In today’s economy, people are struggling to make ends meet. Although no one is going to hand you anything, you can still easily reach out and take some money back by using couponing methods to save. One particular method is by using coupons. Here are some different methods you can follow to make that happen for you.
Using coupons to save money on your grocery bills is a great idea and every Sunday in the newspaper there are lots of them. Sometimes if there are a lot of coupons for items you use frequently, you may want to purchase an additional Sunday paper for the extra coupons.
Use competition between stores to your advantage. Some stores accept coupons from their competition. When you use this to your advantage, you can do your coupon shopping in one place. Gas alone can sometimes negate any coupon savings you enjoy.
Use store coupons along with manufacturer coupons. Most stores will allow you to use one of their coupons along with a manufacturer coupon; utilize this technique for extreme savings. Many stores will honor both coupons; however, when utilizing this savings strategy have a printed copy of the store’s coupon policy.
Check coupons online to see if there are any coupons available for items you need. If you find a coupon for an item, you need, look at the store’s flyer and see if there are any sales on the item. If there aren’t, check the price when you go to the store.
Learn a store’s policy for using coupons. Some stores limit the number and type of coupons you can use. Before you cause a commotion and ask to speak to the manager, learn about your rights as a customer. It can save you a lot of time and trouble if you do a quick overview of store policy.
Always keep a copy of the store’s policy with you. If you run into trouble and are told that you can’t make a certain transaction, simply get out the policy and go through it with the employee. Make sure that you don’t lose your temper, either. The only way you will get the situation resolved is if you remain patient and kind.
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.
Purchase a good-quality binder for all of your coupons. You will need to purchase several sheet protectors to hold your coupons. In addition to sheet protectors, you will also need dividers to organize your binder. Use these dividers for each type of coupon or each aisle in your grocery store.
Leave your shame behind you when you head to the store with a fist-full of coupons. You’re the one saving the money here, and that should be all that matters. If they want things to move more quickly, they should be sure to get in line in front of you. If you are well-prepared it shouldn’t take long before you are done checking out.
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.
If you’re serious about couponing, get organized! Struggling to find the most recent coupons in a messy pile is problematic. If you don’t find them quick enough, they can expire. Try keeping your coupons inside some binder-sized sleeve protectors or baseball card holders. These can keep all of your coupons tidy so that you can easily see them and take them to the store with you.
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.
Coupons offer tremendous savings. Ideally, you are more educated now in the use of coupons. It isn’t hard to find coupons, and it doesn’t have to be difficult to put them to use. Just by putting in a small amount of effort, you’ll save on a number of things.
