How to Use Coupons Efficiently

Coupons are worthless unless they are used correctly. A coupon here and there may not save you much, but a coupon used correctly can save you tons. You ever see someone walk up with their cart overflowing and walk out only paying $50.00 YES, it's possible! Use your coupons wisely and reap in the benefits.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. There are stores that doubles coupons. Find which stores locally do this, and it may be wise to shop there. Your .50 cent coupon then becomes $1.00. That's a big savings!! Down in the section of resources there is a link to find the stores that double coupons.

2. Carry a calculator! Do your math and make sure that using the coupon is the smart move. Many times there are generic brands are exactly the same as name brands. Check to make sure that using the coupon for the name brand is cheaper then just buying generic. (It's ok to buy generic and not use the coupon!!)

3. Combine your coupon savings with the store savings. If you shop with a store savings or shopper card, check their deals to see if you have a coupon for those items. This is the BEST way to use your coupons. Often times if you wait and hold onto the coupons from the fliers for a week or two, those are the items that are featured in your flier and have great deals with your shopper card. Research! Research! Research!

4. Get involved in coupon trains, or coupon carnivals. That is where you can get excellent coupons, or more than one of what you need. Do a search for coupon trains, and you'd be amazed at what you find. This is a great way if you purchase many items at once and can stock up.

5. Being organized will save you time and money. You will know exactly what you have for when you need it. There are many ways to organize them to fit the way you use them. If you need ideas, I have included a great site for ideas.

6. Plan your dinners according to the coupons you have for that week. This will save you a lot of money. Will save you impulse trips to the store, or unplanned trips which cause you to spend more. This is my favorite tip of all. Planning your meals according to what's on sale and what coupons you can use, is the best way to save money and be efficient.

7. Refunding! Learn all you can about refunding. It's a great way to save money. I have included a link in the resources to teach you more about it. Learning about it is a whole other article.

8. Plan your attack by using all your resources BEFORE you get to the store. All your weekly inserts, your computer websites, etc. Know what your getting BEFORE you get there. Don't be silly and make a trip 20 minutes away to get one item with your .20 coupon.

Tips & Warnings

• For fun, save the bottom of each of your receipts and take time at the end of the year to see how much of a savings you had each year. See if each year you can beat the previous in savings!

Resources

• Find Stores that will Double your coupons!
• Learn about Refunding
• Organizing Your Coupons

[grannykaren]

on 10/17/2009 I think carrying a calculator is the best tip.

[anthonycarter]

on 7/17/2009 Excellent tips. Good article. 5 stars. Thank you for sharing.

[teachermom]

on 7/10/2009 Great tips!