Maximize Your Coupon Savings

There is some strategy when it comes to saving the most money with coupons.

1.Don't use your coupon until that item goes on sale!

You will really maximize your savings if you wait until that product you have a coupon for goes on sale. Example: .50 coupon for Granola Bars. Non Sale price 3.50. So if you just buy the Granola Bars at the normal price you will pay 2.50(if you get double coupons!) but if you wait for a sale you will likely get the same box for 1.00-1.50. A savings of 1-1.50.

2. Know your stores coupon policy

Every store has different coupon policies. It is very important to know what $ amount of coupons are doubled and how many identical coupons you can use. Example: Meijer in Central Ohio will only double 2 identical coupons per transactions. If there is a really good deal and I have more then 2 of the same coupon to use, I will break up my order into multiple transactions(I normally only do 2 if there are people behind me or go to the self check out)

3. Be prepared before you get to the checkout!

Make sure to have all the coupons you are going to use ready before you get to the checkout. You don't want to be digging around for a coupon with the cashier and the person behind glaring in your direction. I will stop in a low traffic area to make sure I have everything on my list and separate all the coupons I am using.

Couponing Fundamentals:Coupon Organization

If you really want to save big with coupons you should have some kind of organization system. Everyone has a different method they prefer and there are some great coupon organization systems out there-you should google it. After some trial and error I came up a system that works well for me.

As I shared with you here the best place to find coupons is the Sunday paper. I start by clipping almost every coupon out. *If you are just starting I would start slowly-clip only the coupons you think you may use but date and save your insert*. After clipping I file them in my box.


I LOVE my coupon box-it fits perfectly in the front of a grocery cart and it just nestles right into the passenger seat of my car! I have about 40 different categories but I started out pretty simple. If you are just starting your coupon organization here's my suggestion on what categories to begin with. Haircare/Bodywash/Deodorant
Makeup/Lotion
Toothpaste/Toothbrush
Razors/Feminine Products
Medicine
Cleaning Supplies
Produce
Dairy
Frozen Foods
Canned Foods
Bread/Rice/Pasta/Sauce
Cereal/Granola Bars
Baking Mixes/Sugar/Flour
Coffee/Other Drinks
Candy
Once you see you are getting a lot of coupons in one category divide it further. This process may seem overwhelming at first but once you get a system down it will really save you time and $$!

Where to Find Coupons

There are several places that I find my coupons.
1. Sunday Paper-This is where I get most of the coupons I use. There are 3 types of coupons that come in the paper. SmartSource(SS), RedPlum(RP) and P&G(these come once a month). They are all basically the same but you will see other bloggers mention them as "SS" or "RP". I get the paper here in Columbus for .99 cents delivered. Well worth it!
2. Internet- There are several websites that offer printable coupons. Typically you can print 2 of each coupon. Most sites update their coupons once a month. Here are a few of my favorite coupons sites.
www.coupons.com
www.bettycrocker.com
www.pillsbury.com
www.smartsource.com
3. Store Coupons- I do most of my grocery shopping at Kroger and Meijer. Kroger mails me coupons(10-15) once a quarter and they typically send coupons for items I purchased. Actually, the past two times they have sent me coupons for FREE items. If you have a store loyalty card make sure your information is up to date-this is often how they send you extra savings! Meijer has coupons on their website here. You have to click on the "special" tab in the box on the right hand side of the page and the current printable coupons will show up. CVS and Walgreens also offer store coupons. Walgreens issues an Easysaver book every month and it is packed with moneysaving coupons. They are located at the front of the store. CVS has been issuing coupons in a special quarterly magazine called Reinventing Beauty and costs .99cents. They also send coupons out through email.
4. In Store/On Display- You will often see coupons in stores either stuck to the product or on a display nearby.

There are some other places to find coupons but these are the basics! If you are totally new to coupons I would start with the Sunday Paper.

Soon I will share how to organize your coupons! This is really important. A good organization system will help you save even more. Stay Tuned.