Getting Started/finding coupons/printing/sales cycles....

Tips for getting started:

 thanks to common sense with money.com..she has a downloadable book with tips, etc..check it out....

http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2011/04/free-extreme-couponing-101-ebook/



 and from   Family Friendly Frugality... 
 How To Save Money in 7 Days

Here are some good  articles to start off with :
http://www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com/strategic-shopping/
You should also check out her series on Couponing 101 AND Stockpiling 101.





Where to find coupons
 start with getting inserts in Sunday papers, printable coupons sites-see our lists, e-coupons, ask friends/neighbors, etc for extra, and trade with others.

make sure you "like" companies sites on facebook for products you use/like, as they OFTEN have coupons available. If not want alot of activity. set up a facebook account using first initial, middle name, last name, and an email address you set up just for coupons, etc. Then, don't friend anyone, don't do anything on the account but use for coupon activity.

Also email , call or write to manufacturer's of products you like, tell them you like their products and ask for coupons..I have gotten many FREE product coupons from doing this.

And last, register directly on stores' websites, where you can load electronic coupons onto your store loyalty card directly.


Printable Coupons Tip:
We all know that putting different zip codes into coupons.com sometimes brings up different ( and worth-while ) coupons for you to print – but which ones are perpetually the best coupon producers? Depending on the zip code you enter, you can get more coupons, and sometimes higher value coupons as well.

Here’s a list of a few of the better zipcodes to try:
90210-beverly hills
77477-texas
10022 New York, NY
10004 New York, NY
94027 Atherton, CA
33480 Palm Beach, FL
60093 Winnetka, IL
06830 Greenwich, CT
98039 Medina, Washington
89451 Incline Village, NV
94957 Ross, CA


Printing your coupons:

How to Save Ink and Paper When Printing Coupons



Printing coupons can use a lot of ink and paper once you start using them regularly so we are going to show you how to save the most money on both so you can print to your heart's content!


Recommended Printer Settings


First of all, you want to print coupons in black ink only. Save your color ink, as it is not necessary and is usually the most expensive ink. Stores that accept IPC accept black and white coupons as long as they are clear and readable. I’ll share my printer settings with you, yours should be similar but if you need help, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you with your printer’s settings.

Print Quality Options: High, Standard, Fast and Custom – Mine is set to "Fast". (Another common setting is "Fast Draft")

Print in Grayscale: Mine is checked to print in grayscale.

My other printer has a choice that says “Print in Black Ink Only” and I have that checked. If I need to print something in color, I can just quickly change it until I’m finished.


Preview Before Printing


Another great way to save both ink and paper when printing IPC that have ads is to change the settings on your printer so that “Preview before Printing” is checked. This way, when you click print, a window pops up with a preview of what it will look like and if you see an ad, you can switch your paper before clicking print again. This is important and I’ll explain why in just a moment but first let's quickly go over the steps to change your printer settings.

(Windows Users)


Go to Start, Control Panel, Printers. Right click on your printer and choose "Printer Preferences". You should then see a main tab with your printer settings. Here is what mine looks like:






Don’t Throw It Away!


Don’t you just hate it when you print a coupon and 2/3 of the page is blank and ends up getting thrown away? Not anymore! Here’s how to use the whole page or at least get 2-3 coupons on each page.Here’s how.


TIP: Since you can only print most coupons twice each, I recommend testing your printer settings on coupons that you don’t need just in case you make a mistake.


In most printers, you can just turn the page around and put it back in the printer but if you have problems or need to figure out which way your printer prints the following will help you do just that.

Put a sheet of paper in your printer and draw an arrow pointing up so that when the coupon prints, you will know which way your printer prints and on which side of the paper. The side with the arrow will always be the side facing up and in the direction of the arrow. Then print your coupon. Note the placement of the printed coupon in relation to the arrow you drew and using those as your guide, put the same sheet back in the printer, only opposite and print your second coupon. Now you have a coupon on each side or end. Just cut, use and save!

Note: If you are printing multiple coupons at coupons.com, redplum.com, smartsource, or another coupon website, they print in multiples of three so you won’t need to do this as long as you choose three coupons or in multiples of three. However, if you are printing coupons from a bricks link, direct link, manufacturer website, or just one at a time, you will save a lot of paper by reusing the page over again.


How to Save Ink and Paper When Printing Internet Coupons with Ads


* This is my favorite trick of all. If you know ahead of time that an ad is going to print after the coupons, you can use left over half pages of paper and your printer will stop printing when it runs out of paper, saving both ink and paper. This works most of the time, as coupons usually print first and then the ad. This is where the “Preview before Printing” setting comes in handy. Rather than one whole page being used to print one coupon, and the ad with it, a paper cut into 2 halves will yield 2 coupons, again saving paper and cost.

* I always keep a stack of half sheets of paper (I just cut mine in half) with my printer and switch the paper out when I'm printing coupons.You can also use scrap paper-that with writing, ads, etc on the back...stores do not care as long as the coupon part is scan-able and readable on the front page.


Saving Money on Ink Cartridges


Ink can be quite costly, and there are several ways to keep your cost low in this area also. As we stated before, print in black ink only and save your color.

• Look for low cost ink refill kits, and refill the cartridges yourself, I bought one a year ago for less than $15, and it filled about 30 black cartridges, saving me a ton of money.

• Another option is to take your used cartridges to be refilled at Walgreens, or some such store, they are quite reasonable. The first time you refill a cartridge at Walgreens is around $14.00 (YMMV) but each time you pick up your refilled cartridge, the box will have a 50% coupon on your next refill so from there on out, refills should only be around $7.00.

• Another resource is always the internet. eBay and Craigslist can yield some excellent prices on ink cartridges, I bought 7 black ink cartridges off craigslist last week for only $50. That is less expensive than buying in bulk at Costco.

• Don’t forget the programs that pay you for exchanging empty cartridge such as Staples or Office Depot. You receive a credit for each cartridge you turn in.

Follow these tips and simple tricks and you should be up and printing (for less) in no time!




Organizing your coupons- good articles from hotcouponworld.com, queenbeecoupons and fistful of coupons..

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/2011/04/how-to-organize-your-coupons-the-whole-inserts-method/
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/2011/04/how-to-organize-your-coupons-the-coupon-binder-method/
http://www.fistfulofcoupons.com/2010/05/20/how-to-make-a-coupon-binder/

http://queenbeecoupons.com/organization/



Abbreviations & Acronyms


AC = After Coupon

ACTUALS = The actual item as opposed to a coupon for it (an item from your stockpile)

ADDIE = Address

AR = After Rebate

BLINKIES - instore smartsource coupon dispensed near product, usually from red blinking box

BOGO or B1G1F = Buy one get one free

BOLO = Be On the Lookout

BTFE = Box Tops for Education

BTW = By the way

B&M - Brick & Mortar, as opposed to an online store

CAT or Catalina = coupon dispensed at register after purchase, usually has a red border

CBAD = Chef Boyardee

CLFE = Campbell's Labels for Education

CO = cents off coupon

CRT = Cash register tape

DB = The HotCouponWorld database

DCRT = Dated cash register tape

DCRTC = Dated cash register tape with the price circled

DND = Do Not Double (the coupon is not supposed to be doubled)

DOUBLE COUPON = coupon that a grocery store doubles in value

ENVIE = Envelope

EPOP = Each pay own postage (trading term)

FAR = Free After Rebate

FREE ITEM COUPON = A coupon that allows you to get the product completely free

FSOT = For Sale or Trade

GDA = Good Deal Alert

HBA = The health and beauty aid section in the grocery store

HCW = Hot Coupon World

HDA = Hot Deal Alert or Home Delivered Ad

HL = Have list

HT or HGT = Hang tags for refunds or coupons hanging on a product

ISO = In Search Of

IDSO = In Desperate Search Of

IVC = Walgreen's Instant Value Coupon ( Found in the monthy booklets)

IVDSO = In Very Desperate Search Of

IP = Internet Printable

LFE = Campbell's Labels for Education

MIR = Mail In Rebate

NAZ = Name, address, zip code

NED = No expiration date

NP = No problem

NBPN = No Beer Purchase Necessary

NWPN = No wine purchase necessary

OAS = a coupon that is good on one purchase, any size

OOP = Out of Pocket

OOS = Out of Stock

OSI = On a single item

OYNO = On your next order

OT = Off Topic

P&G = Proctor & Gamble Sunday supplement coupons

PEELIE = coupon that you peel off the package

POP = Proof of purchase

PP = purchase price

PPHF = Paypal handling fee

PSA = Prices Starting At or Public Service Announcement

Q or QUALIFIER = The POP required for a refund offer that is physically taken from that package

RAOK = Random act of kindness

RC = Raincheck

RP = Red Plum Sunday Supplement Coupons

RR = Register Rewards

SASE = Self Addressed Stamped Envelope

SCR = Rite Aid Single Check Rebate

SD = Store Display

SF = Store form

SMP = Specially Marked Packages

SS = Smart Source or Sunday Supplement coupons

STACKING = Some stores allow the use of more than one coupon per item, IF the coupon itself does not restrict such usage. Using a store coupon w/ a manufacturere coupon

SUPER DOUBLES or DOUBLES = coupons that are doubled $1 + in value (ie, a $1 coupon = $2, etc)

TEAR PAD = A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display

TIA = Thanks in advance

TMF = Try Me Free

TRIPLE COUPON = a coupon that a grocery store triples in value

TYVM = Thank you very much

V = Valassis(also known as red plum) Sunday supplement coupons

WINE TAG = coupon, usually for $ off any meat, cheese or produce.

WL = wishlist

WPN = Wine purchase necessary

WSL = while supplies last

WT = winetag

WYB = When You Buy


YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary= success of the attempt may vary at your store



Store Abbreviations


ALBIES = Albertsons

KM = K-Mart

ST = Super Target

SWM = Super Walmart

SW = Safeway

WAG = Walgreens

WM = Walmart

TG = Target


Stockpiling:

http://www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com/2011/05/strategic-shopping-why-you-should-stockpile/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FamilyFriendlyFrugality+%28Family+Friendly+Frugality%29

great article from hot coupon world...
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/stockpiling-101/8628-building-your-stockpile.html

http://www.hotcouponworld.com/2011/03/extreme-couponing-versus-hardcore-couponing/


 and centsibleinseattle...

http://www.centsibleinseattle.net/2011/03/stockpiling-tips-on-how-to-save-on.html


 CATALINAS:
What is a Catalina?
It is a coupon, either in dollars off purchase on your next order(OYNO)which would be similar to a rebate, or dollars off a particular product (e.g. $1 off a Safeway deli item). Sometimes there’s an ad for a new product. Catalinas will print from a separate machine next to the cash register, at the completion of the transaction. Catalinas have expiration dates ranging from weeks to months.

How do I get a Catalina?
You purchase eligible items, and/or  a certain number of items and get a certain specified amount in “catalinas”. All eligible items have to be purchased in a single transaction (the same shopping order).

Can I repeat the same Catalina deal, do more than once?
Absolutely. You can repeat the same deal in different transactions, and they could be on the same day. example..when you buy (6) eligible items, you get $4. However, even if you purchase (12) eligible items in the same transaction, you still only get back $4. So it's best to keep your minimum amount of items needed to purchase to get your "cat" in separate transactions.
When you do multiple Catalina deals, and use the Catalina coupon you got from the previous transaction to pay for the next one, that’s called “rolling” your Catalina.

How do I know about Catalina deals?
Store ads sometimes advertise them. However, a lot of them are not officially advertised or posted anywhere- that’s where online forums (hotcouponworld, weusecoupons), blogs came in. 

What if my Catalina didn’t print?
Save your receipt and call Catalina Marketing at 1-888-8coupon (1-888-826-8766). There are many reason why they didn’t print – the machine was off-line, out or paper, etc. The last time my Catalina didn’t print, I called and the staff took my information include receipt information, and did some “research”. After a week or so I received their letter and the Catalinas! I have also used the catalina email, and received my cat in about a week or so.
 Catalina Marketing (coupon@catalinamarketing.com) include the following info (they said the response time is 3 business days):
  • Store Name, Addresses and Phone Number
  • Date and Time of purchase
(the following is what I think you should also include, since they asked for those in the phone)
  • Name, phone and mailing address, so they could mail you the coupon (duh!)
  • store club card number-if applicable
  • Transaction Number 


    amber at coupon connections nw has compiled a stockpile price list that is MAJOR helpfull..check it out...
    http://couponconnections.com/12455-2/





    SALES CYCLES:

    JANUARY - Historically, Quaker has hot deals on cereal/all items. We see Pepsi/Tostitos go on sale mid-January (again, rebates abound for these). Other items of note this time of year are chili, side dishes, anything for hearty/warm meals.
    • Post-Holiday Sales
    • White Sales
    • Sports and Weight Loss Equipment
    • Super Bowl – chips, soda, dips, condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard)
    • Quaker Sale at Albertsons – oats, instant oatmeal, maple syrup, Life cereal (all free or SUPER cheap)
    • Winter Apparel and Accessories
    •  Organizers, Rubbermaid totes, shelf organizers, planners, filing cabinets

    FEBRUARY – many of the same food items as January
    • Electronics
    • Huge push on store brands
    • Housewares
    • Furniture
    • Candy and Chocolates

    MARCH - Frozen food month. You'll find many stores are offering free freezers or fill-a-bag deals. 
    Between March and April, look for spring cleaning deals, so many cleaner items will be on sale. With Easter, looks for eggs, ham, Kraft products to cycle into good sales. Paper products like towels, napkins, plates are starting to come on strong. Beverage items.
    • Spring Apparel and Accessories
    • Frozen Foods Month – CRAZY sales on frozen items (juice concentrates, microwave dinners, frozen snacks like burritos and pizza)
    • Gardening Supplies
    •     Betty Crocker fruit snacks – FREE after coupons and catalina at several stores
    • Huge Post cereal sale – Free or super cheap after catalina• Easter (towards end of month) – flour, sugar, chocolate chips, cream cheese


    APRIL –
    • Spring Apparel and Accessories
    • Coats and Hats
    • Awesome ConAgra catalina promo at Albertsons     • Kellogg’s/General Mills promo (super cheap cereal) • Jewish Foods and Eggs



    MAY - get ready for summer! Here come loads of deals on BBQ sauce, frozen veggies, baked beans, and condiments of all kinds, summer-time meats (ribs, hotdogs, and ground beef).

    Also with all the holidays, look for tons of paper goods that match the holiday and pick them up after clearance. These deals generally continue through September!
    • White Sale - Linens and Towels
    • Spring Cleaning Supplies
    • Tons of cereal deals
    • Canning supplies
    • Sodas & Bottled Water, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat, Condiments, Paper & Plastic plates & cups
    • Raid/Off bug repellents and sunscreens



    JUNE –
    • Summer Apparel and Accessories
    • Dairy Month – Good deals on milk (including organic), cheese, butter
    • Mayo and BBQ sauce super cheap or even free
    • Sunscreen
    • Beer rebates available


    JULY –
    • More 4th of July items
    • Summer Sports Equipment
    • Sportswear
    • Craft Supplies
    • Sodas, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat, Condiments
    * Loss leader school supplies start now through the end of August


    AUGUST –
    • White Sale - Linen and Towels
    • Huge Kellogg’s/Keebler promo
    • Back to School Supplies - Capri Sun, granola bars, fruit snacks
    • Bathing Suits
    • Fresh Fish and Vegetables
    • Breakfast foods (Cold cereal-Juice-Waffles-etc)
    • Cold lunch items for in lunch boxes


    SEPTEMBER     - back to school; time to fill up on snacks! Pudding cups, Capri suns, fruit snacks, cereal sales start up hard again, peanut butter/jelly.

    Also, like clockwork, there will be Prego coupons in August, and plan on getting lots and using them in a hurry before they expire in September when the spaghetti sauce goes on sale. Sauce wars between Ragu and Prego this month.

    Campbell’s soups will go on as well and there will be coupons in the end of August for these as well. Lunchables are on sale this time of year, too.
    • Back to School Supplies and Apparel
    • Free cheese at Albertsons
    • Another Kellogg’s/Keebler promo
    • Oral Care at Rite Aid – TONS of free toothpaste and toothbrushes
    • Canned Goods


    OCTOBER     - Stock up on holiday foods – Stove Top, turkey, instant mashed potatoes, broth, cranberries, marshmallow, ice cream, pie shells, whipped cream, pudding.

    Look for great Kraft deals again this time of year. Piggyback those Kraft coupons when you can. Crackers are a biggie - going on for $1 or less a box. Lots of extra deals like $ off cheese WYB crackers.

    The real kicker is the after Christmas food deals! Save your coupons because pie fixings, fried onion, broth and canned green beans will be on deep discount. I got those onions for .50 a can, normally almost $4. These generally continue through December.
    • Baking/candy-making items (choc chips, sprinkles, vanilla, corn syrup, nuts, etc)
    • holiday foods
    • Fishing Equipment
    • Kraft deals
    • Candy


    NOVEMBER     -
    • Winter Apparel and Accessories
    • Quilts and Blankets
    •  More cheap to free Campbell’s and store brand cooking soups
    • Turkey/ham , Sweet Potatoes
    • Canned goods (soup, chicken broth, condensed milk, veggies etc)
    • Baking goods– chocolate chips, flour, sugar


    DECEMBER     –
    • Toys
    • Gift Items
    • Party ware
    • Post-Holiday Sales
    • Party Foods, Baking Goods, and Various Meat
    • Canned goods (broth, soups, etc)

    • Tons of sales on coffee creamer and coffee

    • Huge push on baking items – flour, sugar, corn syrup, baking powder, chocolate chips




    Year-round after a holiday, you can always pick up cheap cookie dough and any food related to a holiday.

    Frozen pizzas go on sale in the fall and then again the spring; not often in the summer because people don't want to turn their ovens on in the summer.

    By all means, this isn't everything that you can get on sale, but if you follow the cycle and stock up (I never buy BBQ sauce in the winter), then you can get where you have enough on hand and only need to refill when the items are in season. The result is that you spend less and less with each successful cycle

    An additional list of sales cycle information to include seasonal produce listings can be found HERE
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