Where to find great money-saving coupons

One question I get asked a lot is where to get coupons.  While the bulk of my coupons do come from the Sunday paper inserts, my binder is full of coupons I've found elsewhere too.  For today's post, I thought I'd spend some time sharing some of the great places I've found coupons to help get you started.

1. Sunday Paper.  Let's go ahead and start here.  The primary coupon inserts are put out by three companies - Red Plum(Valassis), SmartSource, and Procter & Gamble.  However, that doesn't mean you find three inserts every week.  Sometimes there will be one, others three or more.  And occasionally, you may get none.  (You can check this coupon preview siteahead of time to help determine what's coming down the pike that particular week.)  While I certainly recommend buying a copy or two of the paper, consider also if you have access to additional free copies of inserts.  Perhaps you have non-couponing friends, family, or neighbors who get the paper and then chuck it.  Or maybe there's a copy that's been sitting in your company breakroom.  You get the idea.  Be resourceful. 

2. Internet.  There are some wonderful coupons you can print right from your computer.  At the beginning of the month, this coupon site adds new coupons for printing.  You can print each coupon up to twice by using your browser's back button.  While many stores accept these, some will not, so I recommend you check your store's coupon policy before heading out the door!

3. Manufacturer Websites.  Like Quaker Oatmeal?  Do you use Glade products?  Drop by their website.  Many manufacturers run coupons and promotions on their products. 

4. In-ad Store Coupons.  Don't forget that store ads are often a wonderful source of coupons!  In general, store coupons found in ads are only good for the week of the ad.  The good news is you can usually combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon for a great deal.  I use store coupons on almost every grocery shopping trip.

5. In/On Products.  More and more, I'm finding coupons are in and on products.  Just today for instance, I found a rebate offer AND a coupon offer for a free DVD on my box of cereal.  Sometimes, the coupon will be what's known as a "peelie:" one of those sticker coupons that read "save $1 now" and are found right smack on the item.

6. In Stores.  Pay attention.  There are "blinkie" machines on aisles that spit coupons at you, coupons hanging on the shelves…heck, I'm even finding coupons that other wonderful shoppers have just left by items. 

7. Mail.  Again, pay attention!  Just this week I received what to most would be "junk mail."  It was a promotional offer from Office Max.  I opened it and it was a coupon "$10 off a $10 purchase or more."  Guess what?  I bet I can find something in that store I need for $10 this week…maybe some more dividers for my coupon binder or paper to print off Internet coupons!  I also sign up for mailing lists that are likely to be of value to me.  Two of my favorite picks are Babies R' Us(they put out some great diaper coupons) and Metropolitan Market (an upscale grocer in my area that also puts out some fantastic coupons believe it or not). 

8. Catalina Coupons.  These are the coupons that print out during your grocery store transaction.  They are generally based on your shopping trends, which means you are likely to get coupons for items you already buy on a regular basis.  I frequently see them discarded at the self-scan checkout lanes.  I will ask the cashier on duty if I can take them, and have never been turned down.    

Gather your coupons from a variety of sources and soon enough you'll end up with a well-rounded stash.  Since adopting my couponing lifestyle last November, I now have two giant binders STUFFED with coupons from every category imaginable!

If you have another awesome source of coupons, please share it with my readers by leaving a comment.  Thank you!

Photo credit Ayhan Yildiz