SAVINGS: Part 2 – Jumping IN, Signing UP and Getting Organized!

Welcome back! Now that you’ve been formally introduced to couponing to save and earn money in Part 1 of this series, its time to take action. If you missed Part 1, catch up here.

Now, let’s jump in. I will focus on a few websites and stores you must sign-up in order to start maximizing your savings. The sign-up bonuses and terms are always being updated, so make sure to check out what deal they have to offer when you sign-up!

(Below is based upon current promotions as of March 12, 2019, Broward County when applicable.)

As promised quick referral links to these websites, join me and let’s start saving together. It’s never too late to make a new goal or start a new project.

You can do this!

FIRST: Here’s a list of WEBSITES (online only) to sign-up for that offer cash back, deals, rebates, promo codes, and discounts.

Ebates – Free to Join – You get a $10 BONUS just for signing up!

You can find coupons on Ebates and earn cash back from over 2,500 stores. They also offer a great referral program, you receive $25 for everyone who signs up and makes a purchase. Visit their website to sign-up and check out their referral program for yourself.

Swagbucks – Free to Join – You get a $10 BONUS just for signing up!

Ibotta – Free to Join – Join now and claim up to a $20 welcome bonus!

Checkout51 – Free to Join.

Savingstar – Free to Join.

TopCashBack – Free to Join.

Groupon – Free to Join.

 

SECOND: Here is a list of LOCAL STORES you need to sign-up with to receive their store savings.

Walgreens

CVS

Target

Walmart

Dollar General

Family Dollar

Publix

Michaels

Joann

Office Depot

 –You can sign-up for every store that offers savings/coupons/deals. These are just a few of my favorites. 

 

THIRD: Here is a list of APPS (applicable to your mobile device) you need to download to receive in-store savings and additional coupons.

Walgreens

CVS

Target

Walmart

Dollar General

Family Dollar

Publix

Michaels

Joann

Office Depot

Ebates

Swagbucks

Ibotta

Checkout51

Savingstar

TopCashBack

Groupon

Mcdonald’s

Burger King

Dunkin Donuts

Starbucks

Taco Bell

Wendy’s

Chick-Fil-A

Panera Bread

Door Dash

GrubHub

UberEats

 

Every project has a few tools to the trait. Here’s my list of must-haves.

SUPPLIES:

What you need to start couponing and $aving money$

• A computer or laptop.
• A printer.
• A coupon organizer or binder with dividers and tabs.
• A dedicated space to store your weekly inserts.
• A newspaper subscription for weekly inserts (it’s best to get inserts in sets of 2’s).
• A set of store flyers & store coupon inserts/ booklets.
• Dedicated time to coupon.
• A good pair of scissors (Trust me!)

 

 

How to start the Organizing Process:

Find The Time – This is very important, you need to really focus and concentrate when you are putting together your shopping list, calculating your cost and organizing your coupons.

Get Coupons – There are many ways you can get coupons. I’ll list a few ways below to help get you started on your couponing journey.

1. Subscribe to a Sunday newspaper subscription.
2. Look for coupons inside of the store, usually on a display, by a product, attached to a product or at the customer service counter.
3. Look for flyers or coupons in your mailbox.
4. Ask your friends, family or neighbors for their coupons (most of the time they don’t even use them).
5. Get printable coupons by signing up for different coupon websites.
6. Get store only coupons by signing up for certain stores that offer deals to members only.
7. Follow local couponers in your area on social media, this is how I get 95% of my deals!

(There’s only one thing a true couponer at heart loves more than a good deal…to tell everyone about it of course!) 

***DON’T FORGET TO SHOP THROUGH CASH BACK WEBSITES TO EARN CASH BACK ON STORE PURCHASES!***

Stay Organized – Start off with something small like a coupon organizer (the dollar store has them for a $1). This will do at first, but I highly recommend a binder to stay organized.

Follow the organizing method that works best for you. I have listed two methods below that I have used in the past and sometimes I use both methods at the same time. For example, if I get 10 weekly inserts each this is how I would use both methods together. I only cut and store 4 copies of each insert and file them in my binder (the binder method). I then store the other 6 copies of each insert inside a sheet protector and then file them by date inside my cereal box (the whole insert method).

• • • The Binder Method – This is the most popular method and it’s the method I currently use. You store your coupons in a 3-ring binder inside plastic sleeves and keep them organized by category and stores.
    • The Whole Insert Method – You store your weekly inserts by date. I used this method before, I stored the inserts by date inside of sheet protectors and put them inside of old cereal boxes and labeled the cereal boxes by date. This method is good if you don’t have a lot of time to clip coupons. When you plan your weekly shopping trip you will need to get your inserts and cut the coupons as needed.

There are many different ways to stay organized and over time you will decide what method works best for you. Now that you have jumped in, signed up and mastered the 1, 2, 3’s of starting to coupon, stay tuned for Part 3 of SAVINGS. In Part 3 we will breakdown a few couponing transactions and discuss how to do a couponing deal to maximize your savings and get cash back!