Couponing 101 -- Part Two

How to Begin Couponing -- Part II

If you've stuck with me through Part One, you're probably ready for Part Two.

My next recommendations:

1.  Get yourself a separate email account for JUST couponing (or junk mail).  Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, (Mom, add it to your AOL), Comcast, wherever... it doesn't matter.  BUT, it *will* keep your regular inbox from being inundated with stuff you may not be interested in reading right away (or maybe never).  You can get really valuable updates, coupons, etc. from companies this way, though.  However, since it's separate, you will still be able to read your regular emails and won't miss the notes from Great Aunt Gert, either.  :) 

2.  It might be worthwhile to get a separate facebook with the above email account, too.  Often really good coupons can be had by "liking" a particular product on Facebook.  But then when that company posts things, it shows up in your news feed... I try to keep my friends separate from my coupons on FB.  I only check the coupon FB when I have time and am looking for "deals."  I check my regular FB regularly to keep in touch with my friends.

3.  If a store offers one, get one of those little key chain cards!!  Rite Aid, CVS (and get a Green-Bag Tag from CVS, too.  Spend the $1.  It's totally worth it!  Trust me!  We'll talk about that more later.), Stop and Shop, Shaws', etc.  I even have one from Godiva (it gives me one free chocolate from their store case a month... yum!).   USE YOUR NEW "COUPONING EMAIL" WHEN SIGNING UP FOR THESE.  Keeps your inbox uncluttered.

4.  Wednesday is grocery flyer day.  This is when you should most likely get some sale flyers in the mail usually from the grocery stores.  It will give you an idea of what food is on sale this week so you can plan your menu -- or plan to stock up, based on your needs.  Look them over.  If you are planning on shopping at WalMart and price-matching -- SAVE THEM. 

Shaws' sales run from Friday to Thursday
Hannaford sales run from Sunday to Saturday
Trucchi's sales run from Sunday to Saturday
Stop and Shop sales run from Friday through Thursday

You don't need to memorize this, they are written on the bottom of the flyers.  It's just good to know. 

Okay.  Recap: 

Lesson 1 --   Brand loyalty is usually bad, unless you HAVE to have a specific brand.  You might shop in different places than you used to.  As you go along you will learn store policies.  Buy one paper on Sunday.

Lesson 2:  Create a new email account for couponing.  Probably create a separate Facebook, too -- Use these only when you want or need to.  Get those little key chain cards.  Look over flyers, save if you are shopping at Walmart. 

Still with me?  Good.  That wasn't so hard, was it?

Talk to you more a little later this week!  Sunday's coming!  You excited yet?  I am PSYCHED!

Couponing 101 -- Part One (Updated)

How to Begin Couponing 101 -- Part One

1. Unless you have an allergy or REALLY, REALLY dislike something... you no longer have brand loyalty. Let's face it... do you really CARE if you are using Suave or Arm & Hammer deodorant? Colgate? Crest? If it meant that you could get your deodorant for FREE or pennies would it make a difference then? These are decisions you need to make. I find, I don't care. All of the items we're going to purchase are NAME-BRAND. Nothing is store-brand. ***Additionally, if it's a FREE item, you might consider just getting it and donating it to a charity -- or a friend or family member in need.***

2. You might be shopping in a couple different places than you used to shop. I didn't realize how much I LOVED CVS until I began couponing. I used to HATE Target, but now I will frequent there. You must also consider gas, too... I like Middleboro because it has a CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Hannaford, what was a Stop and Shop all right there. I think it's a Trucchis(?) now. Also Walmart is just down the street, too.

3. You'll get to know the policies of the stores you frequent: 

• Walmart will price-match any store.  BRING FLYER.
• Trucchi's, Stop and Shop, and Shaws'  double your coupons up to 99 cents.
• CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid have deals where you get "Extra Bucks" or "Register Rewards" for purchasing certain items (aka FREE MONEY to spend on other items!)
• Target has their own store-coupons that you can use with manufacturer coupons so you can STACK for bigger savings.  They also offer gift cards for purchasing certain combinations of items.   

Sounds like a lot, I know. But, really, it isn't. There are a bunch of websites that do all the work for you, actually!! :)

My recommendations are www.coupondivas.com and also www.thekrazycouponlady.com
A good friend recommends http://www.mavenofsavin.com/

4. On Sunday, in the morning, go buy a newspaper that has coupons in it. I like the Boston Herald because it is only $2. Remember, we're trying to go CHEAP here! CHECK your newspaper before you buy it to make sure it has the coupons in it!! Last week, I had to snag a Red Plum coupon flyer out of another paper because it wasn't IN the paper I had picked up... Sneaky newspaper people. Grrr...

Now, click on the link below to read Part Two and continue learning the basics!!  Not too much more to go!  Hang in there!  Click the link below to see Part II for some advanced tips: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=985548253119896827#editor/target=post;postID=307729806001591819