If you watched my ridiculous Coupon Lingo video earlier this week and are new to couponing, you may find yourself thinking, “This couponing thing is really hard.”
Listen to me when I tell you this, friends:
Couponing does not have to be difficult. I promise.
In fact, in this season of my life with three young boys, I have developed a system for my couponing that is so easy, it literally takes me about 20 minutes per week.
If you are in a busy season of life or feel overwhelmed by couponing, I want to share my system with you so that you have the tools you need to get the most bang for you buck.
Recently, you saw how I got $56 worth of items for $3.61, $57 worth of items for $3.99 and this $0.33 shopping trip at CVS. Those really are typical CVS shopping trips for me – and can easily be for you too. And since I save about $30 – $50 per week, that equals about $2000 or more per year that I am saving with my 20 minute per week system.
So here is my Tried-and-True 3-step 20 Minute Couponing System:
1. I use the No-Clip Couponing Method.
I don’t clip coupons. Are you shocked?
When I first started couponing, I would spend an hour or so each week clipping and sorting coupons. It was fun for a while…until it wasn’t. When I discovered the No-Clip Coupon Method, I was sold and never looked back. I can’t even calculate the number of hours I’ve saved through the years because of this.
Have I missed some deals while in the store because I didn’t have all my coupons? Sure. But I’ve made the choice to use my time to save money in other ways, so I’m quite sure it all comes out in the wash.
2. I only coupon at one store.
My store of choice for couponing is CVS since I find it is the easiest store for me to regularly save 80% or more. On occasion, I will use a few coupons at the grocery store, but for the most part I shop at ALDI – where they don’t even accept coupons!
In the early days, it was easy for me to spend hours planning and carrying out my shopping trips. Time is a very precious commodity to me now and so I’ve cut back. In fact, after my third son was born, I went months and months without couponing. But now I’m enjoying the savings that CVS brings me – and a trip to CVS is often just what we need to break out of the house now and then!
3. I use my CVS Store Deals Custom Shopping List. (Now found on the Favado app.)
Since the sales are already matched the coupons available, this simplifies making a shopping list SO much. Here’s how I use it:
- I check out the best weekly CVS Deals.
- I select only the top 3-5 deals or so. My goal is always to get the most ECB’s for the smallest amount of money, so this means only taking advantage of the very best deals each week.
- I email that list to myself and print/clip the coupons that I will need.
Typically this whole process only takes me about 20 minutes. Occasionally it takes a bit more if I have to clip more coupons, but last week it only took me about 10 minutes!
I also make a point to clip any coupons for upcoming deals that I post throughout the week so I am prepared when the time comes – yes, I follow my own blog!
And there you have it, friends. My 20 Minute Couponing System. It works for me and it can work for you too!
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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and feel free to ask any questions! That’s why I’m here! 🙂
I’m definitely a beginner and I was looking through online coupons and noticed that several say “Redeemable at Walmart” so does that mean it is only redeemable at walmart or simply stating that walmart will accept it? Sorry if this is a dumb question!
Not a dumb question at all, Courtney! If the coupon stated “Redeemable only at Walmart”, it would be considered a Walmart coupon only. However, since the word “only” is missing, it should be accepted by other retailers. It’s just a form of advertising that Walmart pays for. That being said, sometimes cashiers are unfamiliar with this and might give you a hard time – and occasionally stores simply refuse to accept these coupons. It’s up to you if you want to push back on that by letting them know what I said previously – depends on whether it’s worth the conflict to you or not. 🙂 Either way – it’s worth a try since it is considered a manufacturer’s coupon!
How many papers do you buy for the coupons? Or do you have another source (outside of printing)? I used to do couponing (I wasn’t super great at it, but I did like it when I got a great deal.) the time suck was what finally did me in and the problem of not having enough coupons to make the deal work.
Right now, I buy 2 papers, Cheryl. The nice thing about this 20 Minute System is that since I usually only take advantage of the top 3 -5 deals, I don’t need as many coupons I’ve bought in the past.
In the past, I’ve been a part of Facebook groups that share coupons. That’s another option if you’d rather not buy more than one paper. You could check to see if there is anything like that in your area.
Walmart Price Matching-For those that don’t know, or have forgotten. Seems to vary by area or state. My mom in MO. has to show the actual ad. I just pull the ads up online, jot them down on my list. Walmart will match the price in current sale ads. I’m in a very small town. We have a Walmart Neighborhood Market(mainly groceries) and Dollar General. DG has some decent sales and some of their regular prices are cheaper than Walmart lately. Walmart was great when they first came in, but once the ran our IGA Grocery out of business their prices started jumping. DG is downright stingy when it comes to coupons though. On Saturdays you can get a coupon for $5 off when you spend $25(or $30 sometimes). If you have manufactures coupon that’s taken off before you qualify with the $25 purchase. Then they take off the $5, even though we are talking about 2 entirely separate types of coupons, manufacturer’s and store. If you return something without a receipt it’s not taken off your total at the end-but off your $25 at the start so that you have to spend even more. I wish I’d known that beforehand. I thought it couldn’t be right but looked up their policy when I got home and found it. Unbelieveable! Sorry I know I’m jumping around lol. About the only area prices worth matching is Aldi’s, mainly their produce prices. I’ve been able to afford fruit! I think I’m eating better more so than saving. 5lb. for Red potatoes for .99 vs. 3.77. Grapes for .99 lb. vs. 2.98lb. For a good special I go on Friday before the kids are visiting on the weekend, then again on Tuesday, the last day of the sale if it’s a good one. I even had a lady follow me to my car to see how I did that. That days I’d bought avacados for .29 each. Beyond that, Adli’s has mostly their own brands, Walmart has Great Value so there isn’t too much else to match. Maybe because it’s a small, but still somewhat new store, they close out brands fairly often. Just yesterday I was reaching for my usual fund size 6 pk. and sign said Nestle Crunch .50 instead of $1. Red tags! Scattered around, wonderful candy, mostly chocolate , 1/2 price. And with ice and snow on the way, all alone, with pounds of candy. This wound me up more. Finishing up I noticed a lady set a cheap bottle of laundry soap back, and reach for a name brand. Cleaning out liquid laundry soap too! Only got 2, regret not grabbing more but then just me, a bottle could last 6 months. I love to buy for everyone when deals are good, but some need special brands, unscented, etc. so decided to make a couple calls at home and let them get what they wanted. My cart was full already anyway. Walmart has designated clearance areas, but watch those shelves too, and always check red tags. One other day in the midst of the Glad aerosols, a single red tag. Just the White Tea & Lily, half price, smells nice.
I like CVS but our local store is always out of the weekly deals. Doesn’t matter if you go on Sunday or Friday. You go all the way there and they don’t have what you need. I stopped trying. I’ll have to try it again. Love your tips.
i am new to couponing appreciate all info that can help us save $$ . I have enjoyed some of the info here and comments
Thanks a million
I just saved $30 ($3 or $4 off each bottle) on 8 containers of tide. No I don’t need 8 right now but I shouldn’t have to buy it for the rest of the year!!! I just reordered my cards cuz I haven’t been getting my coupons from the machine when I walk in.
I don’t have CVS where I live, but I’ve had some luck with Walgreens. My grocery store does online coupons… but doubles paper coupons. So it makes clipping worthwhile.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions for other stores? We don’t have CVS where I live (or anywhere near for that matter!) I would greatly appreciate it. I have struggled so much with cocooning taking up so much time!!
Thank you in advance:-)
Brittany
I coupon mostly at the grocery store (PriceChopper) and BJs. But I do agree with shopping at Aldis. I shop there every other week for basics that we use on a regular basis, and have been saving a lot of money. 🙂 whe I started couponing I was running all offer town trying to get the best deals but it took so much time to plan out the trips and time.
Ooops! I meant 06/14. Sorry.
Thanks, Kat! I just took advantage of that offer today. It’s a good one! 🙂
Kaley, I just wanted to drop a note here for everyone who does use CVS as one of their go-to stores to maximize savings. This weeks flyer includes some sale items marked with a gas pump symbol. Buy $30 worth of these items, any combo, and get a $10 GAS CARD. And you can still use coupons as usual on your sale items. Cool, eh? Thru Saturday, 05/14.
I’m a new couponer and narrowed my store selection to Walgreens and Family Dollar. I tried CVS and was dissapointed by prices. A item was suppose to be on sale plus I had a manufacture coupon and it still cost me as much as the normal price at another store. Also, sunscreen was on sale and I had a coupon but I could only purchase the spf 50 when what I really wanted was 30. And for no clipping….How on earth does that work? I didn’t find this article very explanatory for newbies.
Sorry for the confusion, Bev! I can see why that doesn’t sound right.:) Actually, if you click through the link in the post for the No-Clip Coupon Method, it explains all the details of what I mean. Or you can just click here.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I agree…CVS is more expensive even with the coupons & the sizes are much smaller…esp. if you have a BOGO coupon you can get a much larger size shampoo/conditioner at Target and pay less for the exact same Brand Names, such as Herbal Essences recent shampoo/conditioner BOGO coupons.
Hi, I found your post on pinterest. I am one of those crazy couponers and unfortunately have to use 2 stores. I use stop and shop for my gas points, using coupons to get the most gas points but the rest of their deals aren’t that good. I have gotten $2.20 off a gallon of gas for over a year now! I go to shoprite for all my food. I have such a huge stockpile that some weeks I don’t even need to buy anything except perishables. I do occasionally hit other stores if it’s something I need at a great price. I also do not clip coupons anymore. I mean ever. I purchase through a clipping service who clips for me and only get what I need for that week! Super easy! Heck with the binder method….ugh! ☺
What is a coupon clipper website? Please share this info!!
A coupon clipping service sells coupons that are already clipped. You just search for the coupon you need and order how many you want. I use The Coupon Clippers.
Hello!!!!! I am barley starting and I am a college student on my own and let me tell you I have gone months without eating a proper meal or having items I need at home and I want to get into couponing so that I may save money and have a decent grocery list without worrying what I can only get with 20 dollars. Please help me I am still a bit confused..
Just a simple way to start. you can go online to several coupon sights and clip the coupons you know you will use and print locally to you. Get a Krogers card or CVS card what ever you have near you. The cards are important because without them you may not get the sale price items. Comparison shop!! take mental notes on what ever store you go to. eggs 1.18 here 1.58 there (regular prices). Where I live the main store is very expensive it’s worth to buy only sale items and go elsewhere Aldi’s is best Save a lot etc. CVS does have a lot of great deals BUT they are on quantities I can’t always swing. 20.00 worth of deodorant.. etc But if you have a prescription you regularly fill you can get 5.00 CVS bucks for every 8 or 10 forget at this second. That can then be spend on example Milk. you get 1.00 back on your milk purchase usually if not on sale.. you keep adding back. Hope this is not to wordy and helps.
I mainly use Food Lion where I live and then for some things I use Sam’s Club and buy in bulk. With stored like Food Lion you can save more time by asking an associate for sales flyer a week early. When one sale starts they get the flyer for the week after at that time. It makes it easy to see sales for two weeks at a time. I like planning ahead to make sure I’m getting the best deal.
I didn’t know that FL would do that! Thanks for the info! I shop the same places that you do. Unfortunately, there is only one CVS here and everything on special is gone on Sunday!
I also have just narrowed my coupon shopping to CVS. I just started couponing, but I am saving money already. I have a few CVS’s where I live,one I go to always seems to be out of things, so I am going to give the other a try and they are about the same milage in distance just in opposite directions of each other. I do my grocery shopping at Kroger and find many good deals there and I only grocery shop at Publix when it is BOGO, I can save almost $100 there when they are having BOGO. Each of these CVS, Kroger and PUblix are all in the same shopping area for me so I am not spending money on gas to find good deals. At Kroger I get my gas when I am all done shopping because I can save 3 cents everyday and when I get enough points I save up 20 cents on every gallon of gas I get. Now if I could just narrow my shopping time down to one day I will feel better and get my coupons a little more organized than what I have them now. Thanks for tips this was very helpful.
Kaley,
Great tips! I use CVS too and I love their coupon/extra buck system. It saves me enough money that I can shop nearby rather than driving all the way to Walmart. Which I don’t want to patronize anyway.
I don’t now about the coupons we send to our cards, but I know that they will also take coupons after their experiration date. The store coupons, not manufacturer coupons.
I don’t have a CVS anywhere near where I live. Can this still work for me? Our stores include Walgreens, Walmart, Kmart, shopko and albertsons…
If you just choose to coupon at one store and use the no-clip method, I don’t see why this couldn’t work for you, Kelly. I’d recommend trying Walgreens since drugstore shopping is the easiest way to get the most bang for your buck with coupons. You can find out about how to start shopping at Walgreens here: https://chachingonashoestring.com/the-drug-store-game/walgreens-101/
Hope that helps!
I use to go all over the place – Wags, Rite Aid, CVS, etc … then I just found that CVS was the easiest and most coupon-friendly store. I hate the rules/restrictions Wags & RA put on coupons (i.e. limiting the # of coupons you’re allowed to use & waiting until the next day to use +up rewards), so I just stopped shopping there. Extrabucks also have a long expiration date, so even if I don’t have a deal in mind the next week, I don’t have to spend the rewards just to spend them and can save them. Love CVS 🙂
I just found out that EB never actually expire! They will still take them.
Mine does that too, Erin! I was wondering if other stores had the same policy.
Walgreen’s does not have the same policy. Unfortunately, their rewards only last for about a week or two and if you don’t use them in time, you lose out. One time I missed out on using up $11 worth of rewards dollars because I was so busy with work and kids. I was quite frustrated. When I asked the cashier if they could still take them even though they were expired, she said no. Money thrown down the drain.
I had an ECB that had expired and my CVS took it but was told that they only take them if they are just a few days past the date.
THis policy is starting to change and will differ store to store. I have 2 within a 5 mile radius and one takes them and one does not. They use to take them within a week, now it’s just a day or two. Check before you make an assumption.
Completely agree with you on only couponing at one store! I’m lucky to have an independent website that posts deals on my local grocery, and I do save a lot of money there. But I do not — and WILL NOT – make myself crazy. I don’t have that kind of time 🙂