Using Coupons Wisely

Using coupons wisely is another key to successful coupon use. There are many ways to do this and maximize the savings. There are also many ways to use coupons and spend too much money. Far too many people jump into couponing and end up spending extra money and getting items they do not need.

The first way to be a wise coupon user is to avoid using a coupon just because you have it. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and you do not need it, do not buy it. You don’t have to use every coupon you have. Far too many people Unused coupons can be traded with other coupon users. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.

Don’t buy more than you need. It may be tempting to buy as many of a good deal as you can. If toothpaste is almost free after a sale and coupon, you may be tempted to buy as much as you can. Some recent television shows have even encouraged this practice. In reality, wise coupon users only buy what they need and can use in a reasonable amount of time. Even spending a small amount on something turns into a waste if you won’t use it and end up throwing it away.

Watch the sales at different grocery stores. Pair the sales with your coupons to get great savings. Many times items are just a small fraction of their original price when you do this. This is how wise coupon users save the most money. Here at Pinching Your Pennies, we compare the ads and match the coupons for the grocery sales each week. This makes it so much easier for you. We also have a place in our forums for other coupon users to share deals they find each week.

Know the coupon policies at your local stores. Stop at the customer service desks and ask about their coupon policies. Some stores double and triple the value of coupons. Some stores will combine a manufacturer’s coupon with a store coupon. If a store has a coupon in their ad or in store and there is a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item, both can be used. Two manufacturer’s coupons can not be combined. There are some stores that accept competitor’s store coupons.

Read each coupon carefully. Most state “one coupon per purchase”. Each item bought is a purchase. If you purchase 10 toothbrushes you can use 10 coupons for them. This is another way wise coupon users maximize their savings. Buy multiple of whatever you will use when it is a great price. It is quite rare for a coupon to state “one coupon per customer”.

When coupons are collected, organized and used in these ways it is easy to slice your monthly grocery budget in at least half. We have lots of other great ideas to help you do this. Watch tomorrow night for another blog in this series.