Using coupons is a smart way to save a lot of money on products and services you use every day. Some people think that a coupon for $0.50 or a dollar is mere pocket change, but the savings do add up quickly! How would you like to easily trim $10, $15, or more off your next trip to Walmart or the grocery store? With a little knowledge and a bit of organization, you too can see awesome savings on your next receipt.
Where to find coupons
The first step to becoming a Coupon Queen (or King) is to find coupons to use. There’s many sources, making it easy and flexible to start your own coupon collection.
Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to find great money saving coupons on your favorite products. There are many Canadian online coupon websites that will mail coupons directly to your door. Simply sign up and select the coupons you want. These sites are a godsend for Canadian couponers, as they make it easy to get just the coupons you need with a few simple clicks. It’s a real time-saver!
If you’re seeking instant coupon gratification, or simply need a coupon right away, several of these sites also offer printable coupons. Most stores will accept these printed coupons, but you may find that some sales clerks do not know how to handle these coupons, and will refuse to accept them. If this happens, speaking with the manager will usually result in the coupon being accepted, unless the store has a specific policy stating otherwise.
For those who like to kick it old school, your good old local newspaper provides a vast bounty of ready to clip coupons. Every month or so, you can find SmartSource, BrandSaver by Proctor & Gamble, and Redplum coupon inserts nestled amongst the sale flyers. Check the coupon insert schedule to learn which papers include the coupon inserts, and when to find them.
Writing to manufacturers to ask for coupons is a lesser-known method of getting coupons, but can provide even higher value coupons than you’ll find online or in newspapers. Often you’ll find yourself well-rewarded for taking the time to send a short email telling the company how much you like their product and asking if they have any coupons they could send you. Responses will vary from company to company, and even from representative to representative, but if you’re lucky, you may receive high value coupons, or even a coupon for free products! Wondering which companies have a history of sending out these great money-saving coupons? Check our regularly updated list of high value and free product coupons!
How to organize your coupons
One of the biggest challenges to successfully using coupons is organization. As an amateur coupon user, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve gotten to the store, only to find that I didn’t have the coupon I needed with me, or realizing after I left the store that I actually did have the coupon I needed… buried in the middle of a big stack of disorganized coupons in the bottom of my purse. Now that I’ve turned couponing pro, I’ve learned the best ways to ensure that coupons are always ready to use and easy to find.
Coupon organization isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It really depends on how may categories of coupons you collect, and the number of coupons you typically have. Here’s how to tailor your coupon organization system to meet your specific needs:
- Single Envelope – This “starter home” of coupons is a great method for those just beginning to use coupons. Keeping your coupons grouped by category using color-coded paper clips will make it easy to match up your coupons with products as you move through the store’s departments.
- Accordion File – As your coupon collection starts to grows, you may literally find your single envelope bursting at the seams. Time to upgrade to a small accordion file! Also known as expanding cheque files, accordion files typically come with tabs and labels, making them an ideal way to organize when you have more than a few categories of coupons. You can find really affordable small accordion files at dollar stores, although they’ll often be made out of card stock type paper. I’d recommend looking for one at a discount department store, such as Walmart, or an office supply store, as you’ll find a better selection of sizes, styles, and materials. These accordion coupon files will cost you a bit more upfront, but will last much longer, saving you in the long run.
- Coupon Binder – If you really mean business, nothing says “Coupon Queen” like a coupon binder! To put together your coupon binder, you’ll need a large binder, trading card protector sheets, and tab dividers. To learn more on how to build and store your coupon binder, read our tutorial on creating a coupon binder.
Using your coupons
To save the most money possible, plan to combine your coupons with store sales. Look through your local stores’ sales flyer to match you coupons with what’s on sale this week. Consider viewing flyers online to save time and trees, as well as money. Most stores offer their sales flyers on their websites. For even greater efficiency, use an online flyer aggregator, such as SaleWhale.ca, or view sales on your mobile device or tablet using a flyer aggregator app, such as Reebee or Flipp.
If DIY coupon match-ups are not your thing, be sure to check our weekly coupon match-ups.
