Coupons save consumers millions of dollars every year. Only 3% of all coupons that are printed every get redeemed. Why is that? I have found through the years of couponing it has to do with time and not knowing how to truly coupon and make it worth your while.
I would like to introduce myself to all of the present and future couponers. My name is Krista Cole I am a resident of Weatherford, Texas. My husband and I have lived in Weatherford for about 8 years we have three children. I work full time in the metroplex and commute daily. Couponing started out as a hobby but has become a necessity in my household. My story is no different than most households in America my husband lost his job late last year so we have had to learn to live on one income and I had to be crafty in doing do. I initially started couponing with a few in hand saving a couple of dollars on a shopping trip and would always stare in wonder at the woman at the store that would come out with two baskets of items and spending a few dollars after coupons. How do they do that? I will first tell you that if you just want to save $20.00 or $30.00 a week on your grocery tab that this is a very quick and easy process. However if you want the mega savings you will have to invest some true time into doing this.
To start with you will need to know the “Lingo” and get your stores coupon policies. I suggest pick one grocery store that is going to be your main store as well as a pharmacy. Go to the websites of each of these stores and print out the coupon policy. If the policy is not on the webpage send an email to the corporate office requesting a copy of the policy. Make sure you are specific to your area since most corporate offices handle many regions and policy and pricing does vary. And if all else fails pick up the phone and give them a call they will normally email it to you. Make sure that you print them out and keep them with you on your shopping trips. As you truly get into the mega savings you will need the policy with you. Keep in mind Wal-Mart will ad match and the Coupon and Ad match policy is online. I would choose another store as your primary grocery store simply because they do not double or triple coupons to maximize your savings. Myself personally I don’t shop at CVS or Walgreens. I simply don’t have the time to keep up with the extra care bucks and register rewards. I know others who do and I will share with you how to save this way as well. Now for the “LINGO” these will be key words you will see on website blogs and wonder what these people are talking about.
Brick – This is a printable coupon from online normally found on different coupon source sites.
BOGO – Buy one get one free
Cat – Catalina LOL this is what some people throw away L When you get your receipt at the register these also print out they are coupons for your next purchase.
Blinkie – These are the plastic coupon dispensers in the store that you take one and another spits out behind it.
Peelie – This is a coupon that is on an item on the shelf and you can use at the time of purchase.
Hangtag – These are coupons that are around the mouth of bottles that can be used at the time of purchase.
Q – Coupon
Dbl – Double
Trp – Triple
RP – Red Plum coupon circular in the Sunday paper
SS – Smart Source coupon circular in the Sunday paper
This is your main lingo that you will see and if you have any questions I will be happy to help. So let’s get started. You need either a binder with the clear plastic baseball sheets or you can use a shoe box of some sort. The little plastic coupon dividers will not hold all the coupons. I personally go by my memory which is like a lock box so I use a plastic box and bought a sheet of poster board cut it into dividers and wrote the different sections with marks a lot on the top. I cut my coupons organize and paperclip them and put them in the proper section. If you are going to use the binder you need to have the tabs on the pages to separate each section. Example: Frozen foods, Cold foods/Dairy, Canned foods, Boxed meals and pasta, Drinks, snacks, Baking goods, cereals, etc. don’t forget household items health and beauty, cleaning supplies baby items and pets. You may also want to have a section for store specific coupons as well. Once you figure out what system you want to use then you need to begin collecting your coupons. I myself by 3 double Sunday Fort Worth Star Telegrams you can also buy the Weatherford democrat and get coupons as well. Clip the coupons you are going to use and organize them in your coupon holder. You can match up to what is on sale at the time for this week or wait till the new ads come out on Tuesday for the sale starting Wednesday. Your first trip you will not save a lot of money it is going to take some time to build up your coupon cache. Plan on about 2 months before you have a big supply. I will give you the matchups that I find for the week and supply you with any links for printable coupons as well. Good luck happy and Happy Couponing.
Thank you for your post Krista. If your ready to start couponing you can also join the Coupon Queens of Parker County on facebook
couponqueen@groups.facebook.com
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