Couponing Tips For Beginners

So you’ve seen Extreme Couponing on TLC and you want to start couponing.  You have lots of questions of where to start and what to do.  I asked my fans on Nicki’s Couponing Tips about what they think are some tips to share with someone wanting to get started in couponing.  Here’s what they had to share.

Couponing Tips for Beginners

2Broke Girls Couponing said – Be Organized

I couldn’t agree more, when I first started I would clip coupons and save them in envelopes.  It was horrible when I got to the store and had to search through tons of coupons to find the right one.  It made my hubby and kids annoyed that shopping was taking twice as long.  Get organized – get either a binder, coupon folder or anything to keep those coupons organized and easy to find.

Erica F. said – Start slow and relish in small victories.. Small savings are better than no savings.

Another great tip.  Don’t think on your first trip you are going to get $500.00 worth of groceries for $2.00 just because you saw it on television.  Sometimes the best victories are those small ones.  For example finding something on clearance and having a coupon to use on it.  Last year I got tons of limited edition Febreeze at Target when it was on clearance, plus I had a coupon.  I ended up paying less than a dollar a can.  I have been using them for gift baskets since.  Yay me!

Kristina W. said –  Don’t go with anyone so you can focus . It’s real easy to get mixed up. when a store is out of stock on something you have to rethink you’re plan on stuff like kroger mega deals.

Tina H. said – Go shopping by yourself

I know about this all too well, most of the time when I am shopping my kids are with me and its such a headache.  They get tired and snippy and they are ready to go.  Having too many distractions could mean you are missing out on an item or having to cut your shop short making you not maximize your deals.  If you can go alone and take you time you may even find something that wasn’t on your list.

Ashley N. said – Only tackle one store at a time until you get used to policies

Lisa R. said –  start out small with like only one store then add more once you get the hang of it

I gave a great tip about this on my facebook page recently.  I was so used to going to my regular stores I didn’t pay attention to or bother to look into the coupon policy of a new grocery in my area.  That means I had to pay more than I expected because I didn’t know that they don’t double more than four coupons per order.  Take time to learn the policies so when you are shopping it goes smoothly.  As a couponer you have to know the policies better than the people who work at the store.

Jenn H. said – Don’t buy things that you don’t need. Sure, it only cost 34 cents but if you won’t ever use it then that’s 34 wasted cents.

I never though about couponing this way before, however I have to agree that sometimes you just have to leave a deal.  I usually only buy what I know me, my family or friends could use.  I do however recommend if you can’t use it then donate it but don’t just buy it to have a stock pile of stuff you don’t touch.  Plus you can donate it and get a tax credit in the end.

Jennifer R. said – Organization is key. But find the way that works for you. I tried everyone’s suggestions but ended up confused and lost a few coupons lol. I finally found a way that works for me.

I can’t stress this enough that I kept these separate. When you are starting off make sure you research and fine a system that works for you.  Some people use a basic coupon organizer (the one that looks like a envelope folder with tabs).  I used the binder method with baseball card holder and currency holder to protect my coupons.  There are plenty of options online when you start researching but don’t invest too much money until you have found your method of choice.  Remember coupons has value.  Value your coupons like its cash.

C.C. T said –  I agree organization is key, I also try to find the $1/1 product coupons to use. We don’t have a store that doubles here so if I

can save $1/1 it makes a world of difference.

I live in an area where coupons under $0.99 double and sometimes Harris Teeter doubles coupons up to $2.00.  Super doubles are great a coupon for a dollar off now becomes $2.00 off.  High value coupons are great.  Be sure to grab them when you can.  Also look out for them in the supermarket on packaging and in

blinkies.

Mable C.  I went to a couponing class here in Okmulgee and it was beyond beneficial! She gave every1 a binder she gave organization tips, shopping tips, pretty much everything she said she had 2 learn the hard way! It was greeeaaaaatttt!

 Taking a coupon class is a great way to learn lots of tips and save yourself from having to do all the research for yourself.  Plus some people offer very affordable classes, making it very worth while.

If you have more money saving tips for someone who wants to start couponing then leave a comment and share your tips with us.