Zen and the art of coupon clipping

Tip #1: How to use coupons

Some people have asked me where to get . Here’s 15 few suggestions of where to look:

1. Save.ca - probably the best coupon site around
2. Coupons.com - also has some great print coupons
3. Frugal.ca - also has some excellent print coupons
4. Go directly to the websites of your favourite coupons – you can get them at General Mills, Campbell’s, Tylenol, etc. You’d be surprised at what you can find just by checking out corporate websites.
5. Whenever I go to a store, I keep an eye out for great coupons. But don’t just grab one – grab several so you can keep using them long after the coupons disappear.
6. Canadian Living Magazine comes to your home every month with a pack of coupons when you subscribe. You can often find coupons within the magazine as well. Their December issue is especially great – it comes with about $20 of coupons, which more than makes up for the price of the magazine.
7. When you change your address, you get a kit in the mail from Canada Post with amazing coupons, such as 20% off anything at Home Depot.
8. Make sure to notice coupons on packaging – I have discovered coupons on boxes of cereal, granola bars, pizzas, tampons, contact lens solution and cartons of eggs.
9. Skim through your junk mail to find coupons – occasionally you will find good ones in saver packs or fast food flyers.
10. Before making a major purchase, google the product name plus “coupons” to see if there are online coupons.
11. Email your favourite company sending a letter of complaint or praise – they may send you coupons in response!
12. Check your weekly flyers. Not only do they provide you with great deals, sometimes there are coupons waiting to be clipped. I recently used a 2-for-1 coupon at Loblaws for Tampax and Always products.
13. Check you bills. Often great coupons come with your credit card bills.
14. Go to visaperks.ca to print online coupons for great stores like the Running Room and Via Rail.
15. Go to the website of your favourite store before shopping to see if they have online coupons

Saver Queen’s tips on how to use coupons:

1. Coupons are made available so that you try new products, and get hooked! So don’t be fooled into buying products that you would not normally buy or don’t need. Use coupons to save money on products that are on your shopping list.
2. Only use the coupon if the coupon turns the product into the best deal around. Check the unit price before buying to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
3. Don’t forget to use your coupons! I actually carry around a Ziploc bag with my coupons when I go shopping.