Coupons 101

For starters you will need to buy the Sunday paper every week for the coupons. Pay attention though, because once in a blue moon there will be a Sunday with no coupon inserts, usually near a holiday.
The inserts in the paper are: Redplum, SmartSource, Proctor & Gamble, and more that I'm sure I'm forgetting at the moment. Some weeks you will get 2 of the above mentioned, total. Sometimes there may be 4 or 5 total!

For more freebies and deals, it's best to buy a few papers! I typically purchase 4 or 5 every Sunday. They are $1.75 ea, or sometimes on sale at Kroger or UDF for $1.

Clip and keep every coupon, even if it's something you wouldn't normally buy, or need. Sometimes you can get those items for free, or even get them with an 'overage' so you get 'paid' to buy it. (See "Walgreens 101" and "CVS 101" for more)

There will also be many printable coupons. For the first time or two that you try printing coupons, you will need to download a free program that allows you to do so. This is completely normal. For each printable coupon, you can usually only print it twice. Sometimes after a week or two the coupon will reset, and you may be able to print two more.

Almost all stores do take printable coupons. If they tell you otherwise, look up their coupon policy online. If they're wrong, you as a customer have the right to fight that. It's sad how some stores (cough Target cough) will try to lie to unsuspecting customers, knowing they CAN take certain coupons. So just watch what you are told.

Some stores like Meijer and Target have printabe coupons that can be used in their own store. These CAN be used with a manufacturers coupon as well (printed or from newspaper), for the SAME single item. So alot of times you can get that item free, or very cheap.

Now, some stores like Kroger and Meijer will also double coupons everyday.
For every coupon worth up to 50¢ it will be doubled. Every coupon from 51¢ to 99¢ will be taken up to $1. This will only work for 2 of the same exact coupons in one transaction. So if you have more, make sure to do a seperate order!!

If you have any coupons for say: $3 off a $40 order, make sure you give that to your cashier BEFORE the other coupons are taken off!

That's all I can think of right now, Ev is getting frustrated so I can't very well concentrate!
Let me know if you have any questions!