Coupon 101: The Very Very Basics (a video & ask your questions!)

Comments

1. Steffanie

   January 24, 2011 at 10:44 am

   Kinda cheesy, but effective! Thanks.. I'm new to this couponing thing, and while it's obvious what the face value of a coupon is, it's not so obvious learning how to stack them, or combine them with other coupons/offers. Thank you for starting a 101 series for us newbies!

2. Michele

   January 24, 2011 at 11:13 am

   I agree with Steffanie, I think this is going to be great.
   I am also new to couponing and would love to learn the ins and outs.
   looking forward to upcoming posts!

3. Janice K.

   January 24, 2011 at 11:42 am

   OK, I've been couponing for a little while, but I'm still lost on the BOGO coupons. If I buy 2 identical items, may I only use 1 BOGO coupon or may I use 2.

   One more scenario: I have a Buy 2 Get 1 free coupon also. Again, does that mean I can only use 1 coupon or may I use 3 total.

   Also can I mix and match them with say a BOGO and .50 off?

   Thank you! It's one of those lingering questions that I'm still lost on.

4. Laura

   January 24, 2011 at 11:57 am

   I need ideas on shaving the most money off my stay-at-home-mom budget with a large family (2 adults and 5 children - 3 of whom are boys with big appetites) while trying to buy mostly whole foods and organic items. Help! We've belonged to a CSA in the past and are starting our first kitchen garden this year. I shop at Shoprite that doubles coupons (a nice one in Flemington, NJ) and occasionally Whole Foods.

   I was doing a lot of buying of multiple newspapers thanks to your fabulous guidance with your coupon previews, but the more I've eliminated certain items (like canned foods b/c of BPA, etc.), the fewer things I'm really able to use coupons for. Not sure now if it's worth buying the Sunday papers in bulk for just a few coupons and no time to clip with little ones or should I just go for blinkies and half-price sales.

   Thanks - I love, love, love your site.

5. Bonnie

   January 24, 2011 at 1:47 pm

   I went to the extranormal site and played around to make a video for my kids. They thought it was so funny! Thanks for a good laugh.

6. Paula

   January 24, 2011 at 2:56 pm

   I am trying to figure all this out too. I would love to see how you put together the coupon binder (the video link does not work). My coupons don't fit in the trading card pockets and it seems time consuming to fold them individually or cut them down smaller. Also, I know we really shouldn't watch the 'Extreme Couponing' on TV (because they are'extreme'), but how do they find all the 'free' stuff? My grocery bill runs about $200 per week. I am NOT looking to get it for $2.00 (but it would be nice!) but $50-$100 off would be nice. Is this unrealistic?

   • Mindy

     January 24, 2011 at 8:06 pm

     Paula -- to fit most coupons in the 9 pocket slots, you will have to fold them. I don't mind that personally, but I know many people do. At couponorganizerpro.com they sell some different size pocket pages -- like 3 and 4 pockets, which hold fewer coupons, but you don't have to fold them.

     As for Extreme Couponing.....it's pretty easy to get free stuff if you follow the sales at your grocery and match up coupons available to the sale items. Does your store double coupons? Even better. I have pretty much gotten all my toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, hair care, etc items free for the last 10 years....just by shopping Walgreens and my grocery store that doubles.

     • Paula

       January 30, 2011 at 8:51 pm

       Mindy,

       Thanks for the reply. I seem to have to fold my coupons in quarters. That's what I don't like. Maybe in time I'll splurge for the other size(I already invested in the other). As for all the free stuff you see on extreme couponing, I guess they really don't say what they are getting for free. My local stores do double but it seems most the coupons I seem to get are $1.00 and these aren't doubled. I just started so I guess it just takes time!