How to Start Couponing for Beginners
Do you want to learn how to coupon? This post will teach you NOT so extreme couponing for beginners. I will focus on how to coupon at Kroger stores, although you could apply the same rules to wherever you shop! I had always paid full price for everything at the grocery store….ALWAYS! Until my friend Michelle over at Sassy Dealz taught me how to coupon!! I am still a beginner, and have SO much to learn still. I thought it was so complicated but it’s really simple once you get the hang of it, and the best part is people online do the research FOR YOU! Here are a few of the hauls I have made so far, and below them will be instructions on how to get started and save some money for your family.
If you have any tips to add, please leave them in the comments! :) I’d love to hear what you think/ if you have additional tips!
This was my first haul (my coach Michelle went with me) after this I was HOOKED!
How to get started
STEP 1: What store do you want to coupon at?
STEP 2: Google “Coupon matchups for (store you selected)“
You will find TONS of blogs that list weekly sales at that store along with the coupons you can use on top of the sale to get the lowest price possible. Most blogs will also link printable coupons for the sale items listed (THEY DO THE HARD WORK FOR YOU!) – See example below Step 3
- Check out the amazing Kroger Krazy Blog (I shop at Fry’s and use this blog for coupon/sale matchups)- They have a couponing for beginners tab with TONS of useful info on reading coupons and understanding the fine print, along with videos on how to organize your coupons.
Kroger Grocery Stores:
Kroger
Fred Meyer
Dillon’s
Dillon’s
Fry’s
QFC
Ralphs
Smith’s
Baker’s
City Market
Food4Less
Foods Co.
Gerbes
Jay C Food Stores
King Soopers
Owen’s
Pay Less
STEP 3: Start building an organized stash of coupons. I keep mine in my purse at all timesbecause lots of times I get to the store and there is something I have a coupon for that I didn’t know was on sale (I get a red plum coupon insert in my mailbox once a week, but you can also find them in newspapers)
Couponing Example
I found this deal on Kroger Krazy, which is the blog I follow regularly for deals. You can also follow her on Facebook to see deals.
Angel Soft Toilet Paper (4 pack – single rolls)
Regular price – $1.49
Sale price – 10 for $10 ($1 each)
Used $0.45/1 Angel Soft Bath Tissue coupon from RedPlum insert.
*Bonus store coupon – $0.55/
The store I shop at makes every coupon a dollar, so even if I had a coupon to save $0.25 on an item, when the coupon is scanned, the store pays the remaining $0.75 and will be deducted right when they swipe the coupon and shows as “Bonus Coupon” on my receipt. So each coupon ended up saving me $1, making the toilet paper FREE!!!
Notes: I had 60 clipped coupons for this deal (you can only use one coupon per pack) IT IS VERY important to know the coupon policy at the store you plan to shop. Each store location may have a different policy as it is left up to the manager as I understand, although that could be wrong.
General tips
- Just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean you should use it right away, WAIT until it is on sale (but watch the expiration date)
- Don’t buy at item you won’t use just because you have a coupon (unless you plan to donate – which is a great option)
- When there is a good price on something, STOCK UP! Make sure you do the math to make sure it is a good deal! If you have stock up prices for certain items, please share them in the comments to help out the beginners like me :) I still have so much to learn!
Get your own coupon organizer!
Or, use a binder with laminated inserts
My Stockpile
Here’s the link for the interlocking shelf I have in my guest room below, I LOVE it and highly recommend it :) It is affordable and great quality.
Here’s a couple other options for storing your couponing goods:
One day I hope to have one of these: It rotates your canned goods so you use the oldest first – GENIUS!
