Couponing 101

Basic Rules
You can use one manufacturers’ coupon per item that you buy.
One coupon will apply to one item. So if you buy 5 of an item, you may use 5 coupons. Some stores will allow you to use a manufacturers’ coupon and a store coupon on one item. Check the store’s coupon policy to find out if your store does this.
Doubling is when a store will double the value of a coupon. In this case, a $1 coupon will take $2 off. Some stores will only double up to .50 or $1 and some will only double coupons certain days or weeks.
The barcodes on manufacturers’ coupons start with either a 5 or a 9. A 9 means that the coupon will not double. Coupons that start with a 5 should double but some say “Do Not Double.”
If a coupon is more than the amount of the item (like using $1 coupon on a .99 item), some stores may allow you to get overage. Other stores will adjust the coupon down to the amount of the item and some stores will not accept the coupon at all.
The wording on coupon is what counts. If the coupon does not specify a size or specifically exclude certain sizes, it is good on any size of that product, including the trial or travel size. The picture may show a larger size of the product but that is just for marketing purposes.
Per Purchase vs. Per Transaction – These two words mean different things. Limit one per purchase just means that you can use one coupon per item. Limit one per transaction means that you can only use one of that coupon per transaction.
Tips
Start with one store so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
Food items are harder to save on than HBA items. I can get many HBA items for free, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner but have only found a handful of food freebies in my two years of couponing.
Just because you have a coupon for an item doesn’t make it a good deal.
Shop the sales and match your coupons to them.
It is often better to buy smaller sizes than larger sizes with coupons. For example, a 70 ct product is $4.50 and a 35 ct product is $2.50 and you have coupons for $1/1. If you buy 2 of the smaller product, you will pay $3 for 70. You could buy one of the 70 ct and use your $1/1 coupon but you would pay $3.50 for the same amount. Sometimes this isn’t the case so it may be worth your time to do the math
Always check your store’s coupon policy. Print it and bring it with you if you can.
Leave the husband (or wife) and kids at home. Otherwise you’ll probably spend more than you wanted to.
Always check the clearance aisle. You never know what you might find that you have a coupon for.
Never throw away a coupon before it expires.
If a store is out of a sale item that you really want, get a raincheck. This will also give you more time to gather coupons if you don’t have any during the sale.
Sales usually have a cycle. Item A might go on sale every 3 weeks, while item B might only be on sale a few times a year. Either way, these sales WILL come around again so it’s not a big deal if you miss a sale.
Types of coupons
Sunday newspapers – SmartSource, RedPlum and P&G inserts. Sometimes the Parade inserts have a coupon or two as well. You should be able to find a coupon insert schedule online so you know what inserts are in the paper. You can also find coupon previews a week or so before the paper comes out so you have an idea of what coupons are in there. Many coupons are regional, though, so your insert may differ from the previews.
You can also get newspaper coupons from coupon clipping services online, eBay, and by trading with other couponers. Check out the FSOT (For Sale or Trade) section on Have Coupons, Will Travel. (http://havecouponswilltravel.com/forumdisplay.php/86-The-Trade-Station)
Printables (IPs) – There are many places where you can find coupons to print online. Some of the best sites are
coupons.com
smartsource.com
redplum.com
couponnetwork.com
You can also find IPs on company websites and Facebook pages. Some coupons can be printed twice.
Tearpads, peelies, blinkies, and hangtags – These are all coupons that can be found in the store.
Tearpads are pads of coupons which are placed near the item. A good place to find good tearpads is a convenience store.
Peelies and hangtags are coupons attached to a product.
Blinkies are the coupons in the little machines you can find in the aisles at grocery stores.
Snail Mail – Sometimes companies will send you coupons in the mail. I have seen a lot of companies offer to give away a high value coupon to the first X number of people who sign up. You can also email, call, or send a letter to a company complimenting one of their products and many will send you coupon(s) in response. You can find a company’s contact information on their website.
Catalinas – These are coupons that print after your transaction. These can be for dollars/cents off a specific item(s) or off your entire order.
If you’re just starting to use coupons, don’t drastically change your shopping habits overnight. Instead, try to collect coupons for items that you usually buy and gradually lower your shopping bill. Watch sales ads for stores in your area and when you find items that are free or very cheap, stock up on those items.