One of the most frequent questions I get from readers who are new to my site is “Where do I find that Coupon?”

Today I want to explain the system I use for telling you exactly where to find a coupon. This is used in all of my matchups including Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Harps, & IGA.

Saving Inserts:

There is one key to this system that will help you always be able to find a coupon easily and that is Saving your inserts by Date they were in the newspaper!

I have file folders that I put the entire insert into and I label the date the insert was in the paper on the front. Then when I need to find a coupon I can easily go back to the date it was in the paper.

Understanding the Insert Code:

This is what a Typical Coupon looks like when included in a match up:

$1/2 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars, exp. 4-4-10 (RP 02/07/10)

There are 5 main parts to a coupon insert listing

1. $1/2 – The first number gives you the value of the coupon ($1), the second number is the amount of items required for the purchase. So this coupon is good for $1 off of 2 products.
2. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars – This is the description of the product and will also include limitations sometimes so that you know what products the coupon can and cannot be used on.
3. exp. 4-4-10 – This is the date the coupon expires. This is helpful in knowing how long you have to take advantage of a deal.
4. (RP -  is the part where most people get lost. There are three main types of Newspaper Inserts. RP = Red Plum, SS = Smartsource, PG = Proctor & Gamble Insert. The two letters at the front let you know which insert the coupon will be found in so that you do not have to search through all of your inserts.
5. 02/07/10) - This is the date the coupon issued in the newspaper. This is the reason I tell you to save your inserts by date. If you have your inserts by date then  you can go back quickly and find exactly what you are looking for.

What if I can’t find a Coupon?

Remember, Coupons always depend on the region of the country you live in. Sometimes one area will get a coupon and another will not have the coupon at all. Also, there are always different values issued of the same coupon so the one I list may not be the one you have in your inserts. The database I use for coupon inserts covers the entire country and there is no easy way to tell which coupons were in which papers. If I know a coupon was only in select papers then I try to mark this coupon as (Regional) meaning that it is only located in select inserts.

What other questions do you have about coupon inserts? Leave a comment and let me know. I will be updating these posts so that you have a quick and easy reference in the future. Also, I want to be able to help those of you just starting out.