Coupon trading
Coupon trading is a great way to get more of the coupons you want by trading the ones you don’t want through the mail. Log on to a web site with a coupon trading forum (likeSmart Canucks). Check the posters’ coupon trading lists and see what they’d like to trade. Often, they’ll also post their wish list, so you can see which coupons they want. If you share common ground in your wish lists, contact them and ask to trade. If they appear to be a good match with you, you can generally expect a response within 48 hours. To close the deal, you’ll exchange addresses and mail each other the coupons you each want. Simple as that!

Coupon trains
Like coupon trading, coupon trains are a good way to trade the coupons you won’t use for those you will. Again, on an online forum like Smart Canucks, the person who starts the train (the conductor) compiles coupons they won’t use and posts on the forum that they are starting a new train that needs “riders.” People who want to join will send the conductor a private message with their name, address, and coupon “wish list.” Once the train has all its riders and is ready to go, the conductor creates and prints a document with that info and mails it—along with the conductor’s unwanted coupons—to the first person on the “train” (or, list). That person takes out the coupons they want, plus any that are expired or about to expire, and replaces them with new ones of equal value as well as their unwanted coupons. Then, that person mails it to the next person on the list.

Good train-riding tips:
1. Don’t add a lot of coupons about to expire.
2. Don’t add a lot of duplicate coupons. No more than two or three of a particular coupon is ideal.
3. Pay attention to others’ “wish lists” (as applicable) and put in coupons they want.
4. Do all of this quickly! Standard practice is putting the “train” back in the mail to the next person within 48 hours.

Coupon Myths
Poor people are the only ones who use coupons.
Not so! Many people think others will view them as “poor” if they use coupons. First of all, who cares what other people think?! Second, the reality is that you’re handling your money responsibly and the savings will add up! When you search for and use coupons efficiently, you’ll feel the joy of constantly getting stuff for cheap or free!
Generics are cheaper than brands.
This is true unless you have coupons that bring the name brand item’s price below the generic. It’s very hard to find coupons for generic products, so their prices stay low and level. But name brand products sometimes have coupons that can lower the item’s price below the generic! Or, you can find a sale on the name brand item and—combined with its coupon—the price falls below the generic. Watch sale flyers and strike while the iron’s hot to get these combined deals! I personally like many name brand things better, and with coupons I can do this without having my entire cupboard in a yellow box.

Coupons are for “junk” food.
There are many coupons for unhealthy food and beverage products, but there are also a lot for wholesome edibles. If you look, you’ll find fresh and frozen produce, dairy products, and much more! Put in a little time for the hunt and you’ll find them.

Clipping coupons takes up more time than it’s worth.
Sure, you have to spend some time clipping coupons, scanning flyers, and planning your shopping lists to save substantial money. But it’s substantial money! Think about it this way: if you save as much money (or more) clipping coupons as you would make during the same time on the job, you’re winning! Some people even feel it’s worth their time if they save a fraction of the money during an hour of coupon clipping as they would during that same hour at work. It’s up to you and your perspective.
And of course, the time you dedicate to clipping coupons is your call, but it shouldn’t take very long. Spend just an hour or two each week to clip and organize coupons while you watch TV or listen to music. The time flies and it’s so worth it!

Only use coupons for products you normally buy.
Okay, this is somewhat true. For instance, it’s not advisable to buy Palmolive for $1.99 with a $0.55 coupon if you don’t use Palmolive. However, if you have a $2.00 coupon for Palmolive, you probably should buy this item since you’ll get it for free (except for a little tax). Another idea: if you have a lot of these types of hot deal coupons, you may want to purchase several of the items and give them to friends or family, donate them or stockpile!

People who use coupons spend more money than those who don’t use them.
Not necessarily. This is where self-discipline comes in. Sure, people who use all their coupons on products that aren’t on sale may end up spending too much; but if you use coupons combined with store sales, you will shrink your bill. The more you do it, the better you get at it, and the lower your bills will get!

Price-matching is a waste of time.
Not if you know what you’re doing. It is worthwhile to carry flyers for multiple stores. Shop at stores that price-match (Walmart, and more). Bring a competitor store’s flyer to one of these price-matching stores and tell the cashier you want a price match. They’ll override the tag price for the sale price, and you’ll save time and gas money!

You shouldn’t clip coupons for products you don’t use.
Don’t necessarily dismiss a coupon just because you don’t normally use the product. A sale could occur while the coupon is valid that will let you get this item super-cheap or even free! Get the item and then sell, gift, or donate it. Another reason to hold on to unwanted coupons: use them to participate in a coupon train or trade.