More Bang for your Coupon Buck
After you have started accumulating a collection of coupons and you have them organized to suit your needs, how does this translate into dollars saved?
Coupons have long been the gold standard in grocery store savings, and many people swear by them (myself included), but how do you make it work, how do you pull it all together to save a lot of money?
1. Sign up for those frequent shopper cards. Not only will they ensure you are paying the lowest advertised prices, but they will also make sure those registers print out store coupons for you. Many stores have these cards, but if you are unsure, pop into Customer Service and ask. If they do not have the cards, be sure to still ask for any other savings programs-rebate catalogs, coupon mailing lists, etc. It never hurts to ask and you could be missing out on some great savings.
2. Read the sales ads carefully. Many times, the sales ads will point out any advertised specials that match up with current coupons. They may even have coupons to clip in the sales ads themselves. Even if you aren’t planning to shop every week, check out the ads for coupons or any advertised deals that are too good to pass up.We get our local ads in Wednesday’s paper, check your grocery stores website to see when they print their ads.
3. Combine Store and Manufacturers Coupons. Many people don’t realize that you can use store coupons with manufacturers coupons, but you can and doing so can save you a lot of money. To be sure, check with your store before hand, but chances are they will. I’ve ended up with so many free items because of this! Store Sale+Store Coupons+Manufacturer Coupons=free or very close!
4. Skip a week of shopping. This only works for those stores that have club cards-every time you skip a week or two, they think you are gone forever-when you show up again, they want to keep you coming back. Every time I skip a week at Kroger, they print me out a “Save 3.00 on your next visit” coupon. That’s $3.00 in groceries for showing up. You can’t beat it!
5. Shop Double and Triple Coupon Days. Many stores offer at least the occasional double or triple coupons day. Check with your store for a schedule. Often times, they have a schedule printed on their website, so be sure to check that out too. We have a couple stores that routinely do double coupons and our Kroger will occasionally do a triple coupons day and I am like a kid in a candy store! (Yes, I know I need to get out more!)
6. Shop on Special Savings Days. We have Senior Days the first Wednesday of every month, and seniors receive an additional 10% off their total bill, plus double coupons. What if you’re not a senior? Wait to shop until Grandma comes to visit. Just Kidding. Check with your store to see what special days they might have. Military or Veterans days, Teachers days, check with your store to see if any days apply to you, if you are lucky enough to get in on these days, stock up like crazy and the savings can be huge.
7. Ask for a price match and use a coupon Most stores are happy to meet or even beat a competitors pricing. You just have to ask. If you use a price match with a coupon, you have just saved even more by avoiding the drive to another store.
8. Stockpile Coupons Grocery Stores time their sales, so the more coupons you can stockpile, the more you can save during a massive sale. Example: I got $100 in frozen foods for $15 when our Kroger had a middle of winter frozen sale last year. I stocked up like crazy-everything in the frozen section was on-sale, and you also received an additional 10% off, I combined that with various coupons I had collected and I ended up with tons of frozen veggies, fruits, waffles, pizzas, etc. Take advantage of any major sales your local stores have.
9. Don’t clip coupons for stuff you will never use Coupons are designed to make you spend. Only clip those you plan on using and give the others away. If you regularly buy generic and you have a coupon for name brand, chances are the generic is still cheaper. Pay attention to prices as well as coupons, so you know you are getting the best prices for things you will actually use.
10. Peel those Coupons As you stroll down the aisles, you’ll notice items on the shelf with coupons on them-peel them BEFORE you put them in the cart. Don’t pull and LJ and only remember about those coupons after you pull the item out of your grocery bag when you get home! The same goes for those machines that spit out coupons as you walk past-take them! Even if you aren’t using them today-you may use them next week.
I am a firm believer that coupons can save you money. Some times a little, some times a lot, but it all adds up to super savings.
Please share your coupon tips and tricks, I’d love to hear your stories!
Happy Saving!
Topics: Shop Smart |
February 15th, 2008
I used $27 dollars in coupons today at the grocery store. It definitly helps with the food bill!!
February 15th, 2008
AWESOME Tips! I’m going to apply them this weekend!
Thanks LJ!!
February 16th, 2008
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February 16th, 2008
Great! Good luck and I hope you save a ton of money!
February 16th, 2008
Daisy-That is awesome! Coupons really can save you money, I love them!
February 16th, 2008
the store i shop says you can’t peel off the sticker on the item, they have to do it, this is to keep you from peeling them off other items and using them on things that didn’t have a coupon.
February 16th, 2008
diana-thanks for the info! I have never heard of that before!
February 17th, 2008
[…] Gets Paid reminds us to maximize those coupon savings in More Bang for Your Coupon Buck. We recently tried to get back on track with our coupon savings, so this made for a very timely […]
February 17th, 2008
Great tips. Came over here from Frugal Dad.
My wife is in the Grocery Game and is saving more money than I ever thought possible. When you save $56 off of a $131 bill, THAT’S an awesome 42 percent!
February 17th, 2008
Ron- I have just signed up for the Grocery Game! I thought I would give it a go and report my thoughts to everyone here. I think it should be a good program, I have heard such wonderful things! 42% is an Awesome savings number!
Take Care
LJ
February 17th, 2008
I finally got my wife to look for and use coupons. Even if you save just $10 a week that over $500 a year and that adds up for sure.
February 19th, 2008
[…] Mommy Gets Paid writes a great top ten list for getting the most bang out of your coupon buck. […]
February 19th, 2008
[…] Mommy Gets Paid writes a great top ten list for getting the most bang out of your coupon buck. […]
February 19th, 2008
[…] Gets Paid presents More Bang for Your Coupon Buck: “Even if you aren’t planning to shop every week, check out the ads for coupons or any […]
February 19th, 2008
[…] Festival of Frugality is up at Mighty Bargain Hunter and my submission-More Bang for your Coupon Buck was picked as a favorite! Very Exciting! There a ton of great submissions to check out, so be sure […]