Couponing 101- Getting Started!
So you have decided it might be time for you to look into trying to save your family some serious money by starting to coupon. Couponing can save you hundreds of dollars a month on your regular groceries and also your toiletries and household goods.
One of the first things you will notice once you really start getting the hang of couponing, is it can seriously become very addicting. There are a few things you will need to do to get yourself prepared before you set off for your first trip to your grocery store.
Also at this point let me reassure you that you may not save $50-$75 or more on your first trip, and that is ok. Once you start to get a huge stockpile of coupons and start learning the tips and tricks your savings will start to amaze you and your family members. So do not be hard on yourself if you do not save a large amount right out of the gate give yourself time to stockpile your coupons and also to learn the system so that it become easy and second nature for you.
The first thing we need to figure out is what stores are in your area. Use a notepad and write down all local stores and do not discount your dollar stores. A lot of the dollar stores such as Dollar General also will accept coupons and these can be great ways for you to save a bundle. Next thing you will want to do is to familiarize yourself with their coupon policy. A simple phone call can save you embarrassment while standing in the checkout line.
Here are some of the things you should find out before you head out to the store of your choice:
Do they offer Coupon Savings- Some stores offer a particular day of the week where they offer DOUBLE or TRIPLE coupons. These can save you a ton on your overall grocery bill. Most store will only double your coupon value up to $.50 so for example, if you had a coupon for Ragu Spagetti Sauce for $.50 off one jar, and your local stores offer double coupons, your $.50 coupon now is worth $1.00 off one jar of Ragu Spagetti sauce!
If you combine this with a sale you can get your Spagetti sauce for FREE or next to nothing. But we will go more into detail on this later on.
Do they accept Online Printable Coupons- Most stores in this day and age are NOT allowing you to use printable coupons for the simple fact they are too easily manipulated using programs like Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Photoshop. But call your local store and find out their policy on this.
Can you stack your coupon with their coupons- A lot of stores such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy will allow you to use a manufactors coupon ONTOP Of their coupons they put in their Sunday ads! These are HUGE for saving you TONS of money! So be sure to ask your locals stores on their policies on this also.
Do they accept Competitors Coupons? Save you have a coupon from a Shop N Save for $1 off Crest Toothpaste but today you are going to go shopping at Schnucks do they accept and acknowledge a coupon from their competitor Shop n Save for example.
Now that you have all your questions answered and probably should of written them down for future reference, you are ready to start stockpiling and collecting your coupons to get you started on organizing them and storing them!
