Supercouponing Tips: Newspapers are a godsend

Question: I'm really starting to get into couponing and enjoying it! But I can't help but feel I would do better if I had more of the same coupons. One of my friends is a big couponer and picks up an extra newspaper or two if the coupons are really good. What are your thoughts on this?

Answer: One of the most common question I hear from new couponers is "How do you get so many coupons?" I get multiple copies of the same newspaper every week. And yet, some new coupon shoppers seem reluctant to do this.

An argument I often hear is, "I don't want to pay for another newspaper." I would counter that by saying that every newspaper you buy has the potential to eventually unlock hundreds of dollars worth of savings.

An example: On an average week, the total value of coupon inserts may range from $100 to $300 or more. Imagine that inserts for the current week contain $200 worth of coupons and that the newspaper costs $2.49. If I use two $1 coupons and a 50-cent coupon from that newspaper, I break even. Any other coupons I use beyond that deliver me a profit.

For the same inserts, let's imagine that I had $1 coupons for salad dressing, boxed pasta, bar soap and toothpaste. At some point, all of these products will go on sale for a dollar, and I will get all four free when I use the coupons from that newspaper.

Now, if I happened to purchase another newspaper the same week, I'd take home two of each item. Eight free is better than four free! And if I purchased three newspapers — well, you get the idea.

This is how couponers stock up on products, too. More copies of the newspaper equal more free and bargain-priced items in the weeks to come. Some couponers go to the extreme and buy 30 or more newspapers every week. When those coupons line up to a good sale at the store, they take home 30 identical items with the coupons from those newspapers.

When I first became a coupon enthusiast, I quickly realized that getting two newspapers was better than one for several reasons. The first is exactly what is outlined above: You take home double the products when you use those coupons because you have twice as many. Another advantage is this: Any time a buy one, get one free sale comes around, it's nice to have a coupon to use on each item in the sale. This does depend on your store's policy, but some stores allow shoppers to use a coupon on each item in a buy one, get one free sale. So, if a multi-pack of yogurt is on sale for $2, buy one, get one free, and I have two $1 coupons, I can use one on each item, taking $2 off and making both products free.

When my newspaper offered a multiple-subscription special aimed at couponers, I took advantage of it. I receive four copies for the same price I had paid for two. With the popularity of newspaper coupons on the rise, you may wish to see if your local paper offers a similar promotion.

For me, four is a great number of identical newspapers to receive.