In tough economic times, everyone is looking for ways to reduce their spending and save money, and you are probably no exception. One way of cutting your expenses is by using coupons. If you need help learning how to find the best coupons, the following article can show you how.
In order to really get the most value out of the coupons you clip, be sure to keep them organized and broken down by product category. By maintaining distinct classes of coupons, you will have quick access to them while shopping, which can prevent you from being left with a large number of expired discount offers.
If there is a store that takes coupons from competitors, shop there. Finding a store that is willing to take competitor coupons while also doubling coupons is like finding a goldmine.
Take some time to write up a list to take along when you are shopping with coupons. You should also keep your coupons ready so you can mark the items off your list and ensure you have the proper coupon as you shop. Also, write down the amount of every item you are doing to purchase.
Figure out a good organization system. If you don’t have your coupons in the right order, some may expire before you get a chance to use them. Consider purchasing a few baseball card holders and putting them in a book. This will help you clearly see your coupons and allow you to grab and go when necessary.
When grocery shopping with a lot of coupons, don’t visit the store at peak hours. This frustrates not only those waiting behind you in line, but extra-busy cashiers and baggers, as well. You are less likely to inconvenience other shoppers or the store staff during slower times, like weekday mornings.
Organize your coupons so that you can find them faster when you need them. Special coupon organizers are available for purchase that allows you to organize your coupons in various categories. This makes it easier to locate just the coupon you need without searching through your entire trove of coupons.
Don’t only use one newspaper. Subscribe to multiple ones for weekend delivery, or you can ask your friends or family for the copies after they are done. The more newspapers you have, the more coupons you have to choose from. Even those duplicate coupons will come in handy when you shop on different days.
Make sure you use coupons in conjunction with store sales. This will help you in maximizing your savings. Many coupons last for at least three months, so hang on to them until the sale starts. Coupons that are used when a sale is going on will help you save a bunch of money when checking out.
Scan magazines at the doctor’s offices if they are new for coupons. Most places will not mind if you tear out a coupon if there is not any publications on the other side. Most of the time a magazine is good about only printing coupons on the other side of ads or using tear outs.
A great idea for couponers who live in the same area is to start a coupon group that meets regularly, such as weekly or monthly. Members get together and bring all their unused coupons, which can be traded for coupons that others do not use. It’s also a great time to exchange tips and information on the best coupon deals available.
Make sure that you keep your coupons as organized as possible week to week. Lots of people organize coupons into grocery categories, including meats, dairy products, frozen foods, etc. Although this option is great for lots of people, other coupon-organizing options include laying out coupons according to the aisles in the grocery store you shop at or organizing coupons according to expiration date. You will enjoy couponing the most when things are organized and easy to manage.
Organize your coupon collection. As you get more and more into coupons, you’ll reach a point where coupons are everywhere. You need to create an organization system so that you don’t miss out on any of those great opportunities. Consider organizing them by brand, by store or even by expiration date
Always have your coupons available. The truth is, you never know when you might need to stop and pick something up while you are out. By keeping your coupons either in your vehicle or in your bag, you will always have them readily available should the need to shop arise.
One of the most useful tools for coupon organization is the baseball card holder. These clear holders make your coupons easier to read, organize, and find. You will be able to read the coupons information without having to remove it. These holders are very durable and convenient, making them a valuable asset for coupon cutting.
Exchange coupons with friends. This is a great way to help you when you find you have coupons you might not use. Instead of throwing them away, see if you can talk a few friends into swapping with you. This is a good way to help each other while helping yourself.
Have the coupon policy for your favorite stores on hand when you shop. If a cashier tries to go up against you about stacking coupons or the number of coupons, you are allowed to use, having the policy can help you to get out of the situation and save the money you deserve to save.
Know the store coupon policies before you try turning in coupons. When you are extreme couponing, you can run into some cashiers and managers who push back on the practice. They may tell you that you can’t use certain types of coupons or that coupons printed from the Internet are not taken. It’s your responsibility to know if they are before you try so that you can fight back.
Now you should have an idea of just how much money you can save by the intelligent use of coupons. Many people have already greatly slashed their spending by mastering the use of coupons. Just start applying the tips from this article and you will be astonished at how much you can save.
