My Top Tips for Using Coupons

Since September is National Coupon Month, it might be a great time to get back into the habit of couponing! It’s a great time since Christmas is just a few months away!  Couponing seems to be cyclical for a lot of people. It seems like you get into the habit of clipping or downloading or printing them and you go like gangbusters for a while—then something happens (life!) and you’re back to square one. My couponing and ability to stick to it is very cyclical for me. If I am in a really crazy/busy season, it falls to the way-side.

It helps to remember this: You can do so much more for others when you coupon—adding even more to your shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, or helping your local food pantry stock up for winter months, or filling gift boxes with feminine essentials for a women’s shelter.

These are some of my favorite tips for getting back in the game of couponing:

Download coupons to your savings card. Make it easy by downloading coupons straight to your store savings card. Just register your card at the store’s website and with just a couple of clicks, download all the coupons to your card.

Print coupons while doing something else. New coupons are available every month on sites like Coupons.com. Here are some tips specifically for printing your coupons:

• Set printer default to black ink. You need to set your printers default to black ink only. You have to choose this as the computer default, because most computers print the coupons according to default settings, and you can’t change the settings during printing.
• Set print default to “fast or quick print.” There is no need in printing coupons at a high-quality print setting; it is a waste of ink and money. Just make sure the setting is high enough that they will scan at checkout.
• Print coupons on recycled paper. I use the back of recycled paper to print my coupons. I have never had an issue at checkout with coupons having other text on the back side.
• Recycle ink cartridges. Pick your favorite office supply store and take in your empty ink cartridges to get “rewards” points to use in the store to purchase new ink packs.

Get a coupon app for your smartphone. Several stores have mobile apps that allow you to download coupons while you’re in the store.

Create a coupon email account. Set up a free email account and address so that you always feel comfortable entering contest giveaways and signing up for newsletters. Many times retailers offer great deals including coupons exclusively for the subscribers on their mailing lists. Check your inbox once a week and you’ll easily find savings.

Ask around for extra inserts. Since a lot of people don’t use their coupons, it’s pretty easy to find neighbors, family, and friends who are happy to let you take their Sunday newspaper inserts off their hands. Always check our Sunday coupon preview so you’ll know what coupons are available each week.

Keep your catalinas. Don’t shove those catalinas in your purse or worse, wad them up with other trash! I know that once you’re finished shopping you’re ready to get out of the store, but it’s worth waiting patiently for your catalinas to print (these are the coupons printed along with your receipt, straight from the register) and then taking the time to put them in your billfold or an envelope so you can use those savings the next time you shop.

Use my coupon database. Using the Faithful Provisions Coupon Database, you’ll be able to find the coupons you need easily. The search tool will show you where available coupons are, online or newspaper inserts, for the specific products that you are looking for.

All You magazine. I love All You magazine! It’s got great articles that save you time and money, plus wonderful ideas for family time and tons of recipes. All You is delivered every month packed with great coupons too, at least $50 worth of coupons in each issue! Subscribe to All You HERE.

Read how couponing helped me stay home on Faithful Provisions.