Friday, August 31, 2012

Helpful Advice And Tips On Using Coupons

By Steve Brian


Clipping coupons can be a terrific way to save lots of money each and every time you go shopping for your family. The key to making coupons work well for you is to acquire the knowledge necessary to use them skillfully. Continue reading this piece for great advice on how to do just that.

Join a rewards program at the store you go to if they have one. Most of the time, you'll be able to get coupons in the mail or access them online. You usually get a card, and will be able to rack up discounts, as well as get discounts on every day items.

Only use coupons on items that are on sale. You can get the most out of your money this way. If an item is not on sale and you buy it just because you have a coupon, you could be wasting money. Hold on to your coupons until the next week when sales change and the item you want is on sale.

When saving with coupons, throw brand loyalty out the window. You might find a great coupon for a laundry soap that is not your normal brand. Give it a try and save some money in the process. By diversifying the brands you are willing to buy, you can save more while still purchasing your necessary items.

Remember how long it takes to drive home from a grocery store. You might only be used to a five minute drive from your usual grocery store, and the cold foods are fine. However, if you drive across town for savings on ice cream, it might be melted when you get home because you are used to a short drive with groceries.

To truly maximize your coupon benefits, you should learn coupon jargon. These are words that you will see on various coupons. Some popular coupon terms are "BOGO," "MIR," and "OYNO." These terms mean, "Buy One Get One," "Mail-In Rebate," and "On Your Next Order." Taking the time to learn these terms and many more can really boost your savings.

Know the policies of you local store before you try to use coupons there. Some stores do not accept printed coupons or have other restrictions. Some other store might let you stack coupons everyday or on special days. Know your local store's policies to get the most from couponing.

Shop around at the different stores in your neighborhood. Each store will have their own rotation of specials and in store sales. As you learn the patterns at each store, you will become more efficient at finding deals. Remember to check the specials regularly, because stores will change their patterns from time to time.

A quick search online for coupons before you go out to the store can go a long way. You might find some coupons that you can print out that can save you on your trip to the store. A few minutes of research might wind up helping you more than you think.

Make friends with the cashiers. Particularly if you are in the same stores fairly often, it is important to be polite and thank them whenever possible. They can really help the process go much smoother if they aren't annoyed at having to scan all your coupons. A little personality can go a long way.

Organize your coupons. You can purchase coupon organizers and binders at many mass retail chains as well as online stores. You can organize your coupons by subject, or by expiration date. Each compartment or sleeve can be labeled with the information you need. Another inexpensive option is to place coupons in separate envelopes.

Create your shopping list before you go to the store based on the coupons you want to use. You can also use the coupons you have to get ideas on what meals to cook that week. This will help you save time while shopping and make sure you use the coupons you have instead of letting them expire.

Do not waste your time going from store to store in order to save money on a particular item by using a coupon. While you may think of this as getting more for your money, the reality is that you will spend more on wasted gas than you will have saved with the coupon.

Keep your coupons organized. Whether you use a coupon holder, binder or envelopes, make sure your coupons are organized and easy to find. Organize them in a way that is easiest for you to sort through. Some ideas are sorting by item type or the section of the store the item is kept in.

There is no doubt that the use of coupons can lead to substantial savings for you and your family. In order to maximize the potential of coupons, an understanding of how best to use them is absolutely critical. Keep the tips in this piece close at hand, and you will be surprised by how much money you can really save.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment