It is a great thing to use coupons to save money. Compare your shopping receipts from before and after you become educated about coupons. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save with coupons. This article has some helpful information to get you started in your couponing endeavors.
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.
When you are going to venture into extreme Couponing, you have to be a highly organized person. That is the key to this game. You must keep all of your coupons on file and know what you have, even if you have to write down what you have or keep them on a spreadsheet.
It is in your best interest to make a shopping list at the beginning of the week and have it revolve around the coupons you have. From this list, you will be able to decide on which stores to shop at and where you can save the most money with each coupon.
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.
Every week, you should set aside one day to look for coupons that apply to your purchases. This makes your coupon time efficient and organized. It is always possible to grab a coupon you run across accidentally, but by taking a complete day to scour your sources, you can collect a great deal of useful coupons.
Don’t only look to print papers, look to the Internet as well. Many websites contain coupons that you can print and bring with you. Some even have digital coupons that you can scan from your smart phone while in the store. Or if you are online shopping, they may provide a coupon code for your use.
Know the coupon rules. A good way to save money is when stores put out double coupons. You can save twice as much money when these coupons are available. However, there are usually restrictions to use so it’s best that you know ahead of time before you go and try to use it.
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.
Consider shopping where you can purchase items in bulk. Purchase items that you really need with coupons. Coupons last a limited time. The items that you buy will last longer than the coupons you have. If there is a possibility of doubling a coupon on an essential and nonperishable item, strike while the iron is hot. You’ll end up saving a lot of money.
Shopping every week is recommended if you wish to get all you can out of your coupons. Even if it just means buying the weekly specials, you can save money if you shop every week. Most stores offer weekly coupons that will allow you to maximize your coupon savings.
Get familiar with coupon acronyms. “BOGO” is an acronym used to indicate that if you buy one, you will get one free. MIR on the other hand, stands for mail in rebate. Acronyms are all over coupon collecting. Make sure you learn as many as possible so you don’t miss on the best deals.
Avoid always falling for the word, “sale.” A sale doesn’t always mean that you will save a lot. Start doing some research on how much the items generally sell for before deciding to act on a sale. There are also many price-comparison sites out there that you can use to see if you’re getting the best price available.
Sometimes your grocery store will let you stack coupons with others from the manufacturer. This will get you double the savings and potentially have the grocery store owing you money at the end of the transaction! Of course you will not get this money because of the coupons but it is funny to see.
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.
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.
Instead of spending a large amount of money buying newspapers, enlist the help of your neighbors, friends and co-workers. Make sure people know that if they do not use their coupons, you would gladly take them. Free coupons means more money saved. Make sure that you give thanks to the people who help you gather these coupons.
This post is sure to motivate you to begin coupon collecting. Keep these tips in mind and use them to save some money on future shopping trips. You will save a ton of money and really make a difference in your savings account!
