I love using coupons when they save me money.
Coupons done right save you money.
Coupons done wrong do not.
But what is the right way to use coupons for you?
Should you become an extreme couponer?
I don’t know about you but I’ve never had the time to do all that couponing, it’s a full time job in itself.
I don’t have the time and I am sure you don’t either, in fact I’m not sure how any extreme couponer does it all.
Come on, admit it.
You watch the Extreme Couponing shows and think the same thing!
Although, I am sure you look on with envy when the couponers hit the register and spend 3 cents on a $1,897.00 order.
It becomes compulsive viewing but is it a reality that you can duplicate?
For me, no, but you can still save money with coupons and fit it in around everything else going on in your life.
Just got to do couponing to suit you.
Grocery Savings Need to Happen
You can’t afford NOT to save money at the grocery store, but neither can you afford to be spending 8 hours a day cutting coupons.
So what do you do?
Create your own system of course!
Now your system will be different to your neighbors and to mine.
The stores that you can get to, your state and country will all dictate aspects of your couponing.
That’s why it needs to be your own system, not something copied from a TV show because, their reality is not your reality.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
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quick extra money saving tip
Scan Your Receipt Through Fetch
You get free rewards on groceries on thousands of products every day, no matter where you get your groceries. Just scan your receipts to receive rewards.
5 Ways to Coupon Without the Extreme
Subscribe to a paper in multiples
Yes, in order to save money, you will have to spend some.
If your local papers have coupons in then why stick to just one copy? Buy more to get more.
Here’s a trick to get your paper cheaper – local papers typically run a promotion on their subscriptions one or two times a year.
Get the Sunday paper deal in multiples.
I recommend getting 3 or 4 so you can have a LITTLE stockpile when the product goes on sale.
Don’t go crazy with how many of each item you buy.
Most stores have a sales cycle every 8-12 weeks and I promise that you won’t use 15 bottles of ketchup in 8 weeks.
Again this needs to be about you, your family and your system.
The larger your family, the more you will use of each product.
You know your grocery eating habits best.
Just remember to think one sale cycle at a time and not get carried away with the extreme couponing!
Cut Coupons for Items You Actually Use
It’s a novel idea, I know.
Only use coupons and buy products you actually use.
But seriously, have you ever wondered just what the extreme couponer is going to do with 50 packets of soy powder?
Well, so do they.
I don’t even know when or how to use the stuff!
Don’t waste your time cutting out coupons on items you wouldn’t normally use if it wasn’t on sale.
Truth is, money spent on items you don’t use is money wasted, not money saved.
Save yourself the hassle and the trouble and just cut coupons on products you already use.
Hint: If you truly want to save money, you can’t have brand loyalty.
Mayonnaise is mayonnaise is mayonnaise.
So, seriously, skip the mock loyalty and throw whatever is on sale in that cart.
I’m a great lover of the generic brand but when a coupon makes another brand cheaper than generic you can bet I’ll be buying it (with my coupon).
You will thank yourself later.
Organize Your Coupons in an Easy File System
Use an
Use something you’ve already got to save money, or find something that works for you in the dollar store or pound shop.
Label each
Remember to only save coupons for products that you actually use.
Although I do have a miscellansous section for seasonal and non-food stuff.
Just in case, because I can’t totally let go of a potential bargain!
Review Your Store’s Weekly Ad Flyers
Stores typically send out their flyers in the Sunday paper.
If not, they’re all over the internet.
Review the sales ad for anything you might need in the next 8 weeks that is currently on sale (think staple pantry items).
Or, that is a good deal or that you simply need to feed your family that week.
Alterantively, most stores have a loyalty scheme and card.
They get to know your shopping habits and can tailor their mailings to tempt you .
You get to know about their deals and coupons without searching them out.
Follow coupon Websites
There are websites and blogs that find all the coupons for you.
No need to search the internet when they’ve already done it for you.
Because coupons can be quite location specific look for websites that have collated coupons for both your area and the stores you visit.
Now plan your shopping trip
Make your meal plan and create your shopping list from there.
Check your shopping list against the coupons you have in your
Pull out the coupons that match your shopping list and go shopping.
Saving money with coupons doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t have to spend hours on clipping, matching, numerous stores, and coupon clubs.
Nor do you have to be an extreme couponer.
You CAN save money with coupons when done right.
For more help in reducing your grocery budget why not join the grocery budget challenge?
Come and follow me on Pinterest for more money saving hints and frugal tips!
Last Updated on 4th April 2023 by Emma
