Couponing 101: A Beginner’s Guide – Where to Find Coupons Part 1
So you are ready to learn to coupon. The first thing that you need to know is where to get them. Luckily for you, there are SO many places to get coupons! So many in fact, we will have to have bring it to you in two parts.
Make sure if you missed yesterday’s Coupon FAQ make sure to read them here.
Back in the old days (ok, maybe just a few years ago…) you could primarily find coupons just in the newspaper. Sometimes they would appear on packaging (like on the back of a cereal box).
Luckily for you – coupons are now EVERYWHERE. You can get them still in the newspaper and inside packaging but you can also get them in many other places. You can find them online, you can have them digitaly loaded, stores place them inside their ads and you can even buy coupons.
So let’s start with coupons in the newspaper. Usually coupons come in the Sunday paper. The coupon booklets are called inserts. Did you know that the inserts have names?
This is a Procter & Gamble insert. (You will see it abbreviated as PG) P&G inserts are just for P&G products like Tide, Febreeze, and Gillette. PG ads come out once a month and the coupons are usually good for just one month.
This is a Smart Source insert. (You will see it abbreviated as SS) SS ads come out most weeks in the Sunday paper.
This is a Red Plum insert. (It’s abbreviated as RP). RP inserts come out most weeks in the Sunday paper.
Occasionally there will be a Target insert with coupons that are valid only at Target. Also, Pepsi Moments will occasionally have an insert with coupons for items like Pepsi or Lays.
Sometimes there are coupons in the Parade booklet that you can find in the paper as well.
As you can see, there are lots of coupons that come each week! If you want to know what coupons will be in the inserts before Sunday you can check out the Sunday coupon previews!
In the Store:
One of my favorite places to get coupons is actually the store! There are lots of coupons hanging out waiting for you to find, you just need to keep your eyes open!
Peelies – Peelies are coupons that are attached to the packaging of the product. You literally peel them off. I like to peel off the coupons when I put the item in my cart otherwise I forget!
Blinkies – Blinkies are at the store in a red box. There is a little red light that flashes on them. (hence the name blinkies)
Tear Pads – Tear pads are coupons that you find usually attached to the grocery store shelf close to the product. You just have to tear one off the sheet. You can also find lots of mail in rebates in the form of tear pads!
Catalinas – When you check out of the grocery store and the cashier hands you your receipt do you ever look at that “other” receipt? Well that other one is called a Catlina and they offer some AWESOME coupons! Lots of times stores will do promotions such as buy 5 get $3.00 Catalina good for your next purchase. Well that $3.00 Catalina is just as good as cash! Make sure your cashier is handing you back both receipts and that you read them!!
Cashier’s Register Tape – This is affectionately known as CRT. CVS is a big one for using CRT! They give out something called Extra Care Bucks which are good off of your next purchase. They print out on the bottom of your receipt.
In the mail:
Another great place to get coupons is right in your mailbox! We post freebie here on It’s A Fabulous Life. Almost all of the freebies come with coupons! P&G also has coupon booklets that will mail out. I will let you know when the sign ups are open for those coupons!
Do you have a favorite brand? Send them quick email and let them know you love their product! Is there something that you want to try but don’t want to pay full price? Just write to them and ask if there is a coupon they can give you to try it. Living Rich With Coupons has a really great list of companies to contact!
In part 2 of Where to get coupons I’ll show you about getting coupons online, coupon apps and buying coupons.
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Elizabeth Caudill says
I really don’t get this coupon thing, I love using them but I don’t see why you pay for a coupon (like sunday paper, online) to say money?
Anonymous says
I buy the Sunday paper for the coupons because I save “WAY MORE” than what I actually paid for the paper. It’s like someone saying give me 2 dollars & I’ll give you back 100.