Our group supports Common Sense couponing in addition to a variety of ways to save money. Common Sense couponing means buying within your families budget and buying only what your family will use or donate to charity. We are happy to help you get started!
How much money can I save using coupons?
How do I get started?
The best way to start is SLOW. Take time to familiarize yourself with the overall idea of couponing, how it works, how you are going to organize yourself and your coupons. Most importantly don't overwhelm yourself or feel like you have to take on everything all at one time. Learn as you go and ask questions.
Here are some steps to get you started:
- Make a budget. If you chase all the best deals, you can actually overspend when you start couponing. It takes careful planning to make sure you are saving money for your family. If you keep track of how much you spend and save, you will be able to see your savings in black and white.
- Get coupons. The best place is the Sunday paper. See below for additional information on getting coupons and newspapers.
- Pick your store(s). Decide what stores you will shop at most often. Keep it simple by choosing just one or two stores to start. This will help you stay focused and organized.
- Follow coupon blog sites. Choose coupon blogs that post about the stores you shop and have the same ideas/approach you have. You will find your favorites, but if you need some help here is a list of coupon blog sites to get you started.
- Read the coupon policies. Understanding the coupon policies for the stores you are going to shop will help your shopping trip go smoothly. It is also recommended that you keep a copy of the policy with you when you shop. Click here for links to coupon policies.
- Consider meal planning. Planning meals ahead of time will help you save money by avoiding impulse buying or last minute convenience meals. It will also help you plan your meals based on items you already have in your freezer, pantry and stockpile. You can then plan additional meals based on what you will purchase (using coupons and sales of course).
- Plan your shopping trips. Take the time to look through the store ad(s), make a shopping list, check your favorite coupon blog site, and organize your coupons. If you are doing multiple transactions, have them separated and written out ahead of time. It is also a good idea to know about how much each transaction will cost. This will save you at the register in case of an error (incorrect pricing or scanning).
- Build a stockpile. When you find products at the lowest price (matching sales and coupons), stock up on items to avoid paying full price in the future. Stockpiling means you are buying items your family will use in quantities that will last until the next sale.
- Follow sale cycles. Stores have approximately a 12 week sale cycle. If you buy enough to last until the next time the price cycles low again, you will save a lot of money. Sale cycles and stockpiling go hand in hand. There is also information here regarding sale cycles by month which focuses on when certain products go on sale throughout the year.
- Stay organized. Organization is key to successful couponing. Couponers can get overwhelmed and burnt out. Slow down, get organized, ask for help, and remember that nothing is more important than your time and family.
Where do I get coupons?
*Most coupons are found in the Sunday newspaper. You can also print coupons online, click here for sites to get you started.
*Our group has a coupon swap each month. Check out our flyer for our next date and time. We also have a coupon exchange basket at the Yelm Timberland Library.
*You can also find coupons in store ads or coupon booklets and at the store from a Catalina, peelies, blinkies and tearpads (see below for help with understanding the coupon lingo).
*Ask your friends and family to save coupons for you.
*Sign up for your favorite products newsletter, email and updates. You may receive some coupons in the mail.
*Sign up at Proctor & Gamble for both free samples and coupons.
*You can sign up to receive many free items/samples in the mail and many will come with coupons.
How do I organize my coupons?
There are a variety of ways to organize your coupons. Here are just a few ideas:
- File box - filing your inserts by date and only clipping when you need the coupons
- Accordion style envelope or folder - sorted into general categories
- Three ring binder - using baseball card holders, photo pages or page protectors and sorted into more specific categories
What newspaper and how many should I get?
Local Papers that have coupons are: Tacoma News Tribune, The Olympian, The Seattle Times. You can get a discount on some papers if you have multiple copies delivered. Check out this link for a deal on the Tacoma News Tribune: queenbeecoupons.com/coupons/special/
The number of papers you purchase really depends on what works for you and your family. Take the cost and time to organize all the coupons into consideration.
Can you help me understand the coupon jargon/lingo?
$1/1, $1/2, etc. = One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. = Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
BOGO or B1G1 = Buy one item get one item free
B2GO or B2G1 = Buy two items get one item free
Blinkies = Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat = Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
FAR = Free after rebate
IPQ = Internet printable coupon
IVC = Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and Walgreen’s coupon book
MFR = Manufacturer
MIR = Mail-in rebate
OYNO = On your next order
OOP = Out of pocket (the amount you pay out of pocket at the time)
Q = The letter "Q" is sometimes used to indicate coupon
Q = The letter "Q" is sometimes used to indicate coupon
P&G = Proctor & Gamble (Newspaper Insert)
Peelie = Peel-off coupon found on product packagingPSA = Prices starting at
RP = Red Plum (Newspaper Insert)
RRs = Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons
SCR = Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
SS = Smart Source (Newspaper Insert)
Tearpad = These coupons are often found in the stores, on a little booklet near the product.
UPC = Universal Product Code, bar code on a product
+UP Rewards = A promotion at Rite Aid. +Up Rewards print at the register and are triggered by items that you purchase. They are coupons to use on future purchases.
WYB = When you buy
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (Depends on certain store policies/factors whether the deal will work)
