Coupon blogs are all the rage these days. There some really great bloggers out there with some really good information. These blogs really do share a lot of useful information. Most cover a lot of the same topic, but in there own unique way. Some of the websites are better laid out than others, but all are very useful in supplying the user with very useful information.

Some of the thing topics they cover are things like:

• Hot Topic
• Great deals
• Recipes
• Printable Coupons
• Regional Coupons
• National Coupons
• Manufacture’s Coupons
• Free stuff
• User Forums

“Do you have to be a member to use coupon blogs?”

Many of these blogs have a lot of free stuff and information that anybody can use, but if you want to get the full benefits of a specific blog you might want to become a member. It is typically free to join and only takes a couple pf minutes to sign up.

List of Coupon Blogs

Fabulessly Frugal

They offer a useful, free audio book that you can download. Topic include Getting Started, Get Coupons, Organize Your coupons, Online Deals, and many more.

The Krazy Coupon Lady

This is one of the most popular coupon sites on the web. It has been featured on television shows such as Today, Fox and Friend, ET, and TLC. They teach you how to collect and redeem coupons the right way!

A Full Cup

A great place to get and print coupons from your favorite stores. The offer a forum and claim to have saved their members over 16 million dollars so far this year.

The Coupon Goddess

She gives daily and weekly updates for her shopping trips and how much she is saving.

Money Saving Mom

A really nicely built site with a tough of info and a real personal touch.

Coupon Geek

Deal in not just grocery. They talk about pet store coupons, restaurant coupons, online store coupons, kids/baby coupons, and photo deals. Offers section in Chicago deals as well as the blogger lives in the Chicago area.

Bottom Line: Check these coupon blogs on a regular basis for the latest and great information on how to save money when shopping.

Yes, you can use coupons with food stamps, but you might be responsible for the taxes. Check your local ebt office for details. and for the best way to let your money stretch the furthest.

How to organize Coupons

The best way to organize coupons to to use a good old fashioned folder. Get one with separate pockets and divide the coupons into different categories. One for food, one for household, one for clothes,etc…….If you really want to get organized, separate the coupons within the actual categories.

Can you use 2 coupons for one item?

Yes and no. Typically you can only use one manufactures coupons per item, but you can do what they call “stacking.” This means you can use a manufacture coupon AND a store coupon on the same item. This is how you can actually save a TON of money.

How many people use coupons?

In my opinion, not enough. **It is a common misconception that only lower income shoppers use coupons to save money.. In fact, a recent survey by NCH Marketing Services revealed that 75 percent of customers in all income brackets use coupons sometimes and the highest rate of coupon clippers have an income of $25,000 – $50,000.

**Source

Can you use a coupon on the day it expires?

You better believe it. If it expires on the 1st, you can use it on the 1st, but not on the 2nd.

Here are some of the top coupon forums on the web. You can learn a lot from these forums, but don’t believe everything you read. Use common sense and these forums can be very valuable to you and your bottom line.

Most of these coupon forums offer a wide range of services. It is a way for people to share their experiences when it comes to saving money by using coupons..

In no particular order:

Hot Coupon World

This is a very well organized forum with a ton of different threads. It cover everything from shopping tips to great deals at stores across the country.

The Coupon Cupboard

This is a well thought out forum with a ton of information. Very clean. It has over 25,000 threads, 27,000 posts, and 19,000 members.

A Full Cup

This site offers a Hot Deals, Great Deals, Printable Coupons, and a Hot Forum Topic section.

The Deal Catcher

Topics include Hot Deals, Free Stuff, Merchant Problems, Black Friday, Product reviews, Rebates, and Sweepstakes.

We Use Coupons

Updated regularly. This site also features many different recipes and printable coupons for the user to enjoy. Over 200,000 members!!

Coupon Mom

Threads 49,524, Posts, 345,757, Members 594,825, and Active Members 30,580.

Coupon Forum

Offers a coupon trading area, freebies section, printable coupons, frugal living tips, mail in rebate offers, and national/regional coupon sections.

Deal of Day

Threads 218,067, Posts 957,834, and Members416,971. Heavily trafficked site with many ads.

Refund Sweepers

A very popular forum, but a little bit tough to read, in my opinion.

Absolute Shopping Community

This is a very well done site that seems to be on the newer side. Still, it has a lot of great information for the thrifty shopper.

Bottom Line: many of these sites have the same kind of information. Check them out and decide which coupon forums suit your needs the best.

The winter months are some of the best for shopping with coupons. Department stores are getting just as competitive with coupons for their shoppers as Grocery and Drug Stores. Kohl’s always gives Kohl’s Cash for every $50 purchased for future shopping, but even stores like JC Penney and The Children’s Place for example, have shoppers rewards programs, too. For those who shop with coupons as a habit, this is an easy transition.

Shopping With Coupons During the Stores “Transition” Period

Winter is a great time for shopping with coupons and incentives because they are transitioning to their “spring” apparel. There may even be some fall apparel that is on super clearance so you can take advantage and stock up for you or your family. This is especially great for kids clothing. You can buy a size or two up for next fall or winter or even two winters from now. (I found clearance shoes at Target for $4 each, I bought sizes that my daughter won’t be in for quite a while, but couldn’t pass up the deal). These may not seem like the same coupon deals you are used to shopping for, but the mindset is exactly the same.

Shopping with Coupons Tips

• Check those same sale papers where you are clipping your grocery shopping coupons, and you will many times find coupons for stores like Parisian, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Sears and Macy’s too.
• Check the dates.  These coupons are for shoppers who are “on it”, because they are usually for a very limited time. Sometimes only for one day or a weekend. But remember, only buy it if you love it and would actually wear it.
• It is not a great coupon deal for a shopper if you only wear it because it was a deal.

Anyone can look good spending a lot of money. It takes real skill to be a great coupon shopper who looks like a million bucks without spending it. Just another way shopping with coupons will help your bottom line.

Any good attempt at saving money on groceries requires a quick review of your receipt. At the bottom of almost any shopping receipt it will show you your “savings “for that trip. This includes savings from coupons that you shopped with as well as store sales or automatic coupons. As a dedicated coupon shopper, you have probably already gotten at least 30% off your total for that trip. That is great! But now how about doubling that savings? Seriously.

Saving Money on Groceries by Looking at your Receipt

Look at your receipts and the amount saved, and then go ahead and actually save that money…again. No coupon needed this time, just a little bit of discipline. Take that money to the bank. If your receipt states you saved $15 this trip by using coupons and store sales, take that literally! Transfer $15 into your savings account, IRA, piggy bank or whatever. Just imagine how much money you will have saved after a year. Now I know this is not for the faint of heart, but if you shop with coupons it a great way to get your savings account going.

Saving Money on Groceries AND Adding to Your Bank Account

Truly the coupon shopper who really wants to maximize savings in every way will do this. But just think how much extra money you will have for that vacation, car repairs, or just to have in case of emergency. But, like any of the frugal living ideas, you actually have to do it! No one will care if you save money on food and not deposit the savings into your savings account, except you, the coupon shopper extraordinaire. Even if you did this 50% of the time, it would still be significant. This is one of those saving money ideas the once your coupon shopping habits are set, it will be second nature. Start small, it’s ok. But think big. You can do it by saving money on groceries.

Don’t be hesitant of using expired coupons.  That is the only tricky part of being a coupon shopper, making sure to get the deal before you can’t shop with the coupon because it expires. Please don’t try to use expired manufacturer coupons by pretending that you didn’t notice the date had passed.  First of all, most of the time it won’t work.  Secondly, even if the cashier actually takes it and the coupon you are shopping with scans, this will cost the store $ because they may or may not be reimbursed by the manufacturer for it.   Also, if you try to substitute an item that is different than the one listen on the coupon, this is actually coupon fraud.  Not good.  

Be Honest When Using Expired Coupons

Some might argue that the cashier should pay more attention to see if a shopper is using expired coupons and if an expired coupon does go through, then that is their own fault. Yes, perhaps.  And if shopping with an expired coupon is an accident and happens every so often, that is OK.  I just think it is not good to try to “get away with it”.  Shop with coupons legitimately. There are plenty of deals to be had.  It’s just coupons, people. Nothing to go to jail over. 

Most Stores Don’t Mind You Using Expired Coupons

But sometimes if you are using expired coupons and it is expired by only a day or two (not a month!) a manager might allow you to use it.  Go ahead and ask.  It certainly couldn’t hurt.   I have done this and was able to shop with coupons that were recently expired.   I have done this at CVS when shopping with some of the coupons they generate through their rewards program and the managers have been very accommodating.  To clarify, a store coupon is generated by the store, Kroger, CVS, etc. and may be something like $3 off of a $10 purchase. Manufacturer coupons are brand name products like Heinz, Pampers, etc. Don’t give up on using expired coupons.

When Not to Shop With Coupons

When it comes to learning how to grocery shop with coupons I am of the opinion that good grocery deals and using a coupon just isn’t worth it if it is something you won’t use. 

I have no brand allegiance and will go back and forth based on the coupons I have when shopping for grocery deals in any given week.  You should have no problem buying the Kroger or Walmart brand if the bargains and savings involved are significant . But I will not all of a sudden buy something just because it is one of the “grocery deals of the week”.   I am amazed that people will do this.   For example, I rarely buy candy unless it is Easter or Halloween and so shopping with a Hershey’s coupon just won’t happen.  But there are many coupon shoppers out there who will just buy anything if it is a good deal.  Ask yourself. Is it really a bargain if you didn’t want to buy it in the first place?  I say no.  Unless, your coupon shopping allows you to get the item for free, then even if you don’t use it you can donate it to a food bank or shelter or give it to a family member or friend. 

Guidelines For How to Grocery Shop With Coupons

Good guidelines if you want to shop with coupons are as follows:

1.  Is this something that you use on a regular basis or are specifically looking for?

2.  Is it a brand you like or would be willing to try?

3.  Is it already on sale?

4.  Do you have additional store, manufacturer or e coupons to shop for this product?  

Do You Have What it Takes to learn how to grocery shop with coupons?

If the answer to those questions is yes, that is ideal and you should be able to get yourself some great grocery deals.  But sometimes if only 3 of the 4 questions is a yes, it can be a good idea to buy, especially if it is an item that you really need and can’t wait on.   Also, if the coupon you are shopping with is about to expire then it might be a good idea to use it.   No sense in essentially throwing money away.  Any coupon shopper worth their salt should really learn how to grocery shop with coupons without wasting there time.

Okay, so here’s the thing.  I don’t pay retail for anything.  Ever.  If you are patient enough and pay attention, you don’t really have to.  I am just an average stay-at-home-mom who wants the best for my family, but doesn’t want to pay a lot for it.  I shop with coupons.

Learning to shop with coupons is not hard.  It is even easy for those of us who are mathematically challenged. (Yay for cell phones with calculators built in.)  If you have never shopped with coupons now is the time.  This is free money!   If some one gave you 50 cents and said “Hey, if you walk into that store and hand this to the cashier, they will give you $1.00” you’d do it, right?   Although coupons are not redeemable for cash, that is basically the premise behind shopping with coupons.

If you are going to shop with coupons(and why wouldn’t you) just check with your favorite stores online or in person to see what their coupon shopping policies are.  Most will at least double a coupon up to $1.00.  And if you check your sales circulars, many times you can get more deals when you “stack”.  Stacking means being a coupon shopper who layers the savings.  For instance, let’s say you are committed to saving money on groceries and General Mills cereals is on sale at Kroger for $1.99 a box.  That is a pretty good deal.  But not for a coupon shopper!  If you have a manufacturer’s coupon for $1.00 off 2 GM cereals (these are out there constantly) then you are getting each box of name brand cereal for $1.50 a box.  And Kroger has a rewards program, you can get ecoupons that are attached to your scanned card at check out.  Usually these are small, but not always.  So, using the cereal example above, you could use an ecoupon as well and pay even less than that $1.50.  And yes you can usually shop with coupons from the store, and the product manufacturer at the same time.

In addition to clipping coupons from the newspaper inserts, there are a TON of coupon websites, coupon blogs, and coupon forums.  These are great.  They all have a limit of how many can be printed, but most of these websites have many of the same coupons so the savvy coupon shopper can print the max from each site.  But check the expiration dates.  I find that printable coupons expire sooner than those from the paper. That being said, some stores are okay with you using expired coupons.

The Extreme Way to Shop With Coupons

I watch shows on TV about people who take coupon shopping to the extreme and found it mostly unrealistic and kind of disturbing.  The state where I live (Michigan) doesn’t triple coupons.  Plus the fact, now those people have ruined it for us normal coupon shoppers because many retailers are changing their coupon policies and limiting “stacking”, which is how people were able to coupon shop to the extreme.  I am not willing to dumpster dive for coupon mailers, subscribe to a coupon clipping service, or buy dozens of Sunday newspapers.  I watched as one woman cleaned out a grocery store shelf of an item she was getting for free.  I don’t think that is how to grocery shop with coupons the right way.

I mean, just because you CAN do that doesn’t mean you SHOULD.  Don’t get me wrong, if you can get 147 bottles of hand soap for free, go for it.  But maybe call ahead and see if the store will set aside or order extra soap for you, so you don’t take every last one and leave hundreds of other people unable to get their own soap that week.  Sure could those poor soap less coupon shoppers get a rain check?  Yep. But as a mom with two young kids, if I have to keep going back and forth to the store multiple times a week, it is not only a colossal waste of time, gas, and energy but it just ticks me off.

Shop With Coupons Regularly and You Are Putting Money Back in Your Pocket

If you shop with coupons on a regular basis, I can tell you that there is definitely a pattern to what goes on sale when and what types of things have coupons out at any given time.  But there are certain items that will always have coupons.  All the time.  And by “all the time” I mean if not every week, then at least once or twice a month consistently.   These are things such as breakfast cereal, toilet paper, paper towels, and tampons.  And the beauty of shopping with coupons for these items is that they are also items that go on sale frequently as well and are not perishable, so they are easy to stock up on as long as you have the storage space.  Which brings me back to a tv show I watched about an extreme coupon shopper.  This woman was storing things like canned soup and paper towels in her children’s bedrooms because everywhere else was full.  Under beds, in closets, I am talking full to the brim.  OMG, really?  Having enough TP and pork & beans to last you through 2014 isn’t enough, you have to throw out your kids toys just to stock the stuff?  To me, that is just not worth the price of free.  And yes, I know not every person is going to want to shop with coupons  like this.  I know because I am one. Few things make me happier than an item on sale plus a coupon!  But let’s be responsible coupon shoppers, people.  I always go to the grocery store with coupons and I hope to leave with some too. If you don’t shop with coupons, you might be throwing money away.

P.S.  If you can’t use your shower because your tub is an extra overflow storage unit for all your stuff, think about maybe donating some to a homeless shelter or food bank.  Just sayin’, it could happen if you shop with coupons.