Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
My coupons are currently in disarray. I have about 3 – 4 weeks of inserts of which I need to sort, clip, and organize. Sometimes gathering the coupons is the easy part. It is the organizing that takes the time and energy. 😉
In investing in coupons, our family saves lots of money. Currently, our year-to-date savings percentage is 60.73%.
A good chunk of those savings is due to honing in on buy one, get one free offers matched with coupons. In using time wisely to organize my coupons, I can more efficiently save money and feed my family.
In our Coupon-ology series, we started with purge coupons in part 1, moved to organize coupons in part 2, and continue with gather coupons in Part 3. Thus far, we considered gathering from newspapers and magazines. Today, we look at printable coupon databases.
Part 3c: Printable Coupon Databases
When speaking of printable coupons, the basics needed to gain these gems are an electronic device (computer, laptop, tablet, etc.), Internet connection, and working printer with paper and ink/toner.
The first time you access a printable coupon database, you will need to download their coupon driver. This program communicates to the database limiting the number of prints to keep someone from printing all the available coupons.
1. The Printable Coupon Databases
Some of my highest-valued coupons are retrieved from printable coupon databases.
The four main printable coupon databases are:
2. Getting the Coupons
You should never pay for a printable coupon. You can print directly from these sites, so you need not go through a series of survey questions, sign up for a free subscription, or participate in a program to print.
Some companies or sites want additional information from you before linking to the main coupon database. If you get directed to such a site, just check the four main databases directly, and you are sure to find what you need without giving out your information.
When I create my grocery list, Jenny Martin includes a link to the printable coupon database for the needed coupon. Now, she uses the coupon databases’ affiliate program and gets paid for promoting their coupons, but Jenny only links if the product is a good deal.
Affiliate marketing is a way that bloggers earn money without readers incurring a fee. I happily print coupons from Southern Savers to support Jenny while printing the coupons I need from the main coupon databases. Jenny has proved herself trustworthy which is why I use Southern Savers to create my weekly grocery lists.
3. Printing the Coupons
When you access the printable coupon database, a chart of pictures with coupon values will meet you. Just check the boxes on the coupons you want, and click print selected coupons.
Having printed numerous coupons, here a few of my tips:
1. Print in multiples of 3
If the coupon does not have advertising on it, then 3 coupons will print per page. To save on paper, I try to find coupons in groups of 3 to get the most from the print.
2. Print each coupon twice
When accessing the databases, I print all the coupons I want. Then I go back to the home page, select those coupons again, and print again. If I go back to look for them a third time, I will find them on the last page with a notification that my print limit has been reached.
Printing twice is great for stockpiling when combining sales and coupons. You can purchase more products at that rock bottom price.
Shortcut: If an individual coupon link is provided in a post or on Southern Savers for one product, I can print the coupon and then select the back space button a time or two. A second coupon will then print. If I keep hitting the back button, I will eventually be told that I have reached my print limit.
DO NOT hit your back button with SmartSource. This database will count that as your second print without printing. For SmartSource, you will need to go back to the database or the original link to print your second coupon.
Believe me, I have lost a number of prints trying to find a way to get SmartSource to reprint without going back. I would rather save you from the frustrations I have had. 🙂
If you do not get your second print, it is NOT permissible to copy the coupon. One should NEVER copy or duplicate coupons. If you need more printable coupons, then use another computer, ask a friend to print, try your library, or contact the manufacturer. But do not copy the coupons as dishonesty hurts the manufacturer, the stores, and ultimately – couponers.
3. Print early
These databases have a limited number of prints available. Once they are gone, the database will indicate you have already exceeded the number of prints allowed. This is not saying that you printed the coupon, it is just a standard message when all the prints have been claimed.
New coupons are released throughout the month with the majority released on the first. If you are looking for a coupon, checking on the first or second day of the month is more beneficial than the end of the month as the available coupon prints decrease.
I try to make out my grocery list by the day the sales begin, so I can print the coupons I need. Then when I get to the store, I will have my coupons in my envelope.
Printable coupon databases are a fabulous resource, especially for those who do not get the coupon inserts from the Sunday newspaper. Even with the newspaper coupons, I sometimes find the printable coupons more valuable.
In gathering coupons, using the coupon databases will take some time to setup and print, but the effort may be worth it to you. With so many options for gathering coupons, your coupon binder will quickly become your savings partner. I just need to help out my partners by getting them organized. 😉 Happy coupon finding!
Question: What tips do you have for printing coupons?