When just starting out with couponing it can seem daunting to get started. So to help you get started here are some tips to help guide you.
It can be really easy to look at shopping trips that bloggers post & what is shown on Extreme Couponing and want to do the same thing. While you may be inclined to, don't compare your shopping to others or expect to get the same savings. Look at what you save instead as “something is better than nothing”.
If you see a coupon that you that you think you might use then be sure to print it right away because many may be limited in print quantities. You can print coupons from this coupons.com page and use the links on that page to visit other other sources that you can print other coupons from. When printing any coupons be sure to change your printer settings to black and white - fast/economical print setting - because black ink is cheaper than color ink. If you don't print many other things then the best idea is to set that as your default setting.
Be sure to buy newspapers each week, at least when there are coupons in it. If you can, then get 1 paper delivered to you each week. When you call in to subscribe ask f there is any extra discount if you pay for a year in advance. After they offer you a discount, then ask if they have anything better to offer, since sometimes they do.
Prior to buying extra papers go through your inserts prior to going out & buying extra papers and really think about which of the coupons you like more & are likely to use. When trying to decide how many extra papers to buy, if any extras ask yourself how many of the coupons you will most likely use and if you will save at least as much as you are spending on the papers.
Another suggestion is to some week - when there are more inserts - purchase other newspapers that are available in your area to see if they offer the same inserts. You may find that the paper that costs the most has the most coupons, or in some cases it could contain the least. You may also want to consider buying your papers from Dollar Tree, but in some cases they will have a newspaper that by default has less coupons than one that costs a little bit more.
Would you like to read more couponing tips? If yes read the second part of this series.
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