Albertville's Super Shopper Offers Tips on Saving Big Bucks Through Coupons

Patch asked Emily Goldsberry for a few tips for those out there interested in getting started with couponing, these are her tips:

 1.  Find multiple circulars/papers.  For instance if you have a coupon for 75 cents off a box of HamburgerHelper, and then the store has a sale on hamburger helper for $1 per box - then you could take all your 75 cent coupons and purchase them before the sale is over.  So you'd only be spending a quarterper box. Now that's savings that I'd be stockpiling!  So if you only got one Sunday paper, you would only have one box of Hamburger Helper, and you have to purchase the rest at full price. Get another circular, or buy a paper.

2.  Organize!  You'll have a find a system that works for you.  I have a four-inch, three-ring binder with baseball card holders in them to organize my coupons.  But I know some people use envelopes, and other methods.  Just figure out something that works for you.

3.  Print out the Coupon Policy to your store.  Most companies have their coupon policy online, but if you can’t find them see a store manager next time you are in the store and see if you can get one emailed to you.  That way you can print it out and have it with you for your next shopping trip.  I keep my "Coupon Policies" in my binder in case I get a cashier or managers that do not fully understand their own coupon policy.  It's a great tool, and it's helped me in so many of my shopping trips.  If you ever need to use this policy and show the cashier or manager, be nice about it.  There is no reason to give attitude to someone that is trying to help you maximize the savings for you and your family.  A lot of times the cashiers have not been fully trained on their coupon policy or just are unaware, until you show them.   

4.  Print coupons online.  There are great web sites out there to print valid manufactures coupons. Including coupons.com, Redplum and Smartsoure.

There is typically a limit of two prints per computer.  You will have to download some software the first time you print, but it is safe and compatible with Macs & PCs.  All printable coupons from the Internet have a distinct barcode number, DO NOT COPY PRINTABLE COUPONS!  When your store goes to redeem that value from the manufacture they will reject it and say its fraud.  That's why some stores are very strict about their "coupon policy" and it gives a bad name to all of us that want to use coupons to save some money for our families.

5.  BE COURTEOUS!  Ever hear the expression "You get more bees with honey?"  Well it's true when you coupon!  You will have to give yourself a little extra time at the checkout, so you can maximize all your savings.  NEVER be rude to a cashier, they will not want to help you with the rest of your transaction and they may remember you in the future.  Even when I get the "not so nice" cashiers, I always like to make small talk to let them know I'm interested in how their day is going - that alone will get about 99% of them talking and making you stand out as a nice person.  Also let your cashier know while they are ringing your items that you have a lot of coupons for today's transaction. 

Make sure you also let people know that are lining up behind you that you have a lot of coupons to scan, sometimes they will go to another lane.