Hi there :)

I'm new and just getting started…

I first saw Kathy's book at a bookstore several months back, and perused it, but kept the info in the back

of my mind until recently. Then I watched some youtube videos and really wanted to give it a try.

This morning I went on my first "outing" to CVS. I got $7 in extra bucks, a $10 gift card, and an offer for a $4 coupon for updating my email info. By using coupons and their specials, the receipt said "today you saved $52.91," but I haven't looked it over in depth enough to say whether that amount includes the extra bucks and/or gift card in addition to the sales and coupons.

I got the green tag, too…

My questions newbie questions (so far) :

1. What are free and/or cheapest possible ways of getting coupons?  I resorted to buying 2 Sunday papers, which came to a total of $5 – however, my Mom's in a nursing home and really appreciates getting the nice fat Sunday papers, so I had this good reason for getting them. I also tried getting some online coupons, but what a rigamarole! and by the time I finally jumped through all the hoops, I couldn't install the toolbar for printing, as I am only able to go online on the public library computers….

2. Free samples…. I looked at a few sites advertised here, and it seems like you have to go through hockey sticks and high water in order to actually (or maybe just get a chance at?) getting the samples. Does it work, or which ones work?

My online time's somewhat limited, as I said, I have to use the computer at the library, but I'd so apprecialte and love to hear any and all replies, tips, and so on (and spend more time reading the forums – maybe be directed to the most useful areas, etc.? ) as soon as I possibly can (hopefully tomorrow) – please excuse me if I don't reply right away, and I hope I haven't asked for too much help in my first post!

Thanks!

Diane

garden girl said:

Welcome to HTSFF!

I don't print from the libarary but I don't think it's necessary to install the tool bar. 

I am signed up for the daily emails from All You which offers a free sample every day.  You may also want to check out Target and Walmart as there are occasionaly free samples on their websites.  There are tons of sites that offer free samples (and usually the mfgs include a coupon) but those are the sites I like.  I also have good luck with Vocal Point and Facebook but if your on line availability is limited, it may be difficult to get their freebies because they go so quickly (sometimes in minutes).

For the newspapers, you should check local free newspapers as a few of them have the SS (Smartsource) insert in them.  Usually the local Saturday paper has the SS and can be purchased for under $1.  I don't know what part of MA you live in but the Daily Item on Saturday (50 cents) has the RP (Redplum) insert.  These inserts are an abbreviated version of the ones in the Sunday paper (Globe & Herald) which means sometimes they may not have all the coupons that the Sunday inserts have in them.  Also, some coupons are regional and while they may be listed in the database, it may not have been included in the insert for your area.

Good luck and please join us in the forums where you'll find the upcoming weekly deals.  Lots of freebies to be had at the drugstores!

I just wanted to share this link, to where the coupon printing software has to be downloaded…

http://www.coupons.com/couponw…..3816622147

(i thought it was a toolbar, but it's this…) Did you have to do this, or is there some other way to print them?

Thanks again,

Diane