You’re just starting to use coupons and hear talk of collecting newspaper inserts and getting a subscription — but do you really need a newspaper subscription to coupon?
The short answer is no. You can find free printable coupons and digital coupons on the Internet. HOWEVER, if you want to build a stockpile and ensure you never miss a stellar deal, I’d highly recommend one. Here’s why:
1. Some of the BEST deals require newspaper coupons.
As you browse through Deals on Krazy Coupon Lady, you’ll see SS, RMN, and PG listed in the coupon scenarios. These stand for Smart Source (SS), RetailMeNot Everyday (RMN, formerly Red Plum), and Procter & Gamble (PG) — aka the coupon inserts found in the Sunday newspaper.
See the actual Walgreens deal HERE
The number (1/1 in the example above) following the coupon insert code is the date the insert was released in the Sunday paper. Instead of clipping individual coupons every week and sorting each in a binder, use the file box organization system to keep track of coupons. Then, just pull out inserts as needed based on the date posted in each deal. Super simple and beats lugging around a bulky binder, right?!
As you can see in the toothpaste deal above, you totally need newspaper coupons. In fact, you need three copies of the same Procter & Gamble coupon insert from January 1st to score three tubes of Crest toothpaste for free. Although three copies of the newspaper may cost you about $3 (if you buy from the dollar store), you’re saving so much more and can even make money — like in this moneymaker Crest deal at Walgreens.
2. Subscribe to or buy more than one copy of the newspaper to get multiples of each coupon.
Always try to stock up on a product when it’s at a rock-bottom price with coupons. That way, you’ll rarely have to pay full price for the things you need. But in order to do so, you’re gonna need at least two copies of the paper. When ordering a subscription, get one copy for each person in your family, or four copies total — whichever is less.
When setting up your subscription, ask if they offer a Sunday-only or weekend-only subscription to save money. Some papers will even offer a discount when ordering more than one copy, while other papers will sell a Saturday paper that has inserts, but for cheaper than the big Sunday publication.
3. Don’t want to pay for a subscription? You have options.
Okay, so dumpster diving for coupon inserts isn’t for everyone — BUT, you can save some serious cash by rescuing those precious coupons people throw in the recycling bin instead of buying a subscription.
Or, you can just buy the Sunday newspaper from a dollar store as mentioned in tip 1. You could also ask convenience store and gas station attendants if you can have their unsold newspaper inserts, talk to your neighbors who don’t coupon, or do any of these other 11 Ways to Get Free Sunday Newspaper Coupons.
Still hesitant about purchasing coupons you’re not sure you’re going to use? Check KCL on Saturdays. We’ll post a Sunday Coupon Preview every week so you can decide whether to invest in that week’s paper.
4. Use digital, printable, and newspaper coupons to save the most.
Digital coupons are free electronic store and manufacturer coupons that can be loaded to your loyalty card or store account. They’re easiest to access on store apps like those from Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, and Kroger.
You can also get hundreds of free printable coupons right on KCL, where you can easily search for individual coupon discounts by product or brand.
The more coupons you have, the easier it is to stock up and save on the groceries your family needs. Just remember that you’re only allowed to use one manufacturer coupon per item in a transaction. So if you want 4 boxes of cereal, you’ll need 4 coupons — which should be easy if you have a newspaper subscription and a printer.
UP NEXT: How to Build a Stockpile for Less than $10 a Week
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