Can you coupon without a printer? The answer? Yes! You can definitely learn to use coupons without owning a printer. Be sure to read this post to learn how to maximize your coupon savings without using printable coupons. 
I’ve often been asked if it is possible to coupon without a printer. The answer is YES! Definitely! You can definitely coupon without a printer.
I have to be honest and admit that you won’t be able to snag EVERY deal without a printer, but you can still save plenty of money!
1. Buy Multiple Newspapers
The best way to find coupons is the old fashioned way. Buy a Sunday paper! In fact, I suggest if your budget allows, buy 3 Sunday papers.
(I go into why I think 3 papers is the “magic” number here)
Some of the BEST coupons available are in the Sunday paper. Now you won’t have access to every awesome coupon, but oftentimes the coupons in the paper are higher value than the ones you can print online. You can easily coupon without a printer if you just buy the Sunday paper each week!
2. Download Savings Apps to Your Smartphone
First off, these all require you to have a smart phone or a tablet with a data plan.
Target Cartwheel – Target Store coupons do require printing. However, there is ANOTHER way you can save at Target, and that’s via the Target Cartwheel app (for those of you that CAN print coupons…you can stack coupon deals with Target Cartwheel! I give a full Target Cartwheel explanation here). FYI, this app does NOT require you to have a smartphone. You can print the barcode and take it into the store to redeem these offers as well. For the purposes of this blog post though, we’re assuming you do not have access to a printer.
Target Mobile Coupons – These are different than the Target Store Coupons that have to be printed. These coupons are sent directly to your phone. Just show the code to the cashier when you checkout.
Ibotta – Ibotta is not actually a coupon app. Instead, Ibotta is a rebate site. You first go in and claim any offers you might want to use. Then purchase at a store and upload your receipt to the app. You’ll receive your rebate a few days after your shopping trip.
Checkout51 – Another rebate app. Works pretty much the same as Ibotta.
SavingStar – SavingStar is hooked up to your store savings card. When you sign up, they will prompt you to add any store savings cards you have. Then this app works just like Ibotta and Checkout51. Just add your offers, shop and you’ll receive money in your account a few days later (no need to upload a receipt with SavingStar since it is tied to your savings card).
Your Local Stores – Most grocery stores nowadays have an app that is either tied to your savings card or has a scannable barcode. Do a quick browse through the coupons and offers and compare them to your list. Add the ones that you need and when you give them your savings card at checkout, those coupons/offers will automatically discount your bill!
3. Request Coupons from Retailers
Do you love Sabra Hummus? Can’t handle going a day without your beloved Silk milk? Write the company and simply let them know! Ask for coupons and 9 times out of 10 they will send you some via snail mail (sometimes they’ll send you freebies WITH coupons! Total win!). You can find most businesses email or mailing addresses on their website contact pages.
4. Store Coupons
In addition to downloading the apps for your favorite stores (as mentioned above), I also recommend picking up the store coupons when you are physically in the store as well! Some stores have their coupons in a booklet (for example, the drugstores often have a monthly coupon booklet that you can find either in the front of the store or near the pharmacy).
Some stores (like HEB) have coupons on product shelf tear pads throughout the store. Be kind and only take as many as you need. No need to use these coupons right away, you can take them home and hang on to them until a great sale comes along that you can stack them with (of course, pay attention to expiration dates!).
You also might receive store coupons in your normal household mail. Hang on to these as well!
(Read my post on various coupon organization methods here)
5. Buy an Inexpensive Printer
Printers can be purchased for as low as $19.99 nowadays. I can regularly find a printer for less than $30 at any given point in time. These are ink jet printers, so the ink will go quickly and likely will be expensive to replace (in some places more expensive than the actual printer!), but with your coupon savings, you’ll more than make up the cost!
Here are some inexpensive printers that you might consider:
Epson Expression Home XP-320 Wireless Color Photo Printer with Scanner & Copier
Canon PIXMA MG2920 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner
If you are able to spend a bit more (and plan to print a lot of coupons), you might also consider an inexpensive laser printer:
Brother HL-L2340DW Compact Laser Printer, Monochrome, Wireless, Duplex Printing
Pantum P2502W Wireless Monochrome Laser Printer
Canon imageCLASS LBP6030w Wireless Laser Printer
Bonus NOTE: In SOME cases, you can request a printable coupon be mailed to you! Bricks Coupons can often be mailed to your house! When you click on the coupon link, you will see “Help” in the bottom right hand corner. Click on that and follow the steps to have the coupon mailed to your house.
Finally, if you want to learn how to coupon strategically to get the most bang for your buck, read my series on Strategic Shopping here!
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