Start Here! The First Step's of Couponing!

Everyone always asks me how to start couponing. Although I have my own Couponing 101 found here. A lot of people want to know the basics of where to start. So I will help you with that. I do suggest reading the couponing 101 so you can get a better idea of the lingo used in couponing and how to do it.

NUMBER ONE  

You have to make the decision that this is something that you need and you have to understand that the most extreme couponers put a lot of time into what they do but they do it because they HAVE to or because they NEED to. But either way it is does take some effort on your part. So be ready. Read the pages on this website and get yourself familiar with the rules, the lingo, and get to know your store and what they take as far as competitors. Get your toes wet.

 NUMBER TWO

Let's start....first you need to start buying papers each Sunday. If you are local I would go with the Tampa Tribune since it is $1.00 plus tax on Sundays compared to the Tribune which is priced higher. But you will want to double check your papers and make sure all the inserts are inside. The last thing you want is to come home and be missing inserts. It is like buying a book and it missing the final chapter.

Most people say get two for each person in your family but what happens to those who have a family of four (4) or even seven (7)? To me that many papers can be a bit overwhelming so I say to start small maybe two (2) papers or even four (4) papers. But either way they must be in multiple's of two (2) for the Buy One Get One Free Sales. 

You can also buy coupons individually threw the Coupon Clippers Here. They are located in Dade City and most of the time the sturn around time from the time you place your order to the time that you get them in your mail box is just about two days. This is an option if you work long hours or just want extra coupons to stock up. 

Also during the week locally check your driveway. We get a free news flyer which includes the Smart Source insert in our driveways each week. 

NUMBER THREE

Time to decide if you want to be a cutter or a filer. This to me is simple. It depends on your lifestyle. If you are always out in the stores and have time on your hands clip that way you will KNOW what you have and always have them with you. If you have a full time job and your a full time mom and you only get to the stores once a week then file. Pick a method that works for you binder, old photo albums, a box, etc. If you a cutter all you need is a scissor or invest in a paper cutter.

 NUMBER FOUR

Look out for money off coupons. Enjoy the city recently stopped printing the $5 off $30 coupons and switched to the $5 off $50 which was a sad day but no need to give up we always get money off coupons in the paper. This week in our Sunday paper we will be getting a Target $10 off $50 food and beverage so right off the back even if you do not coupon you will save $10.00 off your purchase of $50.00 or more on food and beverages. You can also see these money off coupons printed on your receipts or sent to your home threw the baby clubs.

NUMBER FIVE

This is not a necessity but having a print to print coupons will help. You can for the most part print two (2) coupons per computer. YOU CAN NOT COPY COUPONS OR TRADE INTERNET PRINTED COUPONS! There are plenty of sites to go for you to print coupons as mentioned in the Couponing 101 and there are links on this site that will help you to do that. I also post deals with the coupons to use when a new coupon or deal pops up. Some people coupon without a printer of their own, it is not something that you NEED but it helps a lot. Print the coupons for the things you would normally buy and then print the coupons for the deals that I post 
(if you want to get in on it).

NUMBER SIX

Since you ARE just starting out this may be super overwhelming but if you get a notebook and keep track of all the deals that you would like to get in on that may help you to actually remember. But always print when I post a deal or you see a printable that you need because some coupons are released but with limits or caps on them.  

NUMBER SEVEN

There are a million and one coupon sites, blogs, etc to follow learn from and hang with. All have there own agenda. Some come from the heart others are all business. I have been couponing for years and am a helper on a HUGE site. But I wanted to start to help people within my own community that is how this started. I am not here to compete with anyone just to help people. 

NUMBER EIGHT

To make life easier I do HOT DEAL match ups or link to the match ups and post them on Monday for the weeks sales at Publix that start Thursday. This way you know in advance what is going to happen. I try to get the local prices posted and share local finds as well. 

NUMBER NINE

I have this blog and the Facebook group so if you have a question just ask me. Nothing is stupid and I do not mind repeating myself 100 times a day or answering instant messaging. I was where you are everyone was and just be patient. If you need help ask. But I will tell you with effort on your part this is real. This is not some infomercial this is serious and it can change your life and more importantly the one's around you. 

NUMBER TEN

I will tell you that there is a lot more but this is a good place to start. You will pick up on the rest as you move forward. You can search around my site to sign up for free coupon books and more. You will always learn something else you did not know. Take it slow and ask as many questions that you need to and trust me your first trip to the store you will be shaking in your shoes but trust me you will be dancing to your car. 

I think the best part of couponing once you get into it is helping people. Yes HUGE stock piles are nice and pretty but after you see the amount of things you can get and you have enough to help someone else in need the feeling you get is simply amazing BUT if you choose to keep it and turn into a crazy couponer that is fine too. 

I have helped 1,000's of people start couponing. Young people, old people, and everything in between. They all started somewhere and this is where you are going to start..... enjoy the journey. 

HAPPY COUPONING!