Business & Tech
How to find Coupons 101
Super saver Emily Goldsberry of St. Michael-Albertville reveals more tricks of the coupon trade.
To save anywhere, you need to clip. That means cutting coupons.
You can find coupons for your favorite items all over the place! Here are my four favorite ways to get more coupons.
1. The Sunday Newspaper
Find out what's happening in St. Michaelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are typically one to three coupon inserts in each Sunday paper. These “Coupon Inserts” are called Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP), and Proctor & Gamble (PG)
So the first step would be to get a newspaper subscription. You can call your local paper, the Star Tribune at 612-673-4343
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You will want to ask the Star Tribune some questions to get started…
1. Do you offer a “Sunday Only” newspaper subscription?
2. Do you offer a discounted rate if I order more than one subscription?
I get five papers delivered to my door each Sunday, so I can maximize my savings. You will have to figure out what a good amount is for you and your family.
As of right now all of the papers coming to my door are $1.50 per paper. If I went to the gas station each Sunday morning they would be $1.75 per paper. So I’m already saving! As an added bonus if you get the paper delivered to you and find that you are missing a coupon insert, just call their customer service line and they will send you a new copy. It’s like coupon insurance! With each Sunday newspaper I am going to be saving well over $1.50 so the initial cost is well worth it.
Note: I have found that in our area there have been some coupon inserts missing at local gas stations, that’s why I decided to get them delivered. So if you are getting up on Sunday morning and rushing out to your local gas station, make sure to double check your paper and make sure all your inserts are there before you buy.
2. Ask people for their old coupon inserts!
Ok, so what happens if you don’t want to make the initial investment and purchase multiple Sunday papers each week? Well you are in luck! Spread the word about you new found love of couponing. Most of your neighbors, co workers and family do not save their coupon inserts and just throw them the recycle bin each Sunday night. Ask them to save them for you, and it’s just like getting free money!
3. Printing coupons from home
Printing coupons is safe, easy and free! The first time you print from any source you will be asked to download quick and safe printing software. After that has been installed, printing coupons will be just a click away on your home computer!
Printable Coupon Sources
*Remember, it is illegal to photocopy coupons!
4. E-mail the manufacturer
Another way I get great coupons is e-mailing the manufacturer directly and telling them how much you enjoy their product. You’d be surprised what they will send you in the mail for some positive feedback. Sometimes I get free samples as well as money saving coupons.
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Target Coupon Deals: Week of 8/7/11
We are going to tackle Target this week. Target works a little different than other stores. You can always combine a Target Web Coupon and a MFR (Manufacturer) Coupon together to maximize your discount. The Target coupons are found on their website. You can also find a printable coupon policy there too. It is always important to print a coupon policy an keep it with you for each store you coupon at. You’d be surprised how many employees don’t know their own stores policy’s when it comes to coupons.
So here is what I stocked up on this week:
Ziploc Storage Containers, 5ct. $2.27
Use $1.50/2 any Ziploc Containers SS 7/24
&
Revlon Eye Shadow, $3.99
Use $1.00/1 any Revlon Beauty Tool
&
Use $1.00/1 and Revlon Color Cosmetic RP 7/24
&
Use $3.00/Revlon Cosmetic Purchase & Revlon Beauty Tool TARGET Coupon
Final Price: $1.49 each when you buy both
Vaseline Total Moisture, 3 oz $1.87
Use $1.50/1 Vaseline Product
Final Price: $0.37
Degree Deodorant, .5 oz $0.97 <- Travel Size
Use $0.75/1 Degree Men or Women RP 7/31 (no size limit)
Final Price: $0.22
Degree Deodorant Premium, .5 oz $0.97 <- Travel Size
Use $1.00/1 Degree Men or Women Premium RP 7/31 (no size limit)
Final Price: FREE!
Olay Bar, 3.5 oz, $0.97
Gillette Shave Gel, 7 oz, $1.89
Use BOGO Buy One Olay body wash, bar or hand and body lotion, GET one Satin Care shave Gel free PG 7/31
Final Price: $0.97 for Olay Bar & Shave Gel
Bandaid Hello Kitty, 10 ct, $0.97 <- Travel Size
Use $0.50/1 Neosporin or Bandaid (no size limit)
Final Price: $.47
Shout Wipes, 4 ct, $0.97
Use $0.55/1 any Shout product SS 7/31Final Price: $0.42
Tide Liquid, 1.6 oz, $0.97 <- Travel SizeUse $1.00/1 Tide Detergent (no size limit) PG 7/31
Final Price: FREE!
Mead Five Star Notebook, 1 subject, $1.00
Use $1.00/2 Five Star Products SS 8/7
Final Price $0.50 each when you buy 2
Sharpie Marker, 2 ct, $1.00
Use $1.00/1 Target Web Coupon
Final Price: FREE!
Fruit Roll Ups, 4 ct, $1.00
Find these in the Dollar Spot!
Use $0.50/2 boxes of gushers or fruit roll ups
Final Price: $0.75 per box when you buy 2
Final Trip Cost: $9.69