Looking for Coupons?

Something about using a giant stack of coupons attracts a crowd.  During my last several shopping trips I have had several complete strangers ask me where I manage to find so many coupons...this coupled with inquiring friends and family members made me think maybe I should post a list.  Coupon shopping can be hard, especially if you are relying solely on the coupons that come out of the newspaper.  What many people don't realize is that there are tons of coupons out there in other places. If you're willing to do a little work, you can get great coupons for just about anything you need to buy.  Here's a list to help you get started:

1. Newspapers, of course.  I subscribe to four newspapers (weekends only) and if you watch you can get a great deal on your subscription.  Even though you may only want the Sunday paper, be careful because sometimes it is more expensive to get Sunday Only than it is to take either the weekend papers or the whole week.  Do an online search for a good deal, or watch for people offering free newspapers at the local stores--they often have the best deals if you agree to sign up right then.
2. Internet Printable Coupons.  Red Plum, Smart Source, and Coupons, Inc. all offer printable coupons.  You will need to install a coupon printer in order to print them, and you are only allowed 2 of each coupon (in most cases).  A lot of times, the internet coupons are more valuable than the ones that come in the newspaper. I generally don't print them until I see a sale that I can pair them with to get a good deal.  When I first started couponing, I was printing anything and everything and I burned through a LOT of ink.  For a good pairing of coupons with sales, I visit Pinching Your Pennies, go to the deals in my state, and view the lists for each store that have already been prepared with links to applicable coupons.
3. Go straight to the manufacturers' websites.  Many manufacturers have coupons posted right on their website.  Some, like Kelloggs or Betty Crocker will have coupons for multiple products right in one place, while others will post just one coupon at a time for one product.  When you don't have a coupon from any other source, it never hurts to do a google search for the product you're looking for.  Be aware that the coupons at sites like Betty Crocker are often linked to the Coupons, Inc. coupons and you will still only get 2 even if you go to both sites (although it never hurts to try)
4. Register for everything! My email gets bogged down with lots of advertisements from the sites I frequent looking for coupons, but the good news is, many of those emails have coupons in them!  If you don't want to overrun your personal email address with tons of junk mail, you may want to create a separate email address strictly for this purpose--just don't forget to check it for those coupons!
5. Free samples are your friend.  I love free samples....not necessarily because I want those silly little foil packets of one smear of shampoo but because usually free samples come with coupons...and they are usually the BEST coupons you can find with LONG expiration dates.  Pinching your pennies also has a link in their forum where you can look for free samples to sign up for, and Walmart.com has a free sample section where they change the samples they are offering quite often.
6. Rewards Cards.  A lot of people don't like to give their "real" information when signing up for a rewards card (ie. a Smith's Fresh Values card) but you really should.  Yes, the store may be tracking your purchases but so what?  Unless you're doing something illegal with your groceries, you should be glad they know what you buy--they will send out store coupons for those things you buy most often, and many times they will even send coupons for free items.
7. Magazines.  Not all magazines have coupons, but Kraft Food and Family does and All You (which is available exclusively at Walmart) if chock full of them--they even put out special issues a couple times a year with specific types of coupons.  
8. Watch for mail in offers.  Sometimes manufacturers will offer coupons in the mail if you buy their product and send in a form.  I have received coupon books from Procter & Gamble, ConAgra (that's Hunts, Marie Callenders, etc.) and Nestle.  Watch product packages, newspapers, and company websites for these offers.
9. Happenings/Entertainment Books.  Since starting couponing, we don't go out to eat at all without a coupon of some kind.  I used to never buy these books because I thought there just wasn't enough in them for it to be worth my money, but I was wrong.  I never use even half the book, but what I DID use has saved me a lot.  Last year's book had a $5 off your $60 purchase for Smith's for every month of the year and I used them all....that's $60 just from Smith's...Not to mention all the buy one get one free pizzas we have gotten, plus free ski rentals, and other fun things.  If you are patient, you can get the book at a discount which makes it an even better deal (Last year I ordered mine online through Cashbaq... it was marked down to $15 and Cashbaq gave me $5 for signing up and $10 cash back if I bought a Happenings Book... so YES, the book was FREE!)

Happy Hunting!