Add to favorites
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
- $1/2 – 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- (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.
- 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.
Don't Forget to Download the Passion For Savings ToolbarTweet
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Because I wasn’t sure how well couponing would work for me, I bought an old fashioned photo album (the kind you lift the whole page) at a thrift store for a dollar. I cut the coupons for the items I use the most of. Then, I divided it into sections: Dairy, Drinks, Condiments, Meat, Ethnic foods, Breakfast, Grains, Grooming, Meds (includes dietary supplements, first aid), Canned goods, and Cleaning supplies. In the front of the album, I put the coupon policy of each of the stores where I shop. If I have multiples of the same coupon, I stack the multiples with the older coupons on top. Every time I get a new one, I slide it under the others. I also try to keep a minimum of five weeks’ supply on hand and buy in six weeks segments. I only put coupons in there for my preferred brands and substitutions I know I will use.
For example, Vanity Fair has a lot of coupons but their napkins I reserve for “company” occasions and I use the cheaper Mardi Gras for everyday. On things like juice (which we seem to bathe in), we only by the V-8 juices in 46 or 64 oz sizes except when we go on vacation when we buy the six packs. I trade V-8 coupons with friends who won’t touch V-8 but love grape or apple.
I use an accordian folder to put by fliers in. I tab them using post-its which are easy to change. My friend who got me started couponing taught me to mark the front page with the date.
When I shop, I have a printed list from the store specials with the exact number of items of each and the amount of each coupon so I can more easily verify the credit I’m getting at the checkout. I clip my coupons to the back of that list. I learned the hard way the importance of the sequence in which the store and Mfg coupons are presented with customer reward coupons.
Also, you can use the coupon database by typing in the name of the product and it will show you the list of coupons and what inserts they are in.
I understand this concept but my question is….if I get into the store to buy my items that I have coupons for but I see a rack of really good sale items & I know I have a coupon for that item somewhere but cannot remember where it was. How in the world do I know where to start digging for that coupon so I can get the item even lower or even “Free”???? Thanks..
Debbie,
I would suggest using a coupon binder. It’s helped me lots of times. When you can actually see all the coupons right off, you won’t have to go digging and try to remember where that coupon is. :)
Blessings,
Sharonna
{ 4 trackbacks }