First of all, you will want to familiarize yourself with the coupon policies of each store. They vary and it will make it much easier to know which coupons you can use and if and when you can stack. The policies below are general guidelines, but you should always to see if your local store's policies differ.
Here are store policies for stores in the WNY area:
BJ's Wholesale Club (thanks to Living Rich with Coupons)
CVS (PDF file)
Here is a FAQ which has a few questions and answers regarding the coupon policy
Dollar General (thanks to Living Rich with Coupons)
Dollar Tree
Family Dollar
Kmart
Rite Aid
Save a Lot (thanks to Saving @ the Lake)
Target
Tops Markets
Walgreens
Walmart
As you can see above, I have gleaned some of the info from some of the couponing sites I frequent. There is an amazing font of information and matchups available on the Internet. There are plenty of places where you can find printable coupons. I would suggest making sure your printable coupons are from a reputable site, though, because we want to make sure the store can get reimbursed for the coupons. We want them to continue to accept Internet coupons, and we also don't want the store to be hurt by using an inappropriate or invalid coupon. Below I will post links to some very good sites I frequent which will have all kinds of info regarding how to get started, where to find coupons etc....
These are places I frequent. Copied them right from my Bookmarks. They are great sites to get information on couponing, coupon matchups and links to sites where you can find coupons to print. A few have coupon databases where you can search for coupons for an item or brand.
You can also search online. I will sometimes google for coupons for an item. Remember that there are a lot of coupons to keep track of and there is no way that anyone can keep track of ALL of them. You can also search for coupon matchups. I will sometimes search for 'tops coupon matchups' and add the date of the beginning of the sale starting. Like this last Sunday I would search for 'tops coupon matchups for 6/8/14'. I found a lot of these sites I use from internet searches for coupon matchups.
You can also search online. I will sometimes google for coupons for an item. Remember that there are a lot of coupons to keep track of and there is no way that anyone can keep track of ALL of them. You can also search for coupon matchups. I will sometimes search for 'tops coupon matchups' and add the date of the beginning of the sale starting. Like this last Sunday I would search for 'tops coupon matchups for 6/8/14'. I found a lot of these sites I use from internet searches for coupon matchups.
Don't forget about savings you can get right from your store website. Tops* has coupons available that are placed directly on your card. When you use click-to-card coupons, the savings are deducted right at the checkout. Just make sure you add the coupons before you go shopping.
Target has printable store coupons and manufacturer ones too. At this link you can also find out about their Cartwheel program which lets you save money on purchases. Sign up, add cartwheel savings and go shopping. You are limited in the number of offers you can have at a time in cartwheel.
CVS* and Rite Aid* also have coupons available through their site. CVS offers ExtraCareBucks on items which are good on a subsequent purchase. There is also the 'magic machine' at the front of the store which prints coupons when you scan your ExtraCare Rewards Card. These can be stacked with manufacturer coupons! Walgreens usually has coupon booklets available at the front of the store which you can also stack with manufacturer coupons for improved savings. Rite Aid* has a similar program as CVS, though their program is called Up+rewards. These are savings printed at the register that are good on subsequent purchases.
*A store loyalty card is required for these stores to receive savings.
Don't forget to sign up for Savingstar, Ibotta and Shopmium. At Savingstar you add your loyalty card number for Tops, Wegmans, CVS and Rite Aid and then add coupons to your account. When you shop at one of the stores you added your loyalty card for and buy an item you added to your account, you will be reimbursed the amount of the coupon. The good thing about this is that it is added savings to any other savings from a manufacturer and/or store coupon. When your account reaches $5, you can then have the money put in a bank account, or an amazon gift card or a few other ways.
With Ibotta, you sign up and can add savings. When you purchase an item with savings available, you take a picture of your receipt with your phone and savings will be added to your account. When you reach the amount necessary, you will get a check (I think). I have done a few offers but always forget to do it. Savingstar is so much easier for me.
I don't really know much about Shopmium. I think I signed up but actually have never used it. You can find more information about that and the other savings apps/sites at their respective links located above.
I hope this little primer helps you to begin shopping with coupons. The goal is not to be an extreme couponer, but perhaps to save a little on your groceries. I usually can save between 30-50% on some things. Every little bit helps, though. Why pay $4 for a box of cereal if you don't have to. It doesn't have to take a lot of time to do this. Even if it's just a few coupons to save on make up or toothpaste, it feels good to get what you need and have money for something else you need.
Well, good luck! and happy shopping.
