Where can I find my coupons?
There are several sources where you can get your coupons from. Some of the sources cost money, others are free. Here’s a list of where you can find your coupons:
- Sunday newspaper: It is a good idea to buy the Sunday Newspaper on a weekly basis. Maybe you start out by buying one and later even two or three papers. In general, you will save a lot of money by subscribing to a weekend newspaper than buying it each week at a store or newsstand. Some weeks have better inserts than others. I will keep you posted on when it is a good time to buy more than just one. There are 3 major inserts that can be found in the Sunday edition. They are called Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP), and Proctor & Gamble (P&G). Occasionally, you will also find additional inserts such as General Mills (GM) or Kellogg’s Insert (KG). Once in a while you can even score a coupon in the Parade Magazine insert or the Newspaper itself. Make sure you scan through them before tossing them out.
- Magazines: The “ALL YOU” magazine can be picked up at Wal-Mart. It has great coupons each month (usually coupons worth more than $40). You can also subscribe to it for a better value. I have found coupons in other national magazines as well but have found that it was not worth the money to purchase them just for the coupons.
- Clipper Service: Another method of obtaining coupons is to buy them from a clipper service. I have bought some from the following source: TheCouponClippers.com or Coupons & Things by Dede. The only drawback is that you have to order your coupons a few days before you intend to use them.
- Ebay: You can buy entire inserts off Ebay. I have never tried it but I know of people who had a good experience doing so.
- Internet coupons: I frequently use Coupons.com, smartsource.com, RedPlum.com to print out my coupons. I have found that some coupons are good for one month from the day you printed them. It is possible that you miss out on a deal if you print them too early and they happen to expire too soon but sometimes the company will reset the coupons and you can actually print them again. So if you didn’t print them right away you would have missed out on a deal. It is totally up to you what you decide on doing. I also print coupons from manufacturers’ websites. Usually, you have to sign up for a newsletter that again will keep you informed in the future about new manufacturer coupons. If you want to save your color ink you can print them out in black and white. Most internet coupons can be printed twice. Just hit the back button once or twice after printing (sometimes you even have to refresh the page) and a second coupon will print out. A lesson I’ve learned is that you ALWAYS want to make sure that your stores take printed coupons!
- In the Mail: Often you will receive a coupon with the product sample the company sends you when you sign up for their newsletter or sample. Also check the little information booklets companies send you every so often (Similac and Enfamil, Huggies and other companies). I like to get freebies and samples from Walmart. That way I get to try the product and if I like it, I can actually use the coupon that comes with it.
- Product boxes and packaging: Make sure you always check the inside of the boxes, even the box itself. Sometimes you can find some “hidden” coupons inside. Just the other day, I checked my Kellogg’s waffle box and I found a $0.75 off coupon. This will be a great one to use when the store triples coupons. If I wouldn’t have thoroughly checked the box I could have easily thrown it out.
- Back of tickets and programs: Last time I went to the movies I found a Rita’s coupon for B1G1 ice cream on the back of the ticket. Makes sure you also scan the movie program booklets or other show brochures for extra coupons. You might get lucky!
- Store Brochures: Sometimes you can find additional brochures (free or small price) in stores that contain coupons that can be used at any other store. E.g. recently, I have stumbled upon the CVS beauty book with coupons that can be used anywhere. You can find the CVS beauty book in the front of the store for 99c. It is usually worth the buy.
- Print outs with receipts: In some stores you can find coupons on the back of the receipt. Sometimes catalinas may print out. Catalinas are coupons dispensed at the register after your purchase (they usually have a red border).
- Blinkies at (grocery) stores: These are in-store smartsource coupon dispensed near products, usually from a red blinking box. These coupons usually can’t be found anywhere else but they can be used at any store.
- Tearpads: Tearpads can be found in stores next to products. These coupons (that you can tear off) are usually manufacturer’s coupons that can be used at any store.
- Wine Tags: Wine tags can be found around bottle necks. These coupons are usually for money off meat, cheese or produce.
- Peelies: Peelies can be found directly placed on the product. Make sure you look at them before you buy the product. Usually they contain a coupon for that specific product and they can be used right away.
- Friends and family: Ask your friends and family to save their coupon inserts for you. Unless of course they are into couponing as well. Surprise them with some freebies you got from their coupons once in a while. They will appreciate your gesture and will probably be more inclined to help you gather coupons in the future.
- Gym or doctor’s office: Make sure you keep your eyes open for free samples on their check-in or check-out desk. A lot of these freebies have coupons in them. My gym hands out samples for deodorants and shower gels every once in a while.
In summary, always keep your peepers peeled for coupons! You might start noticing them in places you haven’t seen them before.
Good luck on your coupon hunt!
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