Beginners Luck!

If you are a newbie, I highly reccomend the site, Couponing 101. It's thorough, it's easy. It's great. I have done a few posts on this stuff, but their site is just the best, so I give them full credit, props and kudos. (Let's all raise the roof)

Here are a few of their helpful links that you will not be able to live without!
Coupon Basics: What every new coupon shopper needs to know.
A Beginners Guide To Couponing
Did you know that "we coupon ladies" have our own language?

So, once you have read all of their awesome stuff, here's what you do:

1. Order the Sunday paper at a discounted rate and print off your internet coupons. Don't know what I am talking about? Go re-read this!

2. Organize Your Coupons
There are a few different ways to do this. For my tutorial, go HERE but basically, you can date in file folders or cut them out and keep them in baseball card holders in a binder in categories. Wonder if you are supposed to have a coupon for something specific? Go HERE for a continuously updated list of coupons.

3. Know the "Shopping Tricks"
Basically, just because you have a coupon for something, that doesn't mean you have to use it. Just because something is shown in an ad, that doesn't mean that it is really a good deal. Stock up on items you use when they are a good price. The more you coupon shop, the more familiar you will become with what is and isn't a good "goal price" for certain items.

Take advantage of double coupons and store promos. (Bashas, Safeway, and Frys all double)

Albertson's does NOT double coupons but they accept other store's coupons and you don't need a store card to get their VIP prices.

Stack store coupons with manufacturer coupons.

Price match at Wal-Mart for one-stop shopping if your coupon does not need to be doubled (say it is already for $1.00 off)

Remember, Wal-Mart does not double coupons or match "special" or "promo" sales and they also do not let you redeem buy one get one coupons, either. (At least my Wal-Mart won't)

Don't be brand loyal (but you can still usually get name brand for cheaper than generic brands!)

Clear as mud?!