Getting Started: Step Three - Sorting and Clipping like a pro!

Clipping coupons takes a lot of time usually. It's normally a pretty big time investment if you're really going to go for it. But I have a way of sorting and clipping that cuts the time down dramatically.

I just take the inserts apart and stack them! For example, if I have 7 smart source inserts from last week, I lay all the pages of the first one out on the table, each page becoming its own pile, and then seperate the other 6 inserts on top of those. That way you only clip the pages one time! After that I organize them according to my table of contents (hair, beauty, etc) and file!

Another great way to get coupons is from Coupons.com. You do have to download a little coupon printer app, but its no big deal and its totally safe. Then you can stack them and clip 5 pages at a time. Dont clip many more than that because you can ruin the pages and it becomes difficult to cut.

And finally, it can be really excited to have a bunch a coupons and keep them just because they might get you a good deal but that doesnt mean you should. For example, I dont clip any pillsbury coupons (even though they are everywhere) because even if I got them for free, its nothing Kyle and I need to be eating. Only clip coupons for things that you will actually use. A good deal is only a good deal if you use the product.

Tomorrow I am going to try to post some deals to look out for next week, but I'm leaving pretty early for a wedding for two dear friends. It may be that if you're just starting, you dont have a huge coupons stash anyway and probably cant get the deals unless you bought the coupons on ebay (which is totally legit and way cool if you need the stuff and its a good deal!) Otherwise, have a great weekend and Happy Almost Christmas!!

Getting Started: Step 2 - Getting Supplies!

After you set a budget, you are ready to buy what you need to organize your coupons! Start with a zip up binder. Three inches, awesome colors about 20 bucks (ouch!). You can find them on amazon. At first I cringed at spending that much on a binder, but it's worth it and I made it back my first shopping trip couponing! You want to make sure it zips because after you organize everything, if you drop it and everything falls out, you might cry (I would!).

 After that you need baseball card organizers, usually about 60 of them. You can get pretty good deals on these on ebay, amazon and at winco in their school supplies section! DONT go to an office store..way too much money.

 I use this to organize my binder. The Krazy Coupon Lady made it and she is one awesome chica! Krazy intense, but also Krazy organized, which I love :D.  

I have a seperate folder for each store I shop, but you may want to start with one store (albertsons is a good place to start) just to get the hang of it.

Now, order yourself a sunday paper or two (see if they will give you a discount for ordering multiples) and start clipping! Look for anything that says SmartSource, Red Plum or P & G. On the next post I'll show you a faster way of clipping and organizing!

Getting Started: Step One - Set a Budget!

When I first started couponing and saving, my eyes were a little bigger than my wallet. I figured as long as I was getting a deal (or steal!) I would be fine. Fact: THIS IS TOTALLY UNTRUE. Setting a budget is key to saving money in your home. Sales will come around again and so will the coupons. You dont need every little deal out there to make couponing a success.

For me, there is great satisfaction in finding a deal, going to the store with my coupons and walking out feeling like I just legally stole all their stuff! This high can lead to overspending and undoing all the hard work you put in.

I recommend Dave Ramsey's system when implementing a budget. Not only will he help you watch what you are spending, he helps you pay down debt and save for more important things in life (house, baby, giving everything away to other people, retirement).

We have multiple levels to our budget. First, have your regular food budget. Second, if you plan on stockpiling, create a stockpile budget. This will include the price of the papers you buy, your binder or other organizational system and your baseball card protectors. Figure out what is reasonable for you and then get to clipping!

You will see that after a while, you might not need a huge stockpile budget! After you make the one time investment to get started, you'll just be stocking up on free and cheap items.

Speaking of one time investment...I'll be telling you all the items you need to get you couponing like a pro on my next post..so check back!