Couponing 101

Where to Get COUPONS:
  • The Sunday newspaper is where we get most of our Manufacturer coupons.  Buy the newspaper with the largest circulation in order to get the best coupons. 
  • Ask your friends, family and neighbors. If they get the Sunday newspaper but don't use the coupon inserts they will more than likely be happy to give them to you.
  • Search the Internet. There are many great online printable coupons to be found! You can find a list of Internet printable sites here!
  • Use a clipping service. If there is a great coupon that you would like to have multiples of then you might consider ordering the coupons from a clipping service like The Coupon Clippers.
  • Check at the actual store. There are varieties of coupon booklets you can find in the stores. See a list here. Also check the Wednessday ads as in ad coupons can be used with a Manufacturers coupon at the same time.
Organize the COUPONS:
  • Envelopes. You can start by clipping and putting them all in an envelope or check file. But, once you’ve been couponing for a few weeks you will need something bigger.
  • File by insert. With this method you just file your inserts by date in a box and use an online coupon database to find the coupon you need. This method doesn’t require much work but you might miss out on unadvertised deals by not having all of your coupons with you at the store.
  • Coupon Binder. clip all of your coupons and file them in baseball card holder or photobook page inserts in a three-ring binder. You can take your coupon binder with you into the store and have all your coupons with you while you shop. You will need to organize your coupon binder with tabs that call out the type of product such as Freezer, Dairy or whatever you think you will remember to put specific coupons under. 
Store coupon policies.  Make sure you understand each store as they are all different:
  • Loyalty Cards. These are free and you will need to make sure you have one in order to get the lowest sale price at that stores.  These cards are free so make sure you get them for the stores you plan to shop.
  • Doublers. Coupons from the store directly.  These can be combined with any manufacturer coupon and they double the value.  You will need to know your store policy on the maximum amount they allow.  The NW Albertsons will send out "doublers" included in the Sunday Paper.  They will usually double the value up to a $1.00 off.  So if you have a $1.00 off manufacturer coupon, you can combine this with the Albertsons Doubler and get $2.00 off the item.  The NW Albertsons stores only allow 3 doublers per transaction. 
  • Stacking coupons. There are a few stores that will let you use a store coupon - usually found in the store ad - with one manufacturer coupon per item.
  • Internet coupons. You will have to ask if your store accepts Internet coupons.
  • Competitor coupons. There are even a few stores that accept competitor store coupons.  
Your plan of attack:
  • Weekly Store Ads. Check the weekly store ads to see what is on sale and which stores have the best prices on the items you need. If you don’t get the weekly ads delivered you can usually view them on the store’s website.
  • Match Coupons to advertised items. Buying items only when they are on sale and stocking up on that sale price.  Review the ad and match any coupons you already have to those sale items.  You can also search the internet for printable coupons.  
  • Pricematch. Some stores, like Walmart, will pricematch. This means that if grapes are on sale for 99¢/lb at Albertsons, you can take the ad to Walmart and at checkout tell the cashier that you would like to pricematch the grapes. Show them the ad and they will sell you the grapes for 99¢/lb versus their higher price.
  • Rainchecks. If your store is out of the sale item, get a raincheck! Go to customer service and ask for a raincheck for the item you wanted. They will fill out a piece of paper with the item details and price. Then you can come back another day (usually no more than 30 days) and buy that item at the sale price by giving the cashier the raincheck. This also gives you more time to gather coupons for the item! You can still use a coupon if you are using a raincheck.
Understand How Sale Ads Really Work;
  • 10/$10 promotions. Most of us think you actually have to purchase 10 of the same item to get the 10 for $10 advertised sale.  But guess what?  You don't.  You can buy 1 and still get it for $1.  Unless of course the add specifically states must buy 10
  • Get the best cost. Use your coupons for items that are on sale. If the item isn't on sale and you don't absolutely need it right now, wait.  Wait for the sale price, collect your coupons and when the item goes on sale buy more than you need right now.  Buy as many items as you have a coupon for so you get the best cost on that particular item. 
  • At Checkout. Make sure you watch the costs on each item ensuring that the items ring up at the correct sale price from their ad.  Then make sure all of your coupons scan correctly.  If you planned ahead you should already know what your final cost will be.  this way you can be sure to catch any errors at checkout.  
  • Your Recept - Double check it. If there are any issues with the price per item vs the ad, or the coupon amount deducted, take your receipt to customer service.  They will fix it for you if you can show them where the mistake was.
Your Pantry Stockpile
  • Start Up Do NOT buy a ton of everything as soon as you get started.  Stocking up takes time and you don't want to be spending more than you normally would on products.  You want to spend less.  A lot less.  
  • Buy for future use. When you find the items on sale at excellent costs buy more than you need at the moment. Most sale cycles are 12 weeks.  This means you really only need to buy enough to last you for 12 weeks until that same item goes on sale again. 
  • Donations. If you find yourself with excess product in your stockpile or items are close to expiration and you won't be using them, please donate to food drives.  Or give to your family.  Considering what you paid for the item with your great coupon deals this is a great way to give back to the community.
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