so overwhelmed

[savingforretirement]

just curious, how to you really get started? I am sooo overwhelmed w/ all the coupons and trying to find the best deals. I couldn't find the Target coupons I wanted. I am sure it is a little simplier than I think but I just can't get started :-(

[kimshaw1106]

I started with just concentrating on ONE store. Also checking out the stores forums and see what the deals are.

[dp38587]

just curious, how to you really get started? I am sooo overwhelmed w/ all the coupons and trying to find the best deals. I couldn't find the Target coupons I wanted. I am sure it is a little simplier than I think but I just can't get started :-(

It's just as simple as you want it to be.........get your feet wet, then wade in as deep as you want to go. Your first step is to get Sunday paper inserts. You can buy a paper, ask friends and family to save theirs for you if possible. Once you have some coupons, this site has tons of store lists to decide where to use them....your local sales/prices may vary but it's a place to start. I like to read the posts of other folks great buys and adapt them to my own needs. Once you find that first free item........be warned, it's addictive. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

Deb

[kimshaw1106]

just curious, how to you really get started? I am sooo overwhelmed w/ all the coupons and trying to find the best deals. I couldn't find the Target coupons I wanted. I am sure it is a little simplier than I think but I just can't get started :-(

I assume you checked on the Target website for the coupons? Is there one that a deal is coming up that you know was out there. I am not sure if Target is like the other coupon sites but sometimes they have limits on coupons that print. Also with the new month if it was something from last month chances are they are no longer.

[Sharkie1995]

I found when I started the biggest key to success was checking the ads of the stores I was going to so i would know which coupons i would use for sure.
Once I got the planned items I could wander the stores looking for bargains. I agree it is addictive, but rewarding

[emrldrose]

Savingforretirement,

Keep it simple, as you are figuring out how you are going to get your coupons, start with a store, and choose a section to focus on. I know my store prices and what is a good price for most items, so when I got big into coupons, I kept shopping as usual, but focused on getting the killer deals from Walgreens. Once I mastered Walgreens, I moved onto CVS. I have the H & B products down, but have to do some work on figuring out cleaning product prices and when things are on killer sales. It takes time. What I have done with H & B products and plan to do with cleaning products, is when they are killer deals, like free or pennies on the dollar, I try and buy about a years worth, depending on how much room I need to store the stuff. I make notes on what I paid, and when and where I purchased it. Then I move on to another item, as I aquire stuff, I don't have to think about that item for a long while and I can focus on other items. One by one, I am creating a stock pile for next to nothing and learning what the best prices are to watch for the next great sale. Hope some of this helps. Feel free to pm me if you need more info.

[CurtisBeers]

Welcome to Coupon Mom from a coupon man!

Where do you live and what stores do you frequent?

[luckyday]

Another option is doing a "dry run" where you don't purchase. This is usually done a day or so before going shopping. This could help with being overwhelmed on the day of.

[cherysco]

I'm with you. I was excited to get started after all the tutorials, made my lists, and pulled my coupons. I didn't have some of the coupons referenced but I'm not in a big city so I expected to have less than a major city would get. The list for my local store was useless...NONE of the items listed on the site were valid. I would love some help!

[jameson]

Savingforretirement,

Keep it simple, as you are figuring out how you are going to get your coupons, start with a store, and choose a section to focus on. I know my store prices and what is a good price for most items, so when I got big into coupons, I kept shopping as usual, but focused on getting the killer deals from Walgreens. Once I mastered Walgreens, I moved onto CVS. I have the H & B products down, but have to do some work on figuring out cleaning product prices and when things are on killer sales. It takes time. What I have done with H & B products and plan to do with cleaning products, is when they are killer deals, like free or pennies on the dollar, I try and buy about a years worth, depending on how much room I need to store the stuff. I make notes on what I paid, and when and where I purchased it. Then I move on to another item, as I aquire stuff, I don't have to think about that item for a long while and I can focus on other items. One by one, I am creating a stock pile for next to nothing and learning what the best prices are to watch for the next great sale. Hope some of this helps. Feel free to pm me if you need more info.

Thanks for sharing. I think getting started would be the most difficult part as it would take some time familiarizing ourselves with the prices on our local stores. I guess it will be a breeze once we understand how the process works.