Table of

Contents

Introduction to Couponing... 3

Part 1: Online Coupons... 4Coupon Types

Why Use a Coupon Website?

Group Buying Websites

User-Generated Coupons

Use Social Media to Find Deals Online

Part 2: In-Store Coupons...13How to Spot Fraudulent Coupons

Part 3: The History of Couponing... 17

Conclusion... 18

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Introduction to

CouponingWell, the cat is out of the bag. By now you’ve heard all the stories from friends and seen the reports in the media about shoppers who use coupons to save big bucks. What was once a shopping secret is now televised depicting extreme couponers getting deals that go above and beyond your usual 75 cents off spaghetti.

But how do these coupons do it? And how can you get started?

You already know using coupons is the smarter shopping choice, but getting started can seem a little overwhelming. The trick is to start small. Every dollar counts, so although you may not be getting thousands of dollars worth of stuff for ten bucks, you can easily get $25 off a nice pair of pumps or free shipping on a new laptop.

We want to help guide you through the process, give you the basics and teach you how to use coupons both online and in your neighborhood stores. Because once you know the essentials it’s actually very simple.

Get ready to start saving….

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Start by going to the coupon website home page and take a moment to familiarize yourself with how the coupons are categorized and organized. Each website does things a little differently. Coupons may appear grouped together as ‘New Coupons’, ‘Coupons by Store’, or ‘Most Popular Coupons’. Be sure to look for a category that features that site’s Hottest Deals, Daily Deal or Exclusive Deals. These are where you’re going to get some of the best deals and savings.

Most coupon websites feature a prominent search bar somewhere near the top of the page. When you use the search bar, type in exactly what you want. If what you want doesn’t show up immediately, try different variations for the search. For example, instead of searching for “Apple iPod coupons”, try “Apple Store coupons”, or just “Apple coupons”. After a few tries, you’ll start to learn which phrases get the best results.

Coupon TypesThere are usually two types of coupons available at coupon websites - those with a coupon code and those without.

1. Coupons where a code is needed to be entered when you checkout. Coupon codes are usually visible directly on the coupon, but in some

cases it needs to be revealed with a click of the mouse button. Usually this appears as a “click to reveal” or “click to redeem”. If a coupon code is needed it will appear very prominently on the coupon - you won’t miss it.

2. Those where the deal is automatically added at checkout. After you

click on the coupon of your choice, most sites automatically redirect you to the retailer website (for example: pick an Apple Store coupon, you’ll be directed to the Apple Store online). Put what you need in the virtual shopping cart and go to the checkout. Voila! You’ll notice the discount has already been applied and you’re ready to check out.

Why Use a Coupon Website?Many of the dedicated big coupon websites use “affi liate” coupons. These websites work directly with retailers to offer certain deals and coupons to customers. These websites are paid a small commission for every affi liate coupon that is redeemed (basically, when you make a purchase using the coupon), meaning they only get paid when a coupon works.

For you this means that the coupons are free and legit. And if the coupon doesn’t work, you can contact the blog or the website directly. The bigger sites have customer service reps waiting to help you through the check-out process, so if you’re new to couponing you have a lifeline. These sites can also contact those responsible for the retailer coupons directly to help out with any other issues including if the coupon isn’t working properly.

Coupon websites also negotiate directly the retailers. This means you might fi nd exclusive discounts for online stores that usually don’t offer good deals on their own site or deals not publicized in the media. It’s like a backstage pass to savings!

Making a purchase by going to a reputable coupon website increases your chances of getting legitimate coupons that really work and you’ll be sure to get the best negotiated deals possible with your favorite stores.

Group Buying WebsitesThe newest phenomenon to emerge on the coupon scene is the ‘group-buy’ or ‘deal of the day’ coupon. These deals show up in your email inbox once a day and are usually savings towards local events, restaurants or neighborhood stores.

If you live in the bustling metropolis of Toronto, New York, Boston or even Sydney, Australia, there’s a new deal every day just waiting for you.

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The Big PlayersGroupon is pretty much the King Kong of the group buying world right now. However, there are currently over 200 group-buying sites – including LivingSocial, Teambuy and DealFind – and new ones are popping up all the time.

How It WorksThe first step is obvious – sign up using your email. Then, just like magic, a new deal appears in your inbox every day. This could be something like, say, $20 for a meal worth $50, or $20 off knitting lessons.

However, the deal can’t be used until it ‘tips’. This means a certain number of people have to buy the coupon too or else you can’t get the deal. But once the deal tips (which is almost always), the coupon is released and made available for you to use. Go forth and save! If the deal didn’t tip you get your money back.

And just like any business model, there are pros and cons attached.

Pros:Blogger Amanda from Jill of Some Trades uses group-buying coupons towards things like cooking classes, horseback riding and yoga classes. She explains one pro: ‘Many times the offers come up more than once or on a different deal site (depending on where you live) so it’s possible to get in on the deal if you missed it and regretted it the fi rst time around.” A few other pluses include:

• Localized coupons based on your zip code• Exceptional deals and discount• Learn about new restaurants and stores

Cons:But with every rainbow comes a few thunderstorms. Edward Nevraumont of Restauranteers explains some basic psychology used in the system (put your math hats on, kids!): ‘A restaurant could give you 50% off! $10 for $20 in value, but if that restaurant will cost you $40 per person and you go with two people, that’s a $10 savings on $80 spent – closer to a 12% discount.” A few other pitfalls include:

• If the business isn’t prepared, the product could run out or crowds could become overwhelming for staff

• You may be tempted to buy things you wouldn’t normally purchase• Bait & switches (raising the prices for the sale) are rare but have hap-

pened

Group-buying coupons are a great way to save money if you love eating at new restaurants and trying new things. Just be a little extra cautious; pay attention to the expiration date and prices pre-coupon.

User-Generated CouponsYou may have also noticed that some coupon sites have started to accept user-generated coupons. These coupons are deals found by anyone on the Internet and then uploaded to a website or shared on a forum. They include online coupon codes, printable coupons and scanned cutouts from magazines, fl yers, websites or pretty much any other source. They can be useful, but when

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using user-generated coupons, a certain level of caution is definitely needed.

Pros:

• You might come across hidden or single-time deals you wouldn’t find on other coupon sites.

• This method of couponing allows you to read or give feedback on specific coupons.

• Some websites display stats on success rates for individual coupons, making it easier for users to determine which ones actually work or are worth your time.

• A sense of community is encouraged between you and your fellow couponers.

However, many coupon websites (like fabulous savings) opt not to offer these user-generated coupons. Instead we negotiate deals and upload coupons approved by the merchant. We’ve noticed there are a few cons with user-generated coupons that put a bit of a damper on the couponing experience.

Cons:

• The information might be incorrect. The coupon code may be right, but the ex-piration date might be wrong, or vice versa.

• Some sites require you sign up to use their coupons or even pay a fee.

• Certain deals made public on user-gen-erated coupon sites may not be meant for mass use, and thus retailers may be overwhelmed by the demand and not honor the coupon.

• Conversely, some coupons might be single-use-only, which the person uploading may not even notice.

• Since it’s not from a certified coupon site or one not monitored as closely, the possibility of encountering a non-working coupon is much higher.

User-generated coupons are an exciting new way to share online deals. Again, it has its pros and cons, but bargain hunters around the Net would be missing out if they didn’t give it a shot.

Use Social Media to Find Deals OnlineDedicated couponers have learned that deals and coupons don’t only come from a weekly fl yer or loyalty program. Thanks to the rapid growth in popularity of Social Media, fi nding a good deal is just a tweet or a ‘like’ away.

Social Media has provided savers the opportunity to step out of the coupon-cutting box.

Services such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, WordPress and more have opened the lines of communication between the business and the consumer, making the search for a great deal easier than ever before.

TwitterOne of the best places to find a great deal online is the 140-character microblogging service, Twitter. There are many accounts that tweet deals, freebies, online coupons and printables any time of day.

Tip: Try typing a hashtag such as #savingmoney or #coupons into Twitter search. Searching for hashtags according to the topic you’re looking

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for is an easy way to find accounts that tweet deals and coupons. For example: Look for your city’s Groupon account for local deals – e.g. @GrouponLA.

Tip: Create a ‘’savings” list on your Twitter account so you can quickly check tweets from your favorite brands to see what new deals are available.

Facebook Facebook isn’t just for sharing photos and keeping in touch.

Try ‘Liking’ the Facebook page of a brand you love. Companies often use their Facebook pages to market upcoming promotions and sales. A popular method many brands use to get ‘Likes’ is offering exclusive coupons and/or freebies to those who ‘Like’ their page.

Tip: Another way to use Facebook to save is by ‘Liking’ coupon websites. Facebook pages from coupon websites offer tips on where to find the best and latest deals in addition to actual coupons.

BlogsMany coupon websites and dedicated couponers also have blogs. These daily posts will help you find ways to save on your favorite products. Select a few to follow and stay informed on hot deals all the time.

When you click the subscribe widget (pictured on the right), you will sign up to receive an email every time a new post is published. Or, if you are signed up to an RSS feed, the blog will be added to the RSS feed of your choice.

In addition to subscribing, you can also bookmark them. Social bookmarking sites such as Digg or Reddit help you keep track of your favorite blogs and articles.

Tip: Follow your favorite bloggers on Twitter. They will often post links to their most recent blog posts. Many often share links to freebies and coupons.

E-mail NewslettersIf you don’t have time to do daily “social” Web surfing, then sign up for e-mail

newsletters from your favorite companies and coupon websites. This is a great way to learn about the latest deals and promotions and get the info sent right to your inbox hot off the presses.

Tip: Companies regularly offer exclusive coupons to their e-mail newsletter recipients as well.

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Part 2:

In-Store Coupons One of the biggest trends in couponing right now in the United States is the use of physical coupons. The dedicated shoppers of TLC’s Extreme Couponing go to crazy lengths to get their coupons. This includes dumpster diving and even stealing other people’s flyers. Yes, this happened. And yes, they were charged.

You may already have already clipped a coupon here or there, but here are some tips on where to get the best deals and save you the most money - in the least amount of time – without diving in a dumpster.

Check Weekly Flyers and NewspapersOne of the best places to get a variety of coupons all at once is the Sunday coupon inserts. For example, once a month Procter & Gamble has a special coupon insert dedicated to their products available in select papers. Check the P&G website to find out which papers carry the P&G inserts. You can also sign up and get the coupons delivered to your home, too. And don’t forget to ask your friends and neighbors! You would be surprised how many people throw flyers and coupon inserts away.

Watch for Grocery Store DisplaysIf you’re miffed over the lack of coupons in weekly flyers, you should head to the stores themselves. You’ve probably never noticed it before, but sometimes there are small displays or coupon dispensers next to certain products. Even if you don’t need it right away, grab a few to use during a later trip or to trade with other fellow couponers. Just be sure to note the expiration date.

Like Your Favorite ProductsManufacturers are just like you and me – they love a good compliment. Get in touch with the makers of your favorite products and let them know how much you enjoy their product. Find them on Facebook, write a nice email, or tweet about your experience with the product. A little Twitter can go a long way. Always

be sincere, of course. Most companies will be more than happy to send you a few vouchers as a way of saying thanks. You never know, they might just send a few free samples, too.

Join a Loyalty ProgramMany people seem to avoid registering for anything, but it’s defi nitely worth your time and your money to sign up to a few loyalty programs. Most grocery chains have members-only coupons and even online deals that you just wouldn’t be aware of if you weren’t signed up. Google or call your local chain to ask about the benefi ts of their shopper appreciation programs. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Some of the best include Starbucks, The Gap and Best Buy.

Buy Only What You UseIt’s easy to get carried away with all the great deals you can fi nd with coupons, but the key to saving is only using coupons on products that you buy regularly. Finding a good deal and spending money on something you wouldn’t normally buy can be counter-productive. If you’re not careful you may end up spending money that you shouldn’t.

The trick is to not get caught up in the savings. Be smart about your purchases.

Stay OrganizedThe best couponers out there have one main tool that keeps them sane: their coupon organizer. There are many methods of keeping coupons organized with the most popular being coupon binders. Separate your coupons into categories: Clothes, Groceries, Cleaning Products, etc. This way when you’re looking to purchase an item, you’ll know exactly where to look for savings. You can also try keeping your coupons in envelopes or an accordion fi le folder. It’s all about personal preference and whatever works best for you. The main goal is to make them easy to fi nd and grab when the need to use them arises.

Look for FakesStill second guessing a printed coupon? Check out the Coupon Information Center (www.couponinformationcenter.com) for a list of fraudulent coupons that have been tracked down.

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How to Spot Fraudulent CouponsSaving money by using coupons is pretty awesome! But with any party, there’s always someone in the corner being a downer, thinking of ways to ruin the vibe. This culprit in the coupon world is the fraudster.

Coupon fraud is a problem in the industry. Not just for retailers, but for consumers too. Every time a retailer gets taken by a fraudster, they have to boost the prices to make up for lost profit. Everyone loses. And if you’re caught attempting to scam a store with fake coupons you could face up to a $5 million fine and up to 17 years in prison.

There are a few ways to protect yourself from using fake coupons. Josh Elledge of SavingsAngel.com has published a few articles on the subject and let us in on some of the best tips:

• Stay away from buying coupons. This is NEVER legal (unless it’s a group-buy model). Why would you want to buy a coupon when others have gotten it for free anyway?

• Watch for offers that are too good to be true. They are probably fake.• Look for typos and value inconsistencies in the coupon.

• Valid coupons will most likely have an expiration date.• Be suspicious of emails with many different manufacturer printables.

Usually manufacturers will send out their own emails.

The biggest draw for those extreme couponers is to use multiple discounts on the same product to get the maximum savings. In some cases these extreme couponers have found ways to beat the system by understanding how manufacturers internally set up their discount barcodes. In some cases, the discount code printed on the coupon is actually applicable on a group of products or a product family, not on one specifi c product. Someone who understands the system can use the discount on products not specifi cally authorized on the coupon.

However, using this loophole for a product that is not specifi cally authorized on the coupon itself is not legal. We highly recommend that you follow the rules, not try to cheat the system, and use all coupons only for the products they are intended for.

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Part 3:

The History of Couponing Coupons have actually been around a lot longer than you may think. One of the first noted physical coupons was for Coca Cola in the late 1880s - and the busi-ness has only grown.

In order to become an expert couponer, it’s important to understand where couponing came from. So, here’s a look all the way back to 1887 to illustrate just how far the coupon has come. Follow along the infographic below to discover the fascinating journey of the coupon.

ConclusionAbout the Authors & Fabulous Savings“The Fabulous Savings Guide to Couponing” was a collaboration of talents between the staff at fabulous savings. Contributors including Andrew Albert, Shannon Farrell and Lindy Moses all wrote and edited sections of the eBook, with illustrations and layout by Lisa Calabretta and Victor Punjanun.

fabulous savings is an online coupon site that offers negotiated deals from some of the top retailers in the country. The fabulous savings blog is a mecca of lifestyle tips and fun reads, including articles on cooking, new tech devices and living a fabulous lifestyle.