Coupons are a wonderful thing! The best part about them is they don’t cost you any money; they save you money! It’s a no-brainer! Continue reading for some helpful advice regarding using coupons when shopping. You will be surprised at just how much they can actually help you on your next visit.
If you get heavily involved in using coupons, but don’t like to spend money printing or buying newspapers, talk to your friends. Many people throw out the coupons from their Sunday papers, and will hold on to them for you to come and collect. Do not try to collect them out of the trash, as this can be illegal.
Ask friends, neighbors and relatives to save their coupon circulars and newspaper inserts for you. Many people throw coupons away or recycle them with the rest of the paper, not realizing how much they could save by using them. This is a great, free way to acquire extra coupons for the items you use most.
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!
Do not buy something just because you have a coupon for it. Many extreme couponers will only buy an item because they have a coupon for it; this can make you waste tons of money. Instead, hold onto the coupon and when the item is on sale, use it then.
If you know that something you want is going on sale soon, order extra coupons through a service that clips coupons for you. A coupon website would probably be your best bet here. Instead of buying a bunch of newspapers, you can just use the website to get duplicates.
Avoid always falling for the word, “sale.” A sale doesn’t always mean that you will save a lot. Start doing some research on how much the items generally sell for before deciding to act on a sale. There are also many price-comparison sites out there that you can use to see if you’re getting the best price available.
Learn the coupon policies for all of the stores in your local area. Check to see, which offer store coupons that can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons. This will prevent any shocks at the register because you misunderstood the policies of a particular store. You should also check their websites regularly for changes in policy.
Shop at the store with the most sales. Go where your coupons take you. Don’t just stick to one store. By doing most of your shopping in one place, you are likely to be missing out on some great deals. To save the most money, get out of your comfort zone and shop around.
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.
A great way to save money with coupons is by not limiting yourself to just the larger items. Even the smaller 25 cent coupons will add up over time, and you will end up saving a lot more money on a yearly basis. So start stocking up and saving money!
Those of you who are bargain shoppers and who love to use coupons to save would be wise to browse through a store’s clearance section. The savings you can get with a clearance item coupled with a coupon can be quite significant. Make sure to see if any items on clearance are still eligible for coupon use.
Search engines are a great resource when looking for web-based deals. When purchasing an item online, check for promotional codes or coupons before checking out. You’ll find lots of great deals this way.
If you spend a lot of time cutting out coupons, ask the clerk at the store if you could sign up for a program to have them mailed to you. This will reduce the amount of time that you spend, as you can have the coupons that you desire the most at your instant disposal.
Take advantage of co-workers, friends and family who buy newspapers to boost your coupon supply instead of spending your own money buying them yourself. Ask people to save their Sunday coupons for you if they do not use them. Doing so allows you to get extra coupons at no charge. You can even thank them with some cookies or an item from your coupon shopping once in a while!
Don’t get heated or upset with a cashier if there is a problem redeeming your coupon. Simply stay calm and ask to speak to a manager. Even if they do not honor your coupon, many times they have a rain-check policy or work their hardest to make sure you are satisfied.
Do not make copies of any coupons so you can use it more than one time. This is illegal and can get you into a lot of trouble. If you need another coupon, ask around and see if anyone you know has one instead of risking getting into a lot of trouble.
To maximize your coupons from savings, take the time to check the prices on all the options when you shop. For example, if you have a coupon for $1 off a bottle of Windex, but the store brand glass cleaner is $2 cheaper than the price of Windex, then you’ll be ahead without the coupon.
Using coupons requires planning just like efficient shopping does as well. Make your list, find your coupons, and have at it! You will be amazed at what you can do. Remember the helpful advice you’ve read here as you embark on your next shopping journey, and find yourself saving a considerable amount of money.
