Couponing 101 - The Basics
When starting to use coupons, it can be very overwhelming. Start by getting an organized collection of coupons.
Where can I find coupons?
- Coupons can be found in the weekend paper
- From friends’ and family’s weekend papers
- Online
- On the sidebar of this blog
- In various magazines (All You is a great coupon Magazine available in the check out aisles at Wal-Mart)
- From product packaging
- On hang tags at stores
- Once you begin, you will see them everywhere!
How should I organize my coupons?
- There are many different ways to organize your coupons. See this blog for some great ideas!
- I started out using a recipe box with index cards for basic categories. My coupons went behind the corresponding index card.
- I soon outgrew this method and went onto a great product called the Couponizer.
- Invent your own system that makes sense and works for you!
- Whatever method you use, be sure to periodically cull out the expired ones. I do this at the end of each month.
What coupons should I collect?
- When I first started out, I only clipped coupons for items I was sure I would use.
- Now, I clip almost all the coupons in the weekend paper, even if I am not sure if I will use them or not. Why?
- When combined with store sales, rewards programs, and other promotions, many items that I wouldn’t normally buy end up being significantly cheaper than my “usual” brand (or even free)! I have learned not to be brand loyal. In other words, if I can obtain toothpaste, shampoo, soap, BBQ sauce, ketchup, or other household necessity for free or very cheap, it makes sense to buy the brand on sale rather than my “usual” brand. It makes even more financial sense to buy many of these items and store them for use later. This is called Stockpiling. And this is where your savings will really add up!
- Once you begin using coupons aggressively, you will notice trends in store sales and coupon offers. Follow MainelyMom.com and I will guide you through this fun, money-saving process!
Common Coupon Lingo:
- Overage: Encountered at most often at Walgreens, but can happen anywhere. When the value of the coupon(s) exceed the value of the item you are purchasing. This is fun! Sometimes it is allowed, and sometimes the coupon is adjusted down so there is no overage. YMMV (your mileage may vary) depending on the store, and even the particular cashier at the store. If I have overage, I try to purchase another item to absorb it. This is called a filler.
- Fillers: Small purchases that you add on to your order to absorb any coupon overage. At Walgreens, fillers also ensure that you have at least one item in your order for each manufacturer’s coupon you are using. Register Rewards count as a mfc. If you are buying a product and have one mfc for it, and one RR you wish to use, you will need a filler for the RR. At Walgreens, I can almost always find individual holiday pencils on clearance for $.09, maximizing the value of my RR. See my information below on Walgreens.
- MFC: Manufacturer’s Coupon. These can be found online, in the newspaper, in stores, on product packaging, in magazines, in mail offers. Only one mfc can be used per item purchased.
- Stacking: When you can combine a store coupon with a mfc. Different stores have different policies on this. In my area (central Maine), Walgreens and Target allow stacking.
- BOGO: Buy One Get One Free.
- Transaction: A transaction is when the cashier rings up your items, coupons are handed over, and you pay. Multiple transactions are when you ring up your items and pay for them multiple times. Be kind: if you want to do multiple transactions, make sure there is no line behind you. Other customers appreciate this, as do the cashiers.
- Out of Pocket: This is what you pay after all coupons. The goal is to get this as low as possible!
This site has great information on coupon use!
Shaw’s basics - Shaws doubles up to 6 like coupons with a face value up to $0.99 and in most cases you can use a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon.
