If you’ve been wondering how to start couponing for beginners, you’re in the right place. In fact, I get this question a lot. One of the main ways to ease into frugal living is to be more diligent about saving money on things you already buy.
You know, those things like toothpaste, toilet tissue, dish detergent – you buy those things, right? And what would it hurt to save a dollar or two on those things? Even better, what would it hurt to build a stockpile of those things you use regularly?
It wouldn’t hurt a thing because it will make your life easier and it will ultimately save you money, but only if you do it the right way. I’ve traveled down the extreme couponing road before and I’ve vowed to never do it again.
Yeah, it was sweet having a closet full of toilet paper, dish detergent, toothbrushes, etc. However, every month it seems like I was digging myself into a hole financially and I couldn’t see it while I was caught up couponing. Yes, I was saving money on things that I needed, but the money I saved wasn’t in my bank account. Crazy, right?
But I’m going to give you the rundown on how to do things right. I’m going to share with you exactly how to start couponing for beginners. I’ll walk you through where to find coupons and I’ll even share a few benefits of using coupons when shopping.
By the time you’re through reading this, you’ll no longer be wondering “how do I begin couponing.” Plus, you’ll be prepared to avoid potential pitfalls so the money you save can actually accumulate on your bank statement and not just your savings total at the bottom of your receipts.
How To Start Couponing For Beginners
So, let’s tackle how to start couponing and trust me, I’m going to make this as easy as possible. In fact, there are only FIVE steps you need to know to get started couponing. Cool? Alright, let’s jump into them…
1. Begin with one store.
Ease into couponing with one store. This is where I messed up on my couponing journey. I was wasting a lot of gas traveling to a bunch of different grocery stores, chasing deals, and saving nothing. A good store to start with would be Target or Dollar General.
2. Find your coupons.
Knowing where to find coupons is actually the easiest part of this whole thing. With the internet and mobile apps at your fingertips, it’s incredibly easy to find all types of coupons. Let me briefly run through the different places to get coupons…
Sunday Newspaper – The Sunday newspaper typically comes with coupon inserts. Every week there are different inserts. The three you’ll usually find are Smart Source, Red Plum, and Proctor & Gamble. Some others you may occasionally find are Unilever, Keebler, and General Mills.
Magazines – Magazines are still a thing and they are a great source for coupons. If I were looking for coupons, I would check out magazines that are closest to my lifestyle. For instance, if I focused a lot on healthy eating, I would want fitness-type magazines for a good chance of finding coupons for relatively “healthy” products I may use.
Printable Coupons – You can find printable coupons everywhere. Coupons.com, Smart Source, Red Plum…just to get you started. If there is a store you shop at, for example, a store like Macy’s, check out their website! Be sure to check the store’s coupon policy!
Digital Coupons- Many stores offer digital coupons to increase your savings. Just be your digital accounts with each store is connected to your phone number AND your store loyalty card (I learned that lesson the hard way.)
Manufacturer – Email the manufacturer of products you use and ask for a manufacturer’s coupons! If they have them, they will send them and probably add you to their mailing list. If they don’t, keep searching!
Weekly Ads or Stores – Check the weekly ads of the store you plan to start with. Also, check-in the store for inserts at the customer service desk or check out.
Loyalty Cards or Clubs – Again, let’s go back to fitness. If there is a particular lifestyle you follow or favorite stores you’re always shopping at, be sure to ask whether or not they have store loyalty cards or clubs. For example, Vitamin Shoppe has a loyalty rewards program.
Apps- Boy, do I love me a good ole app. There are so many available these days that help me save money. For example, Chic-Fil-A gives you points for every mobile order and these points add up to all kinds of goodies like waffle fries, free drinks, free dessert, and free chicken sandwiches.
Another favorite app is Target because you can clip coupons right into your wallet and scan it when you check out. Plus, you can often stack paper coupons with any store-app coupons.
Social Media- Check out the social media sites of the stores you shop at or the brands you purchase often. Sometimes they share coupon codes for online shopping.
Other – Other places where you can find coupons are on those blinkies on the store aisle shelves, on products, samples, and on apps such as Fetch, a free browser extension called Honey, or Ibotta.
Related Reading: 10 Ways You’re Losing Money With Ibotta and How to Fix It!
3. Get Organized.
Next, you need to get organized and no that doesn’t mean you need one of those bulky coupon binders. Again, we’re keeping things simple. Start with one of these simple, yet stylish coupon organizers and create a section for each category you plan to source coupons.
For example:
- Groceries
- Toiletries
- Baby
- Household
- Pantry.
You can add more categories than this; however, I find these categories are some of the more basic categories for beginners and experts alike. Be sure to place your coupons in your organizer based on their expiration date. Keep coupons that are expiring in the front so you won’t miss out on any potential great deals.
4. Create your NEEDS list.
Now, this is where couponing can go wrong. Don’t clip coupons for things you’re not going to use! Also, just because it’s on sale and you have a coupon for it doesn’t mean you NEED to buy it.
Create a list of things you purchase regularly and then search the sales at the store you’ve decided to shop for your next shopping trip. Don’t do this the other way around because this is how you end up spending money on things you won’t use. Our goal is to increase the savings in your bank account alongside the savings at the bottom of your receipt.
So, create your list for your needs as you search for the sales at your store. Then find corresponding coupons and don’t forget to include STORE coupons and MANUFACTURER coupons.
5. Go shopping!
Last, but not least, go shopping! You’ve decided on one store to start with, you found your coupons, you’ve organized them by category and expiration date, created your needs list of specific products, and checked the various coupon policies of the stores you’re shopping. Also, carefully read the fine print on the coupon to make sure you have the correct size or requirements necessary to use the coupon.
Once you’ve done all of the above, you’re ready to score some awesome deals.
Once you’ve done all of the above, you’re ready to score some awesome deals.
However, don’t stop there. I challenge you to do one thing! Look at the bottom of your receipt. You know where it says something like, “Thank you for shopping with us! Today you saved $25.31.”
Well, I want you to transfer that $25.31 into a separate savings account (I use Capital One 360.)
This is how you reap the true benefits of using coupons when shopping. Speaking of benefits…let’s talk about them…
Benefits of Using Coupons When Shopping
So, what are the benefits of using coupons while shopping? Well, the most obvious reason is SAVING MONEY. However, you only save money when you’re not wasting it on things you don’t need or won’t use. Here are three other benefits of using coupons when shopping…
- You can build a stockpile of items you regularly use so you won’t have to buy items again for months. (For example, You purchase name-brand toothpaste on sale at Target and use Target Cartwheel, a store coupon, and a manufacturer coupon. You pay only $1.00 each. STOCKPILE enough until the next sales cycle!)
- You never pay full price on all of your favorite over-priced items.
- You can bless others with items. Have a coupon for something you won’t use but know someone who can use it? That’s a great reason to buy. Couponing can help you be a better giver.
How to Start Couponing For Beginners – Words of Advice
Words of advice from a former coupon-addicted junkie — because I want to see you win! Here’s how you can truly benefit from couponing…
- Remember your needs. Stick to what you need or you can bless others. If you find your stockpile is more than you can reasonably use, consider donating to churches, school teachers, families in need, shelters, family, or loved ones.
- Be Kind. Don’t be difficult with the cashiers. Smile and make their life easier. Trust me, it’s not worth getting upset about coupons. Politely refer to the store policy in your conversation and if that doesn’t work, just let it go.
- Have a reason why. Know why you’re doing this. Is it to save money, bless others? Whatever the reason, remember it when you’re couponing to help you keep things in perspective. If you’re doing this to save money, make sure you stick to your needs and don’t go crazy with coupons you wouldn’t reasonably use.
And that my friends is the simplest way I can share with you how to start couponing for beginners. It’s truly simple and doesn’t have to be the headache that many have made it out to be (I’m totally talking about myself)!