If you could only offer one piece of advice...

[MrsPinecone]

Read the Newbie threads and the stickies and FAQs for the forums that you visit.

People have taken a lot of time and effort to write them, and most questions are asked over and over again. The answers are probably right there for you!

This is not to sound as if we don't want to answer your questions, but it will save you time. You don't have to sit around waiting for an answer, you can get to the money-saving right away!

[thickbluebug]

I say check into rebates.
I save more money using rebates than I do using coupons. I live in a no alcohol area and we don't get winetags. Plus my grocery list is mainly meat and produce, rarely do I find coupons for that stuff. Meat/Produce/Dairy q's are sky high on ebay and trade for an arm and a leg on here.

I roll my rebates like other people roll their ecbs at cvs and rr/esr at wags. I buy a rebate item using the funds from my last rebate.

[Macaela25]

Don't feel like you have to cut out and drag every single coupon you own to the store with you (at first). Even though I've been doing this for a few years, I would tear my hair out if I tried to cut out/file/whatever every coupon that crossed my path. I just don't have that kind of time, and I think this is something that puts a lot of people off ofcouponing. I've missed some clearance deals over time (yesterday comes to mind), but I'm willing to let that go to save what would be several hours per week for me spent cutting and filing.

I have a basket of loose coupons (tearpads, blinkies, IPs, etc) and I file whole inserts by date. When I make my lists for the week, I simply pull the coupons I need based on what's listed in the ad thread and after a quick search for other incidentals I may be buying.

Just know that what works for everyone else may not work for you. I keep ECBs and coupons I know I'll use pretty quickly in my wallet and my weekly lists go on the backs of envelopes with the coupons tucked inside. Pretty low tech/old school, but it works for me!

[bugface711]

Get a raincheck!!

[2knoxs]

Originally Posted by bugface711 Get a raincheck!!

Amen! I second this piece of advice. Im new too and afraid of making a mistake or being looked at funny (I know I know dont be) so I missed out on Free/cheap TP.



O BOY! This was my 100th post, yay me! hahahahaah

[darkwing932]

I know its already been said but I'll say it again. Get organized.

[meems]

I always tell people starting, never buy under durress, anticipate your needs & buy ahead when it's on sale, it costs more to begin with, but not for long!

[couponaddicted10]

Give up on using coupons on trial sizes, unless its a MAJOR moneymaker. Receiving 1 or 2 cents in overage on a tiny bottle of shampoo, while unnerving cashiers, and potentially arguing with store managers, just isn't worth it. Often the full size item is free, with the same coupon at another time...

[neryguzman]

Getting organized is key.

[bzbex]

Change your thinking ...

It isn't how much does it costs ... but how much do you want to spend on a product.

After stocking up on your first product (ie cereal) decide how much you are now willing to pay for cereal. This will vary depending on coupons and pricing where you live. Since you have a stock pile you can now decide when and what price you want to pay for cereal