How long to get going good?

[$Saving!]

I know this isnt going to happen overnight and I fully do not expect it to but I was just wondering. How long does it take for a beginner who goes "all in" to start seeing good results. How long does it take to gather a decent stash of coupons to pull from if all you have is access to the local papers and a few coupons here and there on food and store shelves? I see some people who have hundreds of the same coupon. How is that even possible?

Something you might want to consider, is if you get the Sunday paper delivered, talk to your carrier and see if he/she will sell you extra inserts on the weeks there are good ones. You can call your paper and tell them to have the carrier call you. Then consider what deal you want to make.

You can even tell him/her you will pay cash upon delivery of let's say (10) insert sets that week or whatever. Come up with a price that works for you and them and before you know it, you're stocked up!

Since you will know through threads on here what coupons are coming out in advance, you'll be able to judge how many you want that week before Sunday ever comes

Then any extras you have you can use to trade or whatever.

Take your time, make deals here and there at the store with what you have at the time, slowly but surely you'll find yourself more "alert" to watching for certain products on sale based on what you have in coupons and start matching them up.

For me, other than fresh meats/veggies/milk, every item I buy has a coupon is my goal. And I buy what is on sale with that coupon. Once you get a little stash going, it allows you to wait until the next sale before you buy again - it gives you breathing room when you have a stash.

When something can be gotten for free, even if you don't use it, get it anyway and start a box to give to a local women's shelter or whatever, they always appreciate it and it makes you feel good too

Find a friend or two to pass coupon inserts around with weekly too, you cut what you want, they cut what they want and you trade the rest of the inserts to each other.

You'll be surprised how quickly you get going! And since it's close to the beginning of the year, take advantage of starting to log your purchases on one of the spreadsheets available for downloading. It's a GREAT motivator to see those savings add up week after week! Not to mention it convinces others it works

[jrashley]

Thanks for all the great info!!! I have started my organization. Since I dont have many coupons yet but know that will change soon I decided to start with the binder method using the baseball card sleeves. I printed section dividers from the Krazy Coupon Lady and LOVE them. Ive tossed these all into and old notebook but I need to look for a zip up binder so that I dont have to worry about somethign falling out.

I dont get the paper delivered because our local paper never has inserts. I go to the gas station or grocery store and get mine. I may ask for the newspaper guy/gals number or leave mine this weekend and see about getting extra inserts! GREAT advice...thanks!

I have already scored a free deal and it felt SOOOOOOOO good! I got the free panty liners from the Dollar General. I could only get one but I did go back the next day and get another one! Had I known about this one I would have been going several times a week this month! Oh well, Ill catch it better and stock up next time!

You guys ROCK! I have found such GREAT information here! Thanks again!

[shelleyf]

I trade alot because I don't always get the great coupons. I dumpster dive also when the weather is good. Sometimes it is a good trip and sometimes it is the worst thing ever, LOL Last month I found a few hundred old newspapers from 2006-2008! I was so mad but I went back and tried again. Try trading, you will become addicted. It's like a great coupon you are looking for magically appears because some people get great coupons and they find awesome tearpads. I live in the land of hardly any tearpads but I am praying it gets better.