If the economy has you down, it can be hard to find new ways to save money. Coupons can be the answer. If you’re using coupons the right way, you can save thousands of dollars every year on anything you’re purchasing. Read the article below to learn how to use coupons.
Only use coupons for products that you will actually use. You won’t save any money by purchasing items that your family does not need or brands that you don’t like just because you have a coupon. Cutting out coupons for items you don’t use also costs you time, which could be better spent.
Take advantage of combining coupons with B1G1F specials. You will get this additional item for free and also get money off the original item. This allows you pay to pay a small percentage of the retail price.
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.
Let your friends and family know you are clipping coupons. What will probably end up happening is that everyone will save their “junk mail” for you. This mail can be a treasure trove of coupons and deals. If they don’t want to use them, they miss out–that doesn’t mean you have to!
Watch the expiration dates. There are coupons out there that might only be good on a given day. Others may be honored for an entire month or more. Each week, look over your coupons to find the expired ones. Quickly purchase items with coupons that are in danger of expiring. You can make the most with the coupons that you get.
Make sure you understand and print off coupon policies for your local stores. Walmart, for example, has a printable coupon policy. Keep them in your coupon organizer for handy usage. On occasion, a cashier may not know the corporate policies for their stores, and having the policy may help you get the leg up in a disagreement.
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!
Organize your coupons so that you can find them faster when you need them. Special coupon organizers are available for purchase that allows you to organize your coupons in various categories. This makes it easier to locate just the coupon you need without searching through your entire trove of coupons.
Know your coupon lingo. You may not be aware of the things that you can do with your coupons. Look out for “coupon deals.” These are store promotions where the stores double the savings. Keep an eye out for ‘stackable’ coupons. These are coupons that you can use multiple of, stacking up the savings. When you know the lingo, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the opportunities.
You shouldn’t buy something just because there is a coupon available for it. Many people overspend with coupons because they think they have to buy every item they’ve got a coupon for. You might find other good deals, but if you’re not using the product, you’ve wasted money.
Cut grocery coupons from the newspaper. Most Sunday papers distributed by major newspapers include a coupon section. If you don’t get the newspaper, you can buy one from a newsstand. There are also vending machines outside many retail establishments. Even if you don’t read the newspaper, the Sunday paper is a wise investment for coupon shoppers.
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.
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 you buy anything, look for a coupon. Oftentimes, there are coupons available online that are not advertised elsewhere. Use a search engine to see if there is a coupon you can print for that next purchase. Do this even if that purchase is small. Even the small savings add up quickly.
After reading this article, you no doubt have a better idea on just how valuable coupons can be. Coupons can help you save and stay financially stable, more than you think!
