Coupons are almost everywhere. Many arrive in the Sunday newspaper and others you can find in many magazines. Some manufacturers issue coupons and send them through the mails. Many sites also allow consumers to print coupons for the items that they buy. For maximum savings, there are a few tricks that will increase the savings and lessen the hassle.
Coupon Basics
Gather coupons from anywhere and everywhere. Start with the sources listed above and go from there. Ask friends or family members to save coupons for you. Look for coupon exchanges – some supermarkets offer a place where customers can trade coupons.
Sort the coupons and discard any that you would never use. Save those to trade or share with others. Check expiration dates with care and don’t use any coupons that are past the time.
Organize coupons into categories; one for dairy, one for meats, one for baking products, etc. Use a coupon box with dividers or invest in a coupon wallet that provides slots for each type of coupon.
Make Coupon Savings Major
Use coupons as the low-cost way to try new products and flavours. The best offers are for a free product; something manufacturers often offer when introducing something new. Even a savings coupon cuts the price and allows you to try something different at a lower price. Shop around for supermarkets that double or even triple coupons. Watch ads for announcements of a particular “double day” and get twice the savings per coupon. Be aware that some grocers will limit the number of doubled or tripled coupons so know the rules and play fair.
Use coupons on items already on sale for the lowest prices. Watch grocery ads and match coupons to sale items for even more significant savings.
Smart shoppers often combine a cents off coupon, a sale price, and a mail-in rebate offer for maximum savings. Such savings can often make the original item free or even return more than the cost!
Clip coupons and shop with a wise eye!