Did you decide on how you wanted to organize and store your coupons? Good! Now let’s talk about where you find ’em.
1. Newspapers
I buy several copies of the newspaper each week depending on how many coupon inserts will be in the paper or how interested I am in the coupons that should be in the inserts (coupons are slightly different by region). At the first of the month, I generally buy 4 papers. On weekends with a major holiday, I don’t buy any. (Did you know that on weekends with a major holiday there are no coupon inserts? Well now you do!)
Want to find out how many inserts are slated to be in the paper each week? Check out Sunday Coupon Preview by clicking the picture below.
2. Coupon Websites
If you don’t want the hassle of buying newspapers every weekend, you can also print coupons online. Coupon outlets like RedPlum and Smartsource (who supply coupons to newspapers) run websites where you can print coupons for free – generally 2 or 3 prints per coupon. Keep in mind though that this method uses up your precious ink and paper. I don’t generally print a lot of them unless I know I’ll use them. Also, if you do choose to print, do it in color. Because of those TV shows coupon manufacturers and stores have changed their coupon policies and some aren’t taking internet coupons at all because they can be photocopied (also coupon fraud). If you print in color, it’s more likely to be accepted.
Another great site is Coupons.com.
When you try to print from any of these sites you’ll be asked for your zip code. Change the zip code up once in awhile and you’ll notice that you get different coupons. Remember, coupons and sales vary by region.
3. Facebook pages
Facebook is a time suck, sure, but while you’re there anyway why not cash in by “liking” your favorite companies? Many run freebies and coupons for Facebook fans. Just today I scored a free k-cup sampler pack, a Target Beauty Bag full of freebies and free spices! (I also shared them on The Scrappy Housewife’s Facebook page, so if you aren’t a fan over there, check it out!)
4. Email
OK, I can read your mind on this one, “But Christina, I don’t want a bunch of spam in my personal inbox!” – I get you. So create a coupons only account. You’ll use it when you sign up on a company’s website and they’ll e-mail you coupons and offers. You can print what you want and delete what you don’t. This account can also be linked to your store savings card. I shop at Wegmans and Giant most often and both of those stores e-mail me the weekly specials and occasionally a store coupon. It’s worth it!
5. All You Magazine
I love, love, love magazines. It’s a guilty pleasure, I know. One of my favorites is All You. It’s only available at Wal-Mart and via subscription but it is chock full of savings tips and coupons. Actual, clippable, coupons. At my Wal-mart it’s $2.99 an issue, but when I use the coupons it more than pays for itself. And no, the coupons aren’t Wal-mart specific! You can use ’em anywhere!
6. Write/Call Companies or Join their Website
This one seems weird, sure, but take 5 minutes and write a nice note to one of your favorite companies and tell them how you feel about their products. You might find some coupons in your mailbox for your trouble!
Companies also offer free membership on their website for fans (one of my favorites is Right @ Home – by SC Johnson) that e-mails AND mails out coupons.
7. The Grocery Store
By know, I’m confident you know about your grocery store’s club card and probably have one, but that’s only the beginning of getting coupons at the grocery store. As I shop, I keep my eye out for tear pads of coupons (often on seasonal displays), products being sold with coupons attached – we call those peelies, and little boxes with blinking lights (we call those blinkies).
A note about peelies – Some people think it’s totally fine to tear the coupon off of a product to use later without buying the product it was attached to. Personally, I think it’s poor couponing etiquette and I’ve read that some/most companies expect you to buy the product in order to obtain the coupon. Basically, it’s a bonus for buying that bag of chips. I won’t swipe peelies unless I’m buying the product.
Tear pads and blinkies however are there for the taking and I generally grab two. Bottom line – Think of your fellow couponer.
Coupons often print out at the register too. These are called Catalinas and they are generally based on items you purchase using your store card. Often stores will run specials that will print off cash off on your next purchase coupons through this machine. More free money!
7. Family and Friends
I try (try being the operative word) to get an envelope of coupons sent out to several of my friends and family members monthly. And by now, I have friends that know I am passionate about couponing so they give me the ones they aren’t going to use. Let people know you’re trying to save money and that you’d love it if they’d pass along their inserts if they aren’t going to use them. I get at least one extra set of coupons per week from friends.
A word of caution:
As you get started with couponing, you’ll discover that you can buy coupons from clipping services online (like say, through ebay). They claim they are only charging you for their service of clipping the coupons and not for the actual coupon. Let me be very clear on this – buying coupons is illegal. Buying coupons online can get you in a lot of trouble. While these clipping services are in a gray area, avoid them. The last thing you need is to use all that money you saved on legal fees. Got it? Good.
Final thoughts:
While I buy multiple papers, you certainly don’t have to. You can still cash in BIG with only one. It’s all in how you shop (we’ll cover that soon).
Lastly, you should never have to pay for coupons. Keep that in mind. Coupons are designed to save you money, not cost you any.
