Melissa Cabral's Coupon Cheat Sheet
BEGINNERS START HERE!!!!
click on "Beginners section" this is how I learned!
Tricks of the Coupon Trade:
To really maximize savings and work the system you need to really start paying attention to prices. It would help if you had an idea how much you're paying for items so you know when you find a good price for that item. (i.e. cereal at Walmart normally $2.50 a box- you can score frequently at other stores Safeway, Raley, SaveMart for $1.49 a box- add a coupon and you've now saved 60% or more! Look over all the ads and go where the best deals are for that week. (It's great to check websites like myfrugaladventures.com because she'll list all the top deals for you and what coupons to use!) All you do is search the specific store you're looking for and she'll have the deals for the week.
Don't just shop at the stores where you normally have been shopping- you will need to open your horizons to really save money. If you're not loyal to certain brands then you'll have an even better chance of saving money!
Top tips for new couponers:
- Research ahead of time- go into the store with a plan and a list. Organize all your coupons and place in a separate area of your binder before you even get to the store. You don't want to be "one of those people" holding up the line because you're not organized!
- Keep to your list- don't stray from your list! That's exactly what the store is hoping you will do. Your 50% savings or more will now be drastically reduced because you couldn't pass up the cookie aisle
- This is a hard one: buy an item when it's on sale NOT when you run out of it! The reason is because you'll be at the mercy of the price at the store and you'll have no choice if you run out. Don't give the store control over how much you spend. This is a completely different way to shop but items like water, toilet paper, dish soap, shampoo etc… have a long shelf life.
- Refuse to buy anything that's not on sale (aside from items like milk, eggs etc… as those items rarely go on sale)
- Produce – try to buy fruit in season when you can or look for what's on sale
- If you have coupons and an item is on sale- buy enough to last you 6 weeks. A sales cycle is usually every 6 weeks so you'll see good prices again eventually.
- Slowly start to build a stockpile- no need to run out and get a year's supply of anything. Just get enough to get you until the sale starts again. You'll eventually get to the point you're just going to store for essentials and drastically reducing your normal grocery budget. (I used to spend $150 a week – now I can frequently get away with spending $30 a week or even less with a pantry already full of groceries)
- Think outside the box when shopping for household items. I NEVER shopped at the drug stores before couponing- now I can't imagine NOT shopping there because you can get stuff for 75% off, free, or even make money ALL THE TIME for items your family uses like deodorant, body wash, shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shave cream, etc…
Typical stock up prices I pay for items:
Toothpaste- .25 or less
Toothbrushes- free
Razors-$1.99 for gillette
Shave Cream- $.75 or less
Pantene Shampoo- $1
Paper towels- $3.50 or less per pack
Toilet Paper- $4 or less charmin 12 double roll
Olay/Netrogena facial cleaning wipes $2.99 or less
Laundry Detergent- $1.99
Cereal- $1.25 or less a box
Pasta- .50 or less a box (even for whole grain)
Pasta sauce (jar)- $1.50 or less
Peanut Butter- $1 jar or less
Jam- $1 jar or less
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Copy and paste into web browser
(optional) www.plumdistrict.com
(optional) www.livingsocial.com
(optional) www.groupon.com
**some people get an e-mail dedicated to just coupon subscriptions**
HOW TO FIND DEALS:
These sites are great because if you check out the deals for various stores (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Walmart) they do all the work for you!! They tell you where the deals are ahead of time and what coupons you'll need!
www.myfrugaladventures.com **great site creator lives in Rocklin!** this is my favorite website and the one I frequently mention on the air
www.hip2save.com (extreme couponer in Elk Grove swears by this site!)
WHERE TO GET COUPONS:
NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS:
To build stockpile it's recommended to get 1 paper for each member of your family (secret: go get Sunday papers for $1 at Dollar Stores but make sure you check for inserts before you leave!)
www.discountednewspapers.com you can get great deal on Sunday only subscription (I currently get 2 Sunday papers for .70 each)
PRINTING ONLINE COUPONS:
**make sure you hit the refresh button or back button after it prints because it will allow you to print 2 of each coupon per computer**
target.com (you can combine these with manufacturer coupons) these have the target logo on it and says target web coupon
coupons.com (type in other zip codes as well to get a variety of other coupons 90210 has great coupons!)
smartsource.com
redplum.com
hip2save.com (search coupon database)
All You Magazine:
Consider subscription – can get coupons throughout the magazine they don't have in newspapers (google for more info)
MOBILE COUPONS:
Target- text 827438 (standard text messaging rates apply) – only can use 1 time for 1 item scan barcode from phone at register – can combine with manufacturer coupon- double check receipt make sure you received discount
IPHONE APP:
Search Coupons– It's the same as coupons.com and you can send coupons free to wifi printer print 2 of each or to your e-mail!
IS THERE A COUPON FOR THIS?!
If you see an item that you want to buy but aren't sure if there is a coupon available- go towww.hip2save.com and click on the coupon database- type in the item you're looking for in the search and all the coupons available will pop up!
Good luck!!! Remember start small, and become an expert at one store and then work your way to another!