Coupon Clipping services....worth the cost?

Photo from flickr.com

Disclaimer: This is strictly my opinion (like 99% of the posts on this blog). My opinion on coupon clipping services is based on my experience and the availability of coupons in my region (South Mississippi). Please keep in mind this response may not be true for all areas of the country, so take my advice as just that...advice. 

This question has been asked by reader RevJen:

"What do you think about coupon clippers and other services like that? Don't you waste your savings paying the clipping? On the other hand, the paper costs as well. Thoughts?"

This is going to take a multilevel response. Starting with:

• Is the purchase of coupons from online services legal? After all, coupons state "Cannot be sold and intended for original consumer."

So does that mean you can't trade coupons with a friend? I don't think so. Does that mean it's illegal to buy coupons off ebay or from a clipping service? I think that's a gray area.


That gray area is the reason "coupon clipping services" were born. It's a "service" therefore you are paying the person clipping the coupons or collecting the inserts for their time, not the product. Is that legal? Well, like I said gray area. I personally feel that if you are only getting a few inserts or specific coupons then it's ok, but when you cross over that line and start buying hundreds of inserts/coupons each week from clipping services then there maybe a problem.

• Should you use coupon clipping services comes down two questions:

• Are you wanting to be an Hoarding Extreme Couponer(like TLC's Extreme Couponers)?
• Are you just wanting to save your family some money?I still call this an extreme couponer!

What's the difference? 

• Most Extreme Couponers (like on TLC's show) that amass stockpiles so large that it over takes their home and controls their every moment would say BUY, BUY, BUY as many coupons as you can! Coupon clipping services are great!
• Extreme Couponers who are just wanting to save their families money and stockpile just a few weeks (or months) worth of products would tell you, coupon clipping services can be beneficial but don't go crazy!

When I first started couponing I would buy my coupons from a service (about four sets of each insert for that given week) because at the time I felt like these coupons were better than what I was receiving locally. At the time it was a good thing, I was getting some really great coupons. Over time however, I realized that I could get just as good of coupons online through Facebook, company websites and coupon sites (like coupons.com, smartsource.com etc) and there was really no need for me to purchase my inserts. Plus, my style of extreme couponing is different than anywhere outside of the Mississippi state line. We don't have Randall's, Shaw's, Publix or many of these other stores that offer great deals and have awesome coupon policies (like doubling). We have Walmart, Winn Dixie and lots of mom & pop style grocery stores.

• Is it a waste of money?

I think if you go overboard and purchase LOTS of coupons from these services, then yes it can be a waste of money because shipping this paper is expensive!

• My advice and general rule of thumb:

Keep an eye on the inserts and watch the coupon insert previews on blogs like Hip2Save or Deal Seeking Mom. If you see a coupon coming out that would benefit your family and it's not likely you'll receive it in your local paper, use a clipping service to grab a few. Just ask yourself this before you hit that purchase button, "Is this a product my family can benefit from and can I get it cheap in my area using this coupon?"

Coupon Organization

As promised here is the way I organize my coupons, but first let's cover some Rules! Coming later this week: Coupon Lingo

The Rules!

1.       Only use the coupon for the intended item.

2.      Be careful of fakes! Awfully embarrassing to be called out in line at the store! Not to mention it’s illegal! Beware of PDF files, these are usually fake. There are a few exceptions, just check your source and make sure it’s legitimate.

3.      Don’t take ALL the coupons on the shelf! The general rule is 2-4 to save for later. However, if there is a coupon sitting there for a product you plan on buying right now take as many as you need! Same applies to peelies and blinkies.

4.      You will NOT receive money back on purchases if the total due is negative. If a cashier tries to hand you money, politely tell him/her that is not right. Accepting money back causes the cashier’s drawer to be messed up later.

5.      Always hit the “back” button and then “refresh” to print a coupon twice!

6.      Do NOT photocopy coupons! This is illegal!

7.      If someone posts a coupon on a blog or hands you a coupon and says this phrase “don’t use this at the store it’s from” or anything like it THROW IT AWAY! That is one of two things: a fake or meant for only one person.

8.      If you find a deal, share it! Tell me!!! :)

Now on to organization!

There are several methods of coupon organization

• Binder method- When I started this is the method I used. Each week I wrote the date on the top of each insert and filed them in date order in a 3 ring binder with tabs. Then pulled and cut as needed. I still use this to a degree for overflow.

Image from 1st-product.com

•  Accordian/Box method- This is the method I currently use. Accordian style file or photo box with labeled tabs in alphabetical order (I use that term loosely!) with envelopes for sub-categories in each section.
•  Baby
• Diapers/Wipes
• Food
• Medication
• Bags/Batteries/Office Supplies
• Batteries
• Bags(garbage and storage)
• Office Supplies
• Light bulbs
•  Water filter
• Baking
• Oil and Sugar
• Mixes
•  Bread/Produce
•  Bread
• Produce
•  Candy/Chips/Snacks
•  Candy
•  Chips
•  Fruit snacks and bowls
• Popcorn and nuts
•  Snack Mix (think Chex)
•  Canned
•   Soup
•  Coffee and creamers (includes refrigerated)
•  Tea/Juice/Coke
•  Other (peanut butter, jelly, etc.)
•  Vegetables
•  Cereal
• Pancakes/syrup
• Cereal
•  Granola/Cereal bars
•  Oatmeal/grits
•  Cleaners
•  Laundry
•  Kitchen/bathroom
•  Air freshners
•  Dairy
•  Cheese/yogurt /cold juice   
• Eggs/Milk/Butter
•  Frozen
•  Frozen Veggies
•  Frozen Pizza
•  Frozen Bread
•  Frozen Entrees
•  Frozen Snacks
•  Novelties (ice cream, etc.)
•  Hygiene
•  Shaving/lotion
•  Soap/deodorant
•  Medicine
•  Dental
• Make up/Feminine
•  Hair
•   Meat
•  Deli
• Prepackaged
•  Paper Products/Pets
•  Toilet paper/paper towels
• Cat
• Dog
•  Pasta/Rice/Seasonings
• Pasta/Rice
• Seasonings
•  Ethnic
•   At the very back I had Stuff (now it's in it's own small coupon organizer):
• Store specific coupons (Target, Walgreens, Publix, etc.)
•  Restaurant coupons
•  Miscellaneous (usually coupons I find and need to file)

·         Baseball card method- I’m not organized enough to do this method. Each coupon is clipped and then divided into sections and placed inside an individual pocket. My sister in law uses this method and loves it! (I need to mention she has no kids! lol Love ya Roxy!)

·         Professional services- Expensive and not worth it in my opinion.

New to couponing and don't know where to start!

Maybe you saw someone checking out at the store that saved a ton with coupons, you overheard someone talking about it or you saw those crazy people on "Extreme Couponing" on TLC and now you want to get in on the money saving action too. Well you've come to the right place! 


Here are just a few steps to get you started. For more in depth detail click on the How to Get Started tab at the top of the page or attend one of HOC's free classes(sign up here).


First things first:

1. You CANNOT be brand loyal. When using coupons and to maximize savings you have to be willing to buy different brands because they are at the best price.
2. Set a budget NOW! For the first month or two set your budget to what you normally spend. This will allow you to begin stockpiling. After you have built a small (1-2 month supply) of products you use regularly slowly start to cut your budget in $5-$10 increments. I would also suggest keeping this money in cash in an envelope system to help keep you accountable to stay within your budget.
3. Buy ONLY what you need FIRST! Alway, Always, Always buy what your family needs right now FIRST before you even think about stockpiling. Start by compiling a list of what you need now(items you've run out of or are running low on), make a menu using products you have on hand and stretch it as far as you can go.Once you have your list of needs and your menu planned look at the grocery store sale ads from your paper or online and find the best deals on anything you need to complete your menu and fill your needs list.
4. Stockpile AFTER your needs are fulfilled. After you have shopped for your needs take any money you have left over from your budget and stockpile on any products that are on sale at a good price. Only use what you have left from your budget! I would also suggest not spending every last penny of that budget money because it never fails that you've forgotten something that you need!
5. You're budget will not but cut in half immediately and you won't be getting $1,000's of dollars worth of products for pennies the first time you shop, so don't get discouraged.

Tune in tomorrow for how to get those coupons and how to organize them.