Do you want to learn how to coupon? This post will teach you NOT so extreme couponing for beginners. I will focus on how to coupon at Kroger stores, although you could apply the same rules to wherever you shop! I had always paid full price for everything at the grocery store....ALWAYS! Until my friend Michelle over at Sassy Dealz taught me how to coupon!! I am still a beginner, and have SO much to learn still. I thought it was so complicated but it's really simple once you get the hang of it, and the best part is people online do the research FOR YOU! Here are a few of the hauls I have made so far, and below them will be instructions on how to get started and save some money for your family.
Check out my post on Getting the most out of your coupons here!
If you have any tips to add, please leave them in the comments! :) I'd love to hear what you think/ if you have additional tips!
This was my first haul (my coach Michelle went with me) after this I was HOOKED!
How to get started
STEP 1: What store do you want to coupon at?
STEP 2: Google "Coupon matchups for (store you selected)"
You will find TONS of blogs that list weekly sales at that store along with the coupons you can use on top of the sale to get the lowest price possible. Most blogs will also link printable coupons for the sale items listed (THEY DO THE HARD WORK FOR YOU!) - See example below Step 3
- Check out the amazing Kroger Krazy Blog (I shop at Fry's and use this blog for coupon/sale matchups)- They have a couponing for beginners tab with TONS of useful info on reading coupons and understanding the fine print, along with videos on how to organize your coupons.
Kroger Grocery Stores:
Kroger
Fred Meyer
Dillon's
Dillon's
Fry's
QFC
Ralphs
Smith's
Baker's
City Market
Food4Less
Foods Co.
Gerbes
Jay C Food Stores
King Soopers
Owen's
Pay Less
STEP 3: Start building an organized stash of coupons. I keep mine in my purse at all times because lots of times I get to the store and there is something I have a coupon for that I didn't know was on sale (I get a red plum coupon insert in my mailbox once a week, but you can also find them in newspapers)
Couponing Example
I found this deal on Kroger Krazy, which is the blog I follow regularly for deals. You can also follow her on Facebook to see deals.
Angel Soft Toilet Paper (4 pack - single rolls)
Regular price - $1.49
Sale price - 10 for $10 ($1 each)
Used $0.45/1 Angel Soft Bath Tissue coupon from RedPlum insert.
*Bonus store coupon - $0.55/
The store I shop at makes every coupon a dollar, so even if I had a coupon to save $0.25 on an item, when the coupon is scanned, the store pays the remaining $0.75 and will be deducted right when they swipe the coupon and shows as "Bonus Coupon" on my receipt. So each coupon ended up saving me $1, making the toilet paper FREE!!!
Notes: I had 60 clipped coupons for this deal (you can only use one coupon per pack) IT IS VERY important to know the coupon policy at the store you plan to shop. Each store location may have a different policy as it is left up to the manager as I understand, although that could be wrong.
General tips
- Just because you have a coupon doesn't mean you should use it right away, WAIT until it is on sale (but watch the expiration date)
- Don't buy at item you won't use just because you have a coupon (unless you plan to donate - which is a great option)
- When there is a good price on something, STOCK UP! Make sure you do the math to make sure it is a good deal! If you have stock up prices for certain items, please share them in the comments to help out the beginners like me :) I still have so much to learn!
FREE Printable Coupons
TLC "10 Extreme Coupon tips for normal people"
Learning Coupon Lingo
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Order whole coupon inserts here
TLC "10 Extreme Coupon tips for normal people"
Learning Coupon Lingo
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Order whole coupon inserts here
Get your own coupon organizer!
Or, use a binder with laminated inserts
My Stockpile
Here's the link for the interlocking shelf I have in my guest room below, I LOVE it and highly recommend it :) It is affordable and great quality.
Here's a couple other options for storing your couponing goods:
One day I hope to have one of these: It rotates your canned goods so you use the oldest first - GENIUS!
I love going to thekrazycouponlady.com when I coupon. They have tons of tips and deals to share.
ReplyDeleteI agree, such a great resource! :) She is awesome
DeleteHow do you get the red plum insert each week?
ReplyDeleteI get the red plum in my mailbox each week. Although certain newspapers have those as well as SmartSource. You can also check out wholecouponinserts.com and order bundles of the coupon stacks :)
DeleteDo you have to sign up somewhere to get the red plum in your mailbox without a newspaper?
ReplyDeleteNot that I know of, sorry. I think everyone in our area gets them.
Deletewholecouponinserts.com
DeleteHow do you get so many. Do you make copies of the coupons to purchase multiples?
ReplyDeleteNo, you can't copy coupons (although there are printable coupons at coupons.com) You can print 2 coupons per computer. You can buy multiple papers for the coupon inserts, go to recycle centers and see if they will give you them, or check out http://shop.whole-couponinserts.com/ and you can buy the whole coupon inserts there in bundles.
DeleteDon't forget to check out the Dollar Tree, if you are blessed to have one in your area. They accept coupons too and they carry many namebrand items!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. I would not have thought of that!
DeleteThe Sunday paper by me is $2 at news stand, only a dollar at Dollar Tree, they do limit you to 5 papers.
DeleteThat is a great idea April! Wish I lived close to a dollar tree.
DeleteI still don't understand how you get 80 rolls worth $26.00 for $6.00? Can you give a better breakdown of the math? How many coupons did you use and how much off were they each? Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteOf course. They are originally $1.29 each pack, I had a coupon for .45 cents off and my store makes every coupon worth $1, so they paid the extra .55 cents per pack. So basically, I paid .29 cents for each pack .29 x 20 packs = $5.80 :) Hope that makes sense!
Deleteso you don't have to have 20 coupons??? you can just use one coupon for every pack??? that's where im confused
DeleteYou can only use one coupon per item (pack) I had 20 coupons :)
DeleteDon't most coupons say limit one per customer?
DeleteOne coupon per package of TP (That coupon didn't have a max # of coupons I could use) So I used 20 coupons for 20 packages. Some coupons will say something like "limit 4 like coupons per day per household" but those are high value ones (like save $2.00 or $3.00 on any gillette product) for example.
DeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the response! If only every store did that with coupons haha! Thanks again.
Of course, no problem! I have been shopping there for a few months now and didn't realize it. My friend at Sassydealz.com mentioned it to me :)
DeleteDo you live in Canada? or USA?
ReplyDeleteUSA :)
DeleteWHAT STORE MAKES EVERY COUPON A DOLLAR ??? PLEASE....MORE INFO!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Fry's in my area does! :) Each location has a different policy I believe, so make sure you ask about the coupon policy at the stores near you.
DeleteDo coupons from coupons.com work? I was a cashier and always had trouble deciding if a coupon was legit or not, especially when they printed them from a website!
ReplyDeleteYes, I use coupons from coupons.com every week! :) I have never run into a problem using them
DeleteThank you so much for all this information.... You rock! A friend of mine pinned your blog to my wall on pinnerest. And I'm very greatful that she did! I'm going to start right away... :) wish me luck! ~Melissa
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found this information useful, you will do great! :) Let me know if you have any further questions! Happy clipping
DeleteThank you for tips, hints and the benefit of your experience.
ReplyDeleteOf course! Hope you find this useful and feel free to share! :)
DeleteA friend of mine swears by Savings Angel too.
ReplyDeleteIs that a blog? Please share more! :)
DeleteI cant wait to try this, I hope I can figure it all out, So very thankful for this pin!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, let me know if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help if I can :)
DeleteI would love to know what you used for the cereal. Break it down for me please :) also where did you get the coupons for that run?
ReplyDeleteOf course! The cereal was on sale for 1.99 per box at Fry's and they were offering a "super sale" on digital coupons through their site. I added a save $6 every 4 boxes coupon and they had a special deal where you could use the digital coupon up to 5 times. So I ended up buying 20 boxes of family size cereal for under $10. It was GREAT I paid .49 cents per family size box!!!
DeleteDont you find buying generic is cheaper than buying name brands with coupons?
ReplyDeleteNot that I am aware of, I can get the name brands (or new brands) really cheap because they offer high value coupons and I can get items free, or close to it. Most of the shave gels I got for .25 cents each or free. The cereal I got the family size name brand cereals for .49 cents per box. I haven't seen any coupons for generic brands.
DeleteHi thanks for all u do . God bless u . I had a question Well I live in chino hills California and i want to start couponing I either can't print them or they charge me for them I already get the newspaper I pay that but the the ones you print I can't ever get. Please advise me I appreciate it. Have a nice day
ReplyDeleteI would be glad to help. Have you tried to print from www.coupons.com? I remember having to set up or download something so that I could print from there (but you only have to do it the first time you print coupons). You shouldn't EVER have to pay for printing coupons there. Let me know what you find.
DeleteHey, when you register with wholecouponinserts.com how to i request to get inserts in mymailbox? im confused....
ReplyDeleteI never requested to get the weekly coupons in my mailbox (I think everyone in my area gets them automatically) If you want a lot of the same coupons you can order a certain # of the same coupon inserts from wholecouponinserts.com
DeleteI only get one coupon insert per week in my mailbox. If I want more I buy them, or get Sunday papers
Deleteok thank you!!! i was just confused a lil bit..
DeleteOf course, no problem at all! :) Happens to us all
DeleteI use pocketyourdollars.com to match up my coupons to the ad in my area. It is so nice that it does most of the work for me!
ReplyDeleteYes, for sure! What store do you view coupon match ups for from pocket your dollars?
DeleteDo the coupons you use have to be at a particular store, or can you use them at any store you want?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, manufacturers coupons are accepted everywhere, I have used them at Walmart, Target, Safeway, Fry's, The Commissary on the military base. From my understanding the brand reimburses the store for the coupon amount (some stores do double coupon amounts so they would pay the difference)
DeleteHow do you know which is why manufacturerrs coupons, and which is not?
DeleteIt will say next to the expiration date at the top of the coupon if it is a manufacturers coupon. Take a look at this post about coupons: http://www.krogerkrazy.com/category/couponing-for-newbies/
DeleteHow do you get the redplum mailed to you? And also can you get the smart source mailed also? Besides buying them with the newspaper or in a pack online?
ReplyDeleteI never signed up for the ones I get in the mail, I think everyone in our area gets them. Sorry I don't have more information. I don't know another way other than buying with the newspaper or ordering through wholecouponinserts.com
DeleteNot sure if anyone else has mentioned it but iamTHATlady.com is an excellent source for couponers and bargain hunters. She posts matchups for tons of stores all the time and has lots of great tips for beginners. I followed her on Facebook, where she's constantly posting good deals she finds. You should check her out!
ReplyDeleteNeat! Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteI was using coupons all the time, but then they changed the coupon policy and won't accept printed at home coupons or combine with sales :/.... SO... I'm back to insert coupons when they are good or just shopping store brand. Sure wish I could do things like this, our budget would love me.
ReplyDeleteWhat store do you shop at? You should check around other grocery stores that are near you!!
DeleteFor those of you in the South South/East my friend swears by www.SouthernSavers.com she does ALL THE WORK for you. Even creating grocery list with what coupons you have paired up with the store's sales.
ReplyDeleteGreat to know, thanks for sharing! :)
DeleteHello, I saw this post through pinterest, and I think its great, Well, I'm going to college soon and me and my bff want to save money on groceries when we get there. So I want to learn how to coupon but, the math is really confusing, can you help me understand it?
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly do you want to know? :) Each sale & coupon will give you different deals, let me know exactly what you want to know and I will help you out!
DeleteWalgreens often has sunday papers on sale in my area like $1.00 off. Helps if you want to buy more than one paper.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteMy husband thinks it is a waste if I have to print the coupons because of the cost of ink. What is everyones thought on this because I want to coupon more but I don't have the knowledge to tell him its worth printing them out.
ReplyDeleteWell that would depend on how much the coupons are going to save you, and how much your printer ink costs and how many pages it prints per cartridge. I think it is worth it, I printed some coupons the other day for saving $2 on each body/hair wash my husband uses. I can print 2 per computer. So I printed 6 coupons = $12 in savings and it only took 2 pages of printing, which doesn't cost me $12! I think it is worth it, but I guess it depends on everything mentioned above. Hope that helps!
DeleteIf you live close to your local library you can use there computers and ours let's you print 10 pages before you have to pay.
DeleteI can't wait to get started using coupons! Thanks for all the good information for newbies like myself. I wanted to share an app that I use that is similar to using coupons, but instead of coupons, they give you cash in an acct when you purchase the weekly offers. I have made $60 (yes, actually received the money) by doing nothing but buying groceries as usual. Go to http://ibotta.com/r/ChFzA
ReplyDeleteOf course! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns while getting into the groove! :) I love to help in any way I can. I have heard some rummors about ibotta in the past but my phones were never compatible. I will have to look into it more!
DeleteI have never ran into this problem anywhere, but it depends on the coupon policies at each store location. I shop at Fry's (owned by Kroger) but I know that in our city each Fry's has various policies with this sort of thing. I also shop at Safeway occasionally and I have never had a problem there either. Good luck!! If I were you I'd call around to different locations and ask about their coupon policy before going on a haul! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to know where you got your digital camo purse?
ReplyDeleteI made the purse from a couple old uniforms! :)
DeleteTotallyTarget.com is great at matching up the store's ad and sales with Target coupons, manufacture coupons and the target cartwheel. sometimes I have found that the area they are located in can vary on the temporary mark downs but I like how they have the matchups to the weekly ad along with other deals offered on other sites.
ReplyDeleteGreat to know, thank you so much for sharing!!
DeleteMake sure to read the coupon. Some limit the amount of coupons ( like no more than X identical coupons in a shopping trip). Also look at the sizes, a lot of coupons are restricting the travel/trial size. Aveeno bars are now excluded on their coupons too. It's better to make sure you know before you shop. Cashier's are bad enough to couponers .
ReplyDeleteYes, great advice! There is a big article on couponing Lingo from The Krazy Coupon Lady that is listed above :) It was very helpful when I first started off
DeleteCouponmom.com is a HUGE help too :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to check it out, thanks! :D
ReplyDeletel ordered the Sunday paper to get into Couponing but was confused about how to Save more than the Coupon's value. Thanks for posting this! All of the Couponers l find are selfish and won't share techniques. I'm very thankful! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo glad this post helped you! If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
DeleteAre these all from Kroger?
ReplyDeleteYes - All except the razors :D Let me know if you have any questions!
DeleteDon't forget if you have a CVS card you have extra care bucks.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever couponed there, but great idea!
DeleteDo you have any specific information for USA coupons?
ReplyDeleteUSA coupons? I am not sure what you mean. I am located in the USA if that's what you are referring to :) All of these coupon deals were in the US
DeleteDoes any great couponer in the Las Vegas area want to accompany me on my first trip to help me?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Try searching for couponing in Las Vegas and I bet there are Facebook groups for couponers in your area! :)
DeleteDo you ever shop and use coupons at Kroger? If so. Can you help me coupon there? Im confused. Thank you
ReplyDeleteAll of the deals that are posted above were used at Kroger! :D The blog I use that matches up coupons and sales for Kroger is: www.krogerkrazy.com.
DeleteDid you have specific questions that weren't answered in this post? :) Glad to help
The commissary overseas will accept coupons up to 6 months after the expiration date so send all your unused coupons to the on base family center of any overseas location!
ReplyDeleteI wondered about this! I wonder if there is a central place that distributes these overseas that I could add their mailing address to the post for everyone to send expired coupons to so they are not wasted? Do you have any idea?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget in your couponing Walmart price matches with competetors I use ads from stores up to an hour away to get good deals without the drive since I live in a rural area.Then coupons too!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
DeleteIm having a difficult time understanding where to start... would you be able to help me more closely? Please let me know.
ReplyDeleteDid you read the steps above? There's a lot there but the beginner steps are in the post under the section "How to get started" first, figure out what store you'll coupon at. Figure out their coupon policy. Find a blog that posts sale and coupon matchups for that store and you're almost done! Let me know if you have more specific questions after reading that section! :)
DeleteMay I ask if you are in America or Canada?
ReplyDeleteI know that places are different/coupon rules are different in Canada/America :(
I am in USA!
Delete