The world of coupons is so interesting, television shows have even been made about it. Sure, everybody knows that you can save a few dollars here and there using coupons but are you aware of just how much money can be saved? Read on for some interesting facts about the art of redeeming those coupons.
To get coupons for brands you particularly enjoy, all you have to do is ask. Many companies are willing to send out coupons to people who email or write to them. Simply send a letter noting how much you enjoy a product and ask if they would provide you with coupons. You will be surprised at how often they oblige!
Store your coupons in little plastic baggies. This will save you time when you’re looking for one in particular, and they keep them looking neat. They won’t go flying all around the place, and they won’t get wet. Storing coupons in these little bags makes sense and will help you save.
Look at your list before you go to the grocery store. Check over the items you need and see if there are any coupons available online. You can also check the flyer from the store you visit most often to see if any of the items you need are on sale.
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.
Take the time to clip and print coupons. A little time and effort is required to really save money with coupons. However, if you really want to save some money at the store, you will make the time to make it all work. On a typical day, you need about 30 minutes to complete your clipping and organizing.
If coupons are something you really want, do not fear diving into dumpsters or just sifting through garbage. This does not mean you have to dive into the garbage; simply put on a pair of gloves and search through papers to find what you are looking for. Many people simply throw coupons away.
Do not just clip from the Sunday paper. Technology is always making it easier and more convenient to save money with coupons and other offers. Look at the various online coupon websites that are out there. Just go and look for items according to your zip code, or you can look at every coupon there is so you can print them from home.
Try to cut out coupons that you are going to use more often than not. If you use coupons regularly, this will give you a better mindset for cutting them out, which will give you an incentive in the first place. Furthermore, using coupons on items that you need will reduce wasteful spending.
Compare coupons of competing stores. This works great for things like food and office supplies. One store may offer bananas for 79 cents per pound, while another store offers them for 60 cents a pound. Compare and look around to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.
Before you buying anything online, look for coupon codes. A lot of places offer coupon codes that you can use to save when you’re buying products. Go to any search engine that you like and do a search. To find current coupon codes and offers, search using the month and year. For example, search “Pizza Hut May 2012 Coupon” for coupon codes valid in May of 2012.
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!
Make sure that you pay close attention the expiration date on coupons you are interested in using. If you save them for too long, you may miss the opportunity to use them. It is a good idea to set a reminder in your calendar about a week or two before it expires.
Make sure you’re buying things that you can actually fit in your home and won’t waste. If your coupon is for an item that is perishable or frozen that you can’t use during a certain time period, you should either give them to a family member or friend or just don’t purchase it.
Try to make extra space for storing in your own home so that you can get the most out of coupon collecting. If you are able to stock up mass quantities on an item, make sure you can properly store and organize those items.
Keep in mind that you might end up with 40 sticks of free deodorant or 100 bottles of shampoo on your shelf. If you want to stock up, this is great but if you do not have the space, you will always want to keep this in mind and steer clear of these traps.
Maximize your existing time. Contrary to popular belief, couponing is an art and requires time and effort. There needs to be time set aside so you’re able to practice learning about coupons to save the most money. Establish a good time for coupon clipping and stick to your schedule to make the practice a habit. Try to find free time during your schedule to cut out coupons.
So there you have it, when properly understood and utilized a lot of money can be saved simply from clipping those coupons from the fliers, newspapers and printing them off the Internet. Now that you have a better understanding of how much can be saved, put this information to good use.
