If you want to make better use of coupons in your life, then this article is the right thing to read. If you are currently an avid or occasional couponer, you will hopefully find some tricks you did not know already. On the other hand, if you are new to coupons, you are likely to find many ideas you had no idea about. Whatever your coupon background is, keep reading!
Using coupons to save money on your grocery bills is a great idea and every Sunday in the newspaper there are lots of them. Sometimes if there are a lot of coupons for items you use frequently, you may want to purchase an additional Sunday paper for the extra coupons.
To help you get the most out of your coupon usage, you should strive to only use coupons on items that you actually use. Oftentimes people cut out the coupons and end up buying things they do not need. This ends up in you overspending on items that you would never have bought.
Be on the lookout for “Buy One Get One Free” deals. These are some of the best bargains around. To make the deal even better, see if there is an additional manufacturer’s coupon you can use with the store offer. You can practically get items for free with these rare opportunities.
Try to clip coupons for every item you find, even if you do not use that product. Sometimes you may have a neighbor who needs coupons for diapers, and you could trade them the diaper coupons for ones that you can use. This helps you and your neighbor as well.
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.
Sign up for a coupon trading circle with other women. You can do this online or in your local area. You will find coupons from places you do not know about and maybe trade away once for items that you are already stocked up on, or that you know you will never use.
If you are clipping coupons, add a binder to your list of supplies. A binder is a great way to store and organize your coupons, and you can carry it with you every time you shop. Having it on hand will help to ensure that you use the coupons you clip and save money.
Know your coupon lingo. You may not be aware of the things that you can do with your coupons. Look out for “coupon deals.” These are store promotions where the stores double the savings. Keep an eye out for ‘stackable’ coupons. These are coupons that you can use multiple of, stacking up the savings. When you know the lingo, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the opportunities.
Organize your coupons by the expiration date. You might find, when you start clipping, that you are collecting a bountiful supply of coupons for the same item. If you organize these coupons by the expiration date, you will make sure to use the ones that expire first during your next trip, and save the others for a later date. This helps you to take advantage of all the savings you have gathered.
Think about buying in bulk. Purchase items that you really need with coupons. Most of the coupons available have an expiration date. The things you buy are often going to last longer in your pantry than the coupon would be good for. If you have extra coupons for something you often need on a general basis, make your purchases. Over a long period of time, the savings will add up.
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.
Watch yourself carefully when you are collecting coupons and avoid clipping something just because it is a good deal. Just because you can get a large dollar amount off, it does not instantly mean you should use the coupon. If the brand is not one that you would normally buy, you can actually end up wasting money by using the great coupon you have found.
If you snag a truly great deal with a coupon for an item that you won’t use, donate it. Food banks will accept nearly any packaged food item. Women’s shelters can often use diapers, shampoo, and other toiletries and supplies. Research and contact local resources in your community to find out what they need, and use your couponing skills for good.
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.
Regardless of whether or not you are new to couponing or an old pro, reading this article has hopefully given you some fresh mental material to consider in couponing. Apply the ideas and advice presented here to save more of your money than ever before. Keep clipping and good luck!
