Extreme Couponing 101
Beginners Guide to Using Coupons
Welcome to Beginners Guide to Using Coupons brought to you by Living Rich With Coupons.
Here you will learn the right way to become a Strategic Shopper and Couponer and be able to save anywhere from 50 – 90% on your grocery bill. The LRWC version of “Extreme Couponing” is NOT by clearing shelves, having your stockpile take over your house, using unethical couponing practicing or by spending 1/2 your week preparing your shopping trip. We are “EXTREME COUPONERS” because we can save an extreme amount of money by using legitimate couponing methods, keeping a conservative stockpile of items that can pack our pantry or fit onto an extra shelf or two. And, we buy what we need for ourselves, our family and our donations without clearing shelves in the supermarket. All from only a few extra hours work a week.
Thousands of Living Rich With Coupons readers have saved thousands of dollar by using these easy coupon strategies. All it takes is a little time, organization and you will be able to stock your pantry for so much less.
::Step-by-Step Guide to Extreme Couponing
Step 1: Coupon Sources
Where do I get Coupons
Step 2: Coupon Lingo
What is a BOGO, an ECB or an RR? Learn the most popular Couponing Terms.
Step 3: Import Facts About Coupons
Here is a list of important facts you should know before you begin couponing. Learn how to tell if a coupon is fraudulent or how many coupons you can use on an item.
Step 4: Organizing Your Coupons
Learn different methods for keeping your coupons organized and ready to score some deals.
Step 5: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill
Learn 5 easy ways that you can cut your grocery bill.
Step 6: Getting the Most Savings
Learn how to get the most savings and when to actually use your coupons for the biggest bang for your buck.
Step 7: Stockpiling
Find out the benefit of stockpiling on your grocery budget, how it’s done and exactly what stockpiling is.
Step 8: Catalina Coupons
Learn about catalina coupons, what they are and how to use them for the most savings. With Catalina Deals you can even make money…promise!
Step 9: Guide to Grocery Sale Cycles – Getting the Best Prices
Learn when frozen foods will be at their lowest or when you should stock up on paper goods or pancake syrup.
::How to Save at The Drug Stores
Learning how to shop at the Drug Stores is a great way to save money. Here are some simple tips you should know to save big at CVS & Walgreens:
::CVS 101: How to Save at CVS
CVS is a great place to start to learn how to save at the grocery store. Check out this informative video of a typical CVS shopping trip.
::Walgreens 101: The “Secret” Rules and Great Deals
Learn the “Secret” Rules and how to get the best deals at Walgreens.
::Extreme Couponing Tips
::Extreme Couponing Tips
Learn tips on how Extreme Couponing is done the right way
::How to use this site to help you save
1. Ask questions: That is a must. If you don’t understand something, ask. We are all here to help. Leave it in the comments, check out the Frequently Asked Questions post or send me an email by clicking on the “Contact” tab in the navigation bar.
2. Use the Coupon Database: There is an awesome Coupon Database on the site which will help you find most coupon available. There are printable coupon, insert coupons, magazine coupons as well as Cellfire coupon.
3. Check out the Store Deals: Make sure to check out all the stores by click on the “Find My Store” above to find the national stores or a store near you.
4. Store Coupon Policies: Make sure to print out a copy of the different store coupon policies. It’s best to always bring a copy with you when you are shopping.
5. Inspiration: Need some inspiration? Make sure to check out all the reader shopping trips as well as my Extreme Couponing (and sometimes not so extreme) shopping trips.
6. Donate from Your Stockpile: Once you have strategic shopping down and your pantry is full, please consider making a Couponing for a Cause donation to your local food bank.
Make it your hobby, make it a way of life. But most important, make it fun. And you too will be Living Rich with Coupons.
How do I get the coupons to print…mine keep coming up blank…is there a program I need to download for printing online coupons??
Sounds like you may be out of ink?? Usually you will get a POP UP box stating that you need to download a printing program.
These coupons NEVER print for me when I can print others with no problems. You will not keep a following if, like me, I spend a lot of time and go thru the coupons only not have them NOT PRINT.
I do get these emailed to me so I am on the membership list.
What’s up? I want an answer from the site.
Out of the thousands of coupons we post not one has ever printed? If that is the case you might want to check the setting on your computer. That may be the reason that you can’t print coupons. When you refer to “these coupons” and “others” you need to be more specific. “These Coupons” are most likely the same “others” you are talking about as they are all from the same place. Hope that answer for the site was helpful
How can I print the coupons and start saving?
Iam new at this how do this
I am new at this…I am wondering how to save on meats, cheese, fruit and veggies though…thats really all we eat at my house. I would love to save money but hate the idea of reversing the process and eating packaged foods. Not to say we never do (i do have 4 boys)…is it possible to stockpile only cereal, granola bars, paper towels, toilet paper and then frozen/canned veg for winter? Can you be this picky and save money?? What about organic detergents, Im a rash getting (terrible KP) woman lol…I just dont get stockpiling stuff just because its free, and I would love to hear some insight on narrowing it down. (Oh and Im not a vegetarian, vegan, health food nut, or judging anyone)
It sounds like your family eats like mine. Don’t but stuff just because it is free or cheap, buy what YOU need and want. I try to keep a stockpile of what my family will use in about three months. My savings averages 68%.
i am new at couponing hope for help
Hi dfenton, Yes! It is absolutely possible to save on meat, cheese, fruit, and veggies. I don’t have all the answers and learning is a lot of trial and error, but let me tell you what works for me.
Meat – Do you have a Walmart that carries food near you? If so, there is a time of day when they mark down the meat that is nearing its use by date. Find out when that is, grab some and process it immediately by repackaging and freezing or cooking and freezing. Also, Walmart allows you to use the overage from purchasing an item with a coupon that is greater in value than the cost of the item to offset the cost of the other items you are buying. Example…Purchase a $1 toothpaste with a $2 coupon and use the $1 leftover after buying your toothpaste to reduce the cost of your meat.
Veggies and fruit – Back to Walmart…they have an ad match policy. Flip through all the stores weekly flyers and find the lowest priced veg and fruit at each store. Then get the items at Walmart without running all over town. Also, when you get the killer deal, buy more and cut and freeze immediately or put it in green bags to preserve it for longer. Also, if you are near Whole Foods, they have printable coupons on their website that can dramatically cut the cost of some natural products.
Niche cleaners – is the manufacturer on Facebook? Like them and wait for the coupons to roll in. Or call them to comment or ask about their products and you may get a coupon or to in the mail.
There is so much to this coupon game. Play with it and you will find what works for you.
What does the R mean when you are saying the sate the expires and the coupon source and it’s date and then the R is after that
The R means “regional”, we don’t all always get the same coupons in the papers. When a coupon is regional, some people will get it and some won’t. Some people order regional coupons from clipping services or ebay. Hope that helps1
How do you sign up for freebies.
I’m fairly new to couponing especially with ECB and RR.
I attempt to get some ECBs from CVS last night… but I miss calculated.
E.g. Spend $10 to get $3 ECBs back.. I was shy $1.16. I was wondering if any one knows if it’s possible to go back and buy that $1.16 or does it have to be on that transaction that I purchased??
You can go back! As long as you used your extra care card, it will track it!
What is the difference between SS and SSR? I keep looking in the correct SS ad and can never find it if it says SSR…
same goes for RPR
SS means Smart Source
SSR means Smart Source Regional meaning that the specific coupon is only available in certain regions( such as some got it in New York but didn’t get it in South Carolina)
RPR means RedPlum Regional so those too are only available in certain regions
HTH(Hope That Helps)
I am new, so please forgive this easy question:
Are all coupons on the Target.com website “Target” coupons? Can I combine any of these Target coupons with a mfgr. coupon to stack savings?
The coupons on the Target website are not just Target coupons, some are manufacturer coupons. Yes you can “stack” a Target & manufacturer coupon on one item at Target.
Yes you can use mfgr with the store coupons
I have downloaded the coupon printer but it keeps telling me when I go to print that I have to download it. Is there something else I have to do?
.I have had the same issue. Try a different browser and it should work.
Thank you for the mention of ethical couponing. I belong to a couponing group where several members frequently brag about clearing shelves and laughing at cashiers who mention coupon policies being changed to combat that type of behavior. When I’ve mentioned that perhaps shelf clearing isn’t the best way to do things, they pretty much laugh in my face and tell me to get rain checks or go back later in the week.
As someone dependent on public transportation, it’s not quite that easy to make multiple store trips. Yes, I love a good deal as much as the next person, but I try to leave plenty on the shelves for the next person. After all…why do I need 200 toothpastes?
I appreciate it a lot that your website takes an ethical approach to couponing.
i cannot get the tool bar to load on my new HP laptop. I had no problem with my old toshiba. i would appreciate any help. it says its installed but i dont see it.
I have no idea how to get free build a bear stuff that my friend told me about!
what is ecoupons and how is it work?
Hello, I tried to join the super savers club and everytime I try to see the deals it brings me right back to the page to sign up all over again…
Great website with lots of good coupon deals.
I love this sight….
I just signed up on Shop Rites website so I can add the shop rite e-coupons to my card. Do you know if these coupons will double?
The E-coupons do not double and you can only use it once…..
trip went well at CVS spent $34.04 OOP got back $15.00 so total spent $19.04 for 6 bottles of herbal shine, 2 bottles of aussie, 2 natural instincts, 4 Covergirl products, 2 Dove body wash and 9 dove shampoo conditioner.
I have the app on my iphone but dont remember how i did it. i would like to put it on my wifes phone also. can anyone help me
This site is really helpful. I am just starting the fact finding part of couponing. Thanks for the help.
Facebook
What am I doing wrong with the e-coupon? I load the items to my Shop-Rite card but it never deducts the e-coupon, only my paper coupons work. Please advise.
Sounds good. Now that I’m retired I will have the time to sit at the computer & study all of this. I am new at it.
website is great i save alot for my bf on things he cannot find in brooklyn.
If anyone needs a coupon binder with plastic sheets, dividers and numerous coupons I have one for sale. Contact me at tbhunter722@yahoo.com
Thanks
When I attempt to print the coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free 2 litre Pepsi, I receive a message telling me the offer is no longfer available. I am still able to pring the Buy 1 Get 1 Free for the Doritos.
Hi, Thanks for all that you do for us newbies! Um, my question is, if a coupon says redeemable at Walmart, is it ONLY usable at Walmart?
If it says redeemable at walmart you should be able to use it elsewhere unless it’s part of the store’s coupon policy to not accept coupons with other store’s logos. Overall though that just means they want you to use it there but once you print on the top it should say Manufacturer’s coupon and it’s good everywhere, just make sure it says Manufacturer’s coupon once you print. (If it was just for walmart or cvs or target it would say “walmart coupon” etc.)
I can never get coupons to print. I get the message that “we’re working on your problem”. Everything is as it should be, but no coupons print.
Thanks
I am just starting to get into couponing, or trying to get into couponing. I get the Sunday paper every week and save the SS and the RP. I look on the website and it says that there is supposed to be a coupon in one of the inserts and it is not there. I have been only doing this for about a month or so but, I am not finding any coupons that are supposed to be in the inserts, Red Plum, or Smart Source. I mean nothing. For example, 11/18 Smart source $1/1, Baileys Coffee Creamer $1/1 11/18 Smart Source. These are just 2 things that I am not finding in my local paper, but there are many more. It seems like I can’t find any coupons that are supposed to be in my paper.
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Getting frustrated.
I agree with Gretta’s reply below, also, many coupons are “regional”. We all don’t get the same coupons. Many people buy their coupons from clipping sites and ebay. I am now starting to consider that after more than 2 years of extreme couponing because I am getting so many $1/2 instead of the $0.75/1 which would fully double at my stores.
Hang in there!
it may be that that particular paper does NOT include coupons….try a different paper. We have many “local” papers where I live yet only ONE includes inserts!
Which store in NJ is best to coupon at? I have been going to shoprite. It is a little hard to stock pile with their 4 coupons rule. Would love to find a store that fully doubles and has no limit. I would think it would even be worth it to travel. Does a store like this even exist in Nj?
i dont know if its just me i do not understand how to print these coupons at all where do i click print someone please help???
Somehow or other, my LRWC toolbar disappeared. HELP!!! How do I get it back? I’m lost without it……
Right side at the box where ” search LRWC ” column appear, in that box, there is a toolbar down load site.
It says ” DON’T MISS A DEAL! LRWC TOOLBAR”
HTH
Try going to the view tab in your browser, then toolbars. Make sure it’s checked. Sometimes they become unchecked.
Thanks so much, Cindy. I was lost without the LRWC toolbar….so easy to fix and I hadn’t a clue! Can’t thank you enough. Happy couponing!
yes i would like help to start couponing my father has cancer things are real hard i realy need the help if someone could help me start couponing it would help so much his med are so much i want to learn so bad how to save money if anybody could show me how i would be very greatful thank you i hope to here from someone so i can try to start
Try the Rx savings card, you can get it online, just google it. We get super savings on meds that way.
There are somethings i don’t understand about stockpiling also. im new at this also
i want to learn as much as i can. i know a little bit don’t fully understand it
could someone give me some advice .
Been collecting coupons for awhie just starting to really put them to use. I need help trying to work out a deal at Shoprite starting 2/3 on Bic razors I have some B1G1 and $2 off coupons. The razors are on sale for $4 I have (2)B1G1 and (4)$2/1. Can you help me on how to best work this deal?
Thanx
Dana
hi there,
i would just like to know, how can u get a smart source and redplum magazine? do i need to subscribe? where or what site? thanks.
Smartsource and Redplum, as well as P&G are the name of the different coupon inserts that come in the weekend newspapers. I suggest you read over the “Couponing for Beginners”, found at the top of the page..click on the cartoon puppy BOGO. This will explain ALOT! It should be extremely helpful..good luck with couponing!
Your site is Extremely Helpful! Thank You!
Quick Question, If the store is having a BOGO sale, am I able to use a $1/2 Coupon on the items? Thanks!!
I found some coupons I could put to use but it says “Redeemable at Walmart” and I didn’t plan to use them there. Does that mean I HAVE to use them at Walmart or is it only a suggestion?
It is only a suggestion. “Redeemable ONLY at Walmart” means you can only use it at Walmart. Also, some stores may give you a hard time with it because it has Walmart’s logo on it. That will depend on your individual store. Good Luck! HTH!
Thanks. That’s what I thought since it said Manufacturer’s Coupon at the top.
Great Site!
I want to start couponing but I want to know where you get coupons for free items. I understand where to get the coupons but most of them are just a few cents off an item. On the TV shows people are getting itmes for free. What am I not understanding?????
THANKS
Love your site! I have a question about the Catalinas.. When you make a purchase & get a catalina, you have to use that catalina on your next purchase when you come back or can you ask to use it that day you are checking out?
Also if you are doing ie. 2 transactions, can you use that catalina on that 2nd transaction?
thank you!
Dollar Tree question. The coupon policy for DOLLAR TREE says only up to 4 like coupons per household per day..
Does that mean only 4 like coupons total (2 gain,2 tide coupons or 4 gain), or 4 like coupons per specific item (4 gain and 4 tide etc.)coupon?
Thanks.
Thank you for all the tips. I am so happy my friend told me about your site.
I have some baby product coupons that state
“Manufacturers coupon good only at Walgreens”
Any
Anyone know if target will accept them!
How do get those coupons
I used to do this years ago, before it had a name. lol I really need to start again but I have some restrictions. In the past I would ‘cherry-pick’ the circulars and visit each store with my coupons in hand. I cannot drive now so I am forced to have my groceries delivered. The company I use allows coupons but I don’t think they allow doubling. I am looking to maximize my savings. I have never used a computer to print coupons and it seems that is a good way to add to my savings. The problem is I worry about ‘downloading toolbars’ and visiting sites that may use my information in ways that may threaten my identity or security. I don’t want to sound like a crazy person but companies do sell your information and that’s just a fact. Do you know of any watch-dog organization that monitors these sites?
I want so bad to be an extreme couponer. I get good coupons for stuff.but unfortunately the only double coupon store near me is Kroger.Kroger only doubles coupons that are for 50 cents off or less.And the coupons that i get are not gonna get me anything for free at Kroger.I watch the sales every week.But don’t ever get lucky enough to come across any deals.i get coupons off the internet.And i buy several papers.What am I doing wrong.
I am learning as much as I can to become a couponer. I need to start saving money and stop spending so much money when all I have to do is search, save, and use coupons properly. I WILL figure this out, I have to…
I am only 15 and I am an extreme couponer. I believe that it is very important to save money and i am excited that i have saved a large amount of money. This is a really great thing to do.
I really need help getting started I wanna save money but I don’t know where to begin . I know I go out get coupons but then what just go buy? And I watch this show extreme couponing but how do they save that much? How
i live in the san fernando valley how do i know which coupons will and will not double if they all start with 003 or 01 or 07
I’m starting out on extreme couponing,the store we go to has double couponing on Wednesday and Saturday,limit 5 coupons must spend $25 1st,should I find another store,if I’m only need a few things?.(hank u all just discovered this site its awesome,especially to see people helping people.
How do I make my zip code the default zip code?