Just Starting Out: A coupon email account

Have you noticed how many freebies, free samples, and coupons require your email address? When I first started couponing I went to Yahoo and got a "dummy" account for free that I could use for all those sign ups.

It's been a HUGE help! In fact, I just checked that account (I don't usually unless they asks me to confirm an email) and I have 28,873 messages in my inbox!

So, it's VERY necessary if you're just starting out to get a different email up and going! :)

Just Starting Out: An Introduction to Ebates

There are often on line deals mentioned on my blog at places like Kohls, Lands End, and TONS of other on line shopping companies. Ebates is a GREAT way to maximize your savings while shopping online.

You simply register at Ebates.com and open an account at no cost. Cash back is accumulated in your account when you shop at any of the online retailers listed on the website. The percentage of cash back varies from 1% to 26%. Ebates.com pays you the amount you have accumulated four times a year in the form of a check or PayPal.

Is Ebates trustworthy? Here's a direct quote from their website:

"Ebates is the pioneer and leader of online Cash Back Shopping. The company was founded in 1998 by two Deputy District Attorneys in Silicon Valley who used to prosecute online fraud & identity theft before starting Ebates (so you can be sure we are very into secure online transactions!). So go ahead, sign up and start shopping now. Joining Ebates is always free - you'll never pay us anything. And four times a year or more, we'll mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account if you'd prefer. We can even send the money to your favorite charity. All 100% free.

People often ask: "This sounds too good to be true, how are you able to do it?" It really is quite simple. Just like almost every other online shopping center, we get a commission from the stores when you make a purchase. Instead of keeping that money - like almost all other sites do - we share it with you!

So, as long as 1200+ of the world's top online stores are happy to pay a bonus to attract the new, valuable customers we send their way, Ebates is going to continue to send Big Fat Checks to our satisfied customers across the globe."

And here you'll be able to find the answers to questions like, "how quickly is the cash credited to my account?" and "when do I get my cash payment?".

So, what are you waiting for? Hurry over here to Ebates and start today...you'll get a $5 bonus just for signing up!

(The above link is an affiliated link, view the disclosure policy here.)

Just starting out: Where do I get coupons?

So many people ask me where I find all my coupons. It's a question that can often have an overwhelming answer because there are MANY places. It's always easier when something's in writing. So here is a list of the places that I personally find my coupons.

1. The Sunday Paper - For those of you reading my blog in my neck of the woods (MN/WI) the best choice is the Star Tribune. While the Pioneer Press DOES have coupon inserts...there are always less coupons in their inserts.

2. Magazines - after following my blog for a while you will see that there are TONS of magazine subscriptions that you can get for FREE or for under $5 a year. There are often great coupons to be had as you thumb through the pages. The one that is the best for couponers is the "All You" Magazine. It is literally loaded with coupons. They are sold only at Walmart. (I will post more about this at a later time)

3. Samples/Freebies in the mail - you will see TONS of opportunities to sign up for free samples of new products. Very often these come with some high value coupons. (AND it's very fun to get something besides bills in the mail!)

4. Printable coupons online - Sites like coupons.com, red plum, and smart source have many coupons available to print at home.

5. Feedback - when I truly like a product (or truly do NOT like a product) I go to the company website and find the "contact me" tab and email them directly. Nearly all of them will send back coupons because they are glad to hear HONEST opinions from you, the consumer.

6. Friends!! - Not everyone out there wants to coupon, so lots of coupons end up in recycling on Monday morning. That thought just makes me cringe! What they don't know is that's like throwing money in the trash to a couponer! So, ask around....see if any of your friends are recycling those valuable inserts and ask them if you can "recycle" the inserts for them. :)

Hope this helps some of you out there as you begin hunting for those coupons! This is not an exhaustive list, but it will at least help you get started.