Coupons are one way to save you some serious money when it comes to dealing with shopping. You just need to know how to approach looking for them and using them according to your list. All it requires is a little extra knowledge and planning, so heed these tips for shopping using coupons.
To get coupons for brands you particularly enjoy, all you have to do is ask. Many companies are willing to send out coupons to people who email or write to them. Simply send a letter noting how much you enjoy a product and ask if they would provide you with coupons. You will be surprised at how often they oblige!
Be on the lookout for “Buy One Get One Free” deals. These are some of the best bargains around. To make the deal even better, see if there is an additional manufacturer’s coupon you can use with the store offer. You can practically get items for free with these rare opportunities.
Think before you click the submit button! Always do an online search for coupon codes before making an online purchase. There are even whole websites dedicated to keeping databases of coupon codes. Visit retailmenot.com or couponcabin.com before making a purchase. It only takes a second and could save you a lot of money.
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.
When grocery shopping with a lot of coupons, don’t visit the store at peak hours. This frustrates not only those waiting behind you in line, but extra-busy cashiers and baggers, as well. You are less likely to inconvenience other shoppers or the store staff during slower times, like weekday mornings.
To get the most out of your grocery store coupons, know which stores occasionally run double or triple coupon weeks. Talk to the managers of those stores to find out how often they do them. See if you can get wind of when the next one is and be ready.
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.
Save smarter by only using coupons for things you were going to buy anyway. Lots of people end up paying good money for items they really have no use for. Unless it’s something, you know you and your family will make good use of, don’t just get something because you have a great coupon for it.
Set coupon saving goals each week. Try to come with a dollar amount you need to save every week and use that as motivation to help you find those money saving coupons. By working this strategy it puts you in the mindset of always looking for those great coupon deals.
Make sure that you keep your coupons as organized as possible week to week. You can organize your coupons by the type of product or the expiration date. Although this helpful for some people, you could also organize them according the store’s layout or by the date in which they expire. Ultimately, choosing the way to arrange your coupons should be what works best for your needs.
Use every medium available to collect your coupons. You can find them locally in newspapers, mailers and on receipts. They are also available online on store websites, manufacturers’ websites, Facebook, Twitter and on a specific coupon- collecting sites. Always keep your eyes open for coupons to save the most money.
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.
Frequently use stores that offer the ability to double coupons. The value of a coupon will be multiplied by two if you can double them for a single purchase. This can really be useful on expensive items with small coupon amounts, such as soap or toilet paper. Review your coupons closely, as there are those labeled with a prohibition against doubling.
Watch couponing videos and television shows to give you great tips and tricks and so that you know what to expect. Take a few extra pair of hands with you on your shopping trip because often you will have more than one cart of items if you have found some good deals.
Keep an eye out for stores that accept competitor coupons. Some stores will match prices and take coupons regardless of the store the coupon was made for. Be aware of stores like these. If you happen to be at one, go ahead and use your coupons rather than going around to several different stores.
Rather than buying extra newspapers, ask other people you know for help. See if they will save their unused newspaper coupons and give them to you. This can help you get free coupons. From time to time thank them by making them a special treat.
Now you should know more about the usage of coupons when shopping. It is a great thing to see the amount of money you save in the end. The bottom line is much better, and you can use the saved money for other things. Remember the tips you’ve read here as you get ready to use those coupons!