These days, the coupon savings are getting smaller and smaller. For product that used to have $1 off coupons, there are now only 50 cents off coupons. And I have seen more 20 cents and 30 cents off coupons too. Since the coupons offer such little savings, you have to maximize your use of coupons. This means that you have to find ways that you can use your coupons to obtain additional savings. Here are 4 tips to help you become a savvy coupon shopper:
1. The first thing you have to do is BE ORGANIZED. Before going to the store, you need to make sure you you’re your coupons sorted. Devise a sorting method that works for you.
For example, some people match the sales with their coupons. They check the Sunday sales papers and circle the items for which they have coupons. Then they attach the coupons to the sales paper so that they do not have to search for the coupon at the store.
Other people sort their coupons into categories. As they walk around the store, they look through their coupons according to how they have the coupons sorted. For example, I sort my coupons into cosmetics, medicine products, snacks, food, drinks, pet food, cleaning products, and laundry. When I am in the cosmetics aisle, I look to see if any of my coupons match the products on sale. I determine the savings and decide whether it is worth it to make the purchase.
2. Shopping at stores that offer double coupons. This is a quick way to double the value of your coupon. The only caveat of using this method is that you need to check the store’s policy for double coupons.
I have seen stores that limit you to 2 coupons per $10 spent. Another store set the limitation that there could only be 1 coupon per item. If you had 2 coupons for 50 cents off, you would only receive $1 off of the first item. The second item would be 50 cents off.
Another limitation is that the coupon is doubled as long as the value is 50 cents or less. Even with the limitations, you can save a lot of money shopping at stores that allow double coupons.
3. In stores where there are BOGOF (buy one get one free) items, use 2 coupons if you can for those items. This strategy is most effective when the store charges you half price for each item.
Suppose there was a special BOGOF dish detergent. When the items are scanned, the price of one dish detergent is $1 (half the original price). When you use your 25 cent off coupons, you will spend 50 cents for $2 worth of product. You are buying 2 products for less than the price of 1.
4. Check clearance products aisles and see if you have any coupons for those products. This only works if the product does not have the product’s original bar code marked out.
Many times, store will have overflow items and reduce the prices on products that are not being discontinued. Other times, the product might be a particular flavor or scent introduced temporarily.
You can take advantage of those savings and use a coupon to save even more money. For example, a body wash might normally sell for $5. Since it is on clearance the price might be $3. With your $1 off coupon, you will pay $2 for a body wash that is “worth” $5. That is a 60% savings!
The beauty of the above tips is that they can be combined to multiply the savings even more. We all know that the brand name products are more expensive than the store brands. By being a savvy coupon shopper, the brand name products might be cheaper than the store brands. In the end it is all about getting the best value for your money. You worked hard to earn it. Why should you spend it all on grocery shopping?