For years people have been using coupons to help them save a great deal of money. Coupons can be especially helpful in this tough economic climate that we are all experiencing. Not everyone fully understands how to use coupons efficiently however. Read on an learn how you should use coupons to maximize your savings.
When you plan on being an extreme coupon clipper you must make sure you know exactly what the rules and policies are at your favorite store. There may be one store that will double coupons and another one of the stores that you frequent that do not double the coupons.
Do not buy something just because you have a coupon for it. Many extreme couponers will only buy an item because they have a coupon for it; this can make you waste tons of money. Instead, hold onto the coupon and when the item is on sale, use it then.
Request all the free sample offers you can find. Not only will you get the free sample in the mail, but often times you’ll receive a coupon for the item as well. Coupons that come with free samples tend to be higher value than others, so you’ll get a great sample and a great deal!
Learn a store’s policy for using coupons. Some stores limit the number and type of coupons you can use. Before you cause a commotion and ask to speak to the manager, learn about your rights as a customer. It can save you a lot of time and trouble if you do a quick overview of store policy.
Many people find that dollar discount stores are an excellent source of steals and deals. You can often find brands to match your coupons within there. This is particularly true if the item was overstocked; those are often given to these lesser retailers as a way to make up the lost money. You’ll save a lot and wont have to use coupons in the process.
If you need coupons, you can look in the trash! This does not mean you have to dive into the garbage; simply put on a pair of gloves and search through papers to find what you are looking for. Many people do not use coupons and simply toss them out.
Sign up for a coupon trading circle with other women. You can do this online or in your local area. You will find coupons from places you do not know about and maybe trade away once for items that you are already stocked up on, or that you know you will never use.
For all the latest tips and tricks about couponing, as well as information about upcoming sales, it’s a great idea to subscribe to a coupon website. These websites have coupon forums and other services that will help you to maximize your savings by communicating with other couponers and comparing deals.
Shop at stores that multiply coupons. Some stores double or triple coupons everyday. Other stores have certain days on which they will multiply manufacturer coupons. Be sure to read the fine print, because some stores just allow a limited number to be multiplied, require a minimum purchase, or only multiply coupons with lower values.
When you see items that are on sale, you need to use your coupons and stock up as much as possible. Evey item you buy you can use a coupon on. If you have a bunch of coupons for toilet paper and toilet paper is on sale, buy as much as you have coupons for and stock up on that item.
To get the most coupons possible, sign up for more than one Sunday newspaper subscription. You will receive tons of coupons this way and may even get different ones with each subscriptions. Also, ask your family and friends to save the coupons from their papers for you (if they are not using them).
If you’re serious about couponing, get organized! Struggling to find the most recent coupons in a messy pile is problematic. If you don’t find them quick enough, they can expire. Try keeping your coupons inside some binder-sized sleeve protectors or baseball card holders. These can keep all of your coupons tidy so that you can easily see them and take them to the store with you.
Purge old or unwanted coupons from your collection routinely. Keeping your coupon stash filled with expired coupons is a waste of time and money since the clutter keeps you from finding the coupons that are most useful to you. Make it a point to clean out expired coupons every week or so.
Keep your coupons organized. Whether you use a coupon holder, binder or envelopes, make sure your coupons are organized and easy to find. Organize them in a way that is easiest for you to sort through. Some ideas are sorting by item type or the section of the store the item is kept in.
Stock up on an item if it is free or just a few cents. You may not want to buy so much, but if you examine the costs, you’ll find you save more by buying on sale and in bulk.
You now understand the value that coupons can provide for a person. They can allow you to save a lot of money which can be helpful in this economy. With any luck, the information given in this article will help you get the most out of your coupons so that you can reap the greatest rewards.
