Tips To Start Extreme Couponing By Angela Guzman l Mommy Monologues l Saving Money

Don’t Clip Every Coupon

When I go to the stores and see customers with the big binders, my muscles ache just looking at them carrying their 20 pounds of savings. Instead, on the front of the insert write the date that the insert came in the paper. This information is also available on the spine of the insert. Writing this information will help you access your coupons quickly so you don’t have to break out the magnifying glass every time you need to know the date. When you are looking for your coupons you will just look for the type of coupon insert, date, clip it and file it back. ONLY clip the coupons that you know that you will use.

If you feel overwhelmed with all of the inserts and want to be more organized, you can purchase an arcorden file (usually $2-$3) and store each week of coupons in it.

If you're clipping coupons from a drugstore advertisement like Walgreens, remember that the coupon will expire that week. So do not store these advertisments with your other coupons. Also some drugstores, like Walgreens, offer monthly coupon booklets that are available inside the store. These coupons are good for the entire month that they are released. Pay attention to the coupon for purchase limit information.

Regardless of the method that you choose, make sure that you don't mix up the coupons because it will be challenging to find a coupon when you're ready to cut it and purchase a deal.

Create An Email Address Just For Couponing

When you subscribe or print coupons from websites, they will require that you provide your email address. (In some cases, when you’re getting free stuff you will provide your residential address.) Create a separate email address so that if you get spam mail or offers, your “everyday” email won’t be bombarded.

Also, go to your favorite restaurants' website and subscribe to their newsletters or emails. Bigger chains reward their subscribers with weekly or monthly coupons . The coupons can range from a free appetizer, a free meal, or a denominated amount off the entire bill. Some chains even offer free meals or desserts on your birthday.

My daughter just had a birthday and because I subscribed to some of our favorite chains we received free meal(s) for her and even 20 free tokens to Chuckie Cheese. As an added bonus, if you're thinking about having a party somewhere and you subscribe to the venue's website you can also get coupons for your event.

Limit Website Views

Pick out one coupon matching website and only two couponing blog sites. If you look at more websites/blogs, it will become time consuming. The coupon matching site that I use is www.southernsavers.com and you can generate your shopping list from the website. Select the store, click on the items you want to buy and the site will create a shopping list that breaks down the sale/coupon price and even tell you which insert to find the coupon in. Keep in mind that you want to follow a coupon blog that concides with your newspaper distribution. For example, the website I follow mirrors the east coast newspaper distribution. The blogger or writer for the website should state on their website their location and the states that their site pertains to.

Like Your Favorite Brands & Stores On Facebook

A lot of grocery stores and drug stores run special deals that are available only to their Facebook fans.

Target recently posted a free gift bag on their website. Facebookers had to do like Target on Facebook and fill out a short information page so that they could mail you the free gift bag. In four weeks I received a cute make-up bag filled with make-up samples, sunscreen, deodorant, travel size shampoo bottles and a ton of coupons. The best part was that all of the coupons that they provided were Target store coupons; so I coupled them with manufactuer coupons and purchased many items for next to nothing or free.

Start A Stockpile

When I say stockpile I’m not saying that you have to purchase 20 bottles of barbeque sauce. Stockpile within reason. If there’s a product that you use daily then buy enough of the product so that you can make it until the next wave.

If you see that some of the items in your stockpile will expire soon, consider dontating them to a foodbank or a family/friend that could use the extra food.

Also, stockpile so that it fits your family. Just because you can get dog treats for free doesn't mean that you HAVE to purchase them if you don't have a dog! If you're going to donate them to your local SPCA then okay but use your manners. If you're not going to really use an item then leave it for someone that can actually use it.