Coupon 101

Welcome to the wonderful world of Couponing!!

What is a Coupon? One form of a coupon is the traditional piece of paper you clip and has a bar code that begins with a 5 or 9 and is redeemed for a certain amount off your purchase. It can also be a promotional code you can enter online for additional savings. A coupon can be from the manufacturer of the product or it can be from the store (ie. Target or Walgreens have their own store coupons).

Where can you find Coupons? Just about anywhere! Get coupons through mail, magazines, newspapers, the Internet, in-store dispenser, peelies found on products, found in products, sent in samples, friends, and mobile devices like cell phones.

Looking for a Coupon? Check the Coupon Database here!

The #1 Magazine for coupons is All You! Get your subscription here.

Buy Coupons - Purchase individual coupons you want from CouponthingsbyDede.com

Sunday Paper – Make sure to check your local Dollar Store/Tree and see if they sell the Sunday Paper. If so, it should be around a $1! Walgreens and Walmart here in SC have the Sunday Paper priced around $1.

You can also buy whole coupon inserts from Kim at Capri Services!

*Let Kim know Keeping Cents sent you.

View the latest Sunday Coupon Preview here!

Print Coupons – Head over here for a list of printable coupon websites!

Coupon Policies – Company Coupon Policies are always good to have with you when you go shopping in case you have any issues. See current store coupon policies here.

Coupon Jargon – Not sure what BOGO, SS, ECB, RR, wyb mean? See the full list of coupon terminology here!

Coupon Organization Methods – Now that you have coupons, here’s what you can do with them…

Envelopes/Ziploc bags: Some people store coupons in envelops and/or Ziploc bags. This can be very messing and hard to organize your coupons.

Accordion style: You can buy an accordion style file folder and file your coupons by category. You can get these in different sizes from ones that fit in your purse or others that are the size of a notebook. These limit you to how many categories you can have.

Binder Method: You can clip every coupon you have/want and organize in a 3-ring binder by Category. Put your clipped coupons in baseball card organizer’s. This works great if you want to carry your binder with you to the store. I find this to be very time consuming. Plus, not every coupon you clip will be used by expiration date. 

Filing Cabinet/Crate Method: Organize your coupons in a filing cabinet or crate system. Just clip coupons as you use them and match them with that weeks ad! Check the Coupon Database for specific coupons. Date each insert and organize your inserts by alphanumerical order by Redplum, Smartsource, Proctor & Gamble and General Mills.  Coupons that are already clipped or printed from the computer, keep a smaller 3-ring binder and organize them in a plastic baseball card insert. This saves time for those who are always on the go. Plus, it requires you to make a list and know exactly what you plan on buying when shopping, thus saving time and money at the stores! (I use this method)

*A great coupon organization tool to get you started is the ever popular Coupon Clutch!

Plus, these are too cute!!

Coupon Tips -
1. Read your coupons and know what they say & specify!
2. Know your store coupon policies! It’s always a good idea to bring them to the store with you.
3. If your coupon does not specify a set size. Check the price of the smallest size and possibly score the product for free or really cheap. Buying in a “Bulk” quantity does not mean you are getting the best price…
4. Don’t go to just any cashier unless you have no choice. I always stop, scan the checkouts and try to go to someone I know will not hassle me with my coupons.
5. If you have a coupon that requires the cashier to write an amount in, let them know at the beginning of your transaction. I have found that cashiers appreciate this!

Have a coupon question? Send me an email here!