4 Steps to Couponing for Beginners

The idea of couponing may be drastically overwhelming to you. You should know couponing doesn’t have to turn into a part time job. If it still seems overwhelming, or you just don’t know where to begin, you can start with these 4 steps to couponing for beginners.

Step 1: Set realistic expectations

When you first begin it’s important to set some realistic expectations for the task you’re taking on, especially when it comes to the amount of time it takes, the savings you’ll incur, and the stockpile you’ll obtain.

When it comes to time, realistically you should spend 30 minutes to an hour a week searching and clipping coupons. You shouldn’t have to take time away from other activities, such as spending time with your loved ones.

As for saving, don’t expect you’ll immediately save 98% off your grocery bill. Remember you’re not the people on TLC’s Extreme Couponing, and if you think about it, the people on the show spend a lot more than they need to in order to get the savings. They also end up with a stockpile of goods they won’t use for years.

Lastly, when it comes to stockpiles, remember you don’t need 1,000 tubes of toothpaste, or 40 years of toilet paper. Sales come in cycles and it’s best to stock up for only 3-4 months at a time to avoid large amounts of surplus and additional spending.

Step 2: Obtain coupons

The only way to start saving money is to actually collect coupons. You can find coupons in a variety of places, but the most common tend to be found in newspapers and online printable coupons. To get the most value, a rule of thumb is to get one newspaper per family member.

Ask your friends and family members for their coupons if they normally throw out the coupons that come in their papers. Once you get the ads, start clipping and printing if you find some online.

Step 3: Organize your coupons

Since you’re just beginning, you can start with a small organization system such as placing the coupons in order by expiration date in an envelope.

Once you’ve been couponing for a while you’ll need to upgrade. You could make a coupon binder or even keep your coupons in a portable file box by date.

Step 4: Utilize your coupons

There are multiple ways to get the most value out of your coupons. Firstly, don’t buy things you don’t need just because you have a coupon. You’ll end up spending more over time on items you don’t use or need.

Secondly, wait until the item you need is on sale in store and then use your coupon. You’ll get the largest discount if you can get $.50 off a sale price rather than the regular price.

Thirdly, don’t buy items you don’t have coupons for. Instead of making a list of what you want or need for the week and then purchasing them if they’re on sale or not, buy only what’s on sale and what you have coupons for. The more you use coupons, the more money you have in your pocket for other expenses.

Patience is key

The beginning is always the hardest in any new task you take on. However, the key to couponing is staying patient throughout the process. The better you get at it, the more savings you will see.

What advice do you have for new couponers?