walmart because their prices were the cheapest... well at least I thought they were. Until you change the way you think you will be forced to pay retail.

Two years ago I was spending $125 (at least) per week. Two years later our household budget is $50 per week and we have a 1 year old daughter in diapers and a 15 year old growing boy (and our pantry overflows)! I'm telling you this to encourage you to start couponing and start saving!!! Maybe you want to buy a new car, but can't fit it in your budget, think again you can! By saving even $60 a week you will save over $3000 a year! Before you know your average grocery bill savings will be in the 50-90% range!

Because the truth of it is, the more you have, the more you can give!!!

I believe we all desire to make a difference in lives of others!

I will start by preparing you that you will go to the store a lot. I say this in a joking mater, but it's the truth. For example this week at Albertson's you can get General Mills products for FREE (granola bars, nut clusters and even some cereal). So I'm going to use the coupons I already have and then depending on my "stock pile" I will purchase more coupons or just use the coupons I have.

Before you will know it, you will have a year supply of toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, fruit snacks & granola bars (among other things) in your stock pile! If, there is any secret to couponing it is "buying when an item is on sale BEFORE you need, so when you do need it you don't have to pay full price"!