Everyone wants to be able to save money when they go shopping, and one of the best ways of doing so is by using coupons. If you know what you are doing, coupons can save you hundreds of dollars a month. To learn more about finding the best coupons, keep reading.
Some stores accept coupons from competitors, making it easier for you to achieve the best deals all in one place. If they also accept double coupons, it is a great store to shop in.
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.
If you are into couponing, chances are you have some friends and family who are not; so, to save even more money, ask them for spare coupons. Often, companies mail out great high-value coupons or include them in inserts in the local newspaper. Ask friends and family to set them aside for you if they won’t be using them.
A great tip when using coupons is to keep track of the expiration date. You don’t want to walk into a store, pick up an item and then present the cashier with a coupon that’s expired. Some stores might still honor the deal but most won’t, and you’ll be embarrassed.
Keep your coupons organized. If you are using a lot of coupons, it is important that you keep track of them. File them by the type of product they are for and how much they can save you. Be sure to keep an eye on any coupons that could be expiring soon.
Make friends with the cashiers. Particularly if you are in the same stores fairly often, it is important to be polite and thank them whenever possible. They can really help the process go much smoother if they aren’t annoyed at having to scan all your coupons. A little personality can go a long way.
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.
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.
Don’t buy an item just because you have a coupon for it. The purpose of using coupons is to save you money. You don’t save any money if you ate buying items you don’t normally buy. If you do use a coupon for a new item, only buy one to make sure you like it.
If your Sunday paper has a great coupon circular, buy more than one copy. The cost of the paper is often less than the savings the coupons offer if they are for items or brands that your family regularly uses. In addition to buying extra copies, you can also ask your friends or family members for their copies.
Try to find some of the sites online that will offer the best coupons in the stores that you shop in your area. This will give you the ability to get the most out of the coupons that you purchase and maximize the savings that you will have in the long run.
Make sure that you pay close attention the expiration date on coupons you are interested in using. If you save them for too long, you may miss the opportunity to use them. It is a good idea to set a reminder in your calendar about a week or two before it expires.
Before beginning any couponing strategy, review your budget and spending habits. Do you spend more at the grocery store than you can afford? Make a log that tracks how prices fluctuate weekly and when stores offer in-store coupons. By making a log of this information, you can effectively save at least one-quarter of your grocery budget.
A great place to look for coupons are in magazines and newspapers. Sure people may not turn to newspapers and magazines as much as they used to, but they are still a great source for coupons so make sure that you go through them to find the best deals possible.
You can use more than one coupon when you are making a purchase, it just has to be of a different item most of the time. Read the fine print to be sure of this, but in theory, you should be able to use a coupon for almost everything that you buy if there’s a coupon for it.
Don’t get heated or upset with a cashier if there is a problem redeeming your coupon. Simply stay calm and ask to speak to a manager. Even if they do not honor your coupon, many times they have a rain-check policy or work their hardest to make sure you are satisfied.
If you enter a store with a lot of coupons, be polite to the cashiers and the managers. Your massive amount of coupons are going to be a headache to them as well as the customers behind you in line. You need these people to be on your side to make the experience a positive one.
Now you should have a better idea of just how much money you can save by using coupons. When you know where to look, you can find some great coupons that end up saving you a bundle on many different purchases. Just use the tips in this article to find the best coupons.