Clipping coupons? Read these 20 need-to-know tips first

Before beginning your coupon journey, make a list of the items you regularly buy in your household to figure out where you can save the most cash. There's no need to include things like produce, which rarely are coupon eligible, but it's possible to find steep discounts on everything from frozen food to toothpaste. 

Each store handles coupons a little bit differently, and it's important to know the policies before you go. Some grocers will double the face value of a coupon, while others will price-match competitors. Do a little online research to find your store's policy to ensure that you don't waste time or money in search of coupons that won't actually save you any cash. 

Sometimes, it's the stores that you don't shop at that boast the best deals. You may usually buy laundry detergent at the grocery store, but it's possible that a drugstore like CVS or discount retailer like Dollar General could have the best price on your preferred brand. That being said, it usually doesn't make sense to drive out of the way to save a couple of dollars. 

Once you start clipping physical coupons, establishing an organization system is essential. Many couponers use binders, with dividers for different types of items and pockets to hold coupons, while others use expandable envelopes that are easy to toss into a purse. Find a system that works best for you, then stick with it. 

If you want to get extra-nerdy with your couponing, you can use a digital spreadsheet to track prices and savings over time. It takes a little bit of effort, but using spreadsheets to track item prices, amounts spent, and the specific coupons in your arsenal can help keep things organized and provide valuable feedback on whether or not you're actually saving money. 

If clipping physical coupons seem like too much work, you can still take advantage of digital coupons. The Coupons.com app is home to hundreds of digital coupons and discounts, while cash-back programs like Ibotta can offer some savings on the items you already buy. Most grocery stores also have their own apps with store and manufacturer coupons, plus loyalty cards, built right in. 

If your store offers loyalty programs or rewards cards, definitely sign up. Most of the time, you'll need to be a member to access the most coupon savings, and some offer cash back after you've spent a certain amount. If you don't want to keep the physical cards in your wallet or on the keychain, many loyalty programs are available via app or Apple Wallet. 

Most newspapers come with a coupon insert, but if you want to buy more than one of a specific item, you'll likely need to source additional newspapers. Ask your friends and family to start saving their copy of the Sunday paper and pick it up whenever you stop by to visit. 

"Stacking," or using two different coupons on the same item, is popular in the coupon world. Generally, it involves using a coupon offered by the store in conjunction with a coupon from the manufacturer, resulting in big savings. Stores like Dollar General and CVS allow patrons to stack these different types of coupons for one item. Check your store's coupon policy first, though — some don't allow stacking. 

When you team up coupons and sales, sometimes a beautiful thing called an "overage" happens. Overage occurs when you get back more than the amount spent on an item in cash or rewards, and essentially amounts to being paid to buy certain items. 

When you first start couponing, it can be tempting to buy things just because you can get them on the cheap. If you won't use them, though, that's actually a waste of money. If you find yourself stuck with items that didn't work for you, donate them to a charitable organization to reduce waste. 

When you've got a coupon and a sale going on, it's time to stock up on staples! Even if you're not in need of an item right now, you're pretty much guaranteed to need toothpaste or tomato sauce in the future, so it's worth spending a few extra bucks now to save some cash in the future. And, as a bonus, stocking up can help you save money by reducing the number of trips you make to the grocery store. 

If you're really serious about couponing, brand loyalty is a concept to throw out the window. Sometimes, your preferred brand of deodorant or coffee creamer is just more expensive than a new brand that's offering a steep discount. 

Coupons do have expiration dates and terms and conditions, and it's important to know the fine print before even walking into the store. If you've incorrectly calculated how much a coupon is worth, it could add up to big charges once all your purchases are totaled up in the checkout line. 

There are a slew of coupon gurus online that can generally take the guesswork out of saving money with coupons for newbies. Check out The Krazy Coupon Lady, who offers an app with all the latest coupon deals for a variety of stores, or Hip2Save, an extensive database of discounts and coupons. 

If you check out coupon blogs, the amount of jargon and insider lingo can seem overwhelming. With a little research, though, you'll be able to fully understand what someone means when they say DQ (digital coupon) or SS (SmartSource, the name of a newspaper coupon insert). Use this guide for a deeper look into the world of coupon lingo. 

If you're not shopping with a list, now is the perfect time to start. Even if you think you've got an idea of everything you need, make a list and note which items you'll be using a coupon for. It will help you keep track of your spending, and remind you which coupons to use when it's time to check out. 

Each store has its own timing for when items are put on sale, and over time, you'll figure out how that timing works. In the meantime, check out this generalized guide to how retailers plan sales throughout the year. 

Even if you've got what seems like a great coupon, that still may not be the best deal possible. Sometimes the store brand is just cheaper, or a discount retailer like Aldi or Dollar Tree is a better choice. If you're serious about saving cash, look beyond the coupon to find maximum savings when necessary. 

Even if you have a coupon, try to wait for an item to go on sale before using it. At grocery stores and drugstores, combining coupons and sales can result in massive savings.