[csraiders]

I am absolutely new to this. My family and I are in dire straights right now just trying to survive. I would greatly appreciate any help from anyone on how to get started. I live in Ohio and could possible be losing my job at any minute, not to mention we are already having trouble paying our bills. Again, any help would be appreciated!

[rachellynn]

Did you get the newspaper yesterday? If so clip those coupons. ALL of them because you never know when something may be free or a money maker. At the dollar store they normally have a coupon organizer for a $. Or make your own with some kind of little index card box or accordian file.

Figure out what stores you have close by to shop at. Then find those forums here. Then go to the forum and see what the deals are at those shops. Sometimes they have great deals on things without needing a coupon.

Just get coupons wherever you can and keep them organized somehow.

[tratra]

What do you need help with?

The best advice I was given/can give about starting couponing is to pick a couple forums here and read, read, read to find out how things work in the stores in your area.

Then decide what you need from couponing-- food, health items, cleaning supplies, etc. People coupon for different reasons. A few are to save money on the foods they buy regularly, to stretch the budget so they can buy more for the same amount, and/or to stockpile items for when/if things get worse in their households.

Do you want to save money on the brands you already buy or are you willing to shop brands based on sales?

[JaimeDae]

Originally Posted by tratra

What do you need help with?

The best advice I was given/can give about starting couponing is to pick a couple forums here and read, read, read to find out how things work in the stores in your area.

Then decide what you need from couponing-- food, health items, cleaning supplies, etc. People coupon for different reasons. A few are to save money on the foods they buy regularly, to stretch the budget so they can buy more for the same amount, and/or to stockpile items for when/if things get worse in their households.

Do you want to save money on the brands you already buy or are you willing to shop brands based on sales?

Find the stores forums in your area and you should find lots of help!

[blessedgirl]

Go and look to see exactly what you have in your pantry, cabinets, fridge right now!! Get some paper and take inventory. This will keep you from overbuying this week and you may even discover some items you thought you were out of. Then, make list of the staples that you need this week. See what you can put together to make some cheap but filling meals.

Get all you local store circulars (sale papers) and see what items they have on sale this week at the stores. Compare the circulars with the inventory items and staple items you have written down already. Make a list of what you need that's on sale this week and find coupons for as many of those particular items as possible. I usually circle the items in the sale papers as it make it easier for me to find them later.

Once you get your final list and coupons together for your shopping this week, you have 2 options. You can visit those paticular stores or you can take all the sale papers to Wal-mart and have them to price match those items....one stop shopping, gotta love that!!

Make sure that you get at least 2 sunday's papers and start clipping. You can also check out these internet site and start printing some coupons now.
Coupons
Coupons | Online Coupons
Coupons and Other Great Offers from CouponBug.com
Coupons, Deals, Tips, Savings & Contests - RedPlum: Home

You can also enter different zipcodes on these sites and find lots of different coupons that may not be available at your zipcode. We call these regional coupons.

You can message me on here if you would like more help. I hope this can help you get started. Things will get better, especially since you are learning how to coupon effectively.

[crosscountrysoccermom]

The above posters have given some great advice.

[4my5kds]

Hi from a fellow Ohio AFC'er!!!! I would also suggest find out what stores double coupons in your area (if any) and what their "rules" are. Like in my area we have Meijers they double up to and including .50 q's.limited to 2 of the same q.
Check out the frugal living catergory, check each store catorgory in your area to see what other AFC'ers have posted as great finds. If something is super cheap or free and store well-(salad dressing,noodles,spaghetti sauce,ect.)buy ALOT!!!!!
Watch also sometimes alot of smaller packages(with q's) in cheaper than buying large packages.
check out FSOT catergory if you need more of a specific coupon insert or a certain coupon
Good luck and hang in there-you can save a bundle with this site!!!!!!!

[mtdt3237]

Don't just buy an item because you have a coupon!

Watch the sales!!

See if any of your stores price match and that can you save you some time so your not running from store to store.

Find out which of your stores will double coupons. Learn all the rules for your available stores.

[beckybac]

Originally Posted by csraiders

I am absolutely new to this. My family and I are in dire straights right now just trying to survive. I would greatly appreciate any help from anyone on how to get started. I live in Ohio and could possible be losing my job at any minute, not to mention we are already having trouble paying our bills. Again, any help would be appreciated!

If you PM me your address i will send you some Qs to get you started as a RAOK.

Lots of great advice above also!!!
Look at the forums for your area stores.
Make a grocery budget and stick to it,you will be tempted to go over your budget when you see the great deals.So this is important.

Eat from the items you stockpile,build menus around those items you stockpiled this week.When you stockpile next week do the same,for example do not go out and buy ground beef this week unless on sale and in your budget when you stockpiled chicken last week .

Cut on all extras ,like cable TV ,downgrade phone services,do you really need caller ID,or even cut off the landline if you can and keep cell phones only.
Look in the frugal boards for ideas on cutting back at home.

[cocobaby]

I can sympathize-same thing is happening with me. I will tell you that I started learning to bake--really bake--and I make most everything from scratch. Those ingredients are inexpensive (flour, sugar, salt, etc) and get creative with recipes. I wait for a BOGO on smoked sausage (the big ones) and use coupons with it, then I put dark kidney beans and instant rice with it for a real dollar-stretching meal. At 40 cents a loaf to bake bread (tastes better too), these kinds of meals (could do something with pasta, too), I can save a bundle. If you can get into it, make your own laundry and cleaning products (much cheaper and way safer) from salt, lemons, vinegar, baking soda, etc. Then, there's always the dollar stores. Best of luck to you and yours.

[bobojay]

If you shop at Dillons, enter your Plus Card on their site and shortcuts. These savings are automatically deducted from your receipt if you buy the items. There are Hamburger Helper coupons out there right now for the purchase of three. Yes, go thru your pantry/cabinets and see what you can make with what you have. If you have good clothing in popular sizes check out Platos Closet if you have one in your area. They will buy gently used clothing from you, see their website. If you have children in school and you are responsible for getting them to and from school, try to find a neighbor that you could split those duties with. This will save you gas. If you have an Aldis check them out, they dont take coupons but their basic staples are a good price, and you can build on those with other items. Good luck, a lot of people are in the same situation right now. Lots of good ideas on here and tips.

[avonbymelynda]

great advice

[csraiders]

I hope I am doing this right. I would appreciate any help you can give me. How do I pm you?

Originally Posted by beckybac

If you PM me your address i will send you some Qs to get you started as a RAOK.

Lots of great advice above also!!!
Look at the forums for your area stores.
Make a grocery budget and stick to it,you will be tempted to go over your budget when you see the great deals.So this is important.

Eat from the items you stockpile,build menus around those items you stockpiled this week.When you stockpile next week do the same,for example do not go out and buy ground beef this week unless on sale and in your budget when you stockpiled chicken last week .

Cut on all extras ,like cable TV ,downgrade phone services,do you really need caller ID,or even cut off the landline if you can and keep cell phones only.
Look in the frugal boards for ideas on cutting back at home.

[bobojay]

Click on the persons name at the top of there post, a drop down menu will come up and it will list private message.

[blueflowers]

I live in Ohio, too. And I have bunch of coupons for baby, dog, health and beauty, that I can send you. PM me if you can use them.

[zemat3]

Great advice from some of the seasoned members! You'll be amazed at how much you can save just following the weekly ads and using the related q's. Good luck to you and yours; stay online if possible - the AFC 'family' is a wonderful support group!

[sassikatri]

I have extra baby, dog/cat and some HBAs I can send you if you need these type of things. pm me with your address and I'll mail them. You'll find lots of help here, just ask. I do the price matching at Walmart and use lots of Qs.
Good luck!

[sassikatri]

Just another thought...check out the freebies at Walgreens this week!