There are many different ways to get/find coupons. ; in the second part of the series we bring you printable coupons that are easily found on the Internet. That wonderful World Wide Web has an abundance of coupon opportunities!
Coupons.com, Smartsource.com, Redplum.com, are the major source of multiple coupons in one location. You can also find coupons on manufacturer websites for specific products. Some manufacturers offer coupons directly on their site, while others ask you to sign up for their email newsletter and sometimes those newsletters will contain links to coupons. (I suggest setting up a separate email just for signing up for these types of newsletters, samples, etc., so that you are not clogging up your regular personal email).
From time to time, especially on my Facebook page, I will post links to specific coupons/coupon sites where you might find a certain coupon. You can also Google printable coupons to see what you come up with.
Note: You will need to download printer software the first time you attempt to print from Coupons.com, Smartsource.com, Redplum.com and some store websites (IE: Target). All of these are reputable coupon sites and their printer software is not known to carry viruses or pop-ups, etc.
Most printable coupons can be printed two times per computer. When you print from Coupons.com, Smartsource.com and/or Redplum.com, you will go through and select the coupons you want to print, print them, and then you will need to go back and start over and select those same coupons again if you want a second print.
When a manufacturer issues a coupon, you will print once and then you just need to hit the back button on your browser and the coupon will automatically print again. The second print of the coupon happens easily with “bricks” coupons that are printed through the Coupons.com printer software. However, when a manufacturer issues coupons through the SmartSource printer software, if you use the back button, this will trigger an alarm to the software and it will tell you that you have already printed the coupon the number of times allowed. To avoid this response and be able to print a second print, we encourage you to go back to the original link and start over. Of course, you won’t be able to tell until the first print, what software will be used to print the coupon, and then you will be able to figure out what steps you need to take to get your second print.
If the coupon makes for a really great deal, is high in value, etc., you may want to print more than the two that are allowed per computer. Important: Coupons cannot be copied. Each coupon, while it may have the same scanable barcode numbering system, has a unique pin or serial number that the manufacturer uses when issuing reimbursements to the store where you used your coupons. Copying coupons is considered fraud: Google this for more information.
If you want to print additional coupons try another computer. If you have additional computers in the house, this works easily. I also print some coupons at work, as well as I have a circle of friends and family that I can ask to print coupons for me if they aren’t planning to buy that item.
Some manufacturers will issue their coupons in a PDF format that will allow you to print multiple copies. These coupons will not have pin codes or other coding. This enables you to print multiples of this coupon but I wouldn’t suggest printing more than two times the number of people in your household (eg: I have two people in my household, so I would print a total of 4 coupons).
Make sure that your printer always has enough paper and ink! Internet printables can be printed in black/white or color; in most cases, stores that accept Internet printable coupons will accept them either way (make sure to ask a manager or check the stores’ coupon policy if you are unsure). Save on paper by reinserting the paper you just printed one coupon on so that you can print another one on the other side of the paper (make sure you know which way your printer feeds so you don’t print over a coupon).
What I have found is that printable coupons are usually much higher in value ($1 instead of the normal 50¢ that that same coupon/item will be in the Sunday inserts), and a lot of the times they are rare coupons (you will hardly ever see them in the Sunday coupon inserts). Above all, my favorite printable coupon site is Coupons.com because their coupons can change hourly and daily in most cases, whereas SmartSource.com seems to update only monthly and RedPlum.com adds new offers about once a week.
Remember that you want to be a smart, ethical, considerate couponer, so make sure to read the fine print of your coupons and follow the rules!
Stay tuned for the next blog: Getting Started Couponing; Where to Find Coupons Series part 3 of 5 where we will discuss finding coupons in stores.
~Hayward Coupon Queen "Helping you save money, ‘cause every penny counts!" Follow me on Facebook or check out my website for more information on couponing and saving money!
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