new to couponing

**marlas1too** · 10-06-2011, 01:00 PM

i watched extreme couponing on tv last night and all i can say OMG i have got to do couponing but i have never done it so how do i go about it ??? please help

**Josephhgoins** · 10-06-2011, 03:28 PM

There are several basics you can do. First thing I got to tell you is don't get caught up with buying because its cheap or nearly free. You may be like me and end up with a bunch of stuff you don't need.

Next, you need coupons. You can print them at coupons.com, couponnetwork.com, couponsuzy.com or just buy them. I use couponcarry out for some of mine.

Now you need to find out your stores coupon policy, read it and learn it. Some double certain coupons all the time, some just on certain days. Harris Teeter will sometimes do triple coupons.

they way they do so well is they combine sales with coupons. I do this too. 2 weeks ago the peanut butter I like was on sale at Lowes foods for 2 for $3. Lowes doubles any coupons under $1.00. I had 2 coupons and bought 10 more that were for 75 cents off. So I got the peanut butter for the cost of the coupons (I got about 40 coupons for 3.50)

I go online to each of the grocer stores I shop at each week and check their flyer for sales of things that I buy. I then check for coupons at the sites listed above and go from there. Most of my stores sales last Wed to Tuesday, so Wed morning I check the flyers and order any coupons that I need. That way they are here in time for me to get the items I need.

Also, don't forget to think outside of the box. Some of the best deals on Sugar I got this year was from Walgreens. Who would think of buying sugar from the pharmacy.

Lastly, you are not going to do as good as they do. Most of the time their stores let them get away with murder. All of my local stores have a only 4 or 10 of the same coupons per transaction. Most even have a coupon limit of 40 or 50 coupons total.

Using my coupons I was able to stay within my normal budget this year and I have years worth of deodurant, shampoo, soap, body wash, peanut butter, canned veggies, and clothes detergent.

I wish you luck! I remember the pics of your stockpile and if I see any good sales on I will let you know.

**Josephhgoins** · 10-06-2011, 03:34 PM

oh another trick for coupons. Email the companies you buy things from and tell them how much you like their product and ask for coupons. Crisco and Smuckers I know will send you 2 ea 55 cent off coupons per request.

**Libby** · 10-06-2011, 03:39 PM

marla its not as scary and over dramatic as that show makes it seem. Stores are also getting more restrictive with their coupon acceptance so heads up. Joseph gave some great tips.

I'm a bit envious b/c couponing here in Canada is nowhere near as easy/awesome as it is in the US. Though I have matched coupons w/sales and got what I considered bargains. I will say this: you have to know your limits: prices, usage, storage etc.

Know your prices so when a coupon and advertisement come out - you'll know if its truly a sale or bargain when you combine them.

Do you actually/Will you use the item(s) that you have a coupon(s) for? No sense in buying something b/c of its low price if you will never use it. If you're going to buy it to get the overages (if they still allow) would you donate those items that you're getting for free? As in will you really go and drop it off for donation vs letting it take up valuable space in your home?

Lastly - do you have somewhere to house the deeply discounted items? Is it protected from the sun yet heated for winter and sturdy enough to house the items? Is it dry etc?

Just start small - small victories end up with the greatest rewards. My once nekkid shelves in the laundry room are now crammed full of stuff we will use and its enough to last me until sometime next year around this time - with the exception of paper products. (paper towels/tp)

Have fun with it and good luck

**Ramona** · 10-06-2011, 03:46 PM

I check my supermarket circular and drugstore circulars and if what I need is on sale

, I go here and try and pick up a coupon and print it out:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/print-coupons/

Scroll down when you get there, they're in alphabetical order.

**Cinders** · 10-16-2011, 10:24 AM

Keep in mind, Extreme Couponing is a dramatization. Many stores waived their policies in order to tape the show. You will often hear the shoppers say this is their "biggest haul or trip". That is because it isn't even typical for them! What they have stored took time too. I like though that it has brought interest and frugality to many homes.

First thing is to start saving coupons. The longer you coupon, the more your savings and deals will be. This is because while most coupons expire within a month or two, you will still accumulate ones with longer expiration dates. Invest in a binder. I didn't bother buying a premade one, I made one of my own for half the cost and it is way nicer. The best place to get coupons is buy multiple newspapers. Look online for coupon schedules. Weeks that have 4 or 5 inserts, I will buy 12 papers. I have also bought coupons online by couponcarryout or Coupons by Dede. I started posting my trips on Facebook, and now I have local people giving me coupons because they know I will use them.

Next, when your are learning don't stress yourself out! Do a google search and match your local stores. For example in Google, I type "CVS Matchup 10/16" and bloggers will already post the best deals and tell you to use which coupon to buy with which product. I really rely on this since I work about 50 hours a week and until last week was also going to graduate school. Drugstores are the best place to start, because you really learn "how" and you will be able to quickly get many things for free.