If you, like many people, are struggling to make ends meet in this terrible economy, one of the best things you can do is to start using coupons. You may not believe it, but it is possible to save hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year by using simple coupons. Keep reading if you are interested in learning more.
Just because you have a coupon does not mean that it will give you the best price for a product. It is not uncommon for the generic offerings in the store to hold a better value for your shopping dollar than the coupon can afford you. Don’t always assume that coupons are the key to savings.
Coupons are available from a wide variety of sources. The Sunday paper has long been a great source for coupon inserts. These hidden gems are often stuffed in coupon mailers, magazines and local publications. In addition, certain websites exist that give you the ability to choose your desired coupons and print them.
Organize your coupons in a way that makes sense to you. Maybe you want to keep all the coupons for baby things together, and you want to keep all the food coupons together. You might even decide to sort them by brand. However you organize them, make sure you can remember what you’ve done.
It is a good idea to have a large coupon holder and organizer. This way when you are clipping coupons, you will be organized and know exactly where to look for it. If it is large, you will have plenty of room to clip all the coupons you find and possibly trade them with others.
Double your savings by using two coupons when purchasing more than one of the same item. If your store is having a sale and you have two coupons, consider purchasing two of the same thing to maximize your savings. This can be especially beneficial if your store is having a buy one get one free sale.
Store your coupons in little plastic baggies. This will save you time when you’re looking for one in particular, and they keep them looking neat. They won’t go flying all around the place, and they won’t get wet. Storing coupons in these little bags makes sense and will help you save.
To get the most possible value out of the coupons you clip, it is important to shop at the right stores. Do a bit of research to find out which stores in your local area are willing to double and sometimes triple your coupons. Taking advantage of such offers in conjunction with in-stores sales can lead to huge savings on every shopping trip.
Take your time. You don’t have to be a couponing expert overnight. Begin by frequenting just one store. Get used to its policies and figure out how best to manage your coupons. Once you start to get the hang of things, pick up a second store. Eventually, you may have several that you visit on a regular basis.
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.
Try contacting the manufacturer directly. If there is a product that you love, but don’t often find coupons for, try contacting the company directly. Express your enthusiasm for their products and ask if they have any coupons available. Who knows? You may score some great deals on a brand you really love!
One great way to find online coupons is to sign up with a coupon club. You will get emails notifying you of the latest deals on the products you are most interested in. You will get a coupon code to enter on your online order, or you can print the coupon to use at a local store.
Ask family and friends to save coupon inserts for you from magazine subscriptions and weekend papers. The more help you have with obtaining coupons, the more money you’re ultimately going to save. Seek help to make your job a lot easier. To get them to save these inserts, offer to do something for them in return.
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.
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.
It is important to have your coupons organized, to avoid expiration dates passing without your knowledge. In addition to sorting by type, put the ones with the soonest expiration dates first. When you see that the time is approaching, add the item to your shopping list. Knowing what you have in advance will also help you to work with the in-store sales.
As you read at the top of this article, using coupons is a terrific way to save lots of your family’s hard earned money. By carefully studying the coupon tips and advice discussed in this article, you can save big. Don’t let the economy drag you down, start using coupons.
