Couponing for Beginners! (Couponology 101)

Get ready for some help couponing with these helpful Couponing for Beginners tips!

Then… supercharge your savings with these tips for how to Save Money Fast!

Couponing for Beginners

Are you new to using coupons?  Or would you like to take your couponing to the next level?

The Frugal Girls Couponology is here to help. Couponology is Couponing for Beginners + more!

Frugal friend Dolly sent over this adorable picture of her seriously cute dog Lexie!  She said Lexie gets soooo excited when she’s cleaning out her expired coupons… and loves to jump in and ‘help’ out!  See… you can get the whole family on board!

Now are you ready to cut grocery costs with coupons?

Here are some helpful clues, tips, and additional sources of coupons to help you save the most money possible…

Related: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half! (35 Brilliant Tips)

Organize Your Coupons With A Coupon Organizer

Using coupons matched with store sales has literally helped me cut about $500/month out of our monthly grocery budget. However, the key to using coupons for me is to keep them organized!

There are so many different ways you can organize your coupons… accordion files, coupon notebook, coupon binders, etc.

However, I’ve found that my coupon organizer basket is what has worked best for me.

I used some old file folders and cut them up into strips. I then dedicated each piece of file folder to one category, and stapled it to the inside back corner of an envelope.

The categories I used include

Air Fresheners & Candles, Baby, Bags, Baking, Batteries, Beverages, Bread, Candy & Gum, Canned Foods, Box Cereal – General Mills, Cereal – Kashi, Cereal – Kelloggs, Cleaners, Condiments, Crackers, Dairy, Frozen, Health Food, Hygiene – Dental, Hygiene – Other, Jelly / Peanut Butter, Makeup, Meat, Medicine / Rx, Mexican, Office Supplies, Paper Products (T.P., etc.), Pasta, Rice, Salad Dressing, Seasonings, Sauce, Snacks, Vitamins

Additional categories I made for specific stores

(that I keep in the front of the basket) include:

Albertsons, Craft Stores, CVS, Fry’s (Kroger), Safeway, Sprouts, Target, Walgreens, Walmart

Other categories I made for Restaurants and Entertainment

(that I keep in the back of the basket) include:

• Activities / Entertainment
• Restaurants – Fast Food
• Restaurants – Mexican
• Italian Restaurants – Pizza
• Restaurants – Subs/Sandwiches/Bagels
• Restaurants – Other

The basket could fit nicely in the top part of a shopping cart, although I usually take just the coupons I need with me in a separate envelope.

Reviews

What your frugal friends are saying…

Patti writes: “I still use my 3-ring binder, divided by category (food, HBA, cleaning, paper, etc) and it takes less than 5 minutes a week to keep it updated. I save anywhere from 10% + by using coupons each time I shop. That doesn’t include BOGOs and specials. Couponing is worth it!”

Create A Grocery Price Book

It’s true… knowing your prices will save you serious money, because grocery prices can vary widely from store to store.

So keep track of prices and store sales with a Grocery Price Book.

Learn how to create a Grocery Price Book using tip #16 on How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half.

Don’t Overbuy

Don’t feel like you have to go overboard with the stockpile of the century, there will always be another sale! 😉

Donate Your Extras

Found some bargains on items you don’t really need?  Donate to others in need! (food pantries, homeless shelters, animal shelters, schools, churches, etc.)

General Coupon Abbreviations and Lingo:

Wondering what all this coupon code language is??

• P&G insert or P&G = Sunday Newspaper Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
• SmartSource insert or SS = SmartSource Sunday Newspaper coupon insert
• RedPlum insert or RP = RedPlum Sunday Newspaper coupon insert
• GM insert = General Mills Sunday Newspaper coupon insert
• Pepsi insert = PepsiCo Moments to Save Sunday Newspaper coupon insert
• BOGO = Buy 1 item, Get 1 FREE!
• B1G1 = Buy 1 item, Get 1 FREE!
• ECBs = CVS Extra Bucks rewards
• MIR = Mail-in rebate
• NLA = No Longer Available
• PSA = Price Starts At
• RRs = Walgreens Register Rewards
• WYB = When You Buy

Printable Coupons and Grocery Store eCoupons

Heading to my local grocery store’s website is one of my favorite sources for Printable Coupons and eCoupons.  Before I head to the store, I make sure to check my local store’s website for any new coupons that match up with items I already plan to buy.

For example, I use the eCoupons for my local Fry’s Foods (part of Kroger), and also at my local Sprout’s Farmer’s Market.

Collect Paper Coupons with a Local Newspaper Subscription

Load up on coupons when you get a local Newspaper Subscription!  This is one of the easiest ways to consistently collect the most coupons.

FREE iPhone & Android Coupon Apps

Many stores offer Free iPhone and Android Apps with regularly updated coupons.

Craft stores like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn, and Michaels all have great apps that offer regular discounts.

Search for your favorite store’s app in the App Store, and check for coupon offers before you head out shopping.  It’s an easy way to save even more using coupons from your phone when you’re out and about!

Need More Coupons??

1. Exchange unwanted coupons with friends.

2. Host a coupon exchange party.

3. Sign up for Free Samples! (many come with coupons!)

4. Ask your friends, family, or neighbors for their unwanted Sunday Newspaper coupons.

5. Check your newspaper and discounted magazines for coupons inside!

6. Check your local library or grocery store for coupon swap boxes. (where people can share coupons and take coupons)

Know Your Store’s Coupon and Price Match Policy

Before heading to your local grocery store, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with their Coupon Policy and Price Match Policy.

Head on over to the store’s site and search for their policies, so you’re aware of your store’s coupon rules and guidelines.

Keep in mind that coupon policies and price match policies can change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check periodically for new guidelines.

More Grocery Money Saving Shopping Tips and Tricks

20 Ways to Save Money on Meat (How to Save BIG All Year Long)

How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half (35 Brilliant Tips)

Walmart Grocery Deals (20 Secret Tips)

Savvy Sam’s Club Money Saving Tips

30 Eat Out Cheap Ideas for your Favorite Restaurants

More Couponing for Beginners Money Saving Tips

Don’t stop with these Couponing for Beginners tips.  Be sure to check out even more tips for stretching your dollars even further…

Save Money Fast (20 Easy Ways to Save $2200 this Month!)

How to Pay Off Debt Fast (10 Easy Tricks)

27 Side Hustles Ideas to Make More Money

Got a Couponing for Beginners tip or trick? 

Leave a comment & share!