[WishfulThinking]

UPDATED:
Added pictures of the Presentation and Handouts 2/14/09

I have updated the outline with a Coupon Resources section. 2/2/09

Here are some links to 2 Files I have added to this thread:
Post #30 Price Book File
Post #36 Grocery List

If you have already downloaded/printed these items, please redo that... hehe... I added a www. afullcup. com thingie to the bottom of them. Thank you!!!!

I added the "handouts" below the outline. It's basically the same as the outline, but there's been a lot of requests for more details.

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Howdy everyone!

I have decided (due to many requests from here) that I am going to post my coupon class outline. I made this outline up myself entirely. I never researched online what to put into a coupon class at all. Soooooo... I have a request... are you ready?

If you decide to use this, I request that it not be used to make any profit.
I created this to help people. I do not believe a class that teaches someone to save should be something that has a charge/fee involved. Does that make sense??? Is that a bad thing? I hope not...

I use this in PowerPoint and I have handouts involved. This outline is modified and will require you to input the information that you find pertinent to your area. This is JUST an outline. I go into depth in certain area's more and I have a few handouts to go with this. This outline is simply to give anyone intersted in holding a class some idea's to get started with.

Have fun and I hope this helps you help more people to learn to save.

Forgot to Mention:
I do an entire display of items. I unveil it at the beginning of the class and ask everyone to tell me how much they think I spent on it. I tell them the $$ than and the best guess gets a prize (either off the table or an envie of Q's). Everything on that display goes straight to the food pantry after the class is over too. I also give random prizes throughout the class and sometimes have Q's sitting on the tables to be gone through.

Here it is my Beginner Coupon Class Outline:

Coupon Class
1. Understand Coupons
2. Find Coupons
3. Define Coupons
4. Coupon Resources
5. Store or Organize Coupons
6. Share Coupons
7. Use Coupons
8. Plan with Coupons

Understand Coupons
Where do coupons come from? - manufacturers
Are stores getting ripped off with coupons?!
One manufacturer coupon is permitted per product purchased

Find Coupons
Newspaper - list your area's best newspapers
Store Coupons/Websites
Online Resources
Tear pads, Blinkies, Catalina’s and more!

Define Coupons
Manufacturer Coupons - IP's and Inserts
Tear pads
Blinkie
Catalina
Cash Register Tape Coupons (CRT)

Coupon Resources (Goes with Handout #1!)
Newspaper
- Coupons are regional
Websites
Preview Coupons
(I take a moment here to explain how to use Coupon Preview websites.)

Store or Organize Coupons
Discuss methods (Box, Binder, File, Envelope, etc) and their advantages or disadvantages. Pix of examples or bringing your own is great.

Share Coupons
Trade!
Expired Q’s can be used over sea's at military bases for up to 6months past the expiration date. www .ocpnet. org
Get creative!.....

Use Coupons!
(This info is put on a handout and expanded on.)
Expect to get items for free, do not expect to get items for a negative amount.
(This is explained that negatives do happen, but it's best to not be setup for the heartbreak. Planning is necessary for deals that may turn negative.)
Do not photocopy a coupon.
Expect to complete smaller transactions.
Coupons are not cash.
Break away from product loyalty!
Clipping and using coupons takes TIME.
You have to have the coupons to get the best deal.
Find your way of using coupons and do it!

I talk about AFullCup here and it's listed on my handout as "Want to Know it All?"

Plan with Coupons
Buy what is on SALE with a COUPON
Less time in a store = less spending!
Knowing Prices helps figure in coupons
Create a Price Book
Shop Sales listed in Ad
Meal plan from the Pantry not from the store.

Plan with Coupons
Here I discuss/list every store in our area, a brief description of their coupon policies and we go over all this information one store at a time. I STRESS on the handout and during the "lecture" that this is NOT from the stores. This is information that *I* have gathered and cannot/will not be accepted at stores as the official store policies. And I show/tell them where to get that official information too.

Advanced Class
We will be going in-depth on:
Stockpiling Sale Items
Methods to get MORE coupons
Additional Savings Tips
Rebates
Rainchecks
Setting up Shopping Scenario's (including CVS and Walgreens)
And so Much More!



Here it is my Beginner Coupon Class HANDOUTS:

Handout #1
Coupon Resources

The BEST source of coupons is a newspaper!
Newspapers will carry manufacturer coupons that can be used at almost any store.
Be sure to list the newspapers in your area that carry the best coupons.

ALWAYS be sure to check the newspaper for the correct amount of inserts so you don’t buy an empty paper.

To find a PREVIEW of what will be in the Sunday paper visit:
www. TaylorTownPreview. com(Preview Pages) Post Wed or Thur
www. TheCouponClippers .com (Coupon Tracker) Post Wed or Thur
www. CouponMom. com (Virtual Coupon Database) Post Sat late afternoon

CouponMom is the ONLY site that will break the coupon’s down by AREA. All areas will receive different coupons. This information will help you decide how many papers you would like to get on Sunday, if at all, based on the coupons inside.


HERE I LIST REGIONAL STORE WEBSITES THAT HAVE COUPONS TO PRINT.
My focus was on Kroger, Meijer and Target.


Printable manufacturer coupons from online sources:
www .Coupons. com
www. SmartSource .com

Manufacturer:
Another great way to get coupons is to contact the manufacturer of the product.


Handout #2
This handout goes with outline part called Use Coupons
Be in the ‘KNOW’ about Coupons

It’s always great to save money and everyone wants to save money, right? Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are using coupons:

1. Expect to get items for free; do not expect to get items for a negative amount.

2. Do not photocopy a coupon. This is considered coupon fraud and can possibly be tracked back to who has done it.

3. To get the maximum amount out of your coupons you should expect to complete smaller transactions.

4. Coupons are not cash but do have a monetary consequence attached to them. The Manufacturer’s of the product listed on a coupon foot the bill for coupon usage.

5. To get the best use of coupons you will need to break away from product loyalty! (Please keep family allergies in mind when trying new products.)

6. Clipping and using coupons takes TIME.

7. You have to have the coupons to get the best deal.

8. The way I do things may not work for you, so please don’t stop there! Find a way that does work. It can be fun to save money with coupons; you will have to take the time and effort to find the way that works for you and stick to it!


Do you want to know it all?!
www. AFullCup. com

It’s a message board (forum) FULL of the best of the best “Coupon Queens”
from around the country and they are all willing to share their information
(and coupons) with YOU!

Be sure to bookmark this site and registration is FREE.


Handout #3
Plan with Coupons!
Knowing how each store uses coupons is KEY to you using coupons. Every store ad you receive will contain the information you need somewhere in small, itty-bitty print OR you can check the store websites for coupon policies.

The list below could change and cannot be used as store policy.

Here is where I list all the stores in our area. I specify coupon policy and other fun tips such as:
Do they double or triple
How long their ads run (we have a screwy store that runs ads from Thur-Wed here)
Fun sales to look for throughout the year (mega sale events at Kroger are wondeful! Meijer holds 10 for $10 get the 11th item free, etc)
If you have a CVS, mention the weekly ECB and monthly ECB deals difference here
If you have Walgreens, I note the 7day AD coupons, Easy Saver Catalog coupons and catalina's

This handout should be VERY specific to your area. Copying mine won't help you much here. Heheehe... My area has some goofie store policies which no other area around us even has... sigh...


Handout #4 & 5
I also use the Grocery List and now the Pricebook sheet as a handout too and that's it!

**Special Notice: Don't forget to remove the spaces from the hyperlinks listed above.
I put spaces in there so that the website addresses could be seen here and not turn into links.**

Below are some pictures of the presenation and handouts. These are the actual slides and papersthat I use for my presentation. Each line of text on the presentation comes in when I press the "continue" button on my laptops remote. Some of my information may not correspond with your area. And more pictures of MY coupon boxes are in my profile.

[LACECOUPONS]

thanks

[helenpooh]

nice outline!

[justfluffyme]

GOOD JOB!

Are you goning to talk about CVS and Wags? ECBs and RRs?

I would love to see those handouts, too. One suggestion, schedule in a general break and lunch time on your plans, too. Hand out copies of the lesson plan as a syllabus. I think it looks great, wish I could come and watch.

[Lynda1811]

Thank You, I have a presentation on the 28th, and just bumped my post for some additional suggestions.

Lynda

[WishfulThinking]

Thanks everyone! I am glad that people have found this... helpful?

Originally Posted by justfluffyme

Are you goning to talk about CVS and Wags? ECBs and RRs?

I would love to see those handouts, too. One suggestion, schedule in a general break and lunch time on your plans, too. Hand out copies of the lesson plan as a syllabus. I think it looks great, wish I could come and watch.

Yes, I discuss CVS and Wags in my beginner class a bit but we will go in depth with making scenario's and breaking down an ad.

This class is only about 2 - 2 1/2 hours long, there is no need for a lunch. I do offer a break, but rarely have anyone jump on it.

The handouts are taken right from the outline. There are 4 handouts:
1. Is coupon resources.
Info about which newspapers in our area contain the best coupons.
Listing of insert Preview sites (Couponmom.com, taylortowpreview.com and the couponclippers.com)
Listing of Kroger Clipless coupon sites (cellfire, pgesaver and shortcuts)
Listing of Meijer and Target sites to get to printables (If you don't have these stores, there is no reason to have those listed... hehe... hence my reason for not posting all my handouts. You will have to adjust things to your regional stores.)
Pritnable manufacturer coupon websites (coupons.com, smartsource.com, etc)

2. Be in the know about coupons
See outline Use Coupons!
I add AFullCup at the bottom of this page with details

3. Plan with coupons
I list all the stores in our area and how they accept/use coupons. I have notices on the sheet that these are NOT coupon policies, just guidelines and are subject to change.

4. A grocery list
A tool for them to use when planning their trips... I did not cover it in the beginner class though, it's just there... we will use it in the advanced class now.

And that's it... but they require adjusting to the area's you are in so I didn't post them.

My syllabus is my power point presentation... it keeps us all focused and on track. I love powerpoint! But not everyone has access to a laptop or a TV that can hook up to a laptop. Sigh... I love technology!

[cddwil]

this is great...

[justfluffyme]

Looks so good, one last tip, I promise. If you can get hold of an old time overhead projector, you can print your power point slides out on transparency sheets.

Include some shots of some of the stockpiles on here too, if you can.

Be prepared to lay those transparencies out all over the house to dry over night.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT!

[WishfulThinking]

I actually have access to a TV that hooks to my laptop and I can use them together to go through the presentation.

PS-I've already taught this class twice now. It's been fun!!!

OH and your tips are sure to help everyone here who wants to do a Q class too... so mentioning tips is great!

[anb1972]

That is great! I was actually thinking of offering a class here at work where I would charge people $5 or $10 to do it as a way to raise money for Operation Feed a campaign I do in the spring that raises money for the food pantries in central Ohio. Would you say it is okay to use if the money goes to charity? You have thought it out so well. I love your structure and detail!!

[WishfulThinking]

$$ to a charity is always awesome It could be optional though? People that I work with at our food pantry usually don't even have 2 pennies to rub together... It's sad...

I am more nervous about people taking this and "selling it" as their idea more than anything to just make a quick profit... people are desperate to save right now and there's too many gimmics out there that say they will save you money but you have to pay them to find out. Grrr... Heheheh... Personal pet peeve?

** added some stuff I forgot to the OP **

[AngieP]

thats very generous of you to share your outline

[justfluffyme]

check your local library, chances are they have computers that are free to use. If so, have that info available, too.

[anb1972]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinking

$$ to a charity is always awesome It could be optional though? People that I work with at our food pantry usually don't even have 2 pennies to rub together... It's sad...

I am more nervous about people taking this and "selling it" as their idea more than anything to just make a quick profit... people are desperate to save right now and there's too many gimmics out there that say they will save you money but you have to pay them to find out. Grrr... Heheheh... Personal pet peeve?

** added some stuff I forgot to the OP **

It would be a class that I would do at work. I do different things like raffles, bake sales, etc to raise money each year and thought that this might be a fun change for the building (around 450 people in this office who participate in stuff)

[farmerdudette]

Can I ask where you teach these classes at? How do you advertise for them?

[WishfulThinking]

JustFluffyMe~
I am a thinking that you should be a doing a class of your own pretty soon?? Your coming up with all the tips and things so fast that I think you may find a new calling here. I'm sure there are people in your area that would LOVE that too!!!

Anb1972~
Holy COW! 450 people to a coupon class?!?! I'd ummm... keep prizes to a dull roar with a potential crowd of that size!! HEHEHE Wow!

[WishfulThinking]

Originally Posted by farmerdudette

Can I ask where you teach these classes at? How do you advertise for them?

My church provides me space. There's lots of rooms there to use... just difficult to get on the schedule sometimes because the building is very busy.

I advertise in the church bulletin mainly, but I have also advertised here. Hehe... The word has gotten out though without too much effort.

[Mommy Ingraham]

Here is the "Lesson Plan" that I use for the classes that I teach. Not nearly as in depth. I tired to limit it to an hour which made it cramped.

Introduction 5 min
Name
How long I have been couponing
How much money I saved last year
How I got started
Quick overview of what the class will cover

1. Types of coupons 5 min
manu
store
wine tags
catalina's
OYNO

2. Combining of coupons 5 min
manu and store coupons are friends!
wine tags are friends too!

3. Where do I find coupons? 5 min
Sunday Paper- They are not all equal
Internet Printables
Mailings
Blinkies in the store
Manu website- Contact us
Coupon Clippers

4. Rebates 3 min

5. Price Matching 3 min
Get the best deals without driving all over town.

6. Shaws 15 min
Couopn Policy
Double Coupons
Shelf vs Sale price
Reward Programs

7. CVS 15 min
Coupon Policy
ECB Card Program
CVS Coupons
The Prescription Game

8. Tricks of the Trade: 3 min
Everyone loves a BOGO!

9. Great Webstires to join: 5 min ( mostly about AFC!)
AFC
Mypoints
Vocalpoint
Startsampling

10. Closing
Questions

[luv2laf]

WishfulThinking~ Thank you so much for the info. There are ladies at my church that have been asking about a coupon class/get together and my pastor has asked if I'd head it up. I still feel new at the whole couponing thing so a little nerveous. I am so excited to have came across your outline! Thank you for sharing your gift! God Bless

[WishfulThinking]

Originally Posted by Mommy Ingraham

Here is the "Lesson Plan" that I use for the classes that I teach. Not nearly as in depth. I tired to limit it to an hour which made it cramped.

Fantastic class!!! You did a great job with that!

[wkfrank29]

I did my first coupon talk last week... this would have been a good resource! I did research on the internet and made my own outline that partains to our area. It went pretty well! I will definitely use your outline too, and I don't charge so no worries about that.

[texassaver]

Thanks for sharing.
I'm interested in putting a price book together & I'm not sure how to get started.
Do I enter by store, item or price range?
Do you have any information on that?

[sweetpea101506]

Originally Posted by texassaver

Thanks for sharing.
I'm interested in putting a price book together & I'm not sure how to get started.
Do I enter by store, item or price range?
Do you have any information on that?

I'd like to start a price book too, but it always seems like I'm in the stores for an exceptionally long time anyways. If I started doing this, I'll probably be in the stores forever!

[vkearney]

Awesome! Thanks sooooo much for sharing...

[Kmchamplin]

Plan with Coupons
Buy what is on SALE with a COUPON
Less time in a store = less spending!
Knowing Prices helps figure in coupons
Create a Price Book
Shop Sales listed in Ad
Meal plan from the Pantry not from the store.

There are so many people that get a coupon and run out and buy the product BEFORE it is on sale.

These are great tips that many people tend to forget to talk about. I did a coupon class and it was only for 5 people. With questions it lasted 2 1/2 hours and I talked FAST! So I will be teaching on this Sat, but am limiting it to 1 1/2 hours. SO I am taking out a TON of stuff and breaking it up into two classes.

I did mine on Power Point also and I have to agree that it is wonderful. I had 75 pages on my first one and have to knock it down to about 55 for Sat as I am not spending 3 hours at the library.

In mine, I did go into detail about rolling ECB's and RR's and that is definitely a more advance class option.