Couponing Tip: Print online coupons when they are first released.

Have you ever tried to print an online coupon to match up with a great deal to find the coupon is gone?  That's really frustrating, especially when the coupon would make a product FREE.

When manufacturers release coupons online, they set a specific budget and will only allow a certain amount of prints.  Once the number of coupons printed reach their limit, the coupon will disappear.

That is why I strongly encourage you to print coupons as they are available.  Don't wait until you decide you want to use the coupon to print it.  If you wait, you will probably miss out on some great deals.

This is especially true with the high value coupons that are released on Facebook.  These tend to disappear quickly.

If you have been couponing for a while, you are probably familiar with the coupons that hardly ever run out of prints.  The example that comes to mind is Yoplait Yogurt coupons.  It seems like these are always available.  If you are new, I would strongly suggest that if you think you would use the coupon, print it right away!  Over time you will learn what coupons will go quickly and what coupons won't.

I usually take every Sunday or Monday to go through the main coupon printing sites to see if there is anything new and I print the ones I want.  Throughout the week, as other printable coupons become available, I print those right away.

This way, when it's time to shop, I have the coupons already and don't need to try and hunt them down.

Here is a list of the main coupon printing sites I regularly use....

• Coupons.com
• Smartsource.com
• Redplum.com
• Coupon Network 
• Target Coupons

This post may contain affiliate links.  For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Couponing Tip: Feel too busy to coupon?

Do you feel too busy for couponing?  Is everyday filled with something from the time you get up to the time you go back to bed?  Are you like me, where you have your day planned out and your little ones decide to change those plans for you?  :)

We are all very busy, especially right now with the holidays coming up.  Some of us are definitely more busy than others.

If couponing intrigues you, but you haven't jumped in simply for fear of not having the time, let me give you a challenge...

At least give yourself time to learn how to save money with coupons.  This way, when you have the time, you can still save.  You will be more familiar with a good deal and how to save money.

You will never save big if you never learn how.  I don't care how much you save, just learn how to do it!  Maybe you'll find that you do have the time to coupon regularly.  Even if you don't, you can still save some.  Some is better than none!

Don't miss out on savings for fear of not getting every deal.  FYI...it's impossible to get every deal out there.  :)

Couponing Tip: What items should I stockpile?

I have heard this question a lot..."What items should I be stockpiling?"  My simple answer to this is, what products do you regularly use?  Don't look at what others stockpile, simply look at your shopping habits.

If you look at the pictures of my stockpile, you will say a large variety of items.  Right now, it isn't very organized, but it works.

It might help you at the beginning to sit down and write out a list of items.  Here are a few general suggestions of items to think about...

• Toiletries (shampoo, lotions, makeup, facial cleansers, etc...)
• Paper products (toilet paper, paper towel, kleenex, etc...)
• Grocery items for recipes you regularly use (go through your most often used recipes to come up with a list)
• Meat and produce (most can be frozen if prepared corrrectly)
• Items for specific occasions coming up (plan ahead for birthdays, holidays, etc...)

Get creative....what can you freeze?  The freezer is a stockpilers best friend.  There are numerous items that I freeze now that I never thought about freezing in the past (i.e. butter, creamer, milk, bread, shredded cheese (use in cooking later), sliced bell peppers, canned cinnamon rolls/biscuits (yes it really does work).)

A website that has been a huge help to me in freezing is Still Tasty.  You can enter any food item there and it will tell you all the different ways you can store it and for how long.

As I've said before, this will look different for everyone.  Don't compare yourself to others.  The point is to stockpile what you will regularly use.

Couponing Tip: Manufacturer vs. Store Coupon

Thought I would talk a bit about the differences between a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon.  Sometimes it can be a bit confusing.

Just because a coupon has a store's logo on it, does not mean that it is a store coupon.  You need to read what it says.  Store coupons can be printable from a store's website or printed as a catalina when you check out.  The coupon itself will either say "manufacturer coupon" or "store coupon".

If the coupon has a store logo on it but says "manufacturer coupon", you can use it at any store.  However, some stores will still not accept it and that is up to their store policy.

Also, some things in store ads may look like a coupon, but it really isn't.  They will put things in their ads that look like a coupon, but it is simply advertising their sale price.  Here are some things to look for.

• Does is have a barcode?
• Does it have an expiration date?
• Does it say "Manufacturer Coupon" or "Store Coupon"

Hope this helps clear some things up.

Couponing Tip: Check the weekly coupon matchups for great printable coupons

I always look at the coupon matchups for the stores I shop at, but I've started doing something else lately.  I look over the matchups and look for the links to printable coupons.

Many times there are links to coupons that I don't have.  Even if I don't want that deal that week, I can still click the link and get the coupon for future use.

I've found some great coupons this way!

Couponing Tip: Don't stress about the deals....enjoy saving money!

When you are new to the world of couponing, it is so easy to get overwhelmed.  I know I did when I started.  I wanted to spend all of my time on the computer finding coupons, reading about how to do it, looking over the current deals, etc...  All because I wanted to do it right and not miss a single deals.

• I give you permission to slow down and take a breath.
• You won't get every deal out there...that's impossible.
• You won't use every coupon you have before they expire.
• In real life, you will not save 90% on your bill every time you shop.  (sounds like a popular couponing show out there)
• You do (and should) have a life outside of couponing.

Do you feel better?  :)

There is a lot of information out there and a lot of coupons and deals.  You will miss out on some deals, coupons, etc... but it's okay.  Remember, the point is to save money.  At the beginning, just start and take it one day at a time.  The more you do it, the more savings you will see.

Enjoy the journey!  :)

Couponing Tips

• Don't stress about the deals.....Enjoy saving money!
• Check the weekly coupon matchups for great printable coupons.
• Manufacturer vs. Store Coupons