5 Easy Ways to Find Coupons

Everyone is looking to save a buck these days, and one of the easiest ways I know is to use coupons.  Forget the coupon mavens that walk out of a shopping trip with $389.52 worth of groceries for under $10.  I’ve been there and done that, but those trips are the exception and not the usual.

Most of us don’t have time to spend hours organizing our shopping with the precision of a military operation.  We need easy coupons that are quick to find for what we use.  I do get free items all the time, and if we spend over $20 on a shopping trip it’s been a big one.  Here’s the quickest and easiest ways I find to regularly get my coupon savings.

eBay: It’s illegal to sell coupons, but did you know you can pay someone for their time in finding and clipping them for you?  I purchase coupons this way off eBay all the time, and have for years.  I usually only do it for a product that I use plenty of, like 8 O’Clock Coffee.  Typically you can get ten or more high value coupons for around a dollar.  Shipping is often free since they can be sent so cheaply.

This is a good way to stock up.  I have a bid going right now for 10 one dollar off coupons for my favorite coffee.  The bid is at .99, and the seller is asking .89 for shipping and handling.  For less than $2 I’ll have $8 in savings on a product I use all the time that keeps well for months.  Easy savings.

Savings Blogs: I’ll be the first to admit that I am a lazy tightwad.  I don’t have the time or the inclination to do intricate coupon deals planning.  I rely on other people to do it for me.  My favorite site, which I have followed for years, is MoneySavingMom.com.  I try to pop onto her site at least once daily to see what good deals are up.

The owner, Crystal Paine, puts easily available coupons together with sales to get products for pennies on the dollar.  She also puts up super sales, freebies and online opportunities.  Recent deals I have gotten from reading MoneySavingMom:  A Schick pack of 4 razors and full size shaving gel for $1.36 and a check for $5 just for clicking two links.  Crystal is also who finally got me to sign up for Swagbucks where I am getting free Kindle books I wanted and Paypal cash.

Swagbucks Print on Demand: Speaking of Swagbucks, they are one of my favorite ways to get easy coupons lately.  They have print on demand coupons that pay you in Swag points when you redeem them.  I surf the coupon offerings, print what I want and use them next time I shop.  Besides the savings I receive 10 or so Swag Bucks whenever I do use one so I can cash in for giftcards and presents quickly.

Once a week or so I log in, surf and print.  There is almost always a coupon for $1 off any cheese, cereals, meats and DVDs.  The selection is enough that I have always found something I can use.  And with SwagBucks stacking up when they’re redeemed, I’m always inspired to print coupons I know my friends will use as well (helping us both!)

Coupon Codes: Whenever I am going to make a purchase from an online site I always do a quick search for coupon codes first.  These codes allow you extra savings and bonus items when you type them in at check out.  The most common coupon code is usually for free shipping, and nearly every online shop has codes swirling around in cyberspace.

Just go to Google (or your Swagbucks search bar to rack up more points ;p) and type in the online shop you are about to purchase from, and the words “coupon code”.  Doing this recently got us free 2 day shipping on the laptop we were already planning to purchase on Amazon.  In the past I have scored free Burt’s Bees lotions, free printer ink and free books… not to mention hundreds of dollars in shipping charges.

Ask Around: When I asked for Coke codes on my local Freecycle group recently, I had quite a few people send them to me via email.  I cash in Coke Reward codes to get coupons for free Powerades for Mr. Smith’s workouts.

I sent a brief email to our favorite brand of cereal and they sent me $5 worth of coupons plus put me on their mailing list for more.  My email stated that we use their cereal all the time, and did they offer coupons.  I have a neighbor that saves me her Sunday paper inserts when she found out I use the coupons from them (Thx Helen!).  As the old adage says, ask and you shall receive.  Often times someone you know is regularly pitching out the very thing you are looking for.

These are my five favorite ways to get my hands on high value coupons for a minimum of fuss.  Everyone I know seems to be short on time and dollars… using these strategies can help you save both.  An added plus: there is a definite thrill when you stop by Walmart with a stack of neatly clipped coupons and see all the savings racked up on your receipt.