My most recent example, a Christmas dress for my daughter that I purchased a few days ago.

Original Price = $72.00

Final Price after discounts & coupons = $7.99

Don’t forget you can print out internet printable coupons for FREE! These are manufacturer coupons that are accepted at most stores. You can also combine these coupons with store coupons to maximize your savings.

Also, coupons aren’t just for “junk food items” — you can also print out coupons for good, nutritious organic food at several websites.

Where to find Printable Coupons for Organic Food:

Where to find Printable Coupons:

My favorite website to find coupons is Slick Budget. Scroll down the homepage to see an alphabetical listing of all coupons currently available. What’s your favorite coupon website? Let me know so I can add it to the list. Thanks!

Manufacturer Websites – check out the manufacturer websites for your favorite products. Often times the company is running a promotion.

]]> http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/find-internet-printable-coupons-easily/feed/ 0 http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/as-the-saying-goes-the-proof-is-in-the-pudding/ http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/as-the-saying-goes-the-proof-is-in-the-pudding/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:26:20 +0000 Melissa http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/?p=1244 Cheap Florida Mom’s Recent Purchases

I just wanted to show you all that I’m just a regular mom out shopping for her family.  I’m not going to promise you that you’re going to become a coupon expert overnight and purchase $300 in groceries for $12.98 out-of-pocket.  (If you know how to do that, please call me STAT!)  There are no secrets, just a few strategies to be learned.  By planning ahead a bit to match coupons with the sale items, you too can save 50% or more.

Scenario 1 – Publix:

Scenario 2 – Albertsons:

Scenario 3 – Publix:

Actual copies of Grocery Receipts

Also, don’t be surprised if you pick a method and then change your mind. It’s all about personal preference, trial and error and figuring out which organizational method works best for YOU and your family!

To Clip Coupons in Advance or Not Clip in Advance?

That is the Question.

Initially you need to decide if you plan to cut all of your coupons in advance and file them or store the entire coupon inserts intact. My advice is to try a method and see how it works, but don’t spend a lot of money initially to set up that method. For example, for the binder method you could use an old photo album or a brag book you have in a closet somewhere instead of purchasing a new binder, baseball card inserts and dividers. For the box method, you might try an old shoe box before you invest in a plastic storage box.

Popular Organization Methods

Hanging File System

The Hanging File System method involves filing your coupon inserts fully intact by insert name and date. You’d keep all of your Red Plum inserts together chronologically, Smart Source coupons together chronologically, etc. and clip (cut out) a coupon right before you shop. The coupon match-up lists provide the vital information for you to locate the necessary coupons and you only clip the coupons you actually use. This organizational method requires little time on a weekly basis as you only need to date the top of each insert and file accordingly.  The negative side of this system is you’ll need to locate and cut coupons before before every shopping trip.

Binder Method

With the binder method, coupons are filed in clear baseball card inserts so they are easily visible. You can file the coupons alphabetically or according to a specific category. This method requires you to clip and file your coupons on a regular basis. I thought the binder method looked great so set one up using an old photo album and only used it for a week. Then, I realized that keeping it organized was way too time-consuming for me so I switched to the box method. With the binder, I was constantly moving coupons to a different insert spot and found the binder to be bulky and heavy. If you chose to go this route, make sure to get a binder that zips and has an external carry handle.

Box – my preferred method

The box method is totally flexible whether filing coupons alphabetically, categorically or by expiration date. I used a plastic box about the size of a shoe box. Then, I made my own color-coded category dividers out of heavy card stock. Not only did this save money, but allowed customization to meet my needs. It’s nothing fancy, but certainly does the trick. I also like that the plastic cover clips on so nothing falls out and has a handle for easy carrying. The box is big enough to allow expansion yet small enough to leave right in my car ensuring that I always have all of my coupons with me for an unexpected sale or unplanned trip to the store.

Small Accordion Style Coupon Organizer

These small coupon organizers are inexpensive but too small in my opinion.  Yes, they keep coupons better organized then an envelope, but some of the coupons are long so must be folded to fit.  Spend a few extra bucks and get a plastic expandable check register file instead.

Recommended

Not Recommended

With all of the abbreviations and acronyms, one might think that coupon lingo is written in a secret code, or at the very least, a foreign language.  Here’s a translation to understand the terminology.

Remember our two different coupon types – - Manufacturer’s Coupons and Store Coupons ?

Now, imagine that you are reading the Publix sale flyer.  This week your local Publix is offering Zyrtec as a BOGO special  - buy one at regular price, get one FREE! The beauty of Manufacturer Coupons and Store Coupons is that you can combine both coupons (known as Stacking) to maximize your savings.

Here’s the scenario (we’re assuming Zyrtec @ Regular Price = $20.00)

Bottom Line:  You just bought two bottles of Zyrtec for ONLY $6.00

Manufacturer Coupons

Manufacturer Coupons are issued directly by the product manufacturer and will state MANUFACTURER’S COUPON at the top of the coupon. Manufacturer coupons may be found in your Sunday newspaper, but may also be printed online. All retailers should accept manufacturer coupons. Some stores (except here in South Florida) double or triple the value of the coupon, so make sure to check your store’s coupon policy before shopping.

Store Coupons

Store coupons are issued by a store and may only be used at that specific store or the store’s competitor if their policy allows.

You are probably thinking, “who cares that there are two different types of coupons?”  Well, my friend, this is where the fun begins.  See Effectively Stack Coupons to Maximize Savings to learn how to combine these two different coupons to save YOU, the consumer, money!

Next:  How to Organize your coupons.

]]> http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/manufacturer-vs-store-coupons/feed/ 0 http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/where-to-find-coupons/ http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/blog/coupons/where-to-find-coupons/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:06:34 +0000 Melissa http://www.cheapfloridamom.com/?p=535

Coupons! Coupons! –

Where art thou coupons?

You will find coupons in your Sunday newspaper, magazines (particularly All You Magazine), weekly store flyers, coupon dispensers in the store (called blinkies), tearpads, hang tags and wine tags in the store, peelies on the product itself, inside the product packaging  and several places online. There are entire internet websites devoted to printing online coupons. You can also locate coupons on a store’s website and the manufacturer’s website. Sometimes when you contact a manufacturer and tell them how much you like a product, they will send you coupons. And, believe it or not, you can even purchase coupons in bulk from online clipping services or e-bay. That’s right, people sell coupons on e-bay. Who would have thought ?

Now that you know where to find coupons, it’s important to understand that there are two main types of coupons — Manufacturer Coupons and Store Coupons.

Blinkie

Tear Pad

1. Start Collecting Coupons

2. Plan your shopping lists around the sales – focus on the BOGO specials (buy one, get one FREE)

3. Match your coupons to the sale items – focus on the BOGO specials (buy one, get one FREE)

4. Be open-minded to changing the way you think and shop

5. Go easy on yourself. Don’t expect to save 60% the first time. Applaud yourself and your savings.

$$$$  MONEY – MONEY – MONEY $$$$

Click HERE to learn about the Types of Coupons and Where to Find Them