There are may people who are touting the extraordinary saving that they are able to get by using coupons. While this may be possible, it is not as easy as simply clipping a coupon and shopping. The most effective use of coupons takes a methodical and organized approach. This article can help you find ways to make your couponing really work for you.
To make the most of your savings, use coupons in conjunction with sales. This may mean that you must save the coupon for a while rather than use it immediately. This may also mean that you will need to make more shopping trips, but the money you save will be worth the trouble.
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.
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.
Don’t rely on just one paper or website to get coupons from. Try subscribing to several sources if you can. You can even ask friends and family for their unused papers. The more sources you have in your arsenal, the more deals you have access to so that you can save money.
A good tip if you like to use coupons is not to get carried away with simply clipping out coupons. Only keep coupons that you intend to use. If something is on sale that you’re unlikely to buy, then you should just leave it. Time is also money so you don’t want to waste more than you have to.
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!
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.
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.
Organize your coupon collection. As you get more and more into coupons, you’ll reach a point where coupons are everywhere. You need to create an organization system so that you don’t miss out on any of those great opportunities. Consider organizing them by brand, by store or even by expiration date
A good coupon tip you can use is to find out whether a store offers what many people know as a “double coupon day”. On this day consumers will get double the deal that they get when they present their coupons. This is a great way of saving even more money.
Keep your eyes peeled for peelies! When wandering through your local store, be on the lookout for coupons stuck to the outside of products or hanging around the necks of bottles. These are called peelies and hangtags in coupon lingo, and can save you big bucks! Also look for coupon dispensers in aisles to save even more.
Try to shop at stores that double coupons. A lot of grocery stores make use of this and it could give you big savings. Doubling coupons can actually make those items free. Free items are the best! You can also try new items for super cheap.
Try and find any hidden costs that maybe associated when using a coupon. A coupon for $5 off some Chinese food for example may seem like a good deal until you discover that there is a delivery charge you have to pay, not to mention the fact that you must also pay a tip.
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.
Know the store coupon policies before you try turning in coupons. When you are extreme couponing, you can run into some cashiers and managers who push back on the practice. They may tell you that you can’t use certain types of coupons or that coupons printed from the Internet are not taken. It’s your responsibility to know if they are before you try so that you can fight back.
As previously noted, couponing can indeed be a great way to save a lot of money (and to even get free products). But unless you are well versed in the ways of gathering, organizing and using coupons, you may find that you don’t get the results you dreamed of. Apply the tips from the article above to get the most of your couponing time and money.