Newb- probably dumb questions

[licadee]

1) How did you start super couponing? It's a bit overwhelming to understand. I'm going to use coupons, hopefully on already on sale prices, take advantage of the avenu program that I had no idea about, and take advantage of the Upromise I had no idea about and see what I can do with catalinas (still working on understanding how to make the most of those). Is this a good "basic" start??

2) How long after you started SC did you need to get some sort of advanced organization method?

3) How do some of you have stacks of inserts? I get inserts in the Sunday paper...where else do you get them that you have so many?

4) How often do you go to the store?

SORRY IF I MISSED THIS INFO ELSEWHERE!

Thanks!!

[CW&M Mom]

First what stores are in your area?

when you go to the grocery store...take a few peelies, hangtags or tear pads...that you could use. That is a way to get cheap ones.

IMO ebay is easiest to start off purchasing inserts or coupons...as you get better at it...using clipping services and here are probably a better choice.

The way most of us work...is for HBA stuff we purchase it when we get it free or nearly free and stock up. So when the snuggle $2.50 coupon comes out...we all get as many as we can and stock up for the year (or more LOL). Then when the junky .25 cent snuggle coupon comes out we ignore them.

for food...it kind of depends on how many fridges/freezer/space/family you have to know what kind of stockpile you can have.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

There is no such thing as a dumb question here at HCW! To answer your questions....

1) How did you start super couponing? It's a bit overwhelming to understand. I'm going to use coupons, hopefully on already on sale prices, take advantage of the avenu program that I had no idea about, and take advantage of the Upromise I had no idea about and see what I can do with catalinas (still working on understanding how to make the most of those). Is this a good "basic" start?? - I got started reading a forum much like HCW (only the folks were not as nice LOL) and just jumped in. I think you plan sounds good, take it slowly. It does not happen over night.

2) How long after you started SC did you need to get some sort of advanced organization method? - I started with a coupon binder from day one. If you get multiple inserts is when you will need a more advanced organization method. What are you using now?

3) How do some of you have stacks of inserts? I get inserts in the Sunday paper...where else do you get them that you have so many? - There are a few ways to get more inserts, many of us Dumpster Dive in recycling bins and some folks get the left over papers from a delivery person, others have free newspapers with inserts in them that they can get multiples of. This is covered in the Couponing 101

4) How often do you go to the store? - I try to go only 2 times a week, however if there is something really hot and I want to get more I will go more often. My stores are pretty good about letting me do multiple transactions.

[ryaninvan]

thanks for the tips, i'm new to this forum as well

[licadee]

Jewel-Osco, Berkots, Brookhaven, Dominicks, Walts, Walmart, Walgreens, Cubs, Sam's, Costco, Butera (I think).... I'm 35 min south of Chicago.

Thanks for your input ladies!!

[434Teresa]

Well its is overwhelming if you try to learn it all at one time. It takes time to learn to balance it all out. The more you shop with coupons the better at it you will get.

You can buy just inserts on ebay or from sellers on here but you can also get them from the news paper recycle bin or from dumpster diving. If I buy off of ebay I find its cheaper to just buy the coupons I want and not inserts. If you buy on ebay make sure you are buying manufacturers coupons, check the dates and dont fall for the FREE item listings for all to often I see people pay more than what they coupon could be worth due to the wording in hte listing and if you write the company you can get free item coupons and or cents off for free.

I do most of my shopping at walmart for they price match sales ads and I have 3 year old twins to take with me so one stop inside of 5 is much better for me. I do shop at walgreens from time to time and Freds (on saturday) for they double coupons then every blue moon I drive to the town over to shop at krogers.
Most of the time I make one trip a week but sometimes I go two times.

I keep my coupons in a diaper wipe box and I also have a zip up folder with baseball card holders that I use the wipe box is for when I am low on time. I would get one asap if I was you for if you ride the trains on here or enter the never ending raok thread you will rack up tons of coupons fast.