Are you new to couponing and not sure where or how to get started and feel overwhelmed? One of the most important things to know when couponing is what TYPE or kind of coupons you are working with and there are some really great reasons WHY you need to know this but we’ll discuss that in another article for you guys.

SO how many different types of coupons are there really? Actually a lot more than you would think and it always seems they are adding or changing them around or how they work but have no fear, we’re going to break it down to you all.

Manufacturer Coupons:

These are coupons that will say (most often) along the top of the coupon near the expiration date the actual word (Manufacturer Coupon). Why? This coupon is put out by the companies and can be used at all store locations.

Before we move on there are also different types of Manufacturer Coupons you can find as well, so let’s explain those a bit: (You can also check out the super easy and helpful Coupon Lingo HERE)

• Blinkie Coupon-often found in stores from a small black machine attached to a shelf
• Tearpad-coupons often found attached to a tearpad near a product in-stores
• Hangtags-Coupons that are often attached around the top of a product to be used at the time of purchase
• Peelies-Coupons that are attached to various products and you must peel them off to use them.

Specific Store Coupon (i.e Kroger Store, Family Dollar):

(More often than not will feature a store logo on them and say “Redeem Only at”). Coupons that are deemed to be used at specific stores will have along the top near the expiration date the store, for instance a Dollar General coupon will state “Dollar General Store Coupon”. Why is it important to know what store your coupons are for? It comes into play with stacking coupons to save more money (but we’ll talk about that later).

Digital Coupons:

Many stores have begun to add digital coupons to their savings routine where you download a FREE store associated app (like Kroger or Dollar General). You then sign up with your email or other means and you can then “add” clipped coupons to your account. At checkout usually you can swipe a card OR log in via your account phone number and those coupons you clipped digitally will come off automatically.

Printable Coupons:

These days you can now print coupons right from home from many sources. Printable coupons are usually a limit of TWO of the same coupon printed per computer or device to help deter fraud and coupon abuse. Please know you CANNOT photocopy coupons at all. The good thing about printing coupons is they don’t HAVE to be in color so you can save ink in that way when printing. Printable Coupons are more often Manufacturer Coupons but on rare occasions are also store coupons.

You can find Printable Coupons.com, Redplum Printable Coupons, and SmartSource Coupons Here

Catalina Coupons:

Catalina coupons are ones that will print from a separate machine besides the register where your normal receipt prints. These coupons are part of regional or sometimes nationwide offers that may be running. Offers will vary and some coupons may be for a $x.xx off a product or a dollar amount off your next purchase. (We often see these at grocery stores like Kroger, Harris Teeter, etc).