Coupon Organizer
Collecting discount coupons for saving money on food or household purchases is a practice known popularly as "couponing." To coupon, then, is to participate in couponing.
There are many experts in the art of couponing, and plenty of helpful advice for those looking to maintain their lifestyle at a lower price:
Find Stores That Double Coupons
Kimberly Danger, publisher of Mommysavers.com, and author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains, advises "couponers" to see out stores that double coupons. Each store has its own policy about coupons — some will double or triple coupons, others won’t. Some will accept more than one of the same coupon, others will honor just one. Sometimes it is up to the individual store manager to decide. Learn the rules of the stories you frequent. For a directory of grocery stores that double coupons, Click here.
Buy in Multiples
If you can get a 50-ounce bottle of detergent for $4.50 that usually costs $7.99, don’t buy just one; buy several and store the extras. This is true of almost all non-perishables.
Go Online
Manufacturer's coupons are increasingly available online. They can be printed at home and used at most stores. Look first at the manufacturer websites of your favorite brands. Many print-from-the-web coupon sites are also available, offering coupons from dozens of manufacturers. Some require a (often free) subscription. Users are notified via e-mail whenever a new deal is posted, generally once a day.These issuers often have a cap on the number of coupons they distribute, so its a good idea to act quickly on any that are of interest and to browse for new offers frequently.
Coupon Codes
Coupon codes used online can give you free shipping, a percentage off of your total price, or a "Buy One ~ Get One Free" deal. Directories are available explaining where to go online to find these codes, and how to use them.
Have a Plan Before You Shop
To save the most on coupon offers, they should be combined with low-priced sale items as much as possible. Make a shopping list that features the products that are currently hitting low points in their pricing cycle. Add coupons to cut those sale prices even further. And avoid making purchases not on the prepared shopping list.
Mobile Couponing
Increasing numbers of shoppers are using smartphone mobile applications to take advantage of coupon offers from retail and restaurant businesses. Applications like Yowza are free, paperless, and location-based. Coupons are uploaded to shoppers on their smartphone or iTouch devices based on their location. Coupons appear on view screen ready to be scanned or redeemed by a cashier or server. No printer is needed. If the UPC codes doesn't scan, it can usually be entered manually.
Tips for Using Coupons
Organize coupons in categories for easy shopping; put in a place that’s easily accessible.
Check grocer policies for double- or triple-value coupon days.
Read sales ads and pair manufacturer’s coupons with a store coupons for added savings.
Shop for good nutrition and value.
Be cautious about buying high-sodium, high-fat foods even if you are saving money.
Use coupons for items that you normally eat. Resist the urge to buy a food just because you have a coupon.
Look for coupons on the back of grocery receipts.
Read the “best if used by” and “sell by” dates on foods, and select foods with the longest shelf life for best quality.
Label foods with the date of purchase. Organize pantry in “first in first out” order to rotate food supply for best quality.
