There are may people who are touting the extraordinary saving that they are able to get by using coupons. While this may be possible, it is not as easy as simply clipping a coupon and shopping. The most effective use of coupons takes a methodical and organized approach. This article can help you find ways to make your couponing really work for you.
Take advantage of combining coupons with B1G1F specials. Not only do you get the extra item for free, but you will get a discount on the item that you purchase for the free item. The savings can be so good you might have to do it again while the opportunity is still there.
Discuss your new couponing hobby with everyone you know. Some of them may not be as interested in it as you are, and they may be willing to give you inserts from their own papers. Try to obtain as many copies of these inserts as possible; there is no such thing as too many coupons!
Before beginning any coupon strategy find and print a copy of the store’s coupon policy. Many stores limit the number of coupons that can be used on each transaction, while other stores may not accept internet coupons. It is therefore, important that you print a copy of your store’s coupon policy.
When you are clipping coupons always make sure you look on the front and back of each sheet of paper to make sure you are not going to cut into another coupon on accident. Often times the papers make sure that this will not happen by offsetting the coupons, but you will want to double check.
Don’t rely on just one paper or website to get coupons from. Try subscribing to several sources if you can. You can even ask friends and family for their unused papers. The more sources you have in your arsenal, the more deals you have access to so that you can save money.
A great tip if you’re someone who likes to use coupons is to look into whether specific stores have an online coupon that you can use. All you have to do is log onto their web site, and you can usually tell within minutes, whether they’re offering their own coupons online.
Be prepared to spend a few days a month getting your coupons together. This is necessary if you are going to do couponing and be completely successful at it. You will also have to visit several different stores on your shopping trip to get the very best deals that you can in your area.
Go to the manufacturer’s site directly. Usually you can save a few bucks on your preferred brands by signing up online at your favorite retailer. All you have to do is supply them with your email address, and they will send you some coupons. Since it is a retailer you shop at, getting email from them is something you want.
Find a store that offers the value of doubling your coupons, to save some serious cash. Even if you need to drive a little further, the money you spend for gas will be well worth the savings you experience at the register when those coupons give you twice the discount.
Get familiar with coupon acronyms. One example is ‘BOGO’, which is the same as buying one and then getting a second of the same item free. Mail in rebate is denoted with MIR. There are many acronyms that are used with coupons. Therefore, you should become as understanding as possible of these corresponding acronyms.
Compare prices between the warehouse and the grocer. There can often be a better deal waiting for you at the your local ‘warehouse’ store. Check online or check the prices between the two, in person, and evaluate the best use of your coupons. You may buy a little more, yet save a little more as well.
See if local stores will give you their leftover Sunday papers on Monday mornings. Coupon inserts may be trashed, as you will want to take advantage of this. So, the stores are happy to have you dispose of them and you will benefit from all the extra coupon savings.
There are a lot of coupons you can get by joining a company’s social media website. Search for their business name and then follow them. A lot of places offer coupons regularly, for contests or even just for joining their site. Social media is very popular now, so it shouldn’t be hard to locate your favorite companies. You may even get free samples!
To easily organize your coupons, get a binder and fill it with baseball card collection pages. Most coupons will fit within these pockets. You can easily flip through this binder weekly and find coupons either about to expire or for anything you are about to go shopping for that week.
When you first start to collect coupons, start slow. While it’s great to save hundreds of dollars on every shopping trip, starting with too many coupons can be confusing and feel overwhelming. Many people give up on couponing just for this reason. Start with a few coupons and work your way up to several once you are comfortable collecting and using them.
As previously noted, couponing can indeed be a great way to save a lot of money (and to even get free products). But unless you are well versed in the ways of gathering, organizing and using coupons, you may find that you don’t get the results you dreamed of. Apply the tips from the article above to get the most of your couponing time and money.
