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.
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.
Keep all your coupons in one place. Some coupons are really small, and you don’t want to lose them. You also don’t want to have coupons all over the house. When you keep them all in one place, you can locate them when you need them without too much trouble.
Try to clip coupons for every item you find, even if you do not use that product. Sometimes you may have a neighbor who needs coupons for diapers, and you could trade them the diaper coupons for ones that you can use. This helps you and your neighbor as well.
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.
Make sure your coupons are being scanned correctly. Sometimes, coupons will not scan as they should. Watch to make sure the cashier properly scans the coupon, then look on the display screen to verify it applied.
Don’t use up all your time collecting coupons. It can be easy to make reading circulars and clipping coupons into your permanent vocation. Take the time to figure out your savings per hour of work, and decide whether your time is truly worth that sum of money.
If you are looking for a great way to collect coupons for items, you use regularly, find the website for that item and sign up on their mailing list. Many companies send out exclusive coupons to those on their mailing list, and those coupons often offer great savings. This is a terrific way to save on the brands you are most loyal to.
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.
Do not forget about your national chain drug stores. These places have a ton of their own in store coupons every week and stacked with manufacturers coupons you will be saving big. Alot of these places also have rewards cards that will give you dollars back to spend there once you spend so much.
Find out whether you can double up on your coupons. If you have more than one coupon, can you buy more than one item in one visit? That is the question you need to ask the store before you go shopping. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you’re checking out.
Rather than buying extra newspapers, ask the store if they can save the unused copies for you. Many stores toss extra papers in the trash, wasting all the coupons inside. You may be surprised by just how many papers you can get this way.
Exchange coupons with friends. This is a great way to help you when you find you have coupons you might not use. Instead of throwing them away, see if you can talk a few friends into swapping with you. This is a good way to help each other while helping yourself.
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.
Look to join a coupon club or bring your family and friends together to talk about couponing. Trade coupons with others so you can receive coupons you need and get rid of the ones you don’t.
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!
