I wrote these tips about 8 years ago when I was posting on fw. They still hold true today.
Coupon tips :
• Brand loyalty is GONE!!!!! Except for allergies, there is little reason for brand loyalty. One name brand normally works as well as the next. You are now looking for sale prices, coupons and FREE!
• Shop the Sales.Since you are getting the Sunday paper to pick out the SS coupons, pull out the sale flyers as well. Check both the grocery store flyers and also the flyers for the pharmacy chains (Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, CVS, etc) and also for the department stores (Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target, etc). Some people call this cherry-picking, and you are basically running in only for the loss leaders (the items put on sale at extremely low prices geared towards getting you in the store. The idea is that you will do the rest of your shopping in the store at the same time.)
• STOCK UP!!! Allowing for space constraints (Hey, do you really need to store only dust bunnies under your bed? Why can’t the Kleenex boxes go there?) stockpile as much as possible when items go on sale. Normally buy Charmin for $2.99 a double roll? Kleenex Cottonelle is on sale for $1.99, making for a savings of $1. But wait. You also have (10) 75¢ coupons good on each package. Even better, your store doubles… net cost, 49¢ per 4 pack. Normal price… $2.99, after sale and doubled coupon, 49¢ for a savings of 83%.
• Double coupons is your best bet for FREE, FREE, FREE!!! Find out if there is a store in your area that doubles (or triples) coupons. Find out the limitations… what amount the store will double to (Ie, 50¢, 99¢, $1, etc). Find out if there are limits. Will they only double one alike coupon? 2? Unlimited?
• Before you go into the store, read ALL sale ads in your area. Brand loyalty is out, well so is store loyalty. Unless a store has been sited for health concerns, do not dismiss any store in your area. ALWAYS write a list. Shop ONLY from the list. Nothing shoots a budget like 10 bags of chips and 3 bottles of pop shoved into your cart in the store. (BTW, the old adage of “never shop when you are hungry” is TRUE! Eat before you go. You will be less likely to impulse buy.)
• Match the coupons you have to the sales you write down before you go. Prego on sale? You have 5 coupons? You now know you are buying 5 jars of Prego.
• ALWAYS shop with a list. ALWAYS!!
• ALWAYS bring your coupons with you. If you forget then, TURN AROUND AND GO HOME FOR THEM!!! This may sound dumb, but if you forgot your wallet, you would turn around for that, wouldn’t you? Same difference. Coupons = money.
Putting it all together
Ok, so now you are in the store. Organization is again the key. Remember to use your list, avoid temptation and stock up on the loss leaders. At the checkout, have your coupons ready. Count them before you give them to the clerk so you can be certain they were all removed (some people total the amount they will receive off before checkout).
Good luck 
