There are many people that talk about their love of coupons today. There are coupon experts online, blogging, on TV and in the news. While it sounds easy when they discuss it, in reality it takes some effort and organization. You can become an expert in couponing, just as they are.
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.
A great tip when using coupons is to keep track of the expiration date. You don’t want to walk into a store, pick up an item and then present the cashier with a coupon that’s expired. Some stores might still honor the deal but most won’t, and you’ll be embarrassed.
Know what is a deal and what isn’t. Sometimes things are advertised as being on sale, but they really aren’t listed at a price that is that much different than normal. If you are having trouble telling, there are Internet tools that will let you see if something is listed at a good price or not. When it is, swoop in, use your coupon, and get incredible savings.
Make sure you check your coupons for expiration dates. There are some coupons that expire after just one day. There are others that can last as long as a month. Look at your coupons at least once a week to make sure nothing has expired. Focus on the ones that are close to expiration. This will assist you in maximizing your coupons.
Find out how much your store will double coupons to a certain amount. Find out about the rules at your local store. Sometimes they only do it a certain day of the week or some stores have specials in which they double coupons up to any amount. These are the deals to look for!
Don’t forget about online coupons. Traditional paper coupons are great, but there are tons of great coupons online. There are various coupon sites that you can join too. Receiving instant notifications to your inbox can help you get access to many deals before other people. Some sites also have promo codes that can help you boost your savings.
Request all the free sample offers you can find. Not only will you get the free sample in the mail, but often times you’ll receive a coupon for the item as well. Coupons that come with free samples tend to be higher value than others, so you’ll get a great sample and a great deal!
If you carry a loyalty card for a particular store, check the store’s website for coupons. Many retailers offer manufacturer’s coupons on their website and allow you to download them to your card. Your stored coupons are automatically deducted when the cashier swipes your card at the cash register.
If you are eager and desperate in your coupon search, take advantage of the coupons that are tossed into the dumpster. Dumpster diving doesn’t actually mean you must dive in the dumpster. Just put on some gloves and rummage through the newspapers to discover some coupons. Many people simply throw coupons away.
One great way to find online coupons is to sign up with a coupon club. You will get emails notifying you of the latest deals on the products you are most interested in. You will get a coupon code to enter on your online order, or you can print the coupon to use at a local store.
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.
Try to stack your coupons. Sometimes stores will allow you to use both a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon for one item. Professional couponers find that this often leads to items that cost only pennies, or are at times even free. Always ask if you can stack coupons when you are at the checkout stand to save the most money.
It is important to have your coupons organized, to avoid expiration dates passing without your knowledge. In addition to sorting by type, put the ones with the soonest expiration dates first. When you see that the time is approaching, add the item to your shopping list. Knowing what you have in advance will also help you to work with the in-store sales.
Consider joining or beginning a group dedicated to saving money through coupons. If you know someone who also collects coupons, you two can trade coupons based on your individual preferences.
Find the coupon sites that you can utilize to make the process faster for you. Time is a commodity in today’s world, and you don’t want to lose the opportunity of finding coupons just because you’re short on time. There are many sites that can have you matching coupons to your list and be printing within 15 minutes.
Be open to buying alternative brands and sizes of products. If you can do this, then that opens the doors to you utilizing coupons even more according to your shopping list. This takes a little sacrifice, but the money you save turns out to be much more important overall to you.
Everyone knows about coupons but not everyone knows how to use them the right way or where to find the best ones. Continue to study the tips shared in this article to continue racking up the savings.
