4 Steps to Start Couponing and Saving!
You want to get started couponing and saving money at the grocery store, but you just don’t know where to start, right? I’m giving you 4 Steps to Start Couponing and Saving as well as links to some extra posts that you may find helpful.
First, pick ONE store and learn it! It’s easy to get excited and want to jump in and run around to a bunch of stores saving the most money possible. But, that’s just overwhelming and confusing. That’s why I say to pick one store you want to shop at where you think you can save a good deal of money and start there. Over time, you can shop at multiple stores (if you want) and learn more. So, pick one and learn everything there is to know about that store – their coupon policy, their sales cycle, the different ways to save, etc. Check out my Target 101, CVS 101, Walgreens 101, Kroger 101 and Meijer 101 posts.
Next, pay attention to the prices you are currently paying for items you regularly purchase. Some people do this with a notebook, others just do it in their head. Once you start paying attention to the prices, it will help you determine what your “buy” or “stockpile” price is since it may be different than mine (prices vary across the US). A “buy” price is the price a product needs to be before I would buy it. A “stockpile” price is the price a product needs to be for me to buy multiples to add to my stockpile (AT LEAST 50% off). Keep in mind that if you are loyal to one brand, your “buy” price or “stockpile” price may vary greatly. You can read more about my view on brand loyalty and couponing here.
Once you know the store policies and what you are currently paying, you need to be collecting and organizing your coupons!
Finally, get shopping! The best way to get “good” at couponing so you can save the most money and spend the least amount of time on it is to just get started! Everyone has their own way of doing things. Just get started. I’m sure you will change your process a couple times just like I have!
Use BecomeACouponQueen.com to find the best deals for Aldi, Costco, CVS, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Kroger, Meijer, Sam’s Club, Schnucks, Target, The Fresh Market, and Walgreens on my site each week. In addition to these lists, I post 20-30 additional deals every day for these stores as they are found (when new coupons come out, or we find unadvertised deals).
Here are some additional posts you may find valuable as you begin couponing:
- How to Use Coupons to Maximize Your Savings
- Coupon Abbreviations: What do they all mean?
- Coupon Language
- How to Shop Sales Cycles
- Master Stockpiling Tips
Thamar herbin says
December 14, 2014 at 6:03 pmI have teens an adult daughter married and just found out I’m going to be a grandma I am disabled and we share a home have to stay in budget, please help!
Jackie says
April 18, 2015 at 11:39 amwe are a family of 4. My husband is disabled now so we went from a 2 income to just his disability income. I am not able to get a job since I have to stay home and take care of him. Our 2 kids do work but it is only part time jobs so they don’t make much. They help out as much as they can. We have to stay on a very tight budget since once all the bills are paid we have very little to live on for the month. Can you please HELP me! I used to coupon a lot at Krogers and I would do really well there. My bill before coupons would be about $100 but I would come out paying around $25. Since we moved we no longer have a krogers and I am having to go to stores that cost a little bit more than what I was used to. I beg you to PLEASE HELP ME!!
Amber says
April 18, 2015 at 9:37 pmHi Jackie! Thanks for commenting. Where do you shop? I may have some posts that can help you.
Sue Martin says
May 25, 2015 at 5:46 pmI live in an area where it’s not easy to get free things but thank God for CVS! I.think it’s the easiest place for new couponers to make money & get good deals.
kathee says
May 26, 2015 at 2:38 pmWe live in loveland -fort Collins Colorado. Would like to start extreme couponing but can’t find a store that will allow it. Any suggestions?
Amber says
May 26, 2015 at 2:40 pmI’m not sure what you mean by “can’t find a store that will allow it”. If you become familiar with the store’s coupon policy and sales, you should be able to find significant savings. Where are you shopping?
verna brown says
December 24, 2015 at 11:36 amI got some good deals yesterday
Theresa says
June 19, 2017 at 3:27 pmIn a tight financial situation here and need to really start saving money on groceries while eating healthy. We generally use Aldi’s, Wal-Mart and Dollar General. Any and all suggestions/help is appreciated.
Amber says
June 19, 2017 at 8:58 pmHi Theresa!
Here’s a great post about shopping at Aldi –> http://becomeacouponqueen.com/things-you-need-to-know-about-shopping-at-aldi-why-i-love-it/
You may already use the Walmart Savings Catcher program, but if you don’t, check out this link –> http://becomeacouponqueen.com/walmart-savings-catcher-program/