It may seem old-fashioned, but a great way to save money when times are tight is to clip coupons. With some strategic planning, finding and using coupons carefully can save hundreds of dollars.
Lay Out Your Strategy
One of the traps of using coupons that many people fall into is that they purchase items they normally would not use. The first thing to do is plan – decide what items you need to purchase over the next week or month. Make a menu plan and a shopping list that includes both the staples and perishables you might need.
Read Up on Your List
Now that you’ve got a solid shopping list, get a copy of the newspaper or go online. Find out which stores are running sales and specials, and make notes of who is offering the best prices. Plan your shopping trip to combine the best prices and the least traveling distance so you don’t eat up your savings in fuel cost.
Read Up On Coupons
Once you know what items you need and have a good idea for where they are on sale, start researching coupons. Newspapers are a great source for coupons, yet the internet is one of the best sources. Companies often offer coupons on their websites in exchange for signing up for email newsletters. There are many websites that offer coupon clearinghouse services. On some websites, you may be asked to pay between 10 and 50 cents per coupon. It is very important that you note limitations or expiration dates.
Double down to increase your savings
Once you have a list of the coupons and the sales that match your shopping list, start matching them up with one another. If a store is having a two-for-one sale, match it with a coupon from the manufacturer to get a better deal. Stores often offer individual coupons that can be matched with manufacturer’s coupons. By matching coupons with one another, you can save extra money.
Have flexibility in your plans
There are some times when you really will find amazing deals not on your shopping list. If you find an amazing deal, you should make sure you will actually use the item. When you find items on special that you’ll actually use, be willing to change your list. One way to keep yourself organized is to keep a month-long list of meals, and then cross them off as you go.
Go shopping with your list
Once you’ve got your coupons and your game plan, it’s time to go shopping. Keep your eyes open for club card deals and in-store coupons. Keep a file with you so you can use in-store coupons to double-down in the future. More importantly, try to keep your impulse purchases to a minimum. It doesn’t help save any money if you end up buying items you don’t need.
Clipping coupons can take both time and effort, but in the end it can be worth it. Just be sure to research, plan, and be flexible.
