Couponing tools 1
Coupon resources.
There are many ways to get coupons. Most people already know about them. However a new coupon user or some one not used to the internet may not.
The first resource is the local paper.
The local paper in our town is not always a good resource. It uses the coupon pages mostly for mail order ads. We can also purchase the paper from a bigger city for $3.50. They do have more coupons and some times it can be worth it if there is an especially cool coupon. Like a free item. However buying multiples at $3 each is pretty pricey.
Some ladies are lucky and can make a deal with their paper carrier for the extra inserts. I used to be one of them. I had a deal with the manager of a gas station and she got me the unsold papers from her guy. I have since been told the paper does not allow this but you can buy the inserts for $1.50 each from the paper office. Umm no thanks.
Some ladies go dumpster diving for papers. I am not a dumpster diver. I used to be, but that was back when I was a kid and I did it for my mom. There are some nifty things tossed out. I will not dive for a newspaper though.
You can also ask friends and family to save the coupons for you if they do not use them.
Next there are magazines.
Most popular women's magazines will have coupons for various things in them. Some times the amount off is better than the newspaper coupons.
Some magazines are sold based on the amount of savings the coupons in them provide. All You is one of them. I have found coupons in many other magazines though.
My favorite source for multiples of coupons is a coupons service.
Coupons services have methods far beyond me of getting multiples of most if not all newspaper or magazine coupons. They do not charge you a fee for the coupon it self, that is illegal. They do charge a fee for the service of cutting and mailing you the coupons. My favorite coupon service is My Coupon Hunter. I have done business with Virginia for almost a year and have been completely satisfied. If I get my order in before noon on Saturday I generally have my coupons (also called qs by folks on the boards.) by Tuesday. She is fast and friendly and is happy to answer questions when you have them.
Ebay.
You can also buy multiples off ebay. Again you are technically paying for the sellers time in cutting and shipping the qs. It is very important to be careful when buying off ebay. Please check feed back carefully. Some folks just do not play fair and will sell you bogus coupons. Never hesitate to ask a seller questions about coupons they are selling. If you get any hinky feelings off the seller's response, walk away.
Trading for qs.
Often you can find some one to trade qs with. I do not need baby qs and am willing to trade for things like tooth paste, Pantene and so on. Most trades I have been in have happened online on various forums. I have begun working on a local group where we can trade locally too.
What about other resources?
So far most of the ways to get coupons involve some cost, buying a paper or paying a service etc. There are ways to get similar if not the same qs for free though.
You can print them from your computer. There are several sites that allow this. They are linked in blogs and on sites. They have real manufacturers coupons on them. All you need is the ink and paper. Well also some time. Most limit you to 2 copies of coupons. If you have multiple computers in your home you can usually print 2 from each one. You can also trade with others who do not need the ones you want and have them print ones for you they do not, and you print the ones they want but you do not. I spend some time each week printing out qs I need for my shopping. I cut them and organize them with my regular qs.
An internet printed coupon (IP for short) must have the same info on it as a regular newspaper q. The redemption info, expiration date, and most have a design in back of the printing. Stores are choosy on this and if an IP does not line up they will refuse it.
*** Please note, make sure you know your stores coupon policy. Some are now refusing internet coupons because of coupon fraud. Coupon fraud is when some one xeroxes or alters a coupon some how so that the manufacturer refuses to accept it from the store for payment. This is theft and carries real jail time if caught.
Some times companies will place coupons on their site that you can print out. Sometimes these will include free starter qs for new products.
Also many will send you coupons for writing them. Email a company if you like their product. Or even in you do not. Many of them will send you coupons. If they do not, write their competitor. Even if you will not or can not use the competing product, it gives you qs for trading for the ones you can use. Often companies will send qs for free items. These always have good trade value.
Some coupon sites to print qs from are
Rewards programs
Mypoints.com will give you points for redeeming qs you print through them too. I use them for rewards to amazon.com. Since I do not shop through them it takes me a long time to get my goals, but every little bit helps and if their qs work as well as any others, I may as well get a bonus from the deal!
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