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How to be a Hardcore Couponer
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You know those stories about people who walk into a grocery store with a fist full of coupons and walk out with a cart full of food, paying about $1.56 for about $156.00 worth of food? I’m not one of those people. It’s not because I have anything against hardcore couponers, I think they deserve a lot of respect for their organization, creativity and discipline, it’s just that I don’t have the time it takes to do hardcore couponing well. That and when I look at the coupon inserts, I see a lot of products I normally wouldn’t buy on a daily basis (a lot of prepared foods, microwavable meals and the like).
So how do they do it? Well, back when Fatwallet had a coupon section, I read all of it to figure out how these hardcore couponers did it. Basically, they keep the coupons they collect filed in a very well organized way; then they scour the local circulars to see where the coupons could be applied towards sales for the most benefit. Knowing which stores doubled or tripled (or more!) coupons made it possible for a savvy consumer, which all hardcore couponers are, to get products for absolutely nothing. Then, they would strike.
To get more than the typical consumer’s share of coupons, hardcore couponers resort to other means such as trading in online forums, joining coupon clubs, and dumpster diving. Dumpster diving isn’t as disgusting as you would think if you consider that if you live in an area with recycling, the inserts are going to be with other paper (not typical waste) products. You might even find a magazine you want to read. 
There are other little tricks of the trade (such as sending in complaint or compliment letters to manufacturers in order to get free coupons) that I don’t know about but if you do and don’t mind sharing, I’m sure everyone would love to hear it. Thanks!
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You can also buy coupons off ebay. Of course, you’re not buying the coupons, you are paying for the time and effort of the person selling. I have done it a few times, but only with items for which I need multiple coupons. For example, my husband carries Campbells soups for lunch every day at work. There were coupons a few weeks ago in the circulars, then I bought 20 more $1/3 coupons for about $2 on ebay. I have already made back my money and saved more on the soup, since Publix and Food Lion both had the soups for 3/$5. Works for me! Also, coupon sites such as grocerygame.com and couponmom.com are also worth checking out!
I have just started couponing hard core about 2 months ago. it really isn’t that hard once you figer it out. I haven’t have to resort to getting them off e-bay or dumster driving yet. Some newspapers will let you have the old papers w/ coupons in them just for asking. I have stock piled a lot of coupons and here in about a week I will be doing my first amazing shopping trip spending pennies on the dollars. I will post my results if you would like me too.