Couponing...How the Heck Does it Work? Part 1

 

When you post a picture of your couponing haul on Facebook/Instagram... it is always interesting to see the responses you will get...

How the heck did you do that?

Do you really need 19 bottles of shampoo?

Awesome!!

What do you do with all that stuff?

Show me!

The majority of comments and messages are from people want to know how it all works. And I totally don't blame you for asking...it is just so baffling that you really can cut your grocery bills by 80%...sometimes 100%...and sometimes there is that perfect storm when you may even get PAID to shop. True story, friends. Happened to me at Publix just last week. (LOVE PUBLIX!) 

And when you're saving for a wedding, or saving for a vacation, or if you just like SAVING $$$ (who doesn't) couponing is a great way to start! So, let's get started! You've got a lot to learn! 

{Yes, this is my moneymaker Publix haul! We'll talk more about it later}

Ok, I will try to make this as easy as possible. I do not claim to be an expert. There are many, many people out there who can coupon 1000 times better than me. I would not call this an "extreme couponing" tutorial. This is just enough to get you started...how you decide to grow is up to you! To begin, here are 2 of my favorite sites to start off with:

• www.southernsavers.com
• www.thekrazycouponlady.com

You will use these sites to build your knowledge as a couponer. They post many of the weekly ad match-ups with coupons. You can even click on the deals you like and make a printable list of the items you are getting.

When you begin to read a couponing site, there are so many abbreviations...so many terms. It's like couponing has it's own language. Here, I will give you a few essential abbreviations.

Coupon Vocabulary and Abbreviations

• SS= Smartsource- a coupon insert often found in your Sunday paper
• RP= Red Plum- a coupon insert often found in your Sunday paper
• PG= Proctor and Gamble- a coupon insert occasionally found in your Sunday paper
• Ibotta- an app you can download to your phone, scan your receipts after shopping, and get money back for certain items that you buy via paypal (I will NOT be talking about this because I personally do not like it or use it, however I wanted you to be aware of it)
• Tearpad- a literal "tearpad" often found near the product in question that can provide you with extra savings
• Peelie- a coupon that you literally peel off the product in question and save on it that day
• BOGO, B1G1- Buy on get one free, you may also see B2G1s, B3G1s, etc.
• MFR Coupon- Manufacturer coupon (comes from the actual maker of the product, NOT the store selling it)
• 1.00/1, 3.00/5, etc- 1 dollar off of one, 5 dollars off of 5, etc.

 ***It is also important to note that there are several other terms that are used when couponing at drug stores like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS. I do not prefer to coupon at drugstores, so therefore I am omitting that information. I believe it would also be overwhelming to load all of that information into one post. If this is something you are interested in, let me know and I will work on it.***

How it Works

1. Each week, stores release a new weekly ad, listing their sales for the next 7 days. This includes special deals, BOGOs, etc. *There are some unadvertised deals, too*
2. Most stores will except ONE store coupon (For instance if you are shopping at Publix, it would need to be a PUBLIX coupon, usually found in one of their flyers at the front of the store) and ONE manufacturer coupon (some grocery stores, like Publix, double manufacturer coupons that are 50 centers or under). 

**Example- If I find that Blush and Bashful shampoo is on sale at Publix for $2, and I have a $1 off store coupon from their flyer and a 50 cents off one manufacturer coupon from the Smart Source newspaper insert (that doubles to $1 off), then I know that I can get Blush and Bashful shampoo for absolutely free! **  

** Example- If I find out that Blush and Bashful conditioner is on sale at Target for $2 and I have a $1 off store coupon that I printed from their website and a 50 cents off one manufacturer coupon the Smart Source newspaper insert, then I know I can get Blush and Bashful conditioner at Target for 50 centers because Target does NOT double any coupons **

 3. You want to pair your coupons with the weekly ad for the best possible deals. However, sites like the 2 I listed do that work for you! They already have all the math done, the newspaper coupons listed, and links to printable coupons listed as well. Yes, it is true that they do miss some great weekly deals, but you NEED to let them do the work for you when you first start out, and then as you become more comfortable, you can start ad matching for yourself. 

Where to Find Coupons

1. Your Sunday newspaper is where you will find many manufacturer and occasionally, store coupons. You can ask your friends to save you their coupons, you can search you neighbor's recycling bins, you can just buy one or 2 yourself a week, or you can try to find someone in your area who will sell them to you in bulk for a small fee. It is hard to find someone to buy them from in bulk, but very worth it when you do! However, it is best to start off small with 2-3 papers a week. The websites listed about will tell you which insert to find the coupon in question. If you are just starting out, you obviously won't have the coupons from 3 weeks ago, but don't fret! As time passes, you will have the inserts you need. And you can still save with store flyer and printable coupons.
2. Coupon websites. Many store and manufacturer coupons come in the printable form. The websites I listed about will provide you with links to the coupons you will need for each item, making you familiar with the sites should you ever decide to venture out on your own. You really need a printer to get in on some of the best deals. While it is an investment, you will make the money back in savings in probably less than 5 shopping trips.
3. At the front of the store. For example, Publix store flyers are located by the doors.
4. Within a mobile app. For example, you can download the Target app to receive Target store coupons directly to your phone. You can also download Cartwheel by Target and recieve certain percentages off of TONS of items. Just scan the item in question with your phone and it will tell you if you can save on it! The best part is you can use Cartwheel on top of store and manufacturer coupons!
5. On, or next to the product. For example, peelies and tearpads (see above definitions).

**Once again, I will remind you that the websites I listed about WILL tell you exactly where to find the coupon for the item in question**

Buy One Get One Free Sales

It is important to note that at most stores, when there is a BOGO sale, you are technically not getting an item for free. You are actually paying half price for both items. If you buy just one of an item included in a BOGO sale, it will ring up at half price. These are my favorite kinds of sales because they often provide for great savings! Publix has awesome BOGO sales. You see, when an item in on BOGO sale, you can still use 1 manufacturer and 1 store coupon on each item...and they are already half priced!

**Example- LaLa Chips are regularly priced at $4 a bag. This week they are on BOGO sale...making them $2 each. There is a $1 off coupon in their weekly flyer and a $1 coupon on coupons.com...making them absolutely free!**

Is it starting to come together for you now? I promise, once you get the hang of it, it can be really fun, and sometimes even addicting! 

Don't miss this next part in this series, where I will talk about how to organize your coupons, why you need a stockpile, and I will give a breakdown of a haul. We will also talk more in depth about MONEYMAKER scenarios and must-haves to bring with you while shopping.

If you have ANY questions at all, you can ask me in a comment below, or via Facebook!