How to Coupon-The Walker Way!

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons

I am starting a series on couponing (is that even a real word?). The first in the series is Getting Started. 

Getting Started: Materials Needed

1.     File box or binder (depends on how you want to organize your coupons)

2.     File folders or baseball card sleeves, sheet protectors, dividers

3.     Newspaper subscription

4.     Good scissors

5.     Notepads

6.     Pens

7.     Computer with internet

8.     Printer

9.     Paper

10.  Envelopes

There are two main methods for couponing. I have tried both and both ways have advantages and disadvantages. The first method is the file box, you get circulars every week from the Sunday newspaper and you file those, by date, in a file box. As you follow the blogs, they will tell you where the sales are for the week, which circular to look in, and the date to find the coupon. The second method is the binder system; this is the one I currently use. You clip your coupons every week and file them by category.

Create a budget and make a list of all items you use the most and must have in stock at all times.  Then order a newspaper subscription, start clipping coupons. Make sure you sign up for shopper cards at all stores, even K-Mart. They are doing an occasional double coupon event, but you have to have their card to participate.

To do list for coupon shopping:

Clip coupons, get as many coupon circulars every week as you can. Ask friends that won’t use theirs to give them to you.

Organize your coupons

Review weekly sales circulars.

Review blogs. (see attached blog list)

Download any necessary coupons on your Kroger card.

Create your list.

Put your list and the coupons that you will use in an envelope for each store.

SHOP!

Be sure to set aside a day and time that will work for you to dedicate to clipping and organizing your coupons.  Always clip, download, and collect as many coupons as possible and even after you do your main shopping for the week, keep an eye on the blogs. You may find something that is worth another trip to the store.

Always bring your entire binder with you to the store, you never know when you will find an unadvertised deal. You don’t want to be irritated because the coupon you need is at home and you don’t want to have to make another trip.

Don’t worry at first, you may not see much savings, however the more you coupon and shop the better you will become.  Some people also get frustrated by mistakes they might make, for example, I have left Target before and been all the way home and noticed that my $1.00 coupon was not taken off, I take this as a lesson learned and forget it. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes, because even if you lose a $1.00 here in there, you are still saving more than you might lose. Same goes for rebates, sometimes they might get rejected, but still try to argue your side and don’t worry if you don’t get your money back. Learn what you did wrong that time and go one, you will get more money back on rebates than you will lose. But don’t get behind on clipping and organizing your coupons, even if you don’t go shopping one week, still clip and organize your coupons.