Are you trying to stretch a limited budget for a growing family? If so, you need to join the world of collecting and using coupons for every purchase. But, just how do you do that effectively? This article is going to show you. Here are some of the best tips for saving more on every purchase you make.
Buy more than one Sunday paper so you can get doubles and even triples of your favorite coupon. Some establishments will allow you to use more than one coupon if you are buying more than one item. This will bring your savings to a whole other level than you ever thought.
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!
A great tip when using coupons is to keep track of the expiration date. You don’t want to walk into a store, pick up an item and then present the cashier with a coupon that’s expired. Some stores might still honor the deal but most won’t, and you’ll be embarrassed.
An easy way to get additional coupons from newspapers is by subscribing to the Sunday edition. Ask the newspaper agency if they offer a special for people who just want coupons. Some offer them for about a buck a pop if you order at least five copies of the Sunday edition.
Ask for coupons when you are out and about. Many businesses have flyers that offer discounts to people, but employees forget to provide them or simply do not. When you’re in a store where you shop regularly, ask about coupons or deals so that you can get a shot at saving money.
When you go shopping, you are much more likely to stick to your budget if you only pay with cash. Decide how much you are going to spend. Decide the amount of savings from coupons you will receive. Then only take that amount of cash with you shopping. You will only purchase what you need and you will be motivated towards using all your coupons if you shop with cash only.
Don’t let your coupon search take up too much time. Going thru pages and pages of coupon circulars can be a time consuming task. Measure the amount of money you save for each hour of work to see if you are using your time effectively.
Set coupon saving goals each week. Try to come with a dollar amount you need to save every week and use that as motivation to help you find those money saving coupons. By working this strategy it puts you in the mindset of always looking for those great coupon deals.
Compare coupons of competing stores. This works great for things like food and office supplies. One store may offer bananas for 79 cents per pound, while another store offers them for 60 cents a pound. Compare and look around to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.
Do not forget about your national chain drug stores. These places have a ton of their own in store coupons every week and stacked with manufacturers coupons you will be saving big. Alot of these places also have rewards cards that will give you dollars back to spend there once you spend so much.
Try to find some of the sites online that will offer the best coupons in the stores that you shop in your area. This will give you the ability to get the most out of the coupons that you purchase and maximize the savings that you will have in the long run.
Make sure you use the coupons you have in conjunction with a store that has good sales. Check the store’s weekly flyer before going there. No matter what coupons you use, if the store does not have good sales, you are not getting the best deal possible. If one store does not have good sales, check another store.
Save any expired or old coupons. Bring any old coupons to the store and ask an employee if the store accepts expired coupons. Some actually do, allowing you to still save money!
Make sure that you are aware of all the regulations for using the coupons that you have. Sometimes, you are not able to double up on coupons for the same item, or you may find yourself in a situation where a store will only accept a maximum amount of coupons for a particular purchase.
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.
Sign up for the mailing lists of your favorite stores and brands. Many companies send out coupons to people subscribed to their list that aren’t available otherwise. Stores also send valuable store-specific coupons like a percentage of your purchase or a dollar amount off a purchase of a certain amount.
If you have lots of coupons, try to shop on off-peak hours. Many people who are shopping right after work are simply picking up a handful of groceries for dinner. If you come in with your massive pack of coupons and hold up a line for an extended period, you’ll certainly get some frowns from your neighbors.
Individuals with growing families and limited budgets are always trying to save money. Perhaps you are among them. With the knowledge you have gained from this article, you can begin doing just that with the help of coupons. Take some time to collect a few, and make sure to take them along the next time you shop. The savings will be well worth your time, and you will feel proud of your efforts.
