How to Save Money Using Coupons
Grocery Coupons, Oneline Coupons Help to Save Money Shopping
Mar 13, 2009
In a difficult economy, many people are looking for ways to save money. Grocery store coupons, department store coupons, store circular coupons and online coupons are great ways to save money on grocery bills, and on other vital purchases for the home.
Unfortunately, many shoppers who are new to coupon clipping can miss out on shopping trip savings due to a few very common errors. And in some cases, coupon users who are looking to save money may actually spend more just because they have a coupon! To avoid these coupon shopping pitfalls and to save more money on that next trip to the grocery store, Target, or drug store, try the following tips to save money using coupons.
Getting Started - How to Organize Coupons and Remember the Coupons for Each Shopping Trip
Many shoppers who are hoping to save money using coupons run into two basic problems: they forget to bring the coupons on a shopping trip or they forget to use the coupons before they expire.
A simple coupon organizer will remedy both of these common problems. Purchase a coupon organizer (a plastic folder that opens to create several different pockets), available at virtually any office supply store or in the stationary section at department stores like Target or Wal-Mart.
For each store, designate one pocket in the coupon organizer. All coupons for that store will be placed in this section. Each week, expired, unused coupons will be cleaned out and new coupons placed in the appropriate store's pocket.
Ideally, the coupon organizer should be kept in the car so it's available for each shopping trip. Coupons will not save money for shoppers if they're left at home!
Finding Coupons - Where Can I Find Coupons for Groceries, Drug Stores and Department Stores?
Grocery store coupons, drug store coupons, and coupons for department stores like Target and Wal-Mart can be found in several places - you just need to know where to look and when.
New coupons and sale information are typically released on Sundays. Most drug store and grocery store coupons are good for one week.
So, each Sunday, spend a bit of time to collect coupons and clip coupons. Bargain shoppers can find coupons in the following locations:
- In the Sunday edition of the newspaper
- In the store circular, available at the store (usually near the store entrance)
- On the store website
- On the manufacturer's website
Go through the Sunday paper and the store circulars to clip coupons for products that may be purchased that week. This is a good time to create shopping lists for the week; notations can be made beside items that will be purchased using a coupon.
For stores that accept coupons printed from the internet, visit the store website. Not all stores accept printed online coupons, so check with each store's customer service desk on that next shopping trip.
It's also a good idea to visit the manufacturer's website to check for coupons for items that are purchased on a regular basis or for more expensive items. Some manufacturers offer product-specific coupons on a regular basis; these coupons can typically be used at all stores that carry the product.
Saving Money Using Coupons
For the greatest savings, shoppers can use coupons to dictate where they'll be shopping for a particular products on a certain week. Bargain hunters who are flexible when it comes to which products they purchase can also allow the coupons to determine which products they purchase.
During the coupon clipping process, the shopper can create shopping lists for various stores based on which coupons they have available.
In addition, shoppers can save more money with coupons by planning ahead. If a shopper knows they're going to be running out of bleach the following week, it may be a wise decision to clip the Clorox Bleach coupon in this week's store circular and purchase the bleach a week ahead of time.
How to Avoid Spending More when Using Coupons
Occasionally, a shopper who's using coupons to save money may actually end up spending more and making poor shopping decisions.
Bargain shoppers should avoid purchasing an item simply because they have a coupon. The trick is to only purchase necessities, items that would have been purchased regardless of whether the shopper has a coupon.
Generally speaking, shoppers with coupons should avoid purchasing items that will not be used for weeks or months down the road. The exception is when the item is a necessity -- like toilet paper -- that will absolutely be used, and when there is sufficient storage area for the item. A poor purchase would be a large jug of olive oil, purchased despite the fact that the shopper rarely uses the product or has a 9-month supply of olive oil at home.
Related Reading - Save Money on Electric Bills, Utilities and Groceries
For more tips on how to save money in the home, check out How to Save Money on Utilities and Electricity Bills, along with How to Save Money on Groceries and How to Save Money With Diaper Coupons.
 |
