[wannabe a coupon queen!]

Hi, I have been here a while but I would really love to get better at this. I try to get the deals everyone else does but never do as well. also just found out I am expecting so I need to save lots of money! Trading is beyond me and I was also wondering how many inserts to buy each week and from which region. I am in the land of no doubles so I would be looking for higher value q's. If someone could give me some tips on trading and what not, I would really appreciate it. I also am not able to download the coupon printer for whatever reason so any tips on that would be great. I am running Vista so that could be the problem. Hopefully we will get a new comp on BF! Basically I am looking for a mentor. If anyone has the time or can point me in the right direction I would be so appreciative! tia!

[anewbern88]

I have been couponing since April of this year and I still spend more then planned every now and then! If we never made mistakes then how would we learn to be better at something? I usually buy about 5 inserts per week, unless there is a coupon that I know will be worth buying more. The more you coupon, the more know which coupons are good ones, It will be like second nature! If you are interested in trading coupons, you need to make a wishlist and a FSOT list (For sale or Trade.) I have vista aswell (which I hate ) but I have no problems with the coupon printer so I am no help there!! The best way for you to learn is to read as much about the stores you shop at as possible and before you know it you will have "earned your crown" and the title of a "coupon queen"! Good Luck!

[couponmom1956]

I am fairly new at this, too, but will be happy to pass along what I have learned.

I buy 4 Sunday papers - the largest available! For me, this is the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. In each paper I receive 2 inserts i.e. Red Plum & SmartSource and twice monthly a P&G Saver is included. Wal-Mart has a magazine called "All You" that is full of coupons. These are my starting points. Check with your family/friends and see if you can get the coupons from their papers. Train yourself to look for them when you go into stores. You will be surprised by how many you will find. You can also sign up via internet to several major companies who will send coupons via snail-mail. Right@Home is one you might try. Check the websites of your favorite companies to see if they will mail them to you. Also, check your grocery store to see if they publish coupon booklets. Publix usually has 2-3 running at any given time.

Product sales run in cycles of 6-8 weeks usually. So, what is on sale this week will come back on sale in 6-8 weeks. You always want to buy when it is at it's lowest price. I wasn't sure about this when I first started so I found a website that listed what was at it's best price, by store, for that week, and it also included the coupons that would match to that particular item, as well as what insert/week it was found in. It made my life a lot easier! The website I use to print my grocery list is Southern Savers


Only buy what is on sale, unless it is an emergency. Ask if your store will accept competitor's coupons and, if so, use a competitor's coupon with a manufacturing coupon for each item. When an item is BOGO always use 2 coupons.

These are some very basic rules that I follow and I average saving about 65% a week now on my grocery bill. I hope this helps a little!

[DebB831]

Congrats on the baby news!
I agree with the other posters. I usually get 3-4 papers a week, unless there are some awesome coupons in them, then I will get more. I try and not buy more than what we would use in a three months period for the reasons mentioned, it will come on sale again.

So are you not able to print coupons from coupons dot com and the like? I would call in to Vista support to have them help walk you through that. The online coupons are much higher in value and worth the trouble to get the printer to work for you. Good luck!

[nwfrugalista]

Congrats on expecting

I have the same q's as you (how many papers/how to do well when none of my groceries double, etc)--so thanks for this thread-very informative!

[karenvallone]

All of the previous posters have given you great advice. Also if you see a great deal posted and you dont have the high value q's look on ebay. You also may want to jump on a coupon train. there are lots around for newbies, which can help you get extra coupons. Keep reading the threads for the stores you shop at, most of them have the sale flyer a week in advance and you can plan your deals. Also many ladies on here have awesome auctions for flat rate envies stuffed to the max with coupons that you can bid on and buy. I do this to supplement the fact that i get really crappy inserts in my papers. Also check out clipping services for the "hot" coupons.