Finding coupons to save you money on shopping for groceries and other products is one great way to make you feel much better about your excursions. You have to spend the money, but do you really have to just keep handing it over like you have been? Pay attention to the following tips.
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.
You should not use a coupon right when you get it. In order to maximize your savings amount, be patient and wait until your desired item is on sale. During this sale, use your coupon. You can double up and sometimes get these items for free!
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.
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!
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.
When you get to the checkout area, ensure that the coupons you use will properly scan. Many people don’t realize that a lot of coupons will not scan and won’t be registered, which can either be the fault of the store or the coupon itself. You should carefully observe the cashier to ensure that he or she is scanning each offer.
“Dumpster diving” is a legitimate way to get your hands on a lot of coupons. This doesn’t mean diving in a dumpster, just put on gloves and search out the newspaper inserts. The number of people who toss out their papers without touching the coupons will amaze you!
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.
To know where you can use certain coupons, write down a list of the coupon policies at your local retailers and grocers. Some of them are not going to accept the Internet printed coupons, or competitors. Check their websites for their policies, and consider trips to stores you might not currently visit if they are more coupons friendly.
Never just rely on only the Sunday newspaper for your coupons. With technology advancements today, coupons are available from many different sources. Look at the various online coupon websites that are out there. You can easily search for frequently used items and peruse available coupons online.
Many stores have an online store, and you can sign up for notifications when they have a sale. You can also check the site for current coupon offers periodically. You can print the coupon from their website, or use the code they provide if you want to order an item online.
If your Sunday paper has a great coupon circular, buy more than one copy. The cost of the paper is often less than the savings the coupons offer if they are for items or brands that your family regularly uses. In addition to buying extra copies, you can also ask your friends or family members for their copies.
Do you have more than one of the same coupon? You can usually use more than one coupon at the same time. Just make sure you follow the rules on the coupon and buy the amount of product that your coupons are for. For instance, if you have four coupons for one item, you can buy four items.
Print coupons from the Internet. There are many websites that offer manufacturers coupons for you to print and use at many different stores. Sometimes the manufacturer’s website even has printable coupons you can use. Different stores have different policies regarding printed coupons so be sure to check your store’s policy.
Only use coupons on items that are on sale. You can get the most out of your money this way. If an item is not on sale and you buy it just because you have a coupon, you could be wasting money. Hold on to your coupons until the next week when sales change and the item you want is on sale.
To get the most out of using coupons, shop at stores that allow you to multiply your coupon discount. Some grocers and retailers allow you to double coupons or even triple them, up to a certain value. You’ll want to check prices, but these stores can boost your savings.
Check all of the expiration dates for all of the coupons that you have. If you don’t watch your expiration dates, you might end up at the checkout only to be told that your coupons are no longer valid.
There are ways to save you money when shopping using coupons, and now you should have a better idea as to how to go about doing that. You will be surprised at how much savings you see when you utilize the tips and advice you’ve read here. It’s a way to protect your budget and save some of your income for other things.
