Where Do You Get Coupons From?

Now that we've covered Couponing 101, talked about websites to visit for daily emails, and free samples, it's time to answer the question, "Where in the world do you get all your coupons?"

Well...many places actually. The first and most obvious is the Sunday paper - which is the best resource. However, there are many other avenues for gathering those babies, so let's get right to it!

First, you need to think outside the box! Here are 10 ideas to get you started:

1. Ask friends, relatives and co-workers for their extra coupon inserts
Start asking around and see if anyone you know already gets the Sunday paper and doesn’t use the coupons from it. You might be surprised at how many coupon inserts just get thrown out because people don’t want to mess with them.

2. Stop by Starbucks or McDonald’s on Sunday afternoons. Many people purchase Sunday papers and then leave them on the tables. Know someone who works at restaurants like these? Ask them to collect the inserts for you. In addition, some gas stations will also give you their extra unsold Sunday newspapers on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Remember my famous motto: You never know unless you ask!

3. Make friends with someone who delivers newspapers. Not all areas allow this, but some people who delivery Sunday newspapers are able to pass on any leftover newspapers and coupon inserts to other people. Or you might be able to find the recycling center they drop them off at and be able to obtain them there.

4. Trading coupons is a great way to get coupons you need in exchange for giving away coupons you don’t need. You can trade coupons with people in your own area or you can join coupon trading forums online and trade with people from all over the country. While it will cost you postage, it’s often better to trade online since different regions get different coupons. So trading with people from other states allows you to diversify your coupon portfolio.

Hot Coupon World has some very active coupon trading forums, if you’re interested in trying this out.

5. Join Coupon Trains - here’s a simple explanation of what a coupon train is from an article at Suite 101:

Before the internet, people wanting to save money with coupons would turn to joining or forming a coupon train. A train is maintained by one person who sends an envelope of coupons through postal mail. The package contains a mailing list, and as one person takes and adds coupons to the envelope, it is mailed to the next coupon train recipient on the mailing list.

Coupon trains allow individuals between cities, or even across states and provinces, to organize and share coupons. By establishing a group, the coupon train leverages each person’s coupon clipping power to share coupons with a larger audience. Read the full article.

Interested in joining a Coupon Train? Hot Coupon World has a very active forum with Coupon Trains you can participate in.

6. Check your local library - pretty much all libraries receive newspaper subscriptions. Often, they will allow you to have the coupon inserts from their Sunday papers...if you just ask.

7. Dumpster Dive! Dumpster diving for coupons doesn’t have to be as “ew!” as it sounds. Let me tell you, it really works! In fact, this is one of my biggest “secrets” for obtaining the majority of my coupons. As long as your neighbors don't mind, rummage through their recycling bin and grab those inserts!

8. Keep your eyes peeled at the store for tearpads or blinkies. If there are plenty of extras, snag multiple copies of these. Many times this very item will be on an exceptional sale just a few weeks later and you’ll be more than glad you picked up that handful of coupons!

9. Print coupons out online - if your store accepts printable coupons, this can be a great source of coupons which cost little more than your printer ink and paper. And oftentimes, the coupons available to print online are much higher than what you’ll find in the newspaper inserts.

10. Lastly, call and ask for coupons. What products do you regularly use and love but rarely can find good coupons for? Call or write to the manufacturer, tell them how much you like their product and politely request that they send you any coupons they have available. I have called many companies while I'm cooking, asking to be put on their mailing list or to receive a one-time coupon mailing. Just put them on speaker phone, and continue your kitchen progress! Usually only takes a few minutes and you’ll likely get some sort of coupons just for asking. In many cases, you’ll receive high-value coupons or even free product coupons!

Hope that helps - now, onward with your frugal coupon journey!