Lots of people have been asking me lately how I get such good coupon deals. Although I'm no "extreme couponer" or anything like that, I try to be as frugal as possible with the limited time I have to search for deals. I'm just going to post a few tips to help you get started.
1. Buy at least one Sunday Free Press. These papers have inserts like Smart Source, Red Plum, and P&G Brand Saver (usually once a month) that are filled with coupons. We usually buy one, sometimes two if there is a coupon for something we need. Some people I know buy 5 or 6 - we personally don't feel that it is necessary to have a super stockpile right now. If you miss the paper, try www.coupons.com. They usually have many of the same manufacturer coupons, though not all of them.
2. Look for store coupons. Store coupons can be paired with manufacturer coupons (ones from the paper, coupons.com, etc.). For example, Target has a coupons link at the very bottom of their home page (it's small). These Target coupons can be paired with other coupons. (Hint: Manufacturer coupons usually have a different first number under their bar code than store coupons).
3. Use coupons with items that are on sale. For example, if your store is offering a BOGO deal on an item and you have a manufacturer BOGO for the same item, you can get them both for only the cost of tax! I have done this before - it's rare, but good to watch for.
4. Shop at drug stores. Even though their prices are typically higher, stores like Rite Aid or CVS have good coupon opportunities. Start by getting their membership cards (Rite Aid's is called a Wellness+ card, CVS has an Extra Care card). These cards will get you lower prices on certain items each week. Check the store ads in the Sunday paper. Both Rite Aid and CVS have a register reward system as well. Each week, certain items will come with "register rewards" or "up rewards." When you buy those items, your receipt will include coupons for the next time you shop - good on anything in the store! Pair those with coupons, and you can get a ton of stuff for just a little money. If you keep buying things that get you register rewards, you'll rarely have to pay any cash out of pocket. Rite Aid also has a "video value" coupon. Google Rite Aid video values, sign up, and watch brief Rite Aid commercials. When you do, you'll be able to print store coupons for those items.
5. Use your prescriptions to make money. Many stores will offer gift cards for new or transferred prescriptions. There's nothing wrong with transferring your prescription every time you need a refill. In my experience with Meijer, I used a coupon to receive a free $10 gift card when I transferred my prescription. Now both times I have gone to refill it, they have given me a new coupon for a free gift card, which means I have gotten a $10 gift card every time. This week, Target's ad includes a coupon for a $10 gift card with a transferred prescription. I have also seen $25 gift cards for Rite Aid, but these are rare.
6. Use digital coupon offers. Although I've heard that other stores have the same thing, I am only aware of Meijer's mPerks program for digital offers. If you sign up with your telephone number, you can go online and "clip" digital coupons. When you check out at Meijer, click the mPerks logo on the screen and enter the same phone number and pin. mPerks will automatically apply any coupons for which you qualify.
That's all you really need to get started! If I come across any other ideas, I'll post them.
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