How To Get Coupons for FREE...WITHOUT Digging in Dumpsters


How to Get Coupons for FREE...WITHOUT Digging in Dumpsters was originally published on 5/24/13.



***I have been debating about posting this because I didn't want to come off as judgmental or leaping to conclusions. But after talking to several others about this, I am not the only one who thinks this way. So here we go. Please let me know your thoughts. ***


Mother's Day I went and bought a paper for the first time in a while. I am so behind and so disorganized at the moment, I couldn't even tell you how long it's been.

I always go to the gas station down the street to buy papers, because it's so close and when I didn't have a car I could walk there. While getting my papers, I see this woman going through and grabbing only the coupons and putting the newspapers back on the shelf. She flushed when she saw me and said, "I haven't taken anything from these yet" and points to a stack that she was clearly about to rifle through.


She continues on with what she was doing. I grab two double deals, and then go through my papers and make sure the correct coupons are in them, like I always do. Fool me once.



I could feel her look over at me every time she took coupons out of the other newspapers. Now I'm no detective, but doesn't this seem suspicious to you? I didn't say anything to anyone. I mean what do you say? "Hey, are you stealing coupons?" "I think that woman may be stealing." I had no hard evidence. And although I trust my instincts, others who don't know my history with this sort of thing, might think I'm jumping to conclusions. But how would she explain what she was doing?

What tops this off is this gas station is notorious for having coupon thieves. And what initially made me stop buying papers for a while, wasn't because I forgot, but every time I went the papers would be there, but no coupons would be in them.

Stealing is stealing is stealing. And if I was younger, I might have done something about it. But then again maybe I wouldn't. What would you have done?

"Couponers" like this give real, hardworking, honest couponers a bad name. Since when have people had such a sense of entitlement that they think they can steal? I blame that show Extreme Couponing. One lady said she gets leftovers from her carrier which is illegal, and another was straight up taking paper off of people's front porches. Maybe they are using them to sell to coupon sites? Which are becoming illegal. And aren't these people worried about Karma? Yes, they may get some free toothpaste and deodorant, but what goes around, comes around. Just saying.



How to get extra inserts WITHOUT breaking the law:

- Ask friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who aren’t couponers if they’ll save their inserts or mailed coupons for you.

- Join online forums to trade coupons, even Facebook Groups.

- Look for or start your own local coupon club and share coupons with other members.

- Sign up for free programs like Box Tops for Education to get notified by email when coupons become available.

- Follow your favorite brands on Twitter and Facebook so you’ll be notified when they release special coupons.

- E-mail your favorite companies and tell them how much you love their stuff and ask them about any coupons available. This works great if you mostly buy organic.

- Bookmark the major sites for printable coupons and visit them a few times a month to print your favorites as they’re constantly releasing new printable coupons:

- Coupons.com


- Also don't forget about e-coupon apps like iBotta, SavingStar, Fetch Rewards (use code V4XKH for 2,000 bonus points), RakutenReceipt Hog, and Upside. No printing or clipping necessary! You can save with these when you shop online as well, even Amazon!

- Stores, like Kroger and Dollar General, even have their own digital coupons and more stores are breaking the mold with this as well.

Make a habit of doing these things and you won’t have to jump in any dirty dumpsters or swipe your neighbor’s paper to save a bundle on your grocery bill!

What do you think? Do you think she was stealing, or I was overreacting? What do you think of coupon thieves?

More Posts to Check out:
How to Get FREE Stuff Without Being a Blogger
10 Tips for Beginner Couponers
Handy Apps for Frugal Moms
 
 


84 comments

  1. I would say that she was a thief, but like you, I wouldn't have felt comfortable confronting her. It's not too late, though. I would write a letter to the station owner describing what you saw and request that they be vigilant (they might even have a security camera) because their business already has a reputation of selling incomplete papers. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to talk to the owners next time I see them. What bothers me is that when I have mentioned it to the cashiers in the past, they said (basically), "Yeah, I know, but whatcha gonna do".

      Delete
    2. thanks for the info. i would of felt the way you did . and won't say anything but would of wanted too. i forget how people can wreck a good thing for the ones who won't of even thought of it. so .i just thank you for your hearts eye and have learned to just look for people who are honest. i feel couponing could help my family but am trying to find the right path. so i thank you again for the help with web ideas . bless you for your insite .

      Delete
    3. i cupon to i use the news paper and i also email the manufacturer tell them i like their product and give them my name and address and i also ask them for cupons and they ususally send me very valuble cupons

      Delete
  2. I delivered papers in the past, it's certainly not like the "little boy on a bike" image that most people get. This is terrible thing because people will get their papers then realize they have no inserts and do 1 of 2 things. Either stop buying the paper there or start making complaints to the newspaper. Both things hurt the deliverer and take money from their pocket. Missed papers, having to many papers or complaints are money out of your pocket. Like the people on extreme couponing who steal papers from homes, they create a ripple effect. Because they just "upsett" the customer by stealing but likely the clusters isn't going think someone stole it. So they call the paper thinking they've been skipped or they call you personally and complain about your service. You now have to replace their paper and money's been removed from your check. Sometimes people just don't think about the over-all effect they'll have. I would have had too say something but just in an informative way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. It hurts the entire system.

      Delete
    2. People who steal don't care if they cause a ripple effect, they just care about what they want. The fact that it might cost someone else money irveven their job never occurs to them. Call the police and report a theft in progress.

      Delete
    3. You are exactly right...they don't care. And that's a crying shame. I have been in the couponing community a long time and thy will say things like "oh you are just stealing from that big business who can afford it". But in reality, it comes out of my husband's bonus because he works at a grocery store. Any theft or worker's comp effects his bonus, not the big business. Which in return effects my family and that's why I have a problem with the misuse of coupons so much.

      Delete
  3. that's crazy! did you walk to the front and buy your paper while looking at her? she has got to feel badly about doing that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did stare at her pretty hard. I wanted my eyes to say, "I know what you're doing".

      Delete
  4. She was stealing the coupons! We have this problem where I live too. Ever since that show Extreme Couponing, there has been an up tick of people stealing coupons. Sadly, because of this extreme behavior, stores have changed their coupon policies. It is upsetting that "these extremist" have ruined it for the ones who are honest. My major grocery store Meijers, no longer doubles their coupons. I truely believe it is because of the show and the people who take it too far. Now it is getting harder and harder to save...

    Thanks for sharing this and you were not judgemental at all. You stated facts that can be related to.

    Joanne @ jmacreativemess.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. ohh I think i would have stood there and asked "Are you TAKING those coupons without the paper?" possibly quite loudly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should have. I regret now not saying anything, but I didn't know how to go about it.

      Delete
  6. Flat out stealing. The only reason I ever buy a paper is for the inserts. I have purchased them once and the inserts had been taken. Now, I check!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always check now too. For the same reason. People like this suck.

      Delete
  7. She's just a thieif. No other word for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to know I wasn't being ridiculous in my assumptions. :)

      Delete
  8. People Like That Make Me SOOOOOO CRAZY, All I Can Say Is KARMA BABY KARMA!!! LOL! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is what you call shoplifting and is against the law. I think the owner should put up a sign right in front of the paper stand stating " "Please do not take extra inserts from other papers. Shoplifters will be prosecuted.""

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They need some kind of sign up. It's getting out of hand for sure. What these people don't realize (or maybe they do and they just don't care), but others have gone to jail for stealing coupons, faking coupons, and using coupons wrong. This is big time thievery here.

      Delete
  10. She clearly was stealing them , she had no other reason to be just taking them out , I wouldn't have said anything either I am a firm believer that what you sow. Yes she was hurting the store by stealing I maybe would have said something to the cahier as I was purchasing mine, but I wouldn't have confronted her face to face not worth my energy to get into an argument about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought about saying something to the cashier. Unfortunately the lady was in ear shot. And people are C-R-AZY these days! But I am going to talk to the owner the next time I see them.

      Delete
  11. I see these posts of people that have hundreds of inserts to sell and wonder how they get them legally. Forever, I have been looking for how to purchase 2-4 sets of inserts every week at less than $1 each (the paper price). I can sometimes get a deal for the paper at .50, but I just can't deal with four papers! What a waste, anyway. What can I do?

    I wish that at the end of the day the stores could gather the inserts from the left over papers and give them away.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I get my extras at coffee shops. Most of them have a basket where people can toss the papers they've already read, and often I find coupon inserts in there.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Definitely stealing. I would either have talked to her or ratted her out to the cashier.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I didn't know people did this until I bought and brought a paper home and they coupons were missing! I was so mad. That is the only reason I buy a newspaper. I check everytime now, and even had a cashier once who also checked before giving the paper to me. I'm glad she did, because I had just done a quick glance and she caught that the second booklet of coupons were gone.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I know of stores that placed the newspapers behind the counters because of this type of behaviors because of customer complaints. The honest couponers said they would begin buying their papers somewhere else if their papers were regularly without inserts. They bought an average of 60+ papers a week. All of the stores in the township began putting papers behind the counters. It is a hassle but it greatly reduced the coupon insert thefts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GREAT idea! Ours were moved beside the register and the theft was still happening unfortunately. :/

      Delete
  16. These are some really great tips for couponing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Always searching for great coupons. Can't wait for the companies to make them all electronically. No more searching through tons of paper coupons .... Heaven! Thanks for your help here.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes she was STEALING. I would have went inside reported her and got her arrested. People do have to pay fines for crimes like that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I asked my church and they put that I was looking for coupons in the church bulletin. The congregation places their extras in bins that I put in the kitchen area and when I can I donate some things to the church that I coupon for that can help then. It is a win win for all.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love coupons . Thank you for your advice.yes she was stealing and even those people who take inserts out of papers in home delivery and even those who take a whole lot of coupons from the coupon things attached on shelves sometimes, people should limit themselves and leave it for others' too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's theft I would snap her pic, red handed & discreetly call the police!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It is sad to think that you might buy half a paper and not get the most important section, the coupons. It wouldn't be worth buying the paper if you missed getting them.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh boy, that makes me mad. We subscribe to the paper, half because of the Sunday coupons and there are times when there's either nothing in it or just one little leaflet instead of a few. Our mailperson stinks so we assume half the time she's just letting them slide out but to think someone could be stealing them somewhere would make me boil.

    I definitely would say something, maybe along the lines of, "it's terrible how they're not putting many coupons in the paper anymore when some people really depend on them." Then I'd glare at her until she ran away crying. lol

    Wow, that was really something.

    ReplyDelete
  24. That was definitely stealing and Shop lifting, People have no care about Morals anymore its pretty said. I would have called her out on it and then told the cashier. Where I live we hardly ever get coupons so those things are like gold for me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I completely agree with you. I had something similar happen to me at Petsmart. I was waiting to get over to the cat food I was buying at the time but there was another woman standing in front of it blocking the way. You know those coupons that are on the outside of the product for you to use then or your next shopping trip? She was systematically going through each can and taking the coupon and then putting the can back on the shelf. I admit I made a couple of loud comments about people like her and how they were stealing from those who actually was going to get the product. I guess I shamed her because she scurried away right after that.

    ReplyDelete
  26. (How To Get Coupons for FREE...WITHOUT Digging in Dumpsters) I am so glad that I found this and read it about getting free coupons. Right now we have to watch where every penny is going. Doing this will help us out for sure-

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey I stopped in my area for a wait couponing due to some people in my area doing the same thing she was stealing coupon Wow.I went to the Fd store near my mom and saw a lady selling her stock pile.I she looks as if she cleans shelves.I always believe that's what those people do who clear shelves my God.I am a Christian not judging anyone but just couldn't do that and before becoming a Christian always have been a natural giver.I always look out for anyone who gives coupons to me especially if it's free items or just cost me a few cents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christian not judging??? Just writing this is judging!!! (Take the lumber out of yourown eye before you find the sliver in another's)

      Delete
  28. I love your post. Since I have been couponing I seen how crazy and harder it has become and is mostly because people are not following the rules.. We are getting a great deal as it is and if it wasnt for it we wouldnt be able to save that being said is best to do the right thing and instead of thinking about ourselves we can help others from the free items we get.

    http://thefelicianojourney.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. thats has happened to me also ,buying a paper no coupons so now I go to a gracerie store and i look through the paper before I buy it

    ReplyDelete
  30. I work at a gas station, when i first started i learned the employees for the daycare across the street would strip our papers I put a stop to it. I started to work Sunday mornings and started to make them pay for the papers. this was 8 years ago but I still work Sunday mornings and make sure nobody strips our papers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good job! I have to open my newspaper to make sure there are some in there. I only purchase it for the coupons. I am on a budget so can't afford to just toss my money out.

      Delete
  31. I love everything about this article. And, the title is great! Haha. You're right - there's lots of great ways to get free coupons.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I can't tell you how many times I've grabbed the Sunday paper only to find it without coupons and ads with coupons (like Michael's). I've gotten to the point where I check every time- and I shouldn't have to. I AGREE with you. This isn't being judgmental. Couponers shouldmall help each Other! We're a community!

    ReplyDelete
  33. We get a lot of coupons with my Sunday newspaper. My husband often trades coupons at work and it helps everyone out.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  34. If I want extra coupons I ask friends or I will also ask our mailman if it comes in the mail. He always is hauling extras and will give me 4 or 5 of them. I would say yes the woman is stealing. I would call your paper and tell them the location. Really if someone is buying a paper they wouldnt be getting the whole thing after she has one that.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh my! For sure she is a thief! Plain as day. Great Post!

    ReplyDelete
  36. These are good and honest tips! I've done the online forum coupon exchanges several times and it has always worked out! Life really, at least for me, is about conducting it with morals and values to the best of our knowledge--it pays off!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Turn her in if you ever see her doing this again. I worked at a store where we had the papers and to keep people from stealing the papers and inserts we kept them on the counter by the register. I have been to store where you have to ask for the paper to help keep thefts down.

    ReplyDelete
  38. i cupon to i use store inserts i also do this i purchase a product i like and on the back of the product their is ususlly a email address or i go on the internet and find the manufactures email address email them and tell them i like their product leave my name and address and they send me ones that are better thenm the news paper

    ReplyDelete
  39. in reference to my previous comment i then sometimes go back the store with my reciept show them the cupon and get the money back

    ReplyDelete
  40. These are great tips! I always use coupons! Every little bit helps!
    kdraebellamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for these coupon tips. I love to try and find online coupons to print to use at the grocery store. Every penny saved adds up!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I buy papers and i have family and friends give me what they don't use. But to steal or do anything not right or fair- I agree with you - Karma exists. I'll save but i will do so with a clear conscience.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I can't believe people actually will go to any length for a few coupons. What fun is in cheating to get something. I think I would have said something to the owner at the gas station.

    ReplyDelete
  44. This sounds good to me looking good

    ReplyDelete
  45. Well you're better than I am because I would have confronted her. I would have said that these papers are here to purchase, and that people buy the paper to get the coupons, and if you're standing here taking all the coupons out, then that's not fair to the people who buy the papers and then don't get the coupons. Or it's not fair to the people who do look for the coupons and they're not there. And then I would have told the attendee. And then I would have looked at the woman and stuck my tongue out at her. (J.K.)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Asking family for theirs is a great idea. I used to dive for them!

    ReplyDelete
  47. These are fantastic places to get free coupons, thank you so much for sharing! I have always wanted to be a "couponer" but it just seems so overwhelming! I definitely think it would be worth it though, it might be time to start. :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. In the mornings, when the paper delivery person comes they'll often just let people have the coupons as they end up trashing them anyway. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they are left over, then that’s one thing. But taking the coupons out of papers and giving them to people is not okay. People pay for their paper and they should let assume that people will throw them away because not all will.

      Delete
    2. Well, I think that's a given. Taking coupons out of a newspaper that you aren't buying is stealing. But I have to say that the way you stated your response felt like you were accusing. My comment in NO way said anything about taking the coupons out on your own. Hence the mention of the delivery person. Wow. I'm actually insulted.

      Delete
    3. I’m sorry you felt insulted, but the delivery person should be to blame.

      Delete
  49. On the surface, almost everyone knows a coupon is something they use to get money off a particular item. You find the little money savers in the newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines and sometimes even books.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I too have bought Sunday papers for the coupons and came home with an empty paper. She was stealing and I think you should alert the manager. I don't mean right in front of her....they have cameras.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I have used coupons for over 45 years now. I have cut so many out at one time that my fingers were so swollen that I almost had to have the scissor’s holes cut off at an ER! Those were the days when there were tons of coupons, with no expiration dates, and you could use more than one at a time!! They really helped this single mom of two kids keep food on the table. Then it just became habit. At a couple of stores that I shopped at had a coupon exchange bin.
    Now they want you to print out the coupons from your own printer. That’s fine by me, but half the stores nowadays won’t take them!! It’s a waste of ink, paper, and resources! I have bookmarked those coupon sites a long time ago. I don’t see anymore Coupon Exchange Bins anymore unfortunately! Thank you for sharing those helpful tips! I pinned this article for sure!! Happy cutting and collecting!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I have used coupons for over 45 years now. I have cut so many out at one time that my fingers were so swollen that I almost had to have the scissor’s holes cut off at an ER! Those were the days when there were tons of coupons, with no expiration dates, and you could use more than one at a time!! They really helped this single mom of two kids keep food on the table. Then it just became habit. At a couple of stores that I shopped at had a coupon exchange bin.
    Now they want you to print out the coupons from your own printer. That’s fine by me, but half the stores nowadays won’t take them!! It’s a waste of ink, paper, and resources! I have bookmarked those coupon sites a long time ago. I don’t see anymore Coupon Exchange Bins anymore unfortunately! Thank you for sharing those helpful tips! I pinned this article for sure!! Happy cutting and collecting!

    ReplyDelete
  53. OH, I've seen people blatantly take coupon inserts from newspapers a lot. When I was in High School, my first job was at a grocery. We eventually had to place the Sunday papers by the checkout to stop people from grabbing the coupons.

    ReplyDelete
  54. That is just crazy! Most certainly she was being a thief!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thank you! I love all your ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love me some coupons and always have. Thanks for the great info!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I just have neighbors and family save them for me! My email is tmcooper1972@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. OMG I needed this. I feel like our coupons have really gone down hill lately. If I'm lucky I clip one or two out of my Sunday paper instead of the massive coupons haul I used to have.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I do use Redplum and coupon.com , I like that they have a variety of the products that I am always looking for.
    @tisonlyme143

    ReplyDelete
  60. How To Get Coupons for FREE...WITHOUT Digging in Dumpsters; I really like this much better then dumpster diving for a bunch of coupons. Thanks for sharing this great info.

    ReplyDelete
  61. She was a thief. I would have gone to the register and notified the clerk of what she was doing or one of the staff on the sales floor. I am not okay with that. I coupon as well. There is no need to steal inserts when there are so many apps for different coupons. I also would like to add that I liked what you wrote.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I do a lot of my shopping online and love services like Rakuten and Retailmenot. I will checkout the other apps and coupon resources that you mentioned too.

    ReplyDelete
  63. This is definitely much less ridiculous (and more fair) than Extreme Couponing!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for dropping by! I would love to hear what you thought. :)

Thanks!
♥,
Diana