Clip Coupons and Save

Posted by Jennifer Billy on March 18, 2009

I LOVE saving money with coupons! I always have. My husband always laughs at me when we are shopping or at a restaurant and I tell him that I have a coupon. But I know that he really appreciates the money I save him. Especially now that he is the sole “worker” in our family. Every time I am able to save money I feel that I am also contributing financially to the family.

One thing that I hear often from people is that they just do not find it worth the time to use coupons. I have to disagree with this. Just check out the picture below of all the items that I have gotten for FREE so far this month by using coupons. This doesn’t even include the money I have gotten back from Catalina coupons (Register Rewards) or mail-in rebates.

So for you skeptics out there, does this change your mind? Well if so, please read on…

The first key to using coupons is to be organized. I can not tell you how many times I used to save coupons and then forget to use them. I was throwing away hundreds of dollars a month! You need to start thinking of those coupons as actual money. They are legal tender so let’s start treating them that way.

The best way to stay organized is to have a very simple system in place to get the most out of your coupons. You can realistically do this in about 30 minutes a week. There is no need to clip a coupon until you are going to use it. When the paper comes all you do is write the date on the top of the insert and file it. I use a three ring binder.

You will be saving all coupons because you never know when you can find a deal to get that item extremely cheep or even free. So even if it is not something you would normally use, you might want to get it if it was free. Then you can try it or give it to charity.

Any loose coupons I have from online or mailers I then place in an organizer. I highly recommend using the Couponizer.  Not only does it have dividers to keep your coupons organized but it also has sleeves to hold all your reward cards.

Another option is to clip all coupons and place them into a binder. This way you will have all your coupons with you when you go shopping. You can make your own binder using a 3 ring binder and baseball card sleeves. However, I really like the CouponClutch. It has everything you need to keep your coupons organized while also folding up into a really cute bad.

Before you go shopping you should start by going through the weekly ads and making a shopping list according to sale items. The more flexible you can be on your list for the week and the brands you buy, the more you can save. Also, check all stores. It may be worth your while to make multiple trips if the current deals are good enough.

After you have your list simply go to http://moneysavingsecretsblog.coupontom.com and check the database for coupons. Type in each item and you will get a list of coupons available. Under location it will either have the link to print it or the date the coupon came out and where to find it. For example 03-01 PG means the coupon is in the Proctor & Gamble insert from March 1st.

Here is a list of abbreviations you will need to know:

S- Smart Source Insert
R- Red Plum Insert
PG- Proctor & Gamble Insert
GM- General Mills
AY- All You Magazine

Here are a few online sites for printable coupons:

Coupons.com

SmartSource.com
RedPlum.com

Make sure to also check under the  “Coupons” page, located on the top of this blog, to see any other coupons that may be available.

After you have your list, print it out and start clipping the coupons you need. I will then place the coupons in envelopes according to store. I will also place my list in the envelop as well as discount/rewards card. Then when I am at the store everything will be in one place and make my checkout process simple.

The best advice I have when it comes to shopping at grocery stores is to stick to the perimeter of the store. Only go down the aisles for things on your list and are at a discount. As for non- food items, like toilet paper or toothpaste, stick to the drug stores. Walgreens and CVS have amazing sales that can really save you tons of money.

If you stock-up when the price is at its lowest then you will never have to pay full price. I currently have about 8 boxes of Colgate Toothpaste that I have gotten for free or under .25 cents. I also have about a 6 month supply of deodorant. I pick it up when ever it is under $1. So I know that I will never run out and have to pay full price for these items.

You will be amazed on how much you can save on your out of pocket expense by using these simple tips.

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