It happens a lot when I am checking out at the supermarket, or in my frequent runs to CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. The person behind me asks how I do this, where do I get all those coupons. People new to couponing really do not know how much exists beyond the Sunday insert or a few sites for printing.
The Sunday newspaper insert is the first source of available coupons. Often you can find more of these by making a regular visit to local newspaper recycling centers. If you have access to the pile or dumpster where recycled newspapers are stored, you can go through the newspapers and find the inserts discarded – yes, people even discard the inserts that feature coupons for free items. They have no idea what kind of money they are throwing away.
In some areas, local newspapers distribute free ad supplements every Thursday or Friday. In those you will find weekly circulars for stores – and at least one Smartsource insert. Again, people throw these away, not realizing what is inside. They think it is all circulars. Some people might leave these on the driveway for a day or two. So, when you walk the dog, and see that your neighbors are not interested in the “junk” newspaper, you can pick it up. After all, you don’t want your dog chewing that.
This is how I got 20 free Electrasol Dishwasher Detergent Powerball Tabs boxes last year. People either threw out the insert or I picked up the “junk” newspaper ads off of driveways.
Another source is your local store. Many major supermarkets have the “blinkie” dispensers – little machines that catch your attention with a blinking red light and dispense one coupon at a time. Stores also have tearpads of coupons and refund forms, but many do not make these available in the aisles because people grab multiple copies or the whole pad – and then illegally sell them. Blinkies tend to discourage this behavior, since you have to take one at a time.
Coupons also come inside product packages, and attached to products as “peelies” or “hangtags”. Often this is like found money, you can use these on the product right there. And yes, people do remove these without buying the product – so many more “peelies” are now stating “This purchase only – cashier must remove”.
You can get on manufacturers mailing lists and have them send you coupons in the mail. Regular booklets, such as Everyday eating, Clean Home, Mambo Sprouts are yours just for signing up at the company website.
So this is how you get lots of coupons – and you will have many that you will never use. That’s where trading comes in.