Coupons 101: Saving Big by Starting Small

I used to be pretty nonchalant about grocery shopping. If I needed it, I bought it. No big whoop. But now that the economy is in such dire straits (not to mention the $%&# gas prices), I've had to pay more attention to the money I spend on groceries. Now, I usually save 50% or more on my grocery bill. It took me quite a while to get to that 50% mark because I had to do some research about it and “practice” a little first. But now I think I have a pretty good grasp on the whole “couponing” thing and I want to share what I've learned with you.

Here are five things I've learned as a beginner:

1.) Do not expect to be like the couponers featured on that Extreme Couponing show. Those people coupon like it's their jobs. Literally. They devote hours and hours of their time collecting, clipping, planning and shopping and you and I simply don't have that kind of time to devote to coupons. Also, saving 90% on a grocery bill of $1000 takes stacks and stacks of the same coupons, which some acquire by either buying them from coupon clipping companies, obtaining them illegally or unethically, or digging through trash receptacles. It's just not normal. Plus, when the cameras are following them, they don't seem to have normal shopping trips like you and I. Sometimes we run out of toilet paper and we don't have a coupon for it! Sometimes we have to buy meat or produce that's not on sale! That's how real life goes and that's okay.

2.) The majority of coupons for groceries (and sometimes other items) can be found in the Sunday paper and are in the Red Plum, Smart Source or P&G inserts. You can also find them in the “All*You” magazine that can be purchased at Walmart. There are also several coupons you can print online. By matching your coupons with the weekly sales that your stores are having, you'll almost always get a great deal. Also, having a pretty good knowledge of what a “good price” or “normal price” helps tremendously.

3.) Use the Internet. There are countless couponing resources out there for free. So instead of sitting down with your store's weekly ad and trying to match it up with your coupons, look up some local coupon match-up sites. They've done most of the work for you!

4.) Have a good understanding of your favorite store's coupon policy because they vary drastically between the different stores. For instance, Meijer doubles coupons up to and including $0.50, but doesn't match competitor's prices. Walmart matches prices, but doesn't double coupons. A little online research will go a long way toward your couponing success. Most stores' coupon policies are posted on their websites.

5.) Sign up for digital coupons. You can load them to your account very easily with no scissors required. With Kroger, you can load them right onto your frequent shoppers card online. So when you scan your card at the register, your digital coupons are used. With Meijer (they call them Mperks), you just have to load your coupons online, then type in your phone number at the credit card thingy (that's a technical term) and your savings come off. Easy breezy. Just beware: digital coupons trump paper coupons at most stores and digital coupons don't double.

I could talk about coupons all day, but I'll spare you from my ramblings (I know, there's a first for everything). My next coupon posts will be a little more advanced, including how to predict when items will go on sale, how to efficiently organize coupons, my countless coupon fails and why drug stores are awesome.

Long live coupons! Clippity clip!