How to Coupon Like a Pro

Keep your coupons organized in a folder.

Coupons are a great way to save on groceries, household goods and services, restaurants and automobile products and services, among many other things you use regularly. You may think couponing is too time consuming and confusing, but once you set up a system and make it a normal part of your daily activities, the savings it provides more than pays for the time spent. Susan Samtur, author of “Supershop Like the Coupon Queen” estimates that on a regular basis she saves 50 to 60 percent a week on her supermarket purchases through using coupons.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper sale inserts and supermarket fliers
• Scissors
• Accordion file
• Calendar

Instructions

1. Make a list of everything you buy, and note the dates when these items go on sale at the supermarket or local big-box and auto-supply stores. Over time, you will develop a database that clearly notes the advertising cycles for the goods you use. Keeping this list in a spreadsheet program helps you easily select to see what is likely to be on sale at any particular time.

2. Collect all newspaper sales inserts, supermarket fliers and local sales fliers that come in the mail. Also look online at the many coupon sites and manufacturer’s sites that carry coupons you can’t find in newspapers and fliers.

3. Cut out coupons for the branded products you always buy. Then cut out coupons for your second- and third-choice brands for that product. The less brand loyalty you have, the more money you will save.

4. Store your coupons in an accordion file under the type of product or any other filing system that works best for you. Small files can be easily taken with you when you go out to shop.

Tips & Warnings

• Promotional cycles are approximately six weeks long. This means that every six weeks you are likely to find your favorite items at a rock-bottom sales price. This is why you should keep track of these cycles in your spreadsheet. If you have coupons for these items, you can supercharge your savings when the item goes on periodic sale, so try to buy according to the promotional cycles. If you use a product every week, then buy six weeks’ supply if the product is not perishable or can be frozen. Your database helps budget your money for these opportunities.

• Don’t assume your favorite brands never have coupons. Top brands are the favorites of extreme couponers, because if you watch the promotional cycles and collect coupons when you see them, buying the top brands can save you more money than the generic brands.

References

• Southern Savers: Learn to Coupon
• Happy Homemaker Cindy: Coupon 101
• Woman’s Day: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Coupons