Day 2: Finding coupons

Coupons are EVERYWHERE, you just need to know where to look. That's what this lesson will be about. The Sunday paper has many coupons, but there are tons more on the internet. Here are a few great places to start looking for coupons:

1) Internet printable (IP) coupons: These are generally higher value than the ones you'll find in the Sunday paper. Before you print, you will need to download some software to your computer from their site. This way, the bar-code will print properly & therefore, scan properly at the store when you go to redeem it. A great thing about IP coupons is that you can generally print 2 copies of each coupon PER computer! You can hit the back button & print again. Each coupon has a unique number printed somewhere on it (under the expiration date, in the lower, left corner, etc) to show that it is not a copy. If you have 2 computers, you would be able to get a total of 4 (generally) of each coupon! Great way to rack up your savings!

*Word of caution: If you think you might use a coupon you see on the internet, PRINT IT! They generally have a print limit (a certain number the manufacturer sets) & once that number has been hit, they pull that particular coupon. Here are some great sites:

Coupons.com: They put out new coupons ALL the time. You can even sign up to get their emails so you know when new coupons are out.

Smartsource.com: They also put out new coupons all the time, but they have different coupons than coupons.com.

Redplum.com: This site is newer than the other two, but has had some really good coupons lately! Worth a look!


2) Manufacturer's websites: Generally, companies will have coupons on their site that you can print after filling out a little info (name, address, email, etc.). If there isn't a "coupon" tab, try looking for these key words on their site: Promotions, Special Offers, Contact Us. Here are a few of my favorite websites:

Betty Crocker
Pillsbury
Eatbetteramerica
Kraft Foods
Colgate/Softsoap/Palmolive
Clorox
Home Solutions ~ Various mfg (French's/Lysol/Spray'nWash)


3) Subscribe to on-line newsletters: Each month, you'll get a newletter from the company with money-saving coupons. Sometimes, they just email you coupons, too.

Home Made Simple (Cascade/Glade/Febreeze/Dawn/Swiffer)
Right at Home (SC Johnson products)
Nestle Very Best Baking
Nestle Very Best Kids
Del Monte
Betty Crocker
Pillsbury


4) Mail In Rebates (MIR): These are a great way to save even more. Generally, these can be found on manufacturer's websites or even in the Sunday paper. The best part is, you can get even more savings by using coupons AND sending in your MIR!! Nothing like getting DOUBLE the savings! Here are a few different kinds of MIR:

Free After Rebate (FAR): These are the items that you will get what you paid (up to a certain $ amt) back after completing the necessary steps.

Try Me Free (TMF): These are sometimes located inside a package of a new flavor of a product. Generally, you'll need to send your receipt, UPC from the package & the special form.

Other Rebates: These could be for debit cards, coupons for the product, etc.

Day 1: How to start

I thought I'd start a blog to help others out there save some much needed money. With the economy the way it is, now is a GREAT time to start saving. And what better way to save than on things you are going to or need to buy anyway! I mean, we all need to eat, right? I'm going to break this down in a few steps over the next week to get you started.


1. Create an email account JUST for coupons/deals you find on the internet.


I have a Gmail account (Hotmail or Yahoo would work, too). This way, your regular email doesn't get bombarded with ads, info, newsletters, etc.

2. Start accumulating coupons!

The Sunday paper is a GREAT way to start. I have family/friends keep their inserts for me after they clip what they need/want. In turn, I've found great deals for them or shared some of my stockpile items with them. You can also buy more papers (I do this on REALLY good weeks)...the $2 cost for the paper is worth the extra coupons!



3. Figure out how you want to store your coupons.


I just use the envelope method. I have an envelope for each store (Albertsons, Safeway, Walgreens & Target) & then I put all the clipped coupons I'll be using at that store in the specific envelope each week. I also have an accordian type coupon organizer that I got at Target for pretty cheap that holds TONS of other coupons that I *might* need at any given store when I notice something is on sale.


4. Organize your coupons.

I don't clip the inserts until I need them. What I do is keep the inserts intact & write the date on the cover of each one. Then, I file them in a hanging file by date. I put all the RP/SS/PG coupons together. Then, when I need them, they are all together & I can just go clip them. Hotcouponworld.com (HCW) is a wonderful site with an awesome coupon database. You can go (HERE) to sign up. Once you do, boookmark the coupon database page, so you can have it easily accessible. All you do is start typing in the word or words of the product you are looking for & there you go! It lists what coupons are out there, where you can find them, and when they expire! It even lists IP coupons!!