Make sure you read all of the Couponing 101 Series here.

So you are all ready to start planning your coupon trip. These are the steps that I go through while planning my shopping trip.

Creating the list

With a memory like mine, having a list is essential. I would be lost without it. Without a list, I would have to wander through the store, probably twice – wasting time and money from loading unnecessary items in my cart.

Shopping list = money saved

I make my list a little differently than some people. I like to use Steno Pads to write my list. (If you don’t have a steno pad you can also just draw a line down the middle!) I have a different list for each store that I plan to go to.

The first thing I do is I go to this week’s ad match ups. If it has a stock up symbol I add that item to my list (on the left hand side). On the right hand side I put important information (for example, must buy 2 or part of a spend $10 get $5 ECB promotion). You will notice some (c) marks next to some of the item names on my list. Each (c) represents a coupon. This makes it easy to count how many coupons I should have and double check that I have them all.

I gather and print my coupons at the same time I add items to my list! I put them in an envelope with the store’s name on the front.

After I list the stock up items I go back and add any other items that I need that week. This is where meal planning and keeping a stocked pantry helps you keep your money in your pocket! (Don’t worry a meal planning series is coming after the couponing series finishes!) 🙂

Then I fold up my list, add it to the envelope and stick the envelope into my Couponizer. Everything that I need for the store is inside the envelope. Organized and convenient.

Check back tomorrow for setting up coupon transactions!