Trying to make the most of start couponing beginners everything? You are in the right place. Below we break it down in plain English, with practical tips you can actually use.
Key Takeaways
- How to Start Couponing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know This step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know about c...
- Written by Veneta Lusk Last Updated: March 6, 2024 Reviewed by Jeff Proctor Home Money Management Save Money Some of the links on DollarSpro...
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This step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know about couponing and using it to save money in all areas of your life.
Written by Veneta Lusk Last Updated: March 6, 2024 Reviewed by Jeff ProctorSome of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from partners we trust. If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Once you learn how to start couponing, chances are you’ll never want to stop.
When I first found out about couponing, I was fascinated by the idea. While it can seem intimidating at first, once you figure it out, it becomes second nature. Now I make it a point to look for coupons for anything and everything I purchase.
Couponing has gotten a bad reputation with the rise in TV shows that feature people getting 30 bags of dog food, 25 bottles of mouthwash, and 20 boxes of diapers for $3.12. Numerous of these people don’t even have dogs or babies.
While that’s one end of the spectrum, there’s a lot of room in the middle to save money on things you already purchase. This guide to couponing for beginners will help you figure out how to apply the savings to your own specific situation. You can use coupons to save money no matter what you purchase.
Couponing 101: A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Coupon
If you’ve found yourself asking, “How do I start couponing?” and you’re looking forward to making it work for you, this step-by-step guide will help you figure out how to start using coupons and save money in all areas of your life.
When you first start, keep an open mind. Just like anything else, couponing has a learning curve.
Pre-couponing: get organized
One of the first lessons in couponing for beginners is getting organized. It will make your life infinitely easier if you can easily see the coupons you have and plan out your shopping trip.
You don’t need fancy equipment, just the basics: store flyers, scissors, newspaper coupon inserts, a printer, and a way to organize your coupons.
A quick word on organizing your coupons: do what works for you.
Numerous couponers swear by the big plastic binders with dividers so you can organize and see all of your coupons. For a long time, I used a mini accordion file because I could easily throw it in my purse. I’ve also been known to use Ziploc bags and envelopes.
In other words, there’s no need to spend money on fancy coupon organizers.
Get the terminology down
Before going over how to start couponing, let’s talk about some common terms you’ll encounter. Getting these down will make your life easier and your learning curve a lot smoother.
“Store coupons”Numerous stores will offer store-specific coupons. That means the coupon is only valid at that particular store.
When you look at the top of a printed coupon, it should say either “store coupon” or “manufacturer’s coupon.” The store-specific coupon will have the store’s logo on it and say something to the effect of, “can only be used at [insert store name].”
“Manufacturer’s coupons”When the top of the coupon says “manufacturer’s coupon,” it’s issued by the manufacturer of a specific brand. This type of coupon is not store-specific and can be used at any store that accepts it. Not all stores accept coupons, so it’s key to ask or check out the store’s policy before trying to use them.
“Coupon stacking”Some stores will let you use both a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon together. This is called coupon stacking and can be pretty lucrative if you can also combine it with a sale.
To check if a particular store allows for coupon stacking, read that store’s coupon policy. You can also ask an associate. However, they’re not always well-informed when it comes to couponing. The store policy is always your best bet.
“Store coupon policy”Every store that accepts coupons has a coupon policy. The easiest way to find it is by typing the name of the store and the words “coupon policy” into a search engine and seeing what comes up.
If you are using coupons at a particular store for the first time, keep a copy of the coupon policy open in a browser on your phone. Not all employees know the store’s coupon policy, so you may need to pull it up to support your case.
“Cost match policy”In addition to a coupon policy, numerous stores also have a cost match policy. A cost match policy means that a store will offer to sell you an item at the same cost as what a competitor has advertised.
An example of a store that does that is Walmart. One of the advantages of cost-matching an item is that you can use a store coupon on top of the cost match for additional savings.
“Coupon overage”Coupon overage can be an awesome bonus that you can use toward other items in your cart for which you don’t have coupons.
Say you have a coupon for $2 off Crest toothpaste, but you find some tubes on clearance for $1. Since your coupon is for $2 off, you can use the difference ($1) on something else in your cart. If you purchase five tubes of toothpaste and use five $2 off coupons, you’ll have an extra $5 to use toward the rest of the items in your cart, such as meat and produce.
“Expiration dates”The majority of coupons have expiration dates. While you may find a few that don’t have an expiration date, numerous stores won’t accept a coupon without one. Keep on top of expiration dates since once a coupon expires, most stores won’t accept it.
“Double and triple coupon days”Some stores have double or triple coupon days, which are excellent for increasing your savings. The store will triple or double the value of certain coupons up to a certain amount.
For example, a store in my area triples coupons up to $0.35 and doubles coupons between $0.35 and $0.50. So, if I have a $0.30 coupon for toothpaste and a $0.50 coupon for bread, those will now be worth $0.90 and $1.
“Cash back”While not technically a coupon, digital advertisers will frequently offer savings in the form of actual cash back to the user.
Instead of reducing the cost of an item, shoppers get a small commission , cash , in exchange for making a purchase with a specific merchant.
The shopper then receives a cash or gift card payout in the amount earned.
The savings are the same, but it’s a psychological win for consumers because they feel like they’re being rewarded beyond just saving money.
Find your coupons
Once you have a way to organize your coupons and you’re familiar with the basic terminology, the next step is to find deals.
There are numerous different ways to get coupons. Below are the most common places you can score coupons, both locally and online. Using the couponing tips below, you should be able to find coupons for numerous of the products your family uses regularly.
Related: 5 Places to Purchase Discounted Gift Cards and Save on Everything
Where to find coupons locallyBelieve it or not, coupons are all around you. As you start paying more attention to coupons and seeking them out, you’ll notice them everywhere. Getting coupons locally is a excellent way to get started with couponing.
Store flyersAn simple way to find coupons is in the weekly store flyers.
Numerous stores will have coupons in the flyer in addition to the weekly specials. This can be pretty handy since you have both the sales and coupons available to help you plan out your grocery shopping. Most coupons can be found toward the back of the flyer, but some inserts have coupons on the front page.
In-store coupon bookletsOnce you start looking for these, you’ll notice them everywhere. Numerous stores have coupon booklets by the registers, free for anyone to take. Next time you’re checking out, scout out the area where the groceries get bagged for any coupon booklets or store-branded magazines.
Related: How to Save Money on Groceries
In-store coupon printerSome stores, such as CVS, have coupon printers inside the store. To get coupons, just scan your loyalty card, and the printer will spit out coupons for any current deals or promotions.
Since these are typically store coupons, they can be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons and sales for even bigger savings.
In your mailYou may be getting coupons in your mail and not even realize it. Certain stores will mail out coupons for store openings or just to drive foot traffic.
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Final Thoughts
Before you check out, double-check start couponing beginners everything against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.
Originally published at dollarsprout.com.
