Coupons 101: "Where do you get the coupons," a reader asked
"Where do you get the coupons," a reader asked. To really get into couponing, you must first build a stash of coupons.
Not because I work for a newspaper, but this is the logical place to start. Get as many as you can, but at least two each week. Be creative: some readers get them from recyclers, neighbors, family or friends, and some buy a few papers.
Manufacturer's websites often run coupons, like the wonderful $3 Coppertone coupon we ran last week. Print them when you see them, because, for example, that $3 coupon has become a $1 coupon now. Kraft, Betty Crocker, Huggies, Pampers and others often have coupons. Sign up for mailings on products you use often. You can 'google' a product name with 'printable coupon' and if there's a coupon out there, with a little effort you will find it.
There are coupons websites: we run links to many in this blog. Check coupons.com, smartsource and redplum periodically as the selections continue to change. Or sign up for our RSS feed and we will notify you when new ones are added. Always print at least two of each, more if possible, if you have access to more than one computer. And print them when you see them, don't hope they will be there later.
Pick up coupons on the tearsheets and displays in the stores...you'll see them in the aisles as you shop. Publix has coupon books in the front of the stores. Take them, but stash them to use them when that item is on sale.
Sign up for emails from your favorite stores. Publix sends mailers, sometimes including a $5 off $30 coupon. Walgreens emails $5 off $25 coupons periodically. Sign up for the CVS Extra Care Program. CVS is very generous with their $3 off $15, $4 off $20 or $5 off $30 coupons. Target's website has coupons that change every week. Who am I forgetting?
Also, look in your daily newspaper for coupons. Friday 6/12, the Sun Sentinel ran a $10 off $50 coupon for Winn Dixie. Expires Sunday 6/14. Of course, we'd prefer you used this in Winn Dixie (they paid for the ad) but Publix takes competitors coupons.
Where else do you find coupons?
