Clever Couponing

Getting Started

One of the first things you can do if you are new to couponing, is start saving your Sunday coupon inserts.  The inserts are found inside your local Sunday newspaper.  I recommend subscribing to the largest newspaper in your area, because  usually advertisers have MORE coupons in those inserts, as well as, HIGHER VALUE coupons.  For example, in Chicago, the two major newspapers are The Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune.  I subscribe to the Chicago Tribune only because they usually have a wider variety of coupons in their inserts.  Also, you can usually find coupon codes online and get a Sunday-only subscription for only $.50/week.  Here are the most common inserts found in the Sunday paper:

Smartsource – S or SS

Red Plum- RP (This is also Valassis (V) in some regions)

Proctor & Gamble- PG or P&G

General Mills -GM

Once you get your inserts, DON’T clip them! I have found that it is too time consuming to sort through all of the inserts and more often than not, they get misplaced, or I’d completely forget to use them.  So, I recommend putting the date on the front and then filing them away in an accordion type binder/folder.  Then, when you’re ready to shop, you can use a coupon-lookup tool like CouponTom and cut only the coupons you need. 

Coupon Lingo

AY- All You Magazine (many coupons are found here)

Blinkie- the coupons that come from the flashing coupon dispensers in store aisles

BOGO- buy one get one free 

B1G2- buy 1 get 2 free

Catalina- These are the coupons that “spit out” of the register after you make a qualifying purchase.  These can be Store or Manufacturer coupons that can be redeemed on your next purchase. Don’t throw these away!

ECB- Extra Care Bucks (CVS)

Hangtags- coupons that “hang” from products in the store

IP- Internet Printable

OOP- Out of Pocket-What you end up paying after all coupons are redeemed

OYNO- On Your Next Order

Peelies- Coupons you can “peel” off a product

PP-Participating Products

RR-Register Reward (Walgreens)

Tearpads- Coupons that are usually found on store displays that you “tear” off.

WT- Wine Tag (coupons found hanging from necks of wine bottles)

WYB- when you buy

YB- Your Bucks ( Find out more about YourBucks here)

YMMV- your mileage may vary

Different “Types” of Coupons

There are three types of coupons:

1. Store – Coupons that can only be redeemed at a particular store ( i.e. Jewel, Dominick’s…)

2. Manufacturer- Coupons distributed by the manufacturer of a particular product ( i.e. Colgate, Kraft…)

3. E-Coupons or Electronic- Coupons that can be uploaded onto your store shopping card via the internet, then redeemed when you scan your card. The following are the most popular e-coupon sites:

Cellfire

Shortcuts

P&GeSaver

Most store’s coupon policies will state that they allow 1 store AND 1 manufacturer coupon per product.  For example: Let’s say, in the Walgreens ad, there is a store coupon for Dawn Dish Liquid for .99. You can combine that store coupon with a $.50/1 manufacturer coupon to take it home for $.49!

Combining store/manufacturer coupons along with store sales and promotions is the BEST way to maximize your savings!

Now that you’ve got the basics down, head on over to my Home page are start taking advantage of some deals.