Couponing for Beginners, Part 1: How to Get Coupons

I'm starting a new series getting back to the basics of couponing, for those readers who might be new to the system.  There series will have 3 parts: "How to Get Coupons," "How to Manage Your Coupons," and, "How to Make the Most of Your Coupons."

If you're new to couponing, I hope that this series on will help to demystify the couponing process to help you save big bucks on your grocery bill.  And if you're already a couponing pro, please comment and share your perspective and suggestions.

In order to start using coupons, of course you have to obtain them! This first post in the series will discuss where to find coupons for the products you buy.

Overall, the best place to find coupons is still the Sunday newspaper. Depending on your area and the particular week, you can expect to find anywhere from one to three coupon inserts in the paper. If you need extra copies of a particular coupon, try asking friends and neighbors who don't use their coupons to save them for you or trade coupons with fellow bargain hunters.

The Internet is another great place to find coupons. Smartsource.com and Coupons.com are two of the top sites for Internet printable coupons. These coupons usually change monthly, and you can sign up for email updates when there are new coupons. You can also find many great coupons in various other places on the Internet. If there is a particular product that you like, look for a manufacturer's or product website to check for coupons. And if you're really getting into using Internet coupons, the best way to keep up with the latest and greatest coupons is to find a "deal blog" that will alert you to them. I post some deals here at Frugally Blonde, but it's also smart to check other blogs that are more totally focused on couponing.  Some blogs that I check regularly include Money Saving Mom and Mrs Moneysaver. You can also check my sidebar to see additional links.

A new phenomenon in couponing is electronic coupons, which load directly onto your grocery club card. These are great because there is no paper to remember, and you automatically get the discount when you buy the item. These are not available at all stores, but they are becoming more widespread. Check Cellfire and Shortcuts to see if your grocery store participates.

Additional coupons can be found all sorts of places. In the grocery store, look for "peelies" (coupon stickers on packages), "blinkies" (coupons in those little machines in the aisles), and "catalinas" (coupons that print at the cash register). Many magazines include grocery and other coupons on the pages or in inserts.  At home, when you finish a box of cereal or crackers or a can of soup, check the package for coupons before tossing it in the recycling. Don't forget to look on the inside of the box and on the underside of the label!

Once you collect a good supply of coupons, you're on your way to getting some terrific deals!

Coming Up , look for Part 2 in this series: Managing Your Coupons.