Couponing 101
Forget everything you were ever taught about coupons and brand loyalty. In
today's society everyone is looking at where they can cut costs and save
money! For me, couponing is the way to go. I know what you're thinking. "How
is $.25 cents off of ketchup really going to save me money?", well just like
you've heard the saying " Every penny counts!" it truly does. What if the
$.25 cents off coupon combined with an amazing sale scores your family a
full size bottle of ketchup for less than $.80 cents. Ask yourself, when's
the last time you ever paid less than $1.50 for a bottle of ketchup. Now I
use ketchup as an example because it's usually an item that every household
needs or has to buy on a consistent basis.
On to the good stuff.Every household has basic needs, soaps, condiments, toiletries, laundry
today's society everyone is looking at where they can cut costs and save
money! For me, couponing is the way to go. I know what you're thinking. "How
is $.25 cents off of ketchup really going to save me money?", well just like
you've heard the saying " Every penny counts!" it truly does. What if the
$.25 cents off coupon combined with an amazing sale scores your family a
full size bottle of ketchup for less than $.80 cents. Ask yourself, when's
the last time you ever paid less than $1.50 for a bottle of ketchup. Now I
use ketchup as an example because it's usually an item that every household
needs or has to buy on a consistent basis.
On to the good stuff.Every household has basic needs, soaps, condiments, toiletries, laundry
detergent and the list goes on. If I told you that you could save 50% or
more on name brand items that you already buy or new products you would like
to try, would you be interested in taking a little extra time each week to
cut those coupons? Most people would say yes, but my job is to make the
couponing cutting and sale searching easier for you. I will also teach you
the most important things you will need to know to make couponing easy, fun
and rewarding!
more on name brand items that you already buy or new products you would like
to try, would you be interested in taking a little extra time each week to
cut those coupons? Most people would say yes, but my job is to make the
couponing cutting and sale searching easier for you. I will also teach you
the most important things you will need to know to make couponing easy, fun
and rewarding!
1. ALWAYS, always read your coupons. After a period of time you will
become familiar with the coupon lingo and the rules that apply. Reading your
coupon rules will save you so much time. Yes, coupons have rules and so do
the stores who accept said coupons.
become familiar with the coupon lingo and the rules that apply. Reading your
coupon rules will save you so much time. Yes, coupons have rules and so do
the stores who accept said coupons.
2. Understand that initially couponing will take time but you will get
faster and the longer you do it, the easier it gets, so don't give up! After
a few months you'll be surprised at how many prices you'll know offhand.
faster and the longer you do it, the easier it gets, so don't give up! After
a few months you'll be surprised at how many prices you'll know offhand.
3. Create a system that works for you. We're talking about organization
of coupons, for me it's a binder, for you it may be keeping all of your
coupons in a small box organized by what you plan to buy. Whatever works for
you, just be organized. This will save you a lot of time!
of coupons, for me it's a binder, for you it may be keeping all of your
coupons in a small box organized by what you plan to buy. Whatever works for
you, just be organized. This will save you a lot of time!
4. Know your stores coupon policy. Coupon policies can be found on most
stores' websites but you can always ask for a copy in person. Coupon
policies may also change at any time so try to check them regularly.
stores' websites but you can always ask for a copy in person. Coupon
policies may also change at any time so try to check them regularly.
5. Just because you have a coupon for something doesn't mean you NEED
to buy it. I mean after all, we're here to save money, not spend it on
products we don't need or may never use, even if you do find it at a rock
bottom price. Be patient, sales change, new coupons come out and things work
in cycles. If you miss a deal, chances are it will come back around again in
probably 3-4 months.
to buy it. I mean after all, we're here to save money, not spend it on
products we don't need or may never use, even if you do find it at a rock
bottom price. Be patient, sales change, new coupons come out and things work
in cycles. If you miss a deal, chances are it will come back around again in
probably 3-4 months.
6. This rule is one that I would consider a very important one. Never
leave your coupons or coupon binders at home. Try to keep it on you, because
you never know when you may walk into CVS or Publix and find your favorite
shampoo on clearance but you don't have the matching coupon to purchase the
item either for free or just pennies on the dollar.
leave your coupons or coupon binders at home. Try to keep it on you, because
you never know when you may walk into CVS or Publix and find your favorite
shampoo on clearance but you don't have the matching coupon to purchase the
item either for free or just pennies on the dollar.
7. Learn the value of a stock pile and how to build one.
"Stockpile.what is she talking about?!" Yes, a stock pile. A stock pile is a
couponers most important asset. Basically, when you find an item on sale and
have the matching coupons to boot, you will want to purchase more than one
of whatever item is on sale. The reason why, is so you will never pay full
price for this item again, because you will have purchased enough to last
you a minimum of 3 months. Why 3 months you ask? Because sales cycles have a
tendency of repeating themselves, along with the coupons available.
"Stockpile.what is she talking about?!" Yes, a stock pile. A stock pile is a
couponers most important asset. Basically, when you find an item on sale and
have the matching coupons to boot, you will want to purchase more than one
of whatever item is on sale. The reason why, is so you will never pay full
price for this item again, because you will have purchased enough to last
you a minimum of 3 months. Why 3 months you ask? Because sales cycles have a
tendency of repeating themselves, along with the coupons available.
EXAMPLE: Wisk Detergent is on sale at your local grocery market for $4.00,
which normally retails for $6.99 per bottle, but you have a matching coupon
for $2.00 off a bottle. You will now be purchasing a full size bottle of
Wisk Detergent for $2.00 each. Buy as many as your coupons will allow you
too and as many as the store will let you. Why? Because you honestly can't
beat paying $2.00 for a bottle of quality laundry detergent that your family
needs and buying 3 bottles for $6.00 is much cheaper than getting 1 bottle
without a sale or coupon for $6.99.
which normally retails for $6.99 per bottle, but you have a matching coupon
for $2.00 off a bottle. You will now be purchasing a full size bottle of
Wisk Detergent for $2.00 each. Buy as many as your coupons will allow you
too and as many as the store will let you. Why? Because you honestly can't
beat paying $2.00 for a bottle of quality laundry detergent that your family
needs and buying 3 bottles for $6.00 is much cheaper than getting 1 bottle
without a sale or coupon for $6.99.
Reasons to stockpile:
1. Loss of income - your stockpile can carry you through financial hard
ships or help budgets stretch in times of need!
2. It's awesome reaching in the pantry for an item on your dinner list
and you have it readily available - no more last minute grocery trips for
olive oil!
3. Let's face it, we live in Florida and hurricane season can always
bring surprises, so your stockpile can also come in handy in the event of
uncontrollable circumstances.
8. Be patient. Your stock pile won't build overnight; it will take a
little bit of time. You also won't find every killer deal when you first get
started. I remember when I first got started and I felt the need to go
couponing EVERYDAY.you may feel this way too once you get started but PACE
yourself! By the way, this feeling does eventually go away and you become
more reasonable about couponing and how much time you will spend on it.
little bit of time. You also won't find every killer deal when you first get
started. I remember when I first got started and I felt the need to go
couponing EVERYDAY.you may feel this way too once you get started but PACE
yourself! By the way, this feeling does eventually go away and you become
more reasonable about couponing and how much time you will spend on it.
Now that I've covered some of the basics, stay tuned and check back each
week and we'll review the deals I find and how you can score them too!
week and we'll review the deals I find and how you can score them too!
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