Step 2: Get Weekly Ads
You can either get the weekly ads from the newspaper, or you can view them online. Your goal when viewing the ads is to match the sales with coupons you have in your possession. Keep in mind, when couponing, you really can’t be brand loyal. You’ll need to buy what is on sale. Also, remember that if an item is on sale 10 for $10, you don’t have to buy 10 items. It’s always wise to write down everything on your shopping list. Include item descriptions, prices, coupon amount and more. Lastly, you may want to begin keeping a Price Book. Get a small notebook to keep with your coupons where you’ll record regular prices for items you normally purchase. This way, you’ll know how much an item normally sells for. When it goes on sale, you’ll be able to better determine whether or not the sale price is actually a good deal.
~excerpt from Sunday Savings: Couponing 101
Okay so how I’ve done this is that we usually use the online version of the weekly ads and I type up or write down my shopping list on the computer. One store we shop at often sales go from Thursday – Wednesday so I check the new flyer on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. For my other stores their sales run Sunday to Saturday so I usually will check sale flyers on Sunday mornings when I first wake up.
When she says you can’t be brand loyal that doesn’t mean you won’t be getting name brand products. There maybe some things you remain brand loyal to, for instance say you must only use Sensodyne toothpaste. There maybe a sale every week/month where you can get free tooth paste but it might be a different brand each time. Sensodyne toothpaste may or may not have a sale ever or maybe once or twice per year. So either you stock up A LOT when it does go on sale or you save money in other areas like shampoo, groceries, etc. in order to buy the Sensodyne brand tooth paste at regular price.
A good point that she made was saying when something is 10 for $10 or Buy One Get One free or 2/$X you don’t have to buy the quantity listed. You’ll get used to how your stores rings things up. When it’s 10 for $10 they usually change the price to be $1 each. There are instances where you have to buy 10 to get the reflected price just pay attention.
Writing down your shopping list seems like a no brainer to me I can’t remember a list more than three items in my head let alone the coupons to go with them. Writing down what you’re going to buy and then what coupons you have to go with it helps make sure you maximize your savings and don’t forget things.
A pricebook is a great tool! If you’re like Rosie you just KNOW what stores carry what products and which prices. I on the other hand can’t remember squat! So writing down what the price of those high use items in your household is a good thing. For instance I would write down Teddy Grahams and that at publix their $2.99 at Walmart their $2.50 at Kroger their $2.75 etc. This way when I come across a coupon or a sale I’ll know if it is any better deal than another store. If you’re couponing with a friend do this together combine your pricebook listings so you have less work yourself and more items priced out.
Okay so how are you feeling?? Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel confident you can achieve steps 1 & 2 already?? Let us know how things are going for you and ask us lots of questions.
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Step 1 - Couponing 101: Know Your Stores Sunday Savings: Couponing 101