In our first Get Clippin’ post we learned about 4 sources for acquiring coupons.  Today we are going to discuss an additional coupon source – friends and family.  Whether we are perusing the Sunday circular or flipping through magazines and newspapers, none of us have a need for all the coupons that we come across.  So why not share the ones that you are not using?

How to share coupons with others

• Closest friends and family:  My mom and I swap coupons on a regular basis.  Since I know what foods she buys, I clip coupons for her as I am clipping my own.  I just put hers in another pile and give them to her when I see her.

• Coupon Get-Togethers:  Coupon exchanging is a nice way to spend an hour or so with some friends once every week or two.  A pot of coffee or tea with a little something to nibble on, a pile of coupons and good friendship, lets you catch up with your pals while you stock up on coupons.

• Coupon Circle:  For those who can’t coordinate their schedules with their friends’ schedules, a coupon exchange is not out of the question.  In this case you will have to pass your extra coupons off to those in your circle.  This means that you will have to choose a coupon circle that includes people that you see on a regular basis – coworkers, family members, parents picking kids up from school, etc.  When I belonged to a coupon circle, we wrote the names of the members on each circular or envelope that was passed around.  As each member finished clipping what they wanted, they crossed their name off the list and passed it on to another.  The coupons just keep going round and round until every name is crossed off the list.

• Coupon Combo:  There is no reason why you can’t take advantage of all the above coupon-sharing ideas!

Coupon clipping is a team sport!  Gather your team members, get clippin’ and pinch those pennies!!

Today begins a new series – Get Clippin’.  It’s difficult to keep talking about pinching pennies without involving a discussion about coupons.  We will leave the dumpster-diving and marathon-shopping tips to the extreme couponers.  This series will focus on reasonable tips that all of us can use to our benefit.

Let’s start with where to get coupons.

Sunday Newspapers

Most have an insert with manufacturer’s coupons.  If you are not a regular Sunday paper reader, you probably will find that the cost of the paper is worth what you will clip in coupons.

Online

• There are plenty of coupon sites that allow you to download coupons for free.  Before you go crazy downloading 10 copies of each coupon, keep in mind that most stores limit (or even forbid) the use of coupons printed from the internet.

• Many stores make available website-only coupons on their site.  Some can be printed while others are downloaded to a store loyalty card.

• Sign up to receive emails from your favorite store.  These emails often include coupons reserved for registered customers.

Store Receipts

Many retailers print coupons on your receipt or along with your receipt (obviously, to get you back in the store).

Contact Manufacturers

Using the contact form on their website, ask manufacturers to send you coupons for your favorite products.