I will start this off by saying that I am far from an extreme couponer. I just don’t have the patience to go through every coupon site, weekly ads, etc. But, I do like saving money so I’m willing to do as much work as possible to help with that cause. For example, I like digital coupons from places like Smart Source, Coupons.com, and Red Plum. I shop in bulk when need be because that also helps me save money and especially on things that I need like toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, and wipes. I also buy lunch items in bulk, and occasionally meat. When we finally start meal planning, I’ll buy other items in bulk to hopefully save on our food expenses. Today, I wanted to share a few tips on easy ways to start using coupons– even if the very thought of using coupons gives you a headache.
One easy way to get coupons is to use the social media resources you likely already have. Facebook and Twitter have many companies that use their sites for networking. Liking or following these pages can get you access to exclusive coupons that others may not have the chance to score.
In order to really get the most value out of the coupons you clip, be sure to keep them organized and broken down by product category. By maintaining distinct classes of coupons, you will have quick access to them while shopping, which can prevent you from being left with a large number of expired discount offers.
Keep your coupon organizer up to date. At least monthly, you should go through your stock and toss any expired coupons. If you wish, you can donate the coupons to overseas military families. Coupons can be used for several months after their expiration dates, so even if you cannot use them, they could.
Try using a coupon savings calculator as well.
If you would like extra copies of your newspaper’s coupon insert without shelling out the full price of the paper, contact the paper’s offices, and inquire about a possible couponer’s discount. Discounts often come in the form of cheaper subscriptions if you purchase multiples.
Whenever you go shopping, make a budget and stick to it. If you are using coupons to save money, you have to stick to your food budget and keep your money in your pocket, not on impulse spending. If you have extra money after shopping, put it aside so that you can stock up on something special another week.
Read the small print of a coupon. For instance, you may get a coupon for a dollar off your favorite food. But when you see the fine print, you may realize you have to buy two to save the dollar. It can be hassle to get to the checkout only to figure out it is not such a good deal after all.
Scan magazines at the doctor’s offices if they are new for coupons. Most places will not mind if you tear out a coupon if there is not any publications on the other side. Most of the time a magazine is good about only printing coupons on the other side of ads or using tear outs.
Watch yourself carefully when you are collecting coupons and avoid clipping something just because it is a good deal. Just because you can get a large dollar amount off, it does not instantly mean you should use the coupon. If the brand is not one that you would normally buy, you can actually end up wasting money by using the great coupon you have found.
As you can see, there are plenty of places online where you can find out where to use coupons. This is a good thing for you because when you know where to save you can virtually save every time you shop. Good luck with finding the coupons that will be to your benefit.
Kori
Latest posts by Kori (see all)
- Cultivating A Happier Home Environment In 5 Steps - March 1, 2024
