Couponing is the simple act of shopping around for bargains and steals on products and services-by simply cutting out coupons (in newspapers and magazines), looking for frequent online promo codes, and even employing some extreme measures (such as using expired store coupons) to save on checkout.
In this article we will give you some concrete and actionable steps to follow to get you off to a flying start with your couponing. Many people report saving as much as 25% on their weekly grocery bill, with as little as 20 minutes per week of searching for and organizing coupons. In addition, by using available coupons, you will be able to try different goods than you might normally try. In this way the coupon providers get what they want also: new customers trying their products.
Couponing has become a trend among many shoppers who have come to realize that shopping doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, a few minutes spent looking through a superstore’s catalog or looking up an obscure internet coupon code can save the day.
But like anything else, saving time spent shopping means more money saved. So how do you save the most money? There are a number of tricks of the trade. Shopping coupons are one of them, but be sure to read the fine print first. Other savings could come from simply shopping in smaller sizes. One pack of gum may cost less than two packs of the same size at the supermarket, but if you spend the extra time to read and count, you’ll probably save even more.
To ensure you’ve covered your couponing bases, follow these best practices:
- Check your local newspaper.
- Check your store bulletin board for coupons before you start shopping.
- Find and download coupon apps. A simple Google search will find the best local apps.
- Join local coupon groups on Facebook.
- Use coupon websites, again a simple Google search will help you find the best local sites.
Internet Searches
Before you go shopping:
- Do a quick Internet search.
- Look for discounts on anything that you need to buy.
- Never purchase anything unless you do this first.
That way, you are always getting the best deal possible.
Lastly, the best deals are found online. This is true no matter what type of coupon you are using. However, coupon websites often offer the best deals. The reason for this is that coupons offered on websites are generally updated more frequently than those offered in stores, leading to a better chance of finding the latest discount deals. Also, coupons offered online are often printable, which means they can be used multiple times.
Couponing Do’s
- Do Know Where to Find Coupons.
- Do Combine Coupons With Cash-Back Rewards Apps.
- Do Sign Up for Store Savings Cards.
- Do Stay Organized to Maximize Savings.
- Do Know Your Store’s Coupon Policy.
- Do Know Local Stores’ Best Deals & Sale Patterns.
- Do Start Slowly.
- Do Try Stacking Coupons.
Comparison Shopping
Even if you are using coupons, you need to shop for the best prices. Prices from store to store, and from supplier to supplier can vary greatly even for exactly the same products. The same is true for other regular expenses around the house. If you live in a state with unregulated utilities, you can even compare electricity cost.
One thing you absolutely must do when couponing is to use coupons. Coupons have one main purpose: to save money. If you can save money on your grocery bill by using coupons, you can save money when you buy groceries in the future. This is because the actual price you pay for groceries will be less than what you would pay with the coupon.
You don’t need special training to learn how to save on groceries with couponing. Just about anyone can learn how to save on their grocery bill, as long as they have access to the internet. The savings start right away. If you use your card regularly while couponing, you’ll start building a large amount of savings that can be used elsewhere. If you are one of those people that are always on the go, take a look at the extreme couponing options that are available today. These include but aren’t limited to; paper coupons, mobile coupons and printable coupons. Each of these has its own benefits, which makes it worthwhile to check out the options. Even if you are a person who is on the go and rarely travels, you can still take advantage of couponing because there are a variety of options available. All you really need is access to the internet. No matter where you are, there is no reason why you should spend more money than you have to.