On Monday, I cleared my day and focused on my coupon binders. I got all the coupons cut and organized.

Then on Tuesday, I received more newspapers, but I’m already making progress on this stack. Yay!

In our Coupon-ology series ^[2], we started with purging ^[3] and organizing ^[4].

Having those done, we moved on to gathering coupons from newspapers ^[5], magazines ^[6], printable coupon databases ^[7], and manufacturers ^[8]. Another source of coupons comes from direct mail.

Part 3e: Direct Mail

Good mail is not a thing of the past. I enjoy getting coupon surprises in the mail from multiple sources. Some resources for getting coupons via direct mail include:

Freebies and Samples

When I sign up or request a free item or sample, the company usually includes a coupon along with the sample item. Sometimes I have to hunt for the coupon in the midst of the packaging, but most of the time it is there.

Mailers and Advertisements

These are the packages of coupons for local establishments (e.g., Valpak ^[9]). These coupons are usually for services and restaurants, but sometimes I find a coupon gem within the package.

Phone Book

Though not obsolete yet, the phone book has a section of coupons. I have found coupons for free or very inexpensive items from the phone book. I tear out the coupons and file them with my restaurant and entertainment coupons for when I’m looking for a discount.

Loyalty Programs

By signing up with loyalty programs at your local grocery stores, you may find surprises coming in your mailbox. I enjoy the store coupon booklets and special promotions delivered to my mailbox.

With lots of junk mail delivered to our home, I sort through the freebies, samples, mailers and advertisements, phonebooks, and loyalty programs to find the coupons our family might use. My favorites are the coupons from the freebies and samples as some of the products are so new that coupons are not yet available through other sources.

As you gather coupons, try not to overlook the value in the direct mail approach. Personally, I rarely turn away a coupon. In saving my family money, I gather responsibly from many sources with direct mail being one. Next week, I’ll share ways to find coupons through local stores. Happy coupon gathering!

Question: Do you find coupons in your mailbox?