Get Started With Coupons: Where Do I Find Coupons?

If you are just getting started with coupons, my Grocery Matchups and Drug Stores matchups are possibly discouraging to you.  I am listing coupons from several weeks ago (or even months ago!) and you may be wondering how you can expect to get the deals when you don't have the coupons!

The answer?  You won't be able to do some of the deals if you are just starting to use coupons.  But after a few weeks, you will!  As I said before...it takes time to both learn how to use coupons effectively as well as build your supply of coupons.

:: Where can you find the coupons?

Sunday Newspaper Inserts: this is the most obvious place.  Each week I purchase between one and eight papers, depending how good the coupons are going to be.  Make sure that you check out my every-Saturday-morning "Coupon Insert Preview" post, where I highlight what I think are the best coupons coming out and let you know how many copies of the paper I will be buying!  Don't forget to check the Parade Magazine or USA Today Weekend (depending on your newspaper) for additional coupons!

Online coupons: I know that some of you still have problems with stores not accepting Internet Printable coupons, but the number of those stores are steadily decreasing.  In addition to the many coupons that can be found at Coupons.com, SmartSource, Redplum and Coupon Network, don't forget to check out the websites for your favorite brands.  Many of them post coupons on their site!

Magazines:  my favorite magazine for coupons continues to be All You.  Each month there is approximately $40 worth of coupons which more than makes up for the cost of the issue.  All You is sold exclusively at Walmart stores or you can get a subscription.  Other magazines that consistently have good coupons are Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Weight Watchers Magazine, Woman's Day and Family Circle.

By Mail:  many times when you sign up for a free sample, the sample comes with a nice high-value coupon.  If you need diapers, make sure that you register with Huggies and Pampers as they are great with sending coupons!

In Packages:  many companies will put a coupon for a future purchase right inside the packaging.  Razor companies and Glade (home fragrance) are notorious for this.  For boxed foods (cereal, frozen foods, etc), don't forget to check the inside of the box for coupons!

In-store brochures, magazines and leaflets:  I am always looking for product recipe flyers in the grocery store because many times they also contain some nice coupons (as does the store magazine, if they have one).  At the drug stores, look for store magazines and coupon books.  About half of the time, the coupons you find in the drug store coupon books are store coupons that you can stack with a manufacturers coupon for even greater savings!

Blinkies:  many grocery stores have "Blinkie machines" placed near a new product that contain coupons.  These are called Blinkies because the machine typically has a small red blinking light on it.

Tearpads:  these are pads of coupons that are usually placed near a product.  In addition to finding them at the grocery and drug stores, you can often find them at convenience stores and gas stations and the coupons can typically be used at any store.

Peelies and hangtags:  you will occasionally get lucky and find a coupon for the item you want to buy right on the product itself!

Once you start getting more coupons, you will find that the deals at the Drug Stores and Grocery Stores are much easier to get!

Did I miss any sources of coupons?

:: Join me as we continue on the series “Getting Started With Using Coupons!”