theHword.com

So are you ready to become a serious couponer? This first step is establish a stash of coupons. The most frequent question I get asked is “where do you get all of your coupons?” The following is a list of how to accumulate coupons.

• Newspaper Inserts Pick up a Saturday edition of the Hastings Tribune. You will find a Smart Source insert, and once a month (or sometimes more), a Proctor & Gamble insert. The Grand Island Independent’s Sunday edition will include a Red Plum insert. You can find these inserts in the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald as well. Pick up one, or 6 or 10. If you get multiple newspapers, you’ll get multiple coupons, allowing yourself to stockpile a certain item if you come across a great deal. Ask your friends and family to save their inserts for you as well if they don’t use them.
• Internet Printable Coupons Web sites will usually update their coupons the first of the month and a few times throughout. Typically, you can print two coupons per computer (by hitting the back button twice). My favorites include:
  coupons.com
  redplum.com
  smartsource.com
  eatbetteramerica.com
  bettycrocker.com
• Look for Blinkies, Tear Pads and Peelies Blinkies are the small machines in stores that spit out coupons. Peelies are found on store shelfs and peelies are attached the the package of a product. Be on the lookout for these at stores. (Just be nice and leave some for others!)
• Email Companies Tell them how you like a product or if there is something they can improve upon. Ask to be put on their coupon mailing list. Many companies will mail you coupons for your time.
  
• All You Magazine This is one of my favorite magazines that can be found exclusively at Walmart or purchase a subscription online at www.allyou.com. This magazine is full of great coupons and money-saving articles.
• Company Mailers or Websites If you purchase a product on a regular basis, go to the company’s website. Many have online newsletters that contain coupons for you to print out. Or asked to be put on a mailing list. Huggies, for example, sends out mailers on a regular basis that contain some great coupons.

–
Three circulars—Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG) are available most Saturdays in the Hastings Tribune and other area newspapers. For internet printables (IP), click on the corresponding link. Have other questions regarding my lingo? Click here.

Nabisco Snack Crackers (8 oz.) $1.88 ea.
$1.00 (1.24 SS) = $0.88 ea.

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables (12-16 oz.) 2.00 ea.
$0.50 (2.7 SS) = $1.50 ea.

Smucker’s Jelly or Jam (32 oz.) $1.69 ea.
$1.00/3 or $0.25 (2.24 RP) = $1.36 – $1.44 ea.

Sara Lee Soft N’ Smooth Whole Grain White Bread (20 oz.) $1.50 ea.
$0.55 (2.21 RP) or IP here = $0.95 ea.

Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat Bread (20 oz.) $2.39 ea.
$0.55 (2.21 RP) or IP here = $1.84 ea.

Act II Popcorn (3 ct.) $1.29 ea.
$0.60 ( 2.28 SS) = $0.69 ea.

Hidden Valley Dressing (16 oz.) $2.69 ea.
$1.00 IP here = $1.69 ea.

Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes $0.99 ea.
$0.40 IP here = $0.59 ea.

Bertolli Pasta Sauce (15-24 oz.) $2.50 ea.
$0.75 (2.14 RP) = $1.75 ea.

Farm Rich French Toast Sticks $2.39 ea.
$0.75 IP here = $1.64 ea.

Pillsbury Grands Jr. Layers $1.29 ea.
$0.40/2 (12.13 SS) or IP here = $1.09 ea.

*Remember, Sunmart doubles all coupons up to $1.00. For example, a $0.50 Q doubles to $1.00 off

–
Please Note: I do my best to match up deals and coupons but obviously I do not do all the deals myself. If you find one does not work—or better yet, find others—please leave a note in the comments section!

About the author: Renee Thomsen

Renee traded in her Louis Vuitton for a coupon binder after the birth of her son in 2007. Looking to save a few bucks on diapers, she found herself fully immersed in the wild world of couponing. Around that time, Renee discovered Dave Ramsey, a personal finance guru, and thus began her quest to find financial peace. Along with her husband, Renee is working towards becoming debt-free, one money-saving coupon at a time.