Intro to Couponing

The following are lessons I've learned through trial and error in my quest to become a so called "extreme couponer". I'm sharing these mostly for the benefit of a handful of girlfriends who asked about it and want to give it a try, but if anyone out there has any questions, feel free to ask :) 

1. Get a Sunday newspaper subscription OR go out and buy a newspaper every Sunday. Sometimes subscriptions are more expensive because you have to pay extra for deliveries or be forced to "tip" carriers. If this is the case, just pick your closest favorite gas station and purchase it there. Typical price is $2 per copy, but sometimes there are well over $100 in coupon inserts, plus who doesn't love Garfield comics? Personal lesson learned: once you've gotten into the couponing habit, do not miss purchasing these papers, not even for one Sunday. You'll regret it later. 
2. Get organized. Go purchase a 3-ring binder, one or two packs of 9-pocket plastic sheets (the kind used to hold baseball cards), page protectors, and divider tabs. As soon as I got my first newspaper, I clipped every single coupon available (even for cat food and baby wipes, and I have no need for either) and then stuck them all in a letter envelope. Almost 100% of these were thrown away because I forgot all about them. Personal lesson learned: find a system that works for you, and then stick to it. 
3. Pick and choose which coupons are for you. My biggest mistake was to clip every single coupon in the paper, bring them to the grocery store, and use as many as I could on every item possible. WRONG thing to do. If you don't need Old Spice deodorant, spicy hummus, or 4 bottles of air freshener, then don't even clip the coupons. Look through them all and clip your "basics" for things you purchase regularly, like milk, soap, toothpaste, dog food, laundry detergent, etc. Then do a second run and clip coupons for things you might consider buying if the price is right; candy, makeup, and junk food are in my category. Toss the rest away. Personal lesson learned: attempting to use all your coupons wastes A LOT of money. 
4. Find websites for printable coupons. Not all of your coupons will come from Sunday newspaper inserts, they will also come from your very own computer! My shortcut is to follow thekrazycouponlady because they keep up a running database of over 2,000 printable coupons plus list the current newspaper coupons as well. You'll have to install a 'coupon printer' on your computer, and make sure you have your default printer set and working because you only get two printouts per coupon per printer. Personal lesson learned: if you use several printers installed on one computer, make sure you are printing out of the correct one and that you have ink and paper in there, because you only get two chances to click Print, and then it's gone. Note: it is illegal to photocopy coupons, but if you have more than one computer, you can print multiples (hint, you can go to a public library and print two per each computer you use). 
5. Pick a store. Or two. Perfect your couponing strategies a little at a time. My top two couponing stores are Target and CVS, which offer different items on sale each week and allow you to "stack" a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon for extra savings. Go to their respective websites, find their coupon policies, and read over them carefully. If possible, print out a copy and stick it in your coupon binder because a lot of the time cashiers have no idea what they're talking about when the try to deny you the use of a coupon. Personal lesson learned: don't let a huffy, annoyed cashier get the best of you. Be nice, polite, but stand your ground if you know you're right. And don't be afraid to talk to managers. 
6. Judge a book by it's cover. This goes along with understanding each store's coupon policy. When you're ready to pay for your items, do not be afraid to profile the cashiers. Always try to go for the young, male cashier who looks ready for quitting time, not for the lady who takes her job too seriously. They will care less about the coupons you're using and not try to fight you on anything. (that's my experience anyway). Be polite, smile, and state upfront that you will be using coupons with your purchase. It doesn't hurt to ask if they'd like the coupons in a specific order. Personal lesson learned: don't attempt a large shopping trip at 5pm on a Friday when the store is packed and everyone gets annoyed with difficult transactions.