Have you seen the new TV “reality” program titled Extreme Couponing? The show features men and women who have taken couponing to outrageous levels and save thousands of dollars-sometimes in a single transaction! it’s fun to watch, but I sincerely doubt many of us actually have the 20-40 hours each week that these folks spend clipping and organizing coupons, let alone the desire to mega-save and stock pile like those on the show.

There is a more realistic, less overwhelming approach to couponing that is attainable for almost anyone. With some simple steps you can save $10 to $40 or more each month on things you are probably already buying. A few “Couponing Basics” are all you need to get started.

Step One: OBTAIN

Buy your local Sunday paper. This is where you’ll find the bulk of coupon inserts. Extra tip: Dollar Tree stores sell the Sunday paper for only $1. While it seems that couponing is the new black, realize that many don’t clip, so don’t be afraid to ask friends and neighbors to save coupon inserts from their newspapers for you.

Coupon websites provide coupons that you can print right from your home printer. Some stores have policies prohibiting computer printed coupons, but most accept them. My preferred sources for printable coupons are:
coupons.com
Redplum.com
SmartSource.com

Many blogs exist to provide readers with up-to-date info on bargains and coupons in a timely fashion. It’s wise to bookmark a few of your favorites and then check in on them every few days to see what deals or bargains may be beneficial for you. Many times these are time-sensitive coupons or deals that these writers have access to that “the rest of us” don’t know about. I find these to be among the most useful coupons. The same sites often also match current store sales with available coupons and deals. This makes finding the bargains easy!

I check these two sites regularly to find extra coupons:
moneysavingmom.com
Ingoodcents.com (a central-IN based blogger)

Step two: ORGANIZE

Couponing can be completely overwhelming without an organization method.

Begin by organizing coupons according to grocery categories, ie: dairy, frozen, cereal, etc. Some shoppers organize according to store layout or even alphabetically. The key is to find what works for you!

You’ll need a “containment system” for your stash. Several super savers I know use three ring binders with baseball card page protectors. A page or several pages in a row hold like coupons in the card pockets and the book opens easily across the top of a shopping cart.

Others use a small file or large recipe box-think a baby wipe tub. Tab dividers can easily be cut out of card stock or old manila folders to separate coupons into categories. 

Extra tip: save yourself a headache and set aside time the same day you get the coupons to file them. Nothing prevents coupon use more than not organizing them and taking them to the store.

Purge expired coupons regularly. It’s frustrating and can throw your expected dollar totals completely off if several of your coupons are rejected at checkout.

Step three: USE WISELY

Do you have a high-value coupon for dog food? Great! But if you don’t have a dog that’s a bad buy! Be wise about what you purchase with coupons and don’t buy items that wouldn’t otherwise have made it into your cart just because you can save a few cents.

A great majority of coupons will be for processed food products like cereal, frozen convenience foods or lunch meat. If your family makes your own granola, don’t buy Frosted Flakes just to use the coupon. However, if you can use a coupon on a sale item and implement that item in your meal plan, it now becomes a good buy. (Look for future articles in upcoming TFC Newsletters on meal planning!)

Step four: PUT THAT SAVINGS TO GOOD USE

Saving on your family’s grocery or household budget is great, but putting those savings to good use is even better! After a few months of budgeting with your TFC coach, you’ll have a feel for how much you are able to reduce your grocery budget.

Be brave and reduce amount you distribute into that grocery column! If you’ve been putting $75 per week in your grocery envelope, challenge yourself to lower that to $65 per week next month by using coupons to save that $10. Then, increase one of your debt snowball payments by $40 next month-you just put the savings to use wisely!

Want more info on couponing? Leave a message in the comments section or contact me directly at jennifer@thefinancecoach.net. Next month’s TFC Newsletter article will cover couponing in more detail, including matching coupons with sales, doubling, coupon stacking and freebies, but until then…happy clipping!