[josy]

Hi everyone,

I just recently joined AFC and started getting my coupons. I don't have a stockpile although I'd like to start one. I'm a bit confused since this website has so much information. My question for the pros out there, for someone totally new to all of this, what would you recommend my first couple of steps should be in getting my coupons and stockpile going?? Thank you for all of your help. I appreciate it.

Josy

[Pepsilady405]

Obviously get coupons would be the first thing I would do!

Clip and organize them to best suit you. I personally do them alphabetically by what I call an item. For example, I call Lay's Kettle BBQ potato chips...... "Chips". Therefore they are filed around the C area of my binder.

Also, you need to figure out something to hold/store your coupons in that works for you. I use a binder (you can search binder on here and find pictures of what some folks' look like) Other's use accordian type holders, some use photo albums etc.

Then I suggest clicking on Forum at the top of the page then clicking on the stores nearest you (even if you've not frequented them in the past) and seeing what their upcoming or current sales are.. then seeing where you get the most bang for your buck for that week with your current coupons.

Also.. I look at upcoming weeks ads as well. For example.. CVS this week has Tide for 3.00. I have a coupon for 1.00 off. It doesn't expire for a couple of weeks. I see on the Walgreens forum that they have it next week for 1.00.. I'm hanging on to my coupons till the next week and getting them free at Walgreens (obviously this is just a lame example , don't we all wish Tide was 1.00! )

Hope that helps you some!

[enestvmel]

I'm still a bit of a newbie myself, but I've learned lots lately. There are lots of ways to organize your coupons. I was just at a AFC get together in MN where I got lots of great tips from the gals who come on here. Some organize their coupons alphabetical by brand, some by section of the grocery store, and others keep their flyers intact at home in a box (because they buy like 8 papers at a time) and order them by flyer type and date. Then when they see what date a coupon was and what flyer it was on a deal here in the forums, it makes it easier to go back and find the coupon. It's all personal preference though, if it doesn't work for you try something else. Personally, I need something that is easy to go through coupons quickly and large binders just don't do it for me...

One quick tip, if you want to start getting lots of coupons quickly, you can try to find your local Sunday paper at a dollar store. Here in MN our paper is sold at Dollar Tree (not sure if it's all of their stores) for a dollar. They also have groups here on AFC that do coupon trains. You put together a wish list, get on a train and you can get a lot of what you actually use a lot easier.

As for stockpiling, I'd just say you have to watch for the deals. Pepsilady hit it on the head that you have to watch for the deals. It's nice that you can come on here and find the ads early for some stores. That way you don't have to wait until Sunday when they come out in the paper.

I'd get to know a group of people in area/state that have been in couponing for a while. They're your best resources!! They know where all the deals are...