Welcome Newbies!
I really love to help people learn the couponing ropes and my prayer and hope is that this blog is a helpful tool to teach you how to save.
When I first started learning about couponing, I was so overwhelmed with all the deals at all the different stores. The first couple weeks I was rushing out to try and get every deal at every store. Well, that got old really quick and couponing became overwhelming. I continued any way and I began to see that if I happened to miss a deal at one store one week, chances were that another store would have a deal on it one to two weeks later. Now, I usually try to go 2-3 stores each week, but there are also weeks that I only go to one store. I learned that it works much better doing it this way and I am less stressed out each week.
When I go to the store to get the deals each week, I try to stick to buying the things that my family will use that I can get for free or really really cheap or if I come across a great deal on something that my family won't use, then I consider buying it and then will donate it to my church's food ministry. This way of shoping did take some discipline and time to get used to, but it has been a good adjustment for our family. Since doing my shopping this way, I can now plan my meals around what I get from the deals each week or what I happen to have in my stockpile.
The first couple of months I worked on my stockpile and we didn't notice a huge difference in out budget, but after the 3rd or 4th month of consistent coupon use/deal shopping our budget was slashed in half and it hasn't gone back up since!
Here are a few basic tips to help get you started.
1. Be courteous to all that you come in contact with when you are out shopping. This includes other shoppers, cashiers, and managers! If you have multiple transactions, then it's best to shop during slower hours and also to let the other customers in line behind you go ahead of you when they have fewer items than you. This will likely keep others from being frustrated with you, help take the pressure off of your cashier and keep you calm and collected.
2. If a problem comes up at the register, then it is definitely okay to ask questions. Your cashier should be able to clairify promotions, procedures, or policies for you, but if not then a manager should know how to handle the situation. You are not an exception to the stores policies or the manufacturer's coupon rules, so just remember to follow each stores policies and the manufacturer's coupon rules. Honor the quantitiy limits, expiration dates, etc. and you shouldn't have any problems
2. If a problem comes up at the register, then it is definitely okay to ask questions. Your cashier should be able to clairify promotions, procedures, or policies for you, but if not then a manager should know how to handle the situation. You are not an exception to the stores policies or the manufacturer's coupon rules, so just remember to follow each stores policies and the manufacturer's coupon rules. Honor the quantitiy limits, expiration dates, etc. and you shouldn't have any problems
3. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Before you head out the the store, make sure you are prepared! Most shopping trips go so much more smoothly if you are ready with a list and your coupons.
For more information on How She Saves check out the 10 Secrets To How She Saves! Then after you read through all 10 Secrets, you can print out a Master Price List, read up on Store Policies, or a how to guide on all the stores.
10 Secrets to How She Saves
10 Secrets to How She Saves
Master Price List
Coupon Binder Categories Share the 31 Secret
