I've had an overwhelming number of FreckleTown members asking questions about couponing... how to get started, what do all the abbreviations mean, where to get coupons, how to organize the coupons.

Couponing can be overwhelming but with planning and organization you can be a "Coupon Queen" or "Coupon King" in no time.

Here are some answers to a few of your questions:

Where do you get coupons?

• Sunday's Houston Chronicle- purchase it at the .99 Store (Saturday will have the Early Edition) Go before noon because they often sell out.
• Internet Printables- FreckleTown has grocery coupons. Sign up and then you can print 2 of each as needed (changes monthly)
• Join FaceBook Fan Pages of favorite products or write your favorite company- many companies will give you coupons when you send them kudos
• Trade with friends or become a trader on HotCouponWorld
• HotCouponWorld.com- database of coupons and often there are links to internet printables. A GREAT resource!

How to Organize Your Coupons:

Buy The Couponizer. The Smart Way to Organize Savings It's perfect for organizing all your coupons, shopping lists, member cards (like a Kroger card), and has small scissors. After using many different methods, this is definitely the way to go.

Abbreviations:
OOP- Out of Pocket (final price)
IP- Internet Printable
CAT- coupon printed from the cash register at check out
Tear Pad- coupons found near a product that you can tear off
Peelie- coupon on a product that you peel off
Blinkie- Small machine (normally has a red blinking light) that holds coupons
Insert- coupons found in the newspaper
SS- Smart Source Coupons found in the newspaper
RP- Red Plum coupons found in the newspaper and they have printables as well
P&G- Proctor and Gamble coupons found in the newspaper
BOGO- Buy One Get One Free
MIR- Mail in Rebate
WT- Wine Tag- coupons found on wine bottles (you don't have to buy the wine)
Match-Ups- a list of items on sale and the coupons that go with it
Loadables- coupons that can be loaded onto your Kroger, Randalls or CVS card.
Believe it or not, that's not all. Get a complete list here or here.

How to Get Started:

• Begin by buying the Houston Chronicle at the .99 Store. Buy multiple papers... four is a good number. They recently began a limit of one per customer so take some "helpers" with you.
• Sign up on TaylorTownPreview to see upcoming coupons. If there are some you need, you can buy more papers
• Look at match-ups on HotCouponWorld. The site is free and has lists for almost any store you can think of.
• Use your Couponizer to organize the coupons you want to take with you (it will save you time at the store)
• Don't get discouraged! If your shopping trip does not go as planned, hang in there. It WILL get better!
• Have fun! Walking out of the store having saved up to 75% can be quite invigorating.

Resources:
HotCouponWorld, KatyCouponers and Jane4Girls

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written by Brandi , March 19, 2011

I have something to add (I am a huge couponer!) When we moved here, I got the houston chronical delivered to my door on sundays for .50! Any extra papers are .99. Just FYI

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