Couponing101 - Part 6: Useful Websites

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction
• Part 1: Menu Planning
• Part 2: Coupons & Where to Find Them
• Part 3: Organizing Your Coupons
• Part 4: Store Coupon Policies
• Part 5: Terms

Stockpile

Here are some couponing resources I have found helpful and some that I use regularly to help me save money!

The Grocery Game

• Creates prices lists for you
• Free trial for 28 days for as many stores as you want
• Cost is $10 for one store for 8 weeks, $5 for each additional store
• Semi-useful message board

I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for the free trial because they give you the list each week and it will teach you how to look for sales/coupon match-ups.

To see a sample list, click here.

Hot Coupon World

• Weekly store deals posted by members on a message board with coupon match-ups.
• FREE membership
• It's often helpful to see other's discussing deals and seeing what kind of savings others are getting.

BeCentsAble Blogroll

• A list of people of who blog the deals at all different stores across the country - so just scroll down, add a couple blogs to your feed reader and you'll be following deals in no time!

A Full Cup

• A smaller message board than Hot Coupon World, but that lists all the same deals.
• FREE membership

Money Saving Mom

• A stay-at-home-mom posts store deals, sample deals and rebates on her blog.
• She blogs quite frequently, but often highlights the best deals at the pharmacies & grocery stores.

I Heart CVS

• A good resource for previewing the CVS ads early.
• Posts CVS deals with coupon match-ups.

Choyster Cash

• Has weekly coupon match ups for deals a drug stores.
• Has a very informative online coupon class which you can have emailed to you.

Happy Couponing

• Posts weekly deals with coupon match-ups for Texas grocery stores.
• Ranks sale items so you can easily see the best deals of the week.

Finally, if you are still confused and want to check out something other perspectives on getting started in couponing, check out these blogs:

• It's Hip to Save "Couponing101"
• Stretching a Buck "All About Couponing"
• Southern Savers "Getting Started Guide"
• Frugal Coupon Living "Beginner's Couponing Guide"

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101 - Part 5: Terms

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction
• Part 1: Menu Planning
• Part 2: Coupons & Where to Find Them
• Part 3: Organizing Your Coupons
• Part 4: Store Coupon Policies

Stockpile

Everything goes on sale roughly every 13 weeks. The goal in buying things on sale, with coupons is to stock up on an item when it reaches your price point so that it lasts you 3-4 months.

You don’t want to buy things because you NEED them! You want to be able to go “shopping” in your stockpile and only purchase items when they are on super sale.

Jane4Girls has a great blog post on stockpiling.

Price Points

A price point what you’re willing to pay for an item.

For example, here are some of my price points:

I pay $0 for:

• shampoo/conditioner
• body wash/bar soap
• hand soap
• toothpaste/toothbrushes
• deodorant
• razors
• shaving cream
• candles/air freshener
• make-up
• Chex Mix
• Quaker rice cakes
• cleaning supplies (Windex, toilet cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, etc)
• cereal

I pay $0 - $.50 for:

• refridgerated dough (Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Grands Biscuits)
• boxed pasta/rice
• frozen vegetables
• pasta sauce
• cake mix
• brownie mix
• cookie mix
• oatmeal
• laundry detergent
• dishwashing detergent

I only buy the following when they are more than 50% off:

• granola bars
• crackers
• tissues
• feminine hygiene products
• medicine

Price Book

It's often helpful when you first start couponing to use an excel spreadsheet to track what you pay for an item.

Write down every item you purchase, the size and the price. As you start recording your shopping trips, you’ll begin to get a better idea of what your “price points” are and when something on sale is actually a good deal. Eventually you won't need to record your shopping trips because you'll just know when you find a great sale!

You can find a Grocery Price Book template here or in the sidebar to the right.

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101 - Part 4: Store Coupon Policies

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction
• Part 1: Menu Planning
• Part 2: Coupons & Where to Find Them
• Part 3: Organizing Your Coupons

Every store has a different policy regarding coupons. And, you might even find that the same stores vary by location and manager.

Here is an overview of store's coupon policies for the Dallas/Fort Worth area:

Albertsons

• Triples coupons up to and including .39
• Doubles coupons from .40 to .50
• Face value for all coupons .51 and over
• Doubles/Triples up to four of the SAME coupon per transaction

Kroger

• Triples coupons up to and including .39
• Doubles coupons from .40 to .50
• Face value for all coupons .51 and over
• Doubles/Triples up to three of the SAME coupon per transaction

Tom Thumb

• Triples coupons up to and including .39
• Doubles coupons from .40 to .50
• Face value for all coupons .51 and over
• Doubles/Triples only ONE of the SAME coupon per transaction

Target

• Does not double/triple manufacturer's coupons
• Will stack manufacturer coupons with printable Target coupons.

CVS

• Does not double/triple
• Will accept manufacturer's coupons and extra bucks in the same transaction.

Walgreens

• Does not double/triple
• Does stack manufacturer's coupons with ad and EasySaver coupons.

Walmart

• Does not double/triple
• Does price match (exact same item, brand, size, etc).

If you are unsure about a store's coupon policy feel free to email their customer serivce or search for "store policies" here.

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101 - Part 3: Organizing Your Coupons

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction
• Part 1: Menu Planning
• Part 2: Coupons & Where to Find Them

There are numerous ways to organize your coupons. I have tried almost all of them before I finally settled on what I do now.

Don't be afraid to try several methods for several months each before you settle on what works best for you.

Accordion Folder/Coupon Box
Clip your coupons & store them in accordion folder or small box organized by categories.

Possible categories include:

• Baby Supplies
• Baking
• Breads
• Canned Items: fruit, veggies, soup
• Cereal
• Cleaning Items: Dishwashing, Laundry, Household, paper products
• Condiments
• Dairy
• Drinks: tea, coffee, hot chocolate, coke, juice
• Frozen Items: dinners, desserts, veggies
• Health & Beauty: shampoo, shaving, body wash, toothpaste
• Medicine
• Pasta/Rice
• Produce
• Snacks

This method is very easy to carry with you to the store.

Here are some samples of people who store there coupons in accordian folders/coupon boxes:

Money Saving Mom's Catagorical Example

OrgJunkie's Alphabetical Example

Hip2Save Binder Videos

Binder Method
Clip your coupons & store them in a three-ring binder using plastic baseball card inserts/pages. You can organize your coupons by catagory or alphabetically.

Copyright theroyalmother (via Flickr)

Here are some examples of people who use the binder method:

Utah Deal Dive Binder Example

Coupon Mommie's Binder Example

The Couponizer (a pre-made binder method you can purchase)

Envelope Method
Some find it easy to clip ALL of their coupons and store them in an envelopes based on insert and date (for example 7/26 SS). They then store their envelopes in a caddy similiar to this one.Obviously you could also use something like this to organize your clipped coupons by catagory or expiration date.

File Drawer
I grew tired of cutting coupons very quickly, and at one point I believe my husband complained that I was "ALWAYS CUTTING COUPONS." I was never caught up. So, this is the method I settled on over two years ago - it works fabulously for me!

Each week I flip through ONE of each insert. I note the LATEST/OLDEST expiration date in each insert and write it on the front:

I then store the full/uncut inserts in hanging file folders.

I then write several things on a sticky note:

• the date the insert came out in the newspaper (in large numbers on the top left of the sticky note)
• the dates that the inserts will expire (in smaller numbers on the top right of the sticky note).

These full inserts are stored in a file drawer. This method allows me to only cut the coupons I will use.

You can see all kinds of pictures of how people have organized their coupons here.

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101 - Part 2: Coupons & Where to Find Them

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction
• Part 1: Menu Planning

What are coupons and where can I find them?

Manufacturers Coupons

Manufacturer's coupons can be used like cash to purchase the item indicated on the coupon. Stores are reimbursed by the manufacturer of the product for the amount shown on the coupon.

You can find manufacturer's coupons in numerous locations, including those listed below:

• Sunday Papers
  Dallas Morning News Double Issue $5.00
  (a double-issue newspaper is two papers bound together usually by a bright yellow paper)
  Dallas Morning News Single Issue $3.00
  
  Inserts you will find in the Sunday Paper include:
  Smart Source (SS for short)
  Red Plum (RP for short or sometimes called Valassis (V for short))
  P&G (Proctor & Gamble)
  
• Coffee Shops
  
• Newspaper Recycling Dumpsters
  Find a newspaper recycling location near you here.
  
• Ask friends/family/neighbors for their coupons
  
• Purchase coupons on websites:
  http://www.thecouponmaster.com/
  best prices
  $3.00 minimum order
  http://www.thecouponclippers.com/
  best variety
  $3.00 minimum order
  
• Internet Printable Coupons
  http://www.softcoin.com/Sites/Unilever_MoreValue/Page/HomePage
  http://www.coolsavings.com/
  http://www.smartsource.com/
  http://www.redplum.com/
  http://www.boxtops4education.com/
  http://www.bettycrocker.com/
  http://www.couponcatnet/
  
• Blinkies - the red boxes mounted on the shelves at grocery stores
  
• Peelies – found on products
  
• Catalinas - coupons that print from a receipt-like box along with your receipt from the grocery store
  
• Store Online Coupons
  www.softcoin.com/Sites/Unilever_MoreValue/Page/HomePage (Adds coupons to your Kroger card)
  http://www.cellfire.com/ (Adds coupons to your Kroger or Tom Thumb card)
  http://www.shortcuts.com/ (Adds coupons to your Kroger or Tom Thumb card)
  http://www.pgesaver.com/ (Adds coupons to your Kroger or Tom Thumb card)
  http://www.upromise.com/ (Adds coupons to your Kroger card)

So, step one in jumping on the coupon bandwagon is to simply START SAVING coupons!

Here is a schedule of when there will be coupon inserts in the newspapers. Often, on holiday weekends, there are no inserts.

We'll talk about how to organize those coupons next!

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101 - Part 1: Menu Planning

Just joining the Couponing 101 series? Catch up here:

• Inroduction

First thing to note: If you are not planning your meals each week and grocery shopping according to your menu - DO THAT RIGHT NOW. Without cutting a single coupon you will start to see a savings in your grocery spending, just from using recipes, menus and a grocery list.

There are several ways to organize your shopping list, plan your deals and coordinate your meals. I have tried all of these at one point or another.

Planning Meals Option #1

1. Go through weekly store ads (these come in your mail and/or in your newspaper each week) and note the best priced meats.
   
2. Find recipes based on items that are on sale that week.


3. Add to your grocery list any other ingredients you’ll need or any other sale items you want to stock up on.

There is a bood blog post on Mummy Deals on how to plan meals around the sales.

Planning Meals Option #2

1. Plan a week of meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)


2. Write down all ingredients needed for recipes.


3. Go through weekly store ads and note any items (that you may or may not need for your weekly meals) and make a list of items you want to buy because they are on sale.

Planning Meals Option #3

Sometimes I get busy. I start to dread pulling out my cookbooks or scouring the internet for recipes. I detest the hours I spend trying to put together weekly meal plans. So, I've found that there are ways to get other people to do this for you!

Use any of the following meal-planning websites to help you cut down on the time you spend finding recipes and meal ideas:

• E-Mealz
  
• RelishRelish
  
• WovenFare
  
• Menus4Moms

Currently, my couponing "workflow" looks like this:

1. Plan my menu for the entire week (breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks).
   
2. Go through all of the recipes for my menu and write down any ingredients I don't have in my stockpile and that I need to buy.
   
3. Browse the weekly grocery store ads and note if any of the items I need for my menu are on sale at any of the stores.
   
4. Browse the weekly grocery store ads and note if there are any items on sale that I need to stock up on.
   
5. Peruse Hot Coupon World for all of the grocery stores I shop at and note if I missed any *hot* deals. (Don't worry - I'll talk about HotCouponWorld and deals soon!)
   
6. Print off my grocery list.
   
7. Cut out any coupons I plan on using.
   
8. Head to the store(s)!

You can download a copy of the spreadsheet I use to organized my grocery list(s) here or in the sidebar to the right.

I also wrote a fairly extensive post on organizing your recipes and meals here.

As always, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...

Couponing101

I'm going to start off with a basic couponing series, since I get lots of questions regarding couponing and saving money at the grocery store.

A few things I thought I'd share before we get started, including mistakes I made:

• There is no "magic" store for saving TONS of money on your groceries. It takes time and effort to cut coupons and find deals.
  
• Couponing will look different for everyone. There is no right or wrong. Not everyone will want to coupon and not everyone will have the time to coupon. That's okay. Do what is best for your family.
  
• I have gone in and out of couponing "seasons." Sometimes I go to multiple stores every week with stacks of coupons, other times I go to one store with no coupons (GASP!). Couponing has become more of a hobby and a game for me - I enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it - then don't do it. That's okay.


• Everyone works differently. What I do may not work for you - that's okay too! Feel free to ask questions here, do your own research on message boards and blogs, and find a process that fits you.
  
• If you want to save TONS (meaning over 50%) you can't be picky about what brands you buy. We use every kind of toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo/conditioner, and cleaning supply. I've tried every brand of foundation, powder, lotion, eye shadow, and mascara you can buy at the drug store. And, we eat all kinds of frozen vegetables, cereal, rice/pasta and juice.
  
  You can still be brand-loyal and use coupons, it will just be a little harder increase your savings.
  
• Take it easy with starting your stockpile. It will take several months get a stockpile going, but be patient. I made the mistake of buying WAY too many boxes of cereal, because I thought I needed a bigger stockpile, only to donate most of them because we were never going to be able to eat them all before they expired. Soon you'll find youself passing on some deals and free items simply because you already have more than you can use.
  
• You don't have to eat junk to coupon. MoneySavingMom posted a great blog post about this here.

Final thought: I always LOVE talking about coupons and saving money. So, if you'd like to learn about this in person, grab some friends and let me know - I'll come teach a class!

As we work our way through this couponing series, feel free to ask any question. I'll be hanging out in the comments section to talk deals and steals!

Read more...