[AKASHA]

I'm sorry if I sound dumb, but I've spent over 2 hours just trying to figure out how to get started here. There are so many different getting started posts that I can't find a main thread giving specifics. Do this or that first to get started. I have only cut coupons out of the paper prior and am totally overwhelmed when I try to find my way around here. I'm familiar with forums, but am clueless here. Thanks for any and all help.

[LyndaSLP]

Welcome!

Here are some links to start with

To understand the acronyms: Grocery Coupons & Deal Forums - A Full Cup Acronyms & Abbreviations

On the home page, there are a handful of great articles to read:

Here are 3 I recommend reading:
Maximizing Coupon Savings- A Full Cup - Coupons

How to Organize Your Coupons- A Full Cup - Coupons

How To Obtain Free Product Coupons- A Full Cup - Coupons

After all that, I would go to the main forum page and check out the forums dealing with your local grocery stores. Check out all the grocery stores in your area -- you might find out that the one store you never go to has super deals.

I hope this helps you start.... again, welcome!

[kategriffin18]

One thing that I had to find out was you have to click on forum to see all the separate store forums (not off the forum drop down list).

Also, another great way to just see new posts is to hover your mouse over forum and then click new posts. This will get you to new posts every time you come on that you haven't seen or clicked on yet.

A great one to go on if you need particular coupons is the FSOT (for sale or trade) forum so you can ask for (in the ISO (in search of) thread of that forum). That's also where you can trade the Q's that you don't need in exchange for ones that you do need.

To see threads that you replied to and want to see answers, hover over my profile and click on view my posts in the drop down menu.

HTH!!! Welcome, and good luck! you'll get the hang of it!
Kate

[Ladysmith56]

How do you print the printable ones you check in the Coupon Database? Also, do you contact and then mail coupons to each other?

[cocoadawn]

Okay, forgive me if I sound like I'm giving you baby steps, but I have ADD, so I have to lay things out in simple little paths. Here's what I recommend.

1. Go to the forum for the grocery store (one that doubles coupons) where you will be doing most of your food shopping. Read the sticky that explains that store's coupon policy, etc. Then, on a regular basis, read the posts that give a preview of that store's sales, if there is one (lots of ladies have access to that info-great for planning ahead). If not, read the posts that have the current sale, especially one that matches the coupons that are available with the sale items. Later, you'll have your own method for putting your list together. I usually cut and paste the deals I know I want to do into a word doc, and print it out. Reading the "here's what I got today" posts are very helpful, too, to give you a good idea of what is possible.


2. Next, get familiar with Walgreens and CVS the same way. When I was learning, I printed out cheat sheets for each store. I made these by cutting and pasting from the Walgreens 101 or whatever type stickies. Things like the coupon policy, what order to hand your coupons, how to redeem register rewards, etc. I put these in my binder, and referred to them whenever I was confused.

3. Start posting questions on the forums for these stores. This is one helpful, friendly, eager to share crowd. You won't be overlooked or disappointed.

Those are the first three things that I would suggest. If you want more help, drop me a private message and ask away.

Hang in there, the rewards are way, way worth it.

Dawn

[brook6]

the printable Qs have the name in bold letters...when you click on it a popup opens and you can print from there