Coupon Tips For The Bargain Conscious Shopper

Many people are advocating the usefulness of coupons. You have surely seen television programs and online features about extreme couponing and the ability some have to drastically reduce their grocery bills. Couponing can be easy once you learn the proper techniques. This article will help you learn how to use coupons the smart way.

Figure out what the policy is on using coupons at stores you’re going to. Policies vary from store to store and even day to day. Many stores offer double coupon days, accept coupons directly from other stores’ sale flyers, etc. If you are not familiar with the coupon policy, you will not know if you can use your coupon at the store.

One of the best deals you can obtain through coupons is using them whenever there are “Buy one item, get one free” specials. In addition to receiving a free item, you also receive the item you buy at a discount. You might pay less than 1/4 of retail.

Using coupons on sale items will result in the biggest savings. On some occasions, you will need to stash your coupons for a future sale instead of your next grocery shopping. You may also have to plan out a more complex shopping trip involving multiple stops in order to get the full benefits of your coupons.

Before you go shopping, make sure you always write out a list. Check off each item as you shop and be sure to have the coupon for it. Write down the number of coupons you have for each item on your grocery list.

Always keep an eye on your coupons’ expiration dates. There are some coupons that expire after just one day. Others may be honored for an entire month or more. Take the time to organize your coupons so you know which ones are expiring soon. Check for those nearing their expiration date. This allows you to use all of your coupons without missing valuable opportunities to save.

Find a company that will allow you to buy many coupons for items you know will be on sale soon. You can find clipping services advertised on many coupon websites, and you will save money by not having to purchase several newspapers.

Think about purchasing in bulk. Purchase items you really need when there are coupons. Coupons very rarely last for eternity. However, many items have a very long shelf life. If you have more than one coupon for an item you need, use them. You will save money in the long run.

A useful idea for couponers is to always keep coupons in a place where they cannot easily be forgotten. Oftentimes, people don’t remember to bring their coupons along with them so make sure they are in plain site so that you don’t forget them.

Coupons can certainly be worth the time it takes to find them, but make sure you do it right. You can get going on your coupon saving extravaganza now that you are armed with the information in this article.