Coupons are a great way to save money. Many people clip coupons from their newspapers and print them out from the internet. It doesn’t just save you pocket change. Clipping coupons can save you more money than you might expect. If you are on a budget, give the following tips a shot.
You can find coupons in many locations. The Sunday newspaper being a great place to snag some really good coupons each week. You can find coupons anywhere from grocery store ads to magazines. There are also websites dedicated solely to coupons, some mail them out, while others allow you to print them.
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.
Familiarize yourself with coupon terminology. You don’t want to get to the front register and find out you can’t use half your coupons. Look at your coupons before you make the trip to the store. Make sure you’re reading the fine print. Make sure you understand the jargon that is used on it.
Always be aware of the expiration dates on coupons and use those coupons first. There are some coupons that expire after just one day. There are others that can last as long as a month. Make sure you check weekly to see if you now have expired coupons. Use any that are close to their expiration dates. By practicing this method, you will save the most money possible.
A great tip if you like to use coupons is to go to the grocery store without bringing any coupons. Most grocery stores will have their own coupons present next to any items they have on sale. This is a very convenient way of getting in on the deal without having to hunt for them yourself.
If you are clipping coupons, add a binder to your list of supplies. A binder is a great way to store and organize your coupons, and you can carry it with you every time you shop. Having it on hand will help to ensure that you use the coupons you clip and save money.
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.
Buy the Sunday paper. This is one of the best ways to get coupons. If you know someone who gets the paper, but doesn’t use coupons ask them for their coupon inserts. Even though the newspaper costs money, the money saving coupons in it will more than pay for the price of the newspaper.
Be aware that checkout coupons are not capable of being doubled. However, you can usually stack them with manufacturers coupons to save the most money.
Understand grocery pricing in general. You may think that getting a coupon means you are getting great savings, but sometimes that isn’t the case. Know what the price of the item is in the first place, and keep an eye on price-comparison websites that can give you a general idea of what the products are really worth.
Compare coupons of competing stores. This works great for things like food and office supplies. One store may offer bananas for 79 cents per pound, while another store offers them for 60 cents a pound. Compare and look around to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.
A great tip for people who love to use coupons is to print your coupons online. These days, online coupons can result in really amazing savings. Sites like Coupons.com or Coupon Cabin are great sources to find truly great values. You may find savings online that you can’t find anywhere else.
Never buy an item simply because you have a great coupon for it. Only buy items you need. If a coupon offers great savings, you may feel tempted to go ahead and use it. Resist that temptation. You’re using coupons to save money. Don’t waste your income on things you don’t even need.
By following the advice above, you should now have a better understanding of how to best find and utilize coupons. Everyone loves to save money. What are you waiting for? Start clipping those coupons. In no time at all, you are sure to start saving quite a bit of money.