Coupon Class!

Here is a video from my coupon class!  Thanks to {mom}tini for taking pictures and making this AWESOME video!   I'd like to extend a BIG thanks to Sarabee's Little Yarn Shop for allowing me to host my class there! I'd also like to thank The Cake Spot for making yummy cupcakes!  Thanks to all the ladies that attended...I had a lot of fun and I can not wait to have another class!

Your questions...answered!

First coupon class coming up!

I am excited to announce that I will be hosting my first coupon class on July 12th at 6:30.  It will be at SaraBee's Little Yarn Shop in Winchester, Ky.  It will be only $10 per person!  If you are interested and want more information please email me at justaclipaway@gmail.com.  I will be teaching you how to shop at various stores, organize your coupons and MORE!!

Coupon Lingo

Coupon Lingo

I know many of you are wondering what some of the abbreviations I use are. So here is a rundown of the abbreviations I will be using!!

1. B1G1 : Buy one Get One

2. WAGS: Walgreens

3. RR: Register Reward (Walgreens “money”)

4. ECB: Extra Care Bucks (CVS “money”)

5. YMMV: your mileage may vary (deal may work for some else, but might not work for you)

6. Q’s: coupons

7. RA: Rite Aid

8. 2/$1(example) : 2 for $1 ( can be used on any amount)

9. VV:Video Values(Rite Aid)

10. MQ- manufacturer coupon

11. RP: Red Plum (coupon insert in the paper)

12. SS: Smart Source (coupon insert in the paper)

13. P&G: Proctor and Gamble (coupon insert in the paper)

14. CAT: Catalina Reward

15. OYNO- On your next order

15. WYB- When you Buy

16. +UP Rewards - Rite Aid "Money"

I need your feedback!

I want to start a FAQ's section...and...well I need to know what questions  you all have about couponing.  I want everyone to feel comfortable couponing and to start saving money!  Email me here with any and ALL questions you have.  I would LOVE to hear from you!  I also would like to know if anyone would be interested in a couponing class.  Email me if you are interested!  I am thinking of starting one, but I want to make sure I have enough people participate!  Thanks for reading my blog!!!

One last post before I hit the hay...SAVING tip!

I know I touched on "buying smaller" in the Couponing Tips section.  Here is a visual to show you WHY you should buy trial size if they have it.  Below is a picture of all the shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, body wash, shaving cream, baby wash, baby lotion, and regular lotion that I got for FREE!

So how did I do it? Well, if a coupon does not state that it excludes trial size......get the trial size and stock up!  All of these items were completely FREE!  Most of the coupons I got were online printables....and I will keep you posted on printables and coupons that you can pair with trial size items.  Just another way you can be "Just a Clip Away!"

Couponing Tips

Here are a list of some helpful tips that will allow you to get the MOST out of couponing and saving money!


1. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Sometimes you will run into a cashier that does not know much about coupons (or that might be irritated that you have so many coupons) or you might irritate the person behind you in line because you have a stack of coupons. Just remember...they probably are not saving as much money as you! Don't let them get your goat!


2. PLAN AHEAD OF TIME. Plan your trips and have the coupons you know you are going to use easily accessible. This will allow you less stress! Planning your trips will also help you not make those "impulse" buys!


Planning ahead also means buying things before you need them...like gifts, toys, clothes etc. If you get these items at rock bottom prices and stock up throughout the year, you won't have to pay full price at the last minute!


3. BE PREPARED! NEVER leave your house without your coupon binder or organizer. You never know when you'll find an item that is not on your list that you could get for free with a coupon you have. (Trust me...I've been in a store before and not had my coupon binder..and found something I could have gotten for FREE with a coupon I had at home. Talk about a BUMMER!)


4. STOCK UP! Buy items at ROCK BOTTOM prices...and buy lots!  This will prevent you from having to pay full price AND making what seems like endless trips to the store!

5. BUY SMALLER! What do I mean by that? Well, if a coupon does not specify a size you can buy the smaller size or a travel size. What does this mean? You can get things FREE and stock up. I have a TON of travel size shampoos, conditioners, baby shampoo, baby lotion,deodorants, hairsprays, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and fabric softener. This also means that you can try out different products and not have to pay a penny to do it!

6. CHECK OUT CLEARANCE ITEMS! In each store guide page I will tell you where you can typically find items on clearance in each specific store. A lot of clearance items turn into FREE items when you use your coupons.

7. HAVE A COUPON PARTY! I have yet to do a coupon swap...but I'd love to start one! You can trade coupons amongst friends to get coupons that you want that they might not need and vice versa. This will give you the opportunity to not only get some great coupons you need....but share success stories and have a great time couponing. If anyone would be interested in doing a coupon swap...let me know!

8. ASK QUESTIONS! If you need help or don't understand a stores policy or how to use the coupons you have...just ask me! I'd love to help you!

Couponing 101

So I am sure you are wondering, where do I even BEGIN to start? Well, I have the answers for you right here!

First:

GET COUPONS! Where can you get them? Here is a list of places you can find them:

1. The Sunday Paper

~The standard rule is get 1 paper for each person in your household

~ Ask friends and family for their inserts

2. The Internet

~Here are some basic sites to get you started:

~Coupons.com

~Redplum

~Smartsource

~ You can usually print 2 internet coupons per computer. If you want or need more than 2 internet printables...you can always borrow a friend or family members computer! :)

3. Store Coupons

~These can be in-ad coupons, found in weekly inserts. (ex. Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS)

~ These can also be in store coupons found in booklets in the actual store. (ex. Walgreens has coupon booklets in the front of their stores)

~These can also be printed online.

~Meijer

~Target

~Rite Aid (sign up for video values for Rite Aid printable coupons)

SECOND:

ORGANIZATION!

There are several different ways you can organize your coupons. Do what works best for you!

1. Coupon binder (my personal preference)

You'll need:

~a 3 ring binder

~dividers(at least 10)

~baseball card holders

Step 1:Make categories

~The categories I use are Snacks, Produce, Frozen, Meat, Quick Meals/Pasta, Drinks/Refrigerated, Dairy, Canned goods, Cleaning Supplies/Paper Items, Personal Care

Step 2:Clip your coupons and stick them in the baseball card holders

Step 3:Put in the appropriate categories.

Step 4: Celebrate! Your coupons are organized! Now you can never leave the house without your binder because you NEVER KNOW what deals you might find!

2. Stash Box

~Check out Saving Addiction's step by step instructions on how to make a stash box!

3. Filing System

~This could work for you if you don't like clipping coupons

Step 1: Clip the coupons you know that you will definitely be using.

Step 2: Keep the inserts

Step 3: Date each insert

Step 4: Buy an accordion style filing system

Step 5: Put the inserts into the filing system in order

Happy Couponing!