People always wonder how we find all these coupons. The good news: It's easier than ever. Between store apps, digital coupons, and cash-back apps, most couponing is completely free now, no scissors required. And if you still want Sunday newspaper inserts (yes, they're still worth it for certain deals), there are ways to get those for free too. Plus, we keep an updated coupon insert schedule so you know exactly what's coming each week.
If you're new to couponing, start with our guides on where to find the best coupons, types of coupons you can stack, and rebate apps that multiply your savings.
Free Newspaper Coupon Sources With Zero Effort
Free Local Papers Like Yes!
Start with free weekly papers like Your Essential Shopper (also called Yes!). These usually get delivered to neighborhoods or stacked at grocery stores and gas stations on Sunday mornings.
Search "[your city] free weekly paper" or "[your city] shopper" online to see what's available near you. Just remember to only grab a couple so other deal hunters can get theirs too.
Community Papers or Midweek Mailers
This one's a game changer. Many communities get free weekly papers delivered mid-week that include the previous Sunday's coupon inserts. I walk my neighborhood Wednesday evenings and ask neighbors if they want their community paper. Most people toss them anyway.
These also show up in those plastic bags of junk mail you might normally ignore.
Neighbors, Friends, or Buy Nothing Groups
Post in your neighborhood Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or Buy Nothing groups. You'll be shocked at how many people throw away their coupon inserts without looking at them. I've scored high-value coupons this way, including coveted Bath & Body Works coupons .
Friends, family, coworkers — just ask. Most people are happy to save their inserts for someone who'll actually use them.
Free Newspaper Coupon Sources With a Little Hustle
Schools With Newspaper Recycling Programs
Many schools have newspaper recycling programs to help kids stay informed about current events. That means recycling bins full of Sunday papers in almost every classroom.
Ask if you can have the coupon inserts before they hit the recycling bin. If your local school doesn't have a program like this, consider helping them start one.
Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
Some locations only need to return the front page of a paper to the distributor, which means the rest of the unsold stock gets tossed. Ask the manager if they’ll save the newspapers for you (or at least the coupon inserts). Unfortunately, this trick doesn’t work everywhere. Some newspaper carriers actually come and collect all of the old papers.
Coffee Shops, Libraries, and Apartment Mailrooms
Coffee shops, fast food restaurants, libraries, and apartment mailrooms are goldmines for abandoned newspapers. People leave them behind all the time.
Starbucks, McDonald's, waiting rooms — anywhere people sit and read. Just flip through discarded papers before they get thrown away.
Recycling Bins or Dumpsters (With Permission)
If you're not squeamish, ask your local recycling center if you can check their paper bins. This is like the Target version of dumpster diving: cleaner and more organized.
Paper materials are usually sorted separately, so you won't be digging through gross stuff. Just keep in mind that coupon inserts will be mixed in with all other paper products.
Locate your nearest recycling center here or here.
Cheap Newspaper Coupon Options: If You Have to Pay
Discounted Sunday Papers on Monday
Grocery stores often mark down leftover Sunday papers the next morning to move them quickly. I’ve seen half-off pricing and, occasionally, freebies. Always double-check that the inserts are still inside before you pay.
Dollar Tree Sunday Papers
Dollar Tree sells Sunday papers for $1.25, but they go fast. Get there early and check for inserts before you grab one. One or two papers are usually plenty for the week.
Skip the Paper Entirely
Use free printable coupons and digital coupons.
If you can’t find physical inserts, printable and digital coupons cover most of the same offers. KCL’s coupon database pulls together hundreds of free printables and digital coupons you can use right away. (Many stores also accept both manufacturer coupons and store digital coupons on the same item for maximum savings; this is what we call "stacking" coupons.)
Use the KCL App for all your coupons.
The KCL app keeps everything in one place: digital coupons, printables, store deals, and rebate stacks. You can sort printable and manufacturer coupons by brand or category. And with 1-Clip™ Deals, you can load all the available KCL Coupons and supported store coupons for a deal in one tap.
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Download the KCL app to add and redeem coupons in store
For iOS and Android users.
