To Do and To Don't!

I know that I have mentioned some of these tips before, but for newer readers I thought I would recap.

First and most important (in my opinion), when you get into couponing/freebies you need to set up a 'junk' email account. You all know how you start to sign up for something and then you hesitate because it wants your email address....for a few seconds you set there frozen and try to weigh if the item you are registering for is worth all the potential junk mail you might receive. This will eliminate that problem. You want to remember your account log in and password because many sites require you to go to your email and click on a verification link. You will be amazed at how nice it is to sign up for stuff without a second thought.

Second, I know a lot of people who get serious about couponing complain about the ink and paper used for printable coupons. I know this seems like a small step that won't make much of a difference but it really adds up. When you are printing more than one coupon, print the first one. Then see if the manufacturer takes up the entire page. Some will just print a small coupon at the top, some will put the coupon in the center of the page and others will print the coupon and fill the rest of the page with an ad. I print one and if it is only a small coupon at the top, I feed that same paper in the other way so that now I have a coupon at the top and the bottom of the same page = saving a sheet of paper.

Third, most coupons have a print limit both for individuals and as a whole. They may allow each ip address to only print the coupon twice and for the coupon to only be printed 1000 times total from any address. My advice is when you find a good one, print in right away. I used to see one and make a mental note to print it later before I went to the store. I would often forget or it would no longer be available. It is much better to print right away and this way you know what coupons you have to work with when looking through grocery fliers. It helps me plan our meals for the week and has added variety to our menu. I make things that I would not normally even think about because I got them for free or cheap.

Fourth, is a biggie....the great back button. A lot of times you will print a coupon and the screen will show it is thinking and say something like "your coupon is printing". Now after it moves on to a new screen and you coupon is printing, if you navigate around and try to go back to the first page to print it again, you will often find you no longer have the option or it may say "you have already printed this coupon". The trick? Hit print and don't touch your computer until you coupon has printed. Next, just simply hit the back arrow. Your coupon will probably print again. Your computer may ask you "would you like to resend the info?", which you answer "yes" or "resend" and you will get your second coupon. I have gotten three or four coupons doing this, but usually just two.

Fifth, is something I preach over and over. I talk to other people who do couponing and they are shocked that I can go to Walmart and get $68 worth of stuff for $1.82 (yes this happened) because they say they try so hard and might save $10 on $100 worth of groceries. This always sparks my lecture. I was like them in the beginning. I would cut my random coupons, get my groceries and see some savings. When I learned the reward of stocking up....I started seeing HUGE savings. The key is to save on your grocery shopping just like those ladies do, but when you run upon a really great deal...stock up. I don't mean stock up and get three of something. I mean stock up and get 10 or 20 of something. I recently posted a coupon that could get you free Johnson's soap. The first time Johnson's released this coupon I went and did my normal grocery shopping with my normal coupons, but I got 15 of the soaps as well---for FREE! The print limit was reach on the coupon (see 'third' above). I was happy with my deal and didn't plan on buying soap for a while. These are great for kids, adults, putting by a sink for hands, or for trips because you don't feel bad tossing them when you head home. I soon discovered that these manufactures will reset their coupons every so often (usually a couple months). So still having soap left, the next time the coupon was reset I got 20 more of the soaps. Not buying soap may not seem like a big saving in the long run but when you do this with multiple items it can make a huge difference. I got Green Giant Steam Fresh Veggies (they steam in the bag, really good) for .15 each with a coupon so I bought 20, I got spaghetti sauce for .10 and bought 12, I got spaghetti for free and bought around 10, I got Pantene conditioner for around .50 and bought 5, I got dove deodorant for a few cents (see past post) and over a few weeks bought 6. This is when you really start to see savings. When you have 12 full spaghetti dinners for your family including Cole's bread (with coupon of course) at only around $1 total for the entire family.....you notice savings!