Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
Getting those coupons organized is no easy task. I took my children to a Jump Zone this week and spent a little over an hour sorting coupon inserts from the last two weeks.
Feeling really behind as I did not get to cut them out since I was busy playing with my kids, I received a blessing when Paul took my basket of sorted inserts and cut all the coupons during a March Madness game. Bless his heart!
Joining forces saves our family money, energy, and time. My daughter will eventually partner with Paul and I as she is very interested in coupons. Though she can cut straight lines, she does not have the strength in her hands to cut through a stack of inserts. In time, she will get to help and may eventually take over the organization step. 😉
Though getting the coupons organized only lasts for a few days, having a system in place makes the task efficient. Moving on in our coupon-ology series, I turn to part 3 – gather coupons. I will focus this section on the following 7 main sources to gather coupons:
- 3a: Newspapers
- 3b: Magazines
- 3c: Printable Coupon Databases
- 3d: Manufacturers
- 3e: Direct Mail
- 3f: Stores
- 3g: Electronic Coupons
Part 3a: Newspapers
The best coupon inserts are found in the Sunday newspaper. If you live in a market with multiple newspaper publications, choose the largest market as they will have the best coupons. With a desire to receive the best price, consider these 5 discount options for purchasing a newspaper:
1. Look for flyers within your local newspaper.
When our subscription is nearing the end of the promotional period, I cancel before incurring the full price option. I then wait and watch our paper for a flyer with a promotional code begging me to return.
Then, I re-subscribe. We currently received the Sunday-only paper delivered to our home for $7 per month.
2. Check for promotional codes or discount subscriptions.
Newspapers with large circulations may offer promotional codes. Check RetailMeNot.com by typing in the name of your newspaper and click Search.
Also, Discounted Newspapers may include your local paper. Add you zip code into Find Delivery Rates and click Go.
If you are subscribed to daily deals in your area, you might find a deal for a newspaper subscription. Though I have not seen one locally, I subscribe to other areas we visit on vacation. I did find a couple subscriptions through Groupon and LivingSocial for Florida newspapers.
3. Call your local newspaper.
Placing a call to your local newspaper asking the cost of their subscription may net you a promotional discount.
From experience, I would recommend looking into the other options first because if the representative quotes you a great rate and you want to research some more, you may not get that same representative or the same rate when you call back. Our local newspaper had a limit of offers available for the first opportunity only.
4. Inquire about a bulldog edition.
Some newspapers print the Sunday edition early and deliver on Saturday – at Saturday’s rate. A bulldog edition is the first run of a morning newspaper available the previous day. Though not available nationwide, some newspapers keep this tradition for their subscribers.
5. Purchase at a retail store.
When we cancel our subscription, I will pick up the newspaper at the lowest rate available on our route home from church. In the past, I have found Wal-mart and Walgreens the least expensive.
I have heard of others who buy at the Dollar Store. When you purchase, check your newspaper for the inserts. If there was a shortage in the printing, some retailers do not receive all the inserts as home delivery customers get top priority.
If purchasing a subscription is not within your budget, then all is not lost. There are a number of ways to gather coupons from the newspaper without spending a dime. Try one or more of the following 7 ways to gather coupons for free:
1. Ask your friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
If they are not keeping their inserts, then they will likely donate to your cause. I receive a number of Tuesday papers due to my neighbors not needing their inserts.
2. Inquire at coffee shops, fast food restaurants, and airports.
Many patrons will purchase a newspaper, read it, and leave it for others. If the manager knows you are looking for the inserts, then he or she may save them for you. Checking on Sunday afternoon may net you a few inserts.
3. Check the newspaper’s website.
Though a long shot for most of us, some newspapers offer their entire edition in a .pdf version making the inserts available for print.
4. Find the recycling center used by your newspaper.
Have you heard of dumpster diving? Though I have never done it, I know some go to the recycling center and help themselves to the coupon inserts. If you know where your local newspaper recycles their papers, you might find a coupon gold mine for free.
5. Look at the library and local businesses.
If your library gets the newspaper, they may allow you to have the coupon inserts. Just ask at the circulation desk.
Also, when I worked outside the home, I received inserts from my workplace. Three offices in our building received the newspaper, but none of them needed the inserts. I just asked the secretaries to hold them and stopped by to pick them up each Monday.
6. Request old editions at retail stores.
Ask convenience stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies how long they keep their Sunday papers on the shelf. Offer to come pick up their leftover editions which they may give you for free.
7. Find a nice newspaper delivery friend.
Ask around to see if someone you know delivers the newspaper and ask what they do with their extra inserts. Sometimes delivery personnel can give away any extra copies or extra inserts after making their run.
With lots of options for purchasing and acquiring free inserts, newspapers offer a great way to gather coupons. Though newspapers are one type of resource, they are easily available and, in some cases, free for the taking. In using time wisely, keep your eyes peeled for newspaper coupons. Happy gathering!
Question: Where else can you find discounted or free newspaper inserts?