I used to think that dumpster-diving was the most extreme version of finding coupons. That is, until I saw an episode of the TV show where the couponer did drive-bys of foreclosed homes, and helped herself to the foreclosed newspapers. That definitely raised the bar in my mind. O_O
Returning to the real world of finding coupons, by far the largest weekly variety of manufacturer coupons are found within Coupon Inserts in Sunday newspapers. Check http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/2011-sunday-coupon-insert-schedule/ to get an idea of which weekly inserts (SmartSource, Redplum, P&G) are scheduled. After Sunday, you may still be able to find leftover newspapers at Walmart, Raley’s, Scolaris, at the newspaper’s office, or with neighbors and friends. (Or maybe on the driveways of vacationing neighbors.) That last idea is tongue-in-cheek. Although… if they’re not using it … ;-) j/k…
But on a more realistic note, another source of coupon inserts come from internet-based coupon clipping services (from single coupons to entire inserts) and eBay. I’ve used the service http://couponsyouneed.blogspot.com/. (There are many others, but I prefer to try before mentioning something.) I think this must be one of the ways the people on Extreme Couponing get some of their 80 coupons for Yakisoba and 100 coupons for diapers. I certainly can’t see myself using my scissors 320 times (cutting 4 sides of 80 coupons) for Yakisoba, although it might make sense for those who’ve found the holy grail of Yakisoba coupons…
Outside of the Sunday newspaper, a few other sources for manufacturer coupons include:
Magazines. All You is a popular monthly coupon-oriented magazine. From time-to-time, other magazines carry a large number of coupons as well. Check store-specific magazines, and look in USA Weekend or Parade (included in many Sunday newspapers). In one USA Weekend there were two or three coupons for medicines I’ve never heard of; in another issue there was a coupon for a free raspberry lemonade at McDonalds; on many weekends, there are no coupons, but I still like reading about the celebrity birthdays, and solving the sudoku puzzle.
Coupon Booklets. Keep your eyes open for these! In March I picked up a Frozen Foods Month coupon booklet which contained a large number of frozen foods coupons. Last week, I used a coupon from that booklet for ice cream, which gave me gas. (A CVS gas card that is, not the other kind of gas, lol.)
In and on product packages. Look for hangtags (around bottle necks) and peelies. I recently bought a package of Charmin toilet paper, which included an additional $25 worth of P&G coupons inside. When I got home, I opened that package right away so I could look at all of those shiny new coupons for my collection.
Tear-pads. These are usually found near corresponding products on grocery and drug stores shelves. Hopefully, a tear-pad-clearer (like shelf clearers) didn’t get there before you, stealing the entire pad and leaving just the cardboard backing. :(
Blinkies. These are the type of coupons that are dispensed from a box with a blinking light. And again – hopefully a Blinkie-clearer hasn’t already visited the Blinky box.
In-store demonstrations. I’ve seen product demonstrations in Costco and Walmart. A demonstrator gives out samples of food/drink/personal care products and often has coupons to offer. If you change your clothes or hair and look different, they might not recognize you when you pay them a return visit, and you might be able to get seconds. ;-)
Direct from the Manufacturer: Write to them or send them an email letting them know what you like, what you don’t like, and/or where you like to purchase their product. Some companies will respond with coupon offers or product samples. If you receive a sample, look for a bundled coupon. Like their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter. Use mail-in rebates. I recently bought a Freschetta Pizza which had a ‘Try Me Free’ mail-in rebate printed on the inside of the package. Actually, this is the closest I’ve been to dumpster-diving – I saw that my daughter ate the pizza and threw away the package – so I fished the package out of the kitchen garbage can. If it had already been dumped into the outside garbage bin, I don’t know if I would have fished it out … I’m only a part-time extremist.
Coupon Groups. With rising interest in couponing, more local and wide-spread community coupon-oriented groups have been organized. Some of these groups have developed ways to share coupons, including coupon swaps, coupon trains, and coupon wishlists.
Internet Sources
Internet Printables. Among the largest printable coupon websites are coupons.com, redplum.com, smartsource.com, and couponnetwork.com (requires registration). Different zip codes may show you different coupons. (Think ‘Beverly Hills 90210’.) These websites require a coupon printer add-on to be installed on your PC. Sometimes the installation doesn’t work. If this happens to you, you might try what I did: retry the installation about 10 times, get mad, then find yourself another pc. Hopefully that other PC has a printer…
Just a cautionary note: be wary of coupon sites that appear to have coupons with higher-than-normal dollar values, or coupons that haven’t appeared elsewhere - some of these sites are set up by scammers or are carrying counterfeit coupons (see http://www.couponinformationcenter.com/ ).
Coupon Databases: hotcouponworld.com, slickdeals.com, fatwallet.com, retailmenot.com, couponsherpa.com, and many others. (I had to look up what a sherpa is.)
Subscribe to online services which assign virtual coupons to your store accounts:
SavingStar, Cellfire
Coupon matchup blogs and websites often post coupon links:
Here are just a few:
Target: http://www.totallytarget.com/
Walmart: http://www.survivingthestores.com/category/coupon-match-ups/grocery-store-coupon-matchups/walmart
Raley’s: http://www.couponcoach.org/
Several store match-ups, see side pane for categories: http://www.thecentsiblesisters.com/
Coupon matchup subscription services include SavingsAngel and TheGroceryGame.
Newsfeeds from coupon bloggers, coupon websites or discussion forums often include links to printable coupons:
Some of the people featured on TLC’s ‘Extreme Couponing’ TV show have their own blogs:
Chrystie: http://www.ilovetogossip.com/
Sunday Store Circulars often contain coupons specific to their store (i.e. Target, Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, Michaels, Safeway, CVS, and many others).
Wednesday Store Circulars (mostly grocery stores, including Raley’s, Safeway, SaveMart, Scolaris, Smiths, Winco, Sak’n Save, and others) frequently contain store-specific coupons.
Walgreens publishes a free monthly savings book. The June issue has over $295 in Walgreen’s coupons that you can stack with Manufacturer’s coupons.
Catalina coupons are sometimes printed with your register receipt. Often, these are store-specific. Experienced couponers call these coupons, ‘cats’. When I’ve called them cats, I’ve gotten weird looks. But then again, walking around the store with a binder of coupons may bring you some pretty strange looks too. Don’t let this deter you from your MISSION - its just a rite of passage for Extreme Couponers.
CVS has a scanner/coupon printer. It’s like a slot machine: but instead of pulling a handle, you scan your CVS ExtraCare card, and sometimes you get a coupon that you can match up with a manufacturer’s coupon you have in your inventory. Jackpot! (I guess I worked in a casino too long.)
Store websites: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Raley’s, Scolaris, Smiths, Sak N Save, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, etc. have their own websites and often have online coupon offers. Sometimes I forget that I’m looking for coupons and I start looking at different products. Take it from me, this will slow you down.
Groupon and SocialLiving are deal-of-the-day websites, offering discounted deals at local businesses. My suggestion on using a groupon at a service establishment (restaurant, hair salon, etc): if the service is tip-worthy, tip on the full amount. It’s just good manners.
Other Coupon Sources
Mobile coupons. Some companies send coupon codes via text message to your cellphone or other web-enabled mobile device (including apps for Android, iPhone, iPad):
Redbox
In addition, Web-enabled cellphones can receive electronic coupons that can be scanned at a store’s register:
Target
Just remember to give them the right phone number!
Check-ins. Deals are offered to Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare users by ‘checking in’ at various locations via a mobile browser.
Entertainment Book. This book is sold in fundraiser activities as well as available at some stores (Walgreens) and on the internet. The book typically contains coupons for discounts or dollars off of services and products at local businesses.
In the mail: A weekly ‘Neighorhood Deals’ newspaper usually includes 2-4 pages of coupons for local businesses. Advertisements from Harbor Freight, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ulta, and many others frequently show up in my mailbox. On Wednesdays I also receive the occasional Redplum, which includes mostly local business ads with coupons (during the past week these included Papa Murphy, Tires Plus, Round Table Pizza, KFC, El Pollo Loco, Lowes).
Occasionally, a Valpak envelope arrives, stuffed with local business coupons. There is also a clear pastic bag of coupons that lands on my driveway from time to time. These contain coupons for discounts at local businesses.
Other sources you may not have thought of:
The backs of cash register tapes / receipts. (You may need a magnifying glass to read these, the font can be small and easy to miss.)
Calendars
Phone books
Event tickets
Door tags are individually placed on home doorknobs. I recently received door tags for landscaping service and Kohl’s.
Doctor/dentist offices (coupons for medicines, toothbrushes, toothpastes, floss)
Work/office. Some vendors and suppliers leave coupons for employees. Sometimes a company offers employees coupons and discounts at places like Six Flags.
Coffee shops / airports / hospitals / hotels, libraries and other public places may have leftovers from travelers and visitors.
Your Birthday! Some restaurants offer a freebie for your special day. I suggest you try this only once per year.
Special Holiday! Some restaurants offer a freebie for special occasions. As an example, TCBY offered mothers a free scoop for Mother’s Day.
Business Grand Openings. Sometimes they even have free food! :-D
And for the Gold Medalists of Extreme Couponers: dumpster diving, recycling bins, foreclosed properties. And maybe for the really really open-minded Extreme Couponers: linings of bird cages and cat boxes. Lol, just kidding.
Thanks to Dean, Rachel, Gia, Rebecca, Lynne, Liz, for sources.
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