Current Projects

  • Couponing like crazy!
  • Turning Junk into Treasure!
  • Saving Plastic Bottles from Landfills!

Friday, February 18, 2011

For Newbies!

 If you are just starting out in the coupon/deal hunting world, or if you are looking to expand your operation, here are the basic must haves and must know's!

Supplies:

Computer w/internet access

Subscription to the Sunday paper or a willingness to look through recycling bins

A binder with plastic pages (I like baseball card pages), dividers, pair of scissors and extra large pocket pages for odd size coupons

Websites:

These are the sites I follow religiously!
First, the coupon sources:

Smartsource.com

Coupons.com

Shopathome.com

Redplum.com

Most printable coupons will net you two copies. Sometimes however, you will only get one, based on the manufacturer's preference.

Southernsavers.com
This sight is where I find all or most of my coupon match ups for Walgreen's, Rite Aid and Target. I also find out which coupons are coming out each Sunday via this sight. That way I know which ones I really want to hunt for and gather lots of. This sight is especially helpful if you live in the south, which I don't. But it is handy for us northwesterners too. :) Just gotta know how to use it!

 Accounts

You'll want to have accounts with Rite Aid and Smith's and any other stores that offer a discount card, as long as it's FREE. Rite Aid does online rebates that can be very lucrative. Setting up the account is super easy! You'll also want accounts with major producers like Proctor & Gamble. Just sign up on their website and order all kinds of great coupons that will mail directly to your home at no cost to you. There are several other great sights to sign up with, depending on your product preference and needs. Enfamil, Gerber, Similac and Huggies are just a few baby sights that are a must if you are a mommy! Babies are super expensive, so any help you can get is worth signing up for! Expect full size cans of formula in the mail at no cost to you! And lots of great coupons and samples!
 Most personal care providers will send you FREE samples of all kinds of products, ranging from Fiber powder to Shampoo and Conditioner. These are a great way to try out a new product with no risk and usually come with a coupon for a full size of the same. I like using the small shampoo packets and mini deoderants for emergency kits and for traveling or overnight/gym bags.
 Shopathome.com is a great resource for bazillions of great sample offers all in one place!

 Stores

 You will need to scout the stores in your area, from drug stores to grocery chains and big boxes like Walmart. Scour their weekly ads and compare to find the best deals. Several big box stores ad match (all have different rules and policies) which will save you travel time and gas money.
 When planning your shopping trips, try to hit all in the same day and plan a route that takes the least time and gas. If you need to travel to a store that is out of your way, try to schedule it for a time when you have something else going on in that area. Being smart with travel expenses is a great way to save a dollar here and a dollar there. It adds up!
 Check out each of your chosen store's coupon policies!! You'd hate to have your transactions all planned and find that your store doesn't even accept coupons! (lesson I learned at Big Lots!)
 In this game, there is no store or brand loyalty allowed! If you were a Target girl, you are now an anywhere girl! If Dove was the only haircare you'd use, you must now be open to whatever is the best deal for the best quality! (Luckily, if you are a Dove user, they do all kinds of great coupons.) ;)

Other

 When a hot item goes on sale, be prepared to have lots of coupons ready for it and get there as early in the sale as you can! Not all stores care if you get your great deal or not. It's a first come, first serve world! Sometimes you might have to check out a few locations if you are bent on getting that great bargain!

 Don't be afraid of thrift stores and be willing to be the annoying person in the checkout line. If you can't do either of these things, you may as well accept that you will be paying full price for the rest of your life! Get over yourself and realize that what you are working toward is worth washing someone else's old clothes and getting a few evil eyes at the grocery store. You can do it!!!

I hope these tips have helped. There will be lots more to learn and a lot of it you will have to do on your own. If there are questions, please ask! I'll help if I can! Remember your goals and let nothing get in your way!



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