Getting Started

Coupon Basics

If you are brand new, this is the place for you!  Take a deep breath, and try not to get overwhelmed.

Where to get coupons

The Sunday Newspaper.  This is a great source for coupons.  Buy the largest city in your areas paper.  Ex. AJC, Savannah, Augusta, Birmingham…  These papers will have the most and best coupons.  Papers and inserts vary sometimes from city to city, so don’t be surprised if your paper has one less insert than another.  If you are shopping for a larger family, I recommend buying at least two papers (if not more depending on your family size).  Sometimes you can buy the paper in a double pack and they are discounted!

Online printables.  You can find many great coupons online, and they are only a click away!  When printing a coupon from the internet coupon sites, remember you can print two of each coupon per computer.  So, if you have two computers, you can print a coupon four times!  Go here for a list of internet printable sites.

In the stores.  Many stores come out with coupon booklets.  These booklets will contain either store coupons or manufacturer’s coupons.  Also, when you are in a store shopping, always be on the lookout for the little red boxes that spit out coupons!  These are called blinkies.  Even if you are not going to use the coupon right away, put it away for when a sale comes around for that item.  If you see a store employee giving out free samples, head over that way!  Even if you don’t want to try the sample in the store, the employee will be handing out great coupons for the sample product!

Ask family and friends.  You will be surprised at how many people you know that throw out their coupons!  Just ask them if you can take them off their hands.

Start Couponing

1.      Sale Cycles and Stocking up

Now that you know where to get your coupons, it’s time to shop!  But wait, you don’t know what to shop for.  Should you just get what you get every week?  NO.  Now that you have started the coupon process, forget how you used to shop for groceries.  Let’s save some money!

Everything goes on sale, yes even groceries!  Almost everything in the store has a rock bottom price that it will reach when on sale.  That’s when you want to buy.  Most sale cycles happen every six weeks.  When that bottom low price shows up, stock up ONLY to last you about six weeks.  You DO NOT have to clear the shelves!  It will go on sale again!  You do want to get enough though that it will last until the sale comes around again.

2.      Combine the Coupons with the Sale

You are already getting a great deal on a product when it’s on sale.  So if you do not want to deal with coupons (not recommended) then just focus on buying items on sale.  For the optimal savings experience, add a coupon to a sale!  It’s like double the savings!

EX.  Box of cereal 

      Reg. Price $4

Sale Price $2

      Coupon $1 off

      Final Price $1 for a $4 box of cereal! 

      Yay!  Isn’t that FUN?

Now go get organized so you can put your grocery list together!!!