Last week I told you why I'm addicted to couponing, this week I will give you six tips on how to get started.
Step one: You will need a nice pair of scissors. Nothing makes me more upset than a dull pair of scissors; can you imagine trying to clip your coupons with a dull pair of scissors? The worst mistake ever is clipping the barcode. Ugh, Arghhhh!!!! %#*!%%#@. It's a small tip with a big impact.
Step two: Time to do research. Learn your store coupon policies; usually you can Google them or just head over to my website where I have the store policies listed. While you're there check out some of the deals posted, If something grabs your attention, print the coupon and head to the store, come back and report how things went.
Step three: On Sunday morning pick up at least 4 papers. If you want to see how things work before committing to the papers, just ask your friends/neighbors if you can have their coupon inserts. That way you're not spending any money at all for coupons, that's what I did when I first started out. Another great tip, if you have any CVS Extra Care Bucks, you can use those to purchase your papers.
Step four: Now in the beginning finding deals can be difficult, Let me tell you the names of all the coupon inserts. RP (Red Plum), SS (Smart Source), are inserts that comes out usually every week. P&G (Procter and Gamble) comes out once a month. GM (General Mills) comes out every other month. On the right hand side of every coupon insert is a date. Showing when the insert came out. So if you ever see someone posting a deal. They will have a date listed showing you where to find the coupon. On my website I have a coupon database; also you'll find coupon match ups.
Step five: Coupons are valid anywhere from one to six weeks, all depending on the manufacture. Saving the inserts week to week is a very important part to being a couponer. You'll need to find an organizational method. Most couponers have a binder but it's all on your comfort level, below is a picture of my binder. When you see me in the store with my binder best advice I can give you is go find another checkout lane ;)
Step six: Finally when I first began to coupon I always carried my coupon policies with me at all times (they easily fit in my binder too!). Walgreens was the first store I studied -- I did not move forward to any other store until I learned everything about Walgreens. I didn't have anyone to guide me, so It took me about 2 months to learn the in and outs. Once I got bored I then moved on to CVS, and I studied CVS for 2 months. I won't lie to you, moving onto the grocery store was tricky for me -- no matter how much I tried I couldn't get it down. So Kroger became my personal playground. I was there every single day of the week. I studied Kroger about four months. You guys have me to guide you. I'll be there every step of the way.
Tune in next week; I'll go over mistakes couponers make and please check out the below sneak peek from Monday's upcoming episode of TLC's Extreme Couponing airing Monday, June 18th at 10/9c.
Don't Forget a True Extreme Couponer is an Extreme Giver, Always give back!