Do you know how to save money with coupons?
There’s no denying that coupons save lives. Coupons are a blessing as they allow us to stretch our money farther, particularly in the grocery store, where prices are rising rapidly. This has been especially true in recent years. The main aim when it comes to shopping, whether you’re a retiree or a current employee, is to save money.
Furthermore, we don’t suggest sacrificing quantity or quality to save money, because guess what? It’s possible to have them both. Nonetheless, if you’re new to this industry and you want to save money with coupons, stick by these guidelines.
1. Look for coupons in multiple locations
The key to saving money with coupons is to look for them in various locations: on specific websites like BeFrugal, Sawgbucks, and Krazy Coupon Lady, or in newspapers, which is a more traditional way to do it.
Supermarket applications provide digital coupons if you know how to use them. If you have a favorite brand, get in touch with the maker. Also, you may print coupons from the manufacturer’s website or request them from them.
Little hack: Don’t forget to carefully look at the product packaging closely since, in a lucky moment, a coupon may be attached to it.
2. Always combine coupons with other discounts
If you want to save money with coupons, you must also combine them with other discounts. For example, some grocery stores have one or two days a week when they lower the price of various of their products.
From my personal experience, I say that you may save even more money when you apply your coupons during certain periods than you would if you only used one of the discount choices. Saving your coupons so you can combine them with additional discounts might be a wise financial move unless you need the item right away.
3. If you want to save money with coupons, be careful and don’t grab every coupon you see
Most individuals make the mistake of using coupons on items they don’t need. You don’t have to purchase those goods just because a coupon gives you 50 cents off. To be more precise, take the coupons that you truly need and spend them on the things that you most urgently need.
Be sure to make a list of everything you want to buy before shopping. Limit your impulsive purchases as much as you can! I am aware that the supermarket has a ton of things you could be tempted to purchase, but you shouldn’t. Don’t waste your money!
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4. Check loyalty programs
There are a lot of both online and physical stores that offer loyalty programs to their customers. If you want to save money with coupons but you’re also a loyal customer, let’s say at Walmart, you can also join their loyalty program to get some additional perks.
Additionally, you may use all kinds of coupons to gain points on your purchases, which might be an additional method to save money. Joining most store loyalty programs is free, and using them is as easy as scanning a bar code or giving your phone number at the register when you make your purchase.
5. Organize your coupons
As I previously mentioned, if you want to save money with coupons and get the best deal, it is also very important to be organized. Start slowly by stacking them in one place (a wallet or a box) to have them on hand. I usually organize them by how big or small is the discount. Also, pay attention to their expiration date. Besides how big or small the discount is, this is another efficient method to stack your coupons. If you intend to save money with coupons, it’s crucial to use them in time; otherwise, they just go to waste.
Let’s say you have a $2 off coupon for the same brand of laundry detergent, and your retailer provides a 10% off coupon. To save even more money, you may receive discounts on washing detergent. Restrictions and which discount is applied first are typically specified in the fine print. To find out how this thing works, ask the cashier or check the store’s policy regarding coupons.
6. Eating out? Use discount coupons
Do you have a favorite place where you like to go on Thursdays for a little treat? That’s awesome because you deserve it, but this habit can add up to your monthly expenses. The good news is that you can also use coupons to reduce the cost of your dinner. Check out your favorite restaurant’s page to see if they accept coupons or not, so you won’t be disappointed at the end of the night.
7. Look up for sales
Whenever you’re looking to save money with coupons, don’t forget to pay attention to the major discounts stores have. It takes some effort, but every week you should look through the grocery store advertising to maximize your coupon savings.
Using coupons on things that are priced cheaper than usual is the best way to make the most of them. Unless you really need that item, save your coupons for when it goes on sale.
8. Don’t skip bulk purchases
Even though you might not be able to get a deal on everything on your shopping list, making larger purchases might still result in significant savings. This primarily holds for non-perishable goods. When you see that essential toiletry or laundry powder is on sale, stockpile it.
Unless purchased during a sale, expensive products like toothpaste and shampoo may mount up over time. If you purchase more than you need, think about giving it to a charitable organization or sharing it with your loved ones.
9. Never use all the coupons in one shopping trip
This is definitely an unwritten rule! Use your coupons carefully to get the best savings on every purchase you make. The majority of supermarkets vary their coupon offerings every week, and they often expire after about a month. Only utilize all of the coupons if it’s necessary! Otherwise, take your time and spend the coupons wisely.
10. Double-check your receipt before leaving the store
It’s all set! You decided to save money with coupons, and if you reached this far in the article, then you probably got the main idea of it and you’re already a master of using them. But there is something else that you must also pay attention to the receipt you get for your shopping.
First of all, do it as soon as possible and go through it before you leave the store. Quickly scan the shopping cart with your eyes and see if it’s everything you bought. In my case, I was charged twice for a product, and it was a pain in the neck during the whole process of explaining the situation to the cashier.
To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to keep track of your shopping expenses. You can either keep a mental note of your purchases or use the calculator on your phone to add up the prices after each purchase. While these actions may seem trivial, they can make a significant difference in the long run. So, make sure you stick to them and save yourself unnecessary expenses. Trust me; it’s worth it!
You may also be interested in reading about how to spend wisely and avoid Black Friday scams.
