One way to save money on every day purchases is to use coupons. It seems like a little thing, but if you have enough little savings through coupons, it can really add up to something significant.
It’s not going to help if you just bring one coupon in to the store each week, though. In order to really make the most of your coupons, and incorporate them into your efforts to be debt free, you need to have a plan. Here are 4 tips for making the most of your coupons:
1. Look in Multiple Places for Coupons
While the Sunday newspaper can be a great resource for coupons, it isn’t the only place to look for savings. Coupons packs come in the mail, and you can even look for coupons you want online. There are many coupon sites that serve as aggregators. Sign up, and you can have the coupons you want delivered to your inbox on a regular basis. If you have a brand you like, visit the web site; many brands give out coupons to visitors.
Before you make a purchase, check to see if you have a coupon. And, if you don’t have a coupon, look online to see if you can get one.
2. Stack Coupons
One of the best couponing strategies is stacking. You can use more than one coupon for the same deal. Or, you can use a coupon to purchase something that is on sale compounding the savings. Not all stores will allow you to stack coupons, though. This means that you need to double-check store policy before you make this attempt. But, once you identify places where you can stack coupons, especially in-store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons, you can watch the savings add up.
3. Plan Your Shopping around the Coupons You Have
When planning your shopping trip, whether it’s to pick up household items or to buy groceries, plan your list around the coupons you have. Look through the coupons you have available, and look online to see what you can print out. Once you know what coupons you have, plan your shopping around the savings you know that you will have.
This is one of the best ways to plan cheap meals for the week. Plan your menus around your coupons, and you can guarantee that each meal your family eats is one that doesn’t cost the full price.
4. Make Sure You Really are Saving
While coupons can be great tools, it’s also important to remember that sometimes they are used to encourage you to spend more. The key with truly saving with coupons is to buy things that you normally buy anyway. Don’t buy something just because you have the coupon. Instead, make sure you are using coupons to buy things you use regularly.
The best way to effectively save with coupons is to plan ahead. If you take the time to make a plan with your coupons, you will be able to use them more effectively. That can amount to anywhere between $10 and $50 a week – or more – if you are careful about the coupons that you use, and how you use them. Over time, those savings can really add up.
Miranda is freelance writer and professional blogger. She writes for a number of sites, including ConsolidatedCredit.org.
Thanks for the guest post today. I know I am always looking for ways to save money and coupons is one of the best!
Disclosure: There are sponsored links in this post.
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