A few months ago I started watching the Extreme Couponing show hoping I would learn a few tips on saving money. When I saw how much these people were saving I was in awe, like "oh my goodness I have to try this." My mom usually gets the paper free from her job so I asked her to bring me the sales ad section. I decided to start off simple by using coupon for groceries here and there, just to see how much I would save. After a few failed attempts I finally got the hang of it, by learning each store's rules. Every store has different rules about coupons and ad matching, some lenient and some stricter than others. I've also realized that since Extreme Couponing's popularity has grown a lot of store updated their coupon policies, making it tough for consumers but there are always smart ways around it.


If you ever watched the show you would know that collecting coupons is time consuming and a very strategic task. You have to plan your shopping trip, give yourself a budget, check retailers prices, write a list, and keep things organized. It might seem like a lot to do but when you see how much money you're able to save it's worth the time. On Extreme Couponing shoppers sometimes end up paying nothing, getting money back, or they'll pay as little as $10 for a $500 purchase. Amazing right! I haven't been fortunate enough to end up with a negative balance but I have cut my cost down to about half price for products I love. On my last shopping trip I spent $60 on $115 worth of makeup.

In today's economy not every fashionista has the budget to splurge on looking fabulous. Me personally, I'm a beauty product and makeup junkie. I'm also very picky about my brands, I have my favorites that I like to use. Who doesn't want to look flawless and smell great, but those looking flawless and smelling great products can become pricey overtime. Just think about how saving on your favorite beauty products can leave more money for you to shop for other things!

Here are a few tips on getting started with coupons...

1. Get a news paper.

• The Sunday paper has all the weekly retail sales ads. You might spend 2-3 bucks depending on whether its a single or double paper.
• Collect papers from your neighbors or family members, ask specifically for the sales section cause not everyone uses it.
• Keep important ads, some retailers will price match lower cost items from competitor stores. Walmart is one store that is very good about matching competitor prices.
• Not only will you get coupons on certain products, sometimes major department stores will have coupons taking a percentage off your purchase or a item. Which is great for stores like Macys, Sephora, and Ulta.

2. Plan your shopping trip.

• Write a list, so when you go shopping you don't end up all over the place. It's good to have specific items that you know you're there to get, and it also saves time.
• Get organized. I like to keep all my coupons in a envelope labeled according to the type of product (eg. Makeup, Body, Hair, etc). So before I shop, I'll sort through each envelope and pick out what I need for my shopping trip to go along with my list.
• Certain items are only available at certain stores, also keep that in mind when you're planning your trip.

3. Do your research.

• Look online for deals. If the online price is cheaper than the in store price (including coupons) then the best bet is to go with the online price. But don't forget to check the shipping charges because that will take away from your savings. I always check for free shipping offers.
• Compare prices. Remember you're on a mission to save and not all stores will match prices, so the store with the lowest prices will give you the best use of your coupons.
• Read the fine print. Make sure that you read all the details on each coupon to avoid mistakes. Some coupons may offer a deal on a entire brand and others on a specific item from a brand. For department stores a few products may be excluded from the coupon. You don't want to think you're getting a deal on something and it's not what you want.
• Check the expiration dates.

4. Make it fun.

• The whole saving thing sounds great but it does take time and patience. Don't let it overwhelm you.
• If you have kids or live with younger siblings, ask them to help you cut out and organize coupons.
• Have a coupon party with your girlfriends, share deals with each other, and plan your shopping trips together.
• Keep the savings coming in. You can do so by signing up for the mailing list from your regular stores, to receive emails with deals and coupons.

Happy savings, enjoy!

Also lookout for our future post on couponing part 2 and building your perfect wardrobe on a budget.