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!!