Welcome to Learn to Coupon... in 30 days. For the next 30 days (week days), I will be posting a couponing how to. Each day we will build on the prior days information. The goal of this series is to teach you the basics of couponing. Where to start, what coupons to use, how to use your coupons and more.This series will focus on realistic strategies for couponing. There will be some depth to the posts, so you will need to spend the time reading the posts in the entirety. Since each post will build on the day before, I suggest you read them chronologically.
Where to Find Coupons
Coupons are everywhere. 20 years ago there were only a few sources of coupons. Today, you can find coupons just about everywhere. We all know the standard Sunday newspapers – but the best coupons these days are not found in newspapers. After coupon stacking, high value coupons is another way to say big dollars.
Over the next few days, we are going to discuss some of the well known sources and not so well known sources for coupons. You can learn more about newspaper coupons and instore coupons. Today, we will discuss online sources.
Printable Coupons
In the last 18 months, printable coupons have become more main stream. Most stores accept printable coupons now. Some of the best coupons are now found online. There are two major companies that provide the “printing platforms” for companies. (essentially these companies distribute coupons). They are Bricks and Ecentives. Both of these platforms can regulate how many coupons are printed.
Printable coupons are regulated by your IP address. (You will see coupons on most platforms by your IP Address). Companies can determine how many total coupons can be printed and how many times you can print it per computer. There are some browsers that may be incompatible with printing coupons from either of these platforms. You will be required to download a print application to your computer. This allows them to control the number of prints.
Some of the coupon platforms require you to allow javascript and pop ups. If you do not, you may not be able to print these coupons.
Printable coupons may be reset from time to time. A reset means that if you previously printed it, you will be able to print it again. The provider has “deleted” prior printing records and everyone is able to print again.
Printable coupons may be restocked from time to time. A restock means that coupons have reach their overall print limit, and more coupons have been added. If a coupon has been restocked and you previously printed it, you may not reprint it. So for example, a coupon has 10,000 available prints and they run out. The provider adds another 5,000 prints, but knows your computers address has not been deleted.
SmartSource Coupons Online
Smartsource Coupons are found on Smartsource’s websites or on coupon blogs like FTM. Smartsource online coupons are typically not the same as the coupons in the inserts. From time to time, they may overlap. Coupons may vary by zip code. You may not always be able to “see” a coupon that another person can see. Manufacturer coupons online are targeted to certain demographics just like newspaper coupons. SmartSource coupons are added at any time and reset/restock on the first of every month.
Coupons.com
Coupons.com is single largest collection of coupons online. Coupons may vary by zip code. You may not always be able to “see” a coupon that another person can see. Manufacturer coupons online are targeted to certain demographics just like newspaper coupons. Coupons.com coupons are added/changed at any time and reset/restock on the first of every month.
Redplum.com
Redplum Coupons are found on Redplum websites or on coupon blogs like FTM. Redplum online coupons are typically not the same as the coupons in the inserts. From time to time, they may overlap. Coupons may vary by zip code. You may not always be able to “see” a coupon that another person can see. Manufacturer coupons online are targeted to certain demographics just like newspaper coupons. Redplum coupons are added on Sundays each week. Redplum coupons typically have very low print limits.
Coupon Network
The coupon network is a relatively new player on the coupon scene. The Coupon Network coupons are added at anytime during the month. There are also listing of catalina offers on the coupon network.
Facebook has quickly become the hot spot for coupons. Unfortunately, many times there are limited coupons and the Facebook platform for coupon distribution has not been perfected yet. Many times a Facebook coupon offer will have issues. You can check here for a listing of updated Facebook freebies.
You can also like FTM on Facebook to get updates on Facebook Coupons.
Social Sites
There are more and more social sites that are offering coupons. Sign up for sites like Vocal Point, Kraft First Taste and Right @ Home. These companies all sends high value coupons. Many times, they send coupons for free items.
Free Samples
Don’t be shy about requesting free samples. Some of the best coupons come with the free samples. Companies like to send you a free sample to try – then hope you will use the coupon to purchase their product.
To get updates on all the coupons available, you can sign up for the Coupon News – which lists all of these coupons as they come out.
You can also search for coupons online in the Searchable Coupon Database.
Til tomorrow…
deb says
i buy a lot online such as kitty litter and other items because they cant be found where i live and i don’t drive so it is hard for me to even get out ( i have and eyesight problem ) anyway i am trying to find coupons that i can actually use online if i can …that can prob help with some of the shipping cost ..thank you
Jill says
I am unable to print coupons from SmartSource. I have inquired by the code that I was sent to try to fix this. They claim that coupons that were printed on my computer were copied. I did not do this and they even say that there are many places that it could have happened in the coupon trail but I am still not able to get anyone to fix this for me. Has anyone else had this happen and what can I do?
Dee says
Printable coupons aren’t actually regulated by IP address. If that was so I would only be able to print two from my 3 computers (but I can print two from each one totalling 6) as they all have the same IP address on the Internet as they all connect to the internet the same way. If I was to take one of these computers and connect at your house and try and print I would have a different IP address than I had at home but I would be unable to print as I already had printed them. I believe the coupon printing software puts something in the registry and when the coupon resets it is really a new coupon so your computer has no record of it and lets you print it.
I hope this makes sense!
Shannon says
Dee,
Sorry, by IP address, I mean that you can see certain coupons by IP address. So the software knows where you are located.
Shannon says
Dee,
Let me clarify that again. When I go to coupons.com, it shows me the coupons that are set by my zip code based on my IP address, does that make sense?
Shannon says
and what you are trying to say is what I am saying here –
You will be required to download a print application to your computer. This allows them to control the number of prints.
Dee says
lol I know what you mean. The IP address you set on sites like coupons.com specifies what coupons you can see and print but it is data that is placed in the registry in the computer that says whether you have printed it.
Shannon says
right I get that. i kinda simplified that by saying “download a print application to your computer” LOL
Dee says
I mean the ZIP CODE you set specifies what coupons you can print.
Shannon says
actually there are coupons that you will never see regardless of the zip code you enter because it is locked down to IP location. That is why I argue with those who say you shouldn’t share zip codes, because they can make it so you cannot see it outside of an area – if they wanted to. I had this conversation with my contact at the coupons.com the other week in great detail after someone said its unethical to share zip codes.
Katy says
I always wondered about this as most people I talk with same the same as you. But we have 2 computers and I can only the 2 total from both computers. If I print 2 from the laptop I can’t go to the family room and print more from that computer. So I thought it was by IP address. Why is it different for me, any thoughts??