This document provides an overview of couponing and how to save money using coupons. It discusses what couponing is, how to get organized with coupons, sources of coupons like newspapers and websites, how to record savings from coupons, strategies for saving like stacking coupons and buying in bulk, and how couponing can be used to support healthy eating habits. The document offers tips for reading coupon restrictions, creating shopping lists, organizing coupons, maintaining coupons weekly, and calculating savings from deals that combine store sales with manufacturer coupons.

1. Couponing

2. Topics
 What is Couponing?
 Create a Shopping List
 Get Organized
 Weekly Coupon Maintenance

3. Topics
 Coupon Sources
 Record Keeping
 Economizing
 Couponing for Healthy Eating

4. What is Couponing?

5. Read the Small Print
Coupons can be tricky and cause confusion because of restrictions or
limitations. Reviewing some of the small print and restrictions can help you
avoid returned coupons.
Expiration date:
 Once the coupon expires, it is usually void.
Buy Item X to Get Item X Free:
 Buy a certain amount of items in order to receive item X for free
Specific Item
Coupon limitations
 The number of items you can purchase
 Number of coupons you can use per transaction
 Restrictions on products that are already on sale
Note: Always check the store policies. Refer to the Store Policy Resource page.

6. Create a Shopping List
 Start by listing your most frequently used items
 Arrange items by food department
 Take the various departments and put them in order according
to grocery store layout and aisles
 Check your pantry to see what you already have
 Only use coupons on what you would normally buy
 If a coupon is going to expire and you won’t be using
it, leave it in the store by the item for someone else

7. Get Organized
 Different systems
 Envelopes
 Expanding File or Wallet
 Index File Box
 Coupon Binder

8. Weekly Coupon Maintenance
 Three options for maintaining your coupon organizer
 By Expiration Date
 By Product
 Alphabetically

9. Coupon Sources
 Newspaper  Store Circulars
 Sunday Newspaper  Manager’s Special
 Local Newspaper  Weekly Savings
 Direct Mail  Store Kiosk
 Valpak
 Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s
 Websites
 Manufacturer Website
 Store Website
 Magazines

10. Record Keeping
 Keep your Receipts
 For you record
 Returning product/item
 Create a Receipt Spreadsheet
 Spreadsheet should include the date, store name and
location, total bill before discounts, tax, total bill after
discounts, and total discount dollar amounts
 File your Receipts
 Receipts can be filed at the back of your coupon organizer or
an envelope.

11. Economizing
Buying in bulk can be a money savings opportunity when the savvy
shopper understands the advantages and disadvantages and makes good
choices.
Extra Storage Space. Create a space in your home needed to store items
bought in bulk.
Disadvantages. Companies try to promote unhealthy products via
coupons and customers tend to buy items they don’t need.

12. Stacking Coupons
Example: Here is how the deal works!
 Cereal (14 oz.) regular price = Buy 2 boxes of cereal on sale for $5.00
$3.25/box
 Store sale 2 boxes for $5.00 Less one box free -$2.50
 Manufacturer’s coupon buy one get Less (.55 x2) -$1.10
one free. Less (.55 x2) -$1.10
 Another manufacturer’s coupon $.55
You pay $ .30
off a box of cereal and the store
doubles manufacturer’s coupon Yes, you pay only $.30 for two boxes
under $.99 (print two coupons) of cereal that at regular price would
have cost you $6.50! For a total
savings of $6.20

13. Couponing for Healthy Eating
 Small changes in your diet can
result in healthier eating.
 Choose foods that are rich in
vitamins and nutrients and low in
sugar, sodium, fat, additives and
preservatives.
 Many disease and allergies are
the result of poor food choices.
 Smart couponing can be used for
healthy eating or specialized
diets.

14. Healthy Eating
 Be conscious of eating a healthy
and balanced meal.
 Unhealthy eating habits can lead
to various illnesses, such as heart
disease, diabetes, cancer, among
other illnesses.
 Make better-informed decisions
about food and calorie.
 A diet rich in fruits and
vegetables is recommended
(MyPyramid.com)

15. Online Resources
 Couponing
 www.coupons.com
 www.couponing101.com
 www.couponmom.com
 www.smartsource.com
 www.thekrazycouponlady.com
 www.valpak.com

16. Questions?