Believe it or not you can save a bunch of money every week by using coupons. A lot of people don’t realize the potential coupons gives them to save money when they go shopping. If you have never used coupons before but want to change that then maybe this article can help.
Never buy something simply because there is a great coupon for it. Buying items you don’t need is reckless and is not a smart way to use coupons. Only use your coupons on products that were on your shopping list to begin with.
In order to get as many useful coupons as possible, you should not confine your searches to conventional sources alone. By expanding your coupon hunting beyond newspaper circulars to include online resources and coupon trading groups, it is likely to maximize the products for which you can receive discounts and realize the greatest amount of savings.
Be sure you know what the coupon policy is for stores you like to go to. You want to know if you can double or triple your coupons or how strict their expiration policy is. Gather as much information as possible to garner the highest possible savings.
If you get heavily involved in using coupons, but don’t like to spend money printing or buying newspapers, talk to your friends. Many people throw out the coupons from their Sunday papers, and will hold on to them for you to come and collect. Do not try to collect them out of the trash, as this can be illegal.
Acquire copies of the couponing policies at the stores you frequent, and keep them in your coupon binder on each shopping trip. Having this policies in writing can help to clear up any misunderstandings at the register quickly. Many stores make their policies regarding coupons available on their web sites.
Make sure you understand and print off coupon policies for your local stores. Walmart, for example, has a printable coupon policy. Keep them in your coupon organizer for handy usage. On occasion, a cashier may not know the corporate policies for their stores, and having the policy may help you get the leg up in a disagreement.
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.
Once at the checkout, be sure that your coupons scan properly. It is easy for checkers or cashier equipment to erroneously scan coupons or even neglect to scan them entirely. Watch to make sure the cashier properly scans the coupon, then look on the display screen to verify it applied.
If you carry a loyalty card for a particular store, check the store’s website for coupons. Many retailers offer manufacturer’s coupons on their website and allow you to download them to your card. Your stored coupons are automatically deducted when the cashier swipes your card at the cash register.
Always keep a copy of the store’s policy with you. If you run into trouble and are told that you can’t make a certain transaction, simply get out the policy and go through it with the employee. Make sure that you don’t lose your temper, either. The only way you will get the situation resolved is if you remain patient and kind.
There are actually a ton of websites that can help you save by using coupons. There might be a coupon offer for which you could get free items. Paying a small fee for extras of this coupon can still save you a great deal at the cash register.
Match your coupons up with sale items. Once you get the ad for the grocery store’s weekly sale, find items to buy that you use and have coupons for. Using a coupon on a sale item saves you even more money than just using the coupon on a regular priced item.
Always have your coupons available. The truth is, you never know when you might need to stop and pick something up while you are out. By keeping your coupons either in your vehicle or in your bag, you will always have them readily available should the need to shop arise.
Don’t use coupons to buy things you don’t usually use. If you do not normally use an item, don’t buy it just because you can get a good deal. The item could end up sitting on your shelf and never get used. This is just a waste of your time and of your money. If you are not going to use it, then you have wasted your money.
If you have a ton of coupons to use in a store, warn any customers who may be behind you in line. The cashier, especially a novice cashier, may take a lot of time to get through all of those coupons. One mistake can add multiple minutes to get a manager to fix the issue. Letting those around you know about your coupons is just good practice.
Exchange coupons with friends. This is a great way to help you when you find you have coupons you might not use. Instead of throwing them away, see if you can talk a few friends into swapping with you. This is a good way to help each other while helping yourself.
The Sunday edition of your local newspaper can be a great place to find coupons. If you have friends, family or neighbors who also get the paper but do not use the coupons, then ask them is they will save the coupons for you. This can help you get multiple copies of the same great coupon.
Don’t you see how much using coupons can help you save a bunch of money every time you go shopping? Hopefully from here on out you’ll play it smart and start using coupons all the time so you don’t have to spend a ton of money when you shop all the time.
