How to Start Couponing for Beginners 1. Set aside time.
Commit a timeslot to coupon and cut the distractions. Like many things in life, couponing doesn’t take that long when it has your full concentration. My fellow wanderluster, Alicia, allots ~12 hours per week and saves about $25$50 weekly, which, as she thriftily puts it, “equivocates to making $2550 an hour!”.
2. Find coupons. Determine where your local coupons can be found. Depending where you live, coupons pop up in five main places: Store coupon walls/bulletin boards Local newspapers Store flyers Coupon websites
Coupon apps
To ensure you’ve covered your bases, follow these steps: Sign up for your local newspaper. Check your store bulletin board for coupons before your shopping (typically at the store entrance). Download coupon apps if you’re appsavvy (Erin recommends Checkout 51, CartSmart and Snap). Join local coupon groups on Facebook to keep in the coupon knowhow where you live. Use coupon websites, which are categorized by country below.
3. Get organised.
As my friend Erin says, “if you’re organized, [couponing] doesn’t really take much time”. If you attempt it haphazardly, you’re likely to give up and deem it timeconsuming. If your approach is concise, it shouldn’t take long!
First: Organise your coupons in a way that works for you (turns out, there’s tons of options). Erin and Alicia stick with the common plastic binder method, which sorts and divides coupons with tabs and pockets. Note: place coupons that expire soonest at the front. Sift through your coupon resources one by one (e.g. local newspaper, online, apps), then add relevant ones to your booklet. Now, the rest is easy! The next time you grocery shop, open your coupon binder and see if any of the coupons match items on your shoping list. Note: the CartSmart app does this for you, though it’s not allinclusive in scoping coupons.
4. Beat the system: understand overage. “Overage” happens when the worth of your coupon exceeds the cost of the product. That means you are either owed money in cash from the grocer, or get credit towards your current bill. Sweet! But how can this happen?!
There are many scenarios that create overage: Combining a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon together. Example: Oriental Trading With has a manufacturer coupon for buns such us: oriental trading coupon code 20% off. Your local grocery also has its own coupon for Yummy Bread buns. Combine & voìla! Double the savings. Using a coupon on an item that has been reduced/on clearance. Example: You have a Yummy Bread manufacturer’s coupon for buns, and then find a bag that’s reduced by 50% for quicksale, now only $1. Apply your $3 coupon to the reduced $1 buns and presto – you’ve got $2 in overage!
Applying “Catalina” coupons on your bill. Example: Big chains like Walmart may offer “save _ dollars off your next purchase” – these are also known as “Catalina” coupons. Lets say you only owe $3 on your current bill. Apply a “$5 off” Catalina and you’ve now got a $2 overage. Nice! Pricematching an item that you’re already using a coupon on. Example: Walmart is selling Oral B toothbrushes for 99 cents. You pricematch at a neighbouring store and apply a coupon offer of “buy 3 toothbrushes, get $4 off”. Since they’re only 99 cents each, if you buy 3 then you’ve got an overage of $1. Well done!
Common Hiccups Some of the most common couponing issues you may encounter include:
Some stores will not pay overage in cash. Instead, you may receive credit for future purchases. You may need to fill the overage gap with “fillers”. Because a store may not grant overage in cash or a shopping credit, you may need “fillers” – items that add up to the near/exact overage amount. For instance, you have a $1 overage from coupons, you may then need to grab an item that’s $1 (e.g. gum) to fill the remaining overage. If you’re really savvy, you’ll have lots of overage and this will fund the rest of your regular grocery items like fruit and meat! Stores may not allow you to use two coupons simultaneously, such as a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon. A store may also not carry the product you have a coupon for. If your trip is far or your item is essential or popular, you may want to phone ahead to see if it’s in stock.
Final Tips to Couponing Don’t just buy something because it has a coupon. Only buy what you need! It pays to check. A brand name with a coupon isn’t always cheaper than discount brands, and buying it at a more expensive store that accepts your coupon could still be pricier than buying it somewhere else. See a free coupon magazine? Don’t just grab one, grab several! Even if coupons are limited to one per transaction, you can use them again on another trip!
If you have a high value coupon, hold out until that item is further discounted for maximum savings. If you’re really keen for savings, write to manufacturers of products you love & you’re likely to get some coupons of appreciation in return. Extreme couponers vouch that this works quite often. Know the terms & conditions of your coupon before going out so you are prepared to explain them on check-out if need be. Shoppers behind you will also be grateful if you know what you’re doing and are prompt!