5 Creative Ways to Benefit from Coupon Discounts

In today’s economy, couponing has received a lot of media attention as a way to save money, and some people have elevated couponing from a budgetary necessity to an art form. Here are five creative ways to benefit from coupon discounts.

•  Stockpile non-perishable items when you find a good coupon. Many “extreme couponers” find ways to get cleaning, beauty and paper products for free and build an apocalypse-worthy stash capable of sustaining them for years to come.
•  Know your local stores. Become familiar with which stores double manufacturer’s coupons or honor competitor’s advertised discounts to help you get the most bang for your buck.
•  Search online for coupons and promo codes. Many folks who make a hobby of couponing post “exclusive” discount codes online, so you can take advantage of an offer that might not have made its way into your email box. Also find out whether stores in your area participate in electronic couponing so discounts can be added to your store discount card online for paperless, no-hassle couponing in the physical world.
• Participate in (or start) a coupon swap. Exchanging coupons for things you don’t use to get coupons for things you need benefits everyone involved and the social aspect of swapping takes some of the tedium out of coupon collecting.
•  Consider making gifts of coupons. Your local food pantry or animal shelter would certainly appreciate an envelope full of great discounts, so even if you don’t have time or money to shop, you can still do your part for charity. A year’s worth of monthly coupon-filled care packages makes a great, practically free, gift for a newlywed couple or a new mom on a budget, and reminds the recipients you’re thinking of them all year long.

About the Author
Jo Harris is a writer and the Director of Content for the Morgan Law Firm, an Austin, Texas divorce firm. Please visit the Morgan Law Firm Blog for additional content.

How to Get the Best Deals and Coupons in 10 Easy Steps

Finding coupons today is both easier and harder than in the past. In the past, most of the coupons came in through the daily paper, or in special circulars sent out by retailers. However, today, many companies have moved their coupons online. You can find these coupons easily if you know where to look. Follow the 10 steps outlined below and you will become an expert and finding the best deals and coupons both online and offline.

Search retailer pages

If you are looking for specific coupons from a certain brand, there is no better place to look than that company’s website. Each company typically lists their latest coupons either on their homepage or on a separate sales or discount page.

Follow discount sites

Discount sites typically follow a specific type of product and look for special deals throughout the year. For example, there are many sites online that compile a list of the best baby-related product deals and sales everywhere both on and offline.

Daily deal sites

Daily deal sites are a great way to save on special products and gifts. These sites offer limited deals on certain products for a short time. Typically, these sites offer discounts on specific product, such as travel deals, electronics, or clothing. You can sign up for many of these sites and receive an e-mail stating the new deals each day.

Receive e-mail coupons

If you shop at particular brands frequently, you can sign up to receive coupons from those brand. Some companies only send certain deals to e-mail subscribers, and others even offer loyalty discounts based on how much you spend at that company. You can get great deals on cosmetics, clothing, or tech items this way.

Look for stackable deals

Stackable deals are the best way to save big both online and offline. If you mix a manufacturers discount with a store discount, you can often receive the item for much less. Use the Internet to find manufacturer coupons then use them in-store for some of the biggest deals.

Social buying sites

Social buying sites like Groupon or Living Social provide deep discounts on local products. These sites allow larger discounts because they do not release the deal unless a certain number of people commit to purchase the product at that price. This ensures that the company makes a high enough profit while still selling the items at a discount.

Find holiday deals

The holidays are some of the best times to find excellent deals on everything from furniture to household goods. Almost every company will release outstanding deals around each major holiday, like Black Friday or Memorial Day, to entice customers to buy. If you combine holiday savings with coupons and other stackable deals, you can save a huge amount on nearly every product.

Know the discount seasons

Each product has a certain time of year when that product is the least expensive. Typically, the discount season is a few months after that product is out of season, although for some products, like electronics, the best time to buy varies. For example, many companies have the largest discounts on TVs and other large electronics right around Super Bowl time.

Shop in bulk

Sometimes you can save money by purchasing items in bulk. Large bulk stores will often have better prices than stores that sell smaller versions of products. Using coupons on these large items is one of the best ways to receive deep discounts on everyday products.

Maintain a budget

As with anything, you can spend too much even on good deals if you are not careful. With every purchase that you make, create a budget that you do not want to go over so that you avoid going into debt or overextending yourself.

If you follow all of these 10 easy steps, you will be well on your way to remaining one of the smartest shoppers in the world for every product imaginable. Look for discounts, shop both online and offline, and stick to a budget and you may be surprised at how much you can save.

Author Bio: Simon is a Blog owner and regular contributor for various financial Blogs from Europe but likes to write in various other topics and fields and prides himself in being a versatile professional writer.

This post was written by Simon from higherclick.com on behalf of their client Macys.com

5 Creative Ways to Benefit from Coupon Discounts

In today’s economy, couponing has received a lot of media attention as a way to save money, and some people have elevated couponing from a budgetary necessity to an art form. Here are five creative ways to benefit from coupon discounts.

1. Stockpile non-perishable items when you find a good coupon. Many “extreme couponers” find ways to get cleaning, beauty and paper products for free and build an apocalypse-worthy stash capable of sustaining them for years to come.

2. Know your local stores. Become familiar with which stores double manufacturer’s coupons or honor competitor’s advertised discounts to help you get the most bang for your buck.

3. Search online for coupons and promo codes. Many folks who make a hobby of couponing post “exclusive” discount codes online, so you can take advantage of an offer that might not have made its way into your email box. Also find out whether stores in your area participate in electronic couponing so discounts can be added to your store discount card online for paperless, no-hassle couponing in the physical world.

4. Participate in (or start) a coupon swap. Exchanging coupons for things you don’t use to get coupons for things you need benefits everyone involved and the social aspect of swapping takes some of the tedium out of coupon collecting.

5.Consider making gifts of coupons. Your local food pantry or animal shelter would certainly appreciate an envelope full of great discounts, so even if you don’t have time or money to shop, you can still do your part for charity. A year’s worth of monthly coupon-filled care packages makes a great, practically free, gift for a newlywed couple or a new mom on a budget, and reminds the recipients you’re thinking of them all year long.

 

About the Author:  Jo Harris is a writer and the Director of Content for the Morgan Law Firm, in Austin, Texas. Please visit the Morgan Law Firm Blog for additional content.

 

Editor’s Note: Don’t forget to check out Couponer’s free printable coupons here. Our coupons change frequently so if you see something that you use, hurry up and print it before it goes away. You can use your browser’s BACK button to print TWO of each of your coupons. Check back every week to see new coupons.

Save with “Comp” Shopping

My friend from church, Sandy, introduced me to the concept of “comp shopping,” so I had to try it out for myself. After making the rounds inside the grocery store, I found myself (with my extremely doubtful husband in tow) with a shopping cart containing 12 pineapples, each with a hefty price tag of $3.69. However, I was determined to buy them for only 99 cents each — or put them back. They all came home with me. This is how I did it and you can, too.

If you are not loyal to your local grocery stores via points or rewards or anything like that, but they do have some great deals, take advantage of those deals without having to spend both your time and gas going from one store to another to get the best prices.

I found this to be very helpful in buying produce and actually snag better bargains than at the local farmer’s market. So, without further ado, here is what I learned from Sandy.

1. Grab a flier from any or all local grocery stores. Usually these come inside Saturday and/or Sunday newspapers, although not always because in my area, my favorite grocery store is Aldi’s and that flier comes out on a Wednesday.

2. Look through the fliers for great buys on items that you want and use. You probably already do this already, so that’s nothing new for you.

3. Mark the bargain items on the fliers themselves. For instance, if one grocery story has celery at a great price and also your favorite tuna is on sale, mark that in the fliers. Do this for every flier you have.

4. Make a list of what you want to purchase and where. Here is a short example:

Giant

• Bumblebee Tuna- .69/can

• celery- .79 each

• Peter Pan brand peanut butter- 2/$5.00

• watermelons- $4.00 each

CVS

• VO5 Shampoo- $1.00 each

• Purina dog treats- 2 for $3.00

Local smaller chain grocery store

• ground beef- $3.00 per lb.

• Oranges- $4.00 per 5 lb. bag

5. Then head to your local Wal-Mart (Target also lets you do this) and buy as many as you like of the exact brand name items that you want, which are advertised in the competitors fliers.

6. Take your items and the fliers where all of these bargain are contained to the register and for each item, show the flier to the cashier where the special is advertised. She (or he) will confirm that the flier, the special and the item you intend to purchase are all the same and that the dates are within the time frame of the special. Then she will push several more buttons than normal and presto, your item is discounted to the competitors price. Of course, if you have coupons, use them, too.

This is especially great for buying produce and meats. Since produce and meats are usually not brand names, a cantaloupe is a cantaloupe and ground beef is just ground beef. So if your local family-run grocery store has a great bargain on bananas per pound but nothing else of great buying interest to you, go to Wal-Mart and get them at the reduced price. This is how I got my pineapples at only 99 cents each.

What to do with 12 pineapples? Just make sure your pineapples ripen and then cut them up and freeze them. Frozen and then thawed pineapple chunks are so yummy and totally good for you. Now you know how to get them on the cheap, too.

The pros of comping are:

• Save gas and time time; one-stop shopping.

• Get the freshest produce. I have found that Wal-Mart’s produce is usually a better quality than most other grocery stores.

The Cons:

• You will need to do a bit more homework before you head out to shop. But hey, you already know that, you are a couponer!

• It will take you a bit more time at the register since the cashier will double check the items and the flyers and then key in the proper codes. Not a problem for you, just hope that the person behind you is not in hurry.

• You won’t get the points or other rewards that some major chains offer since you won’t be shopping there.

• You may not be able to use fliers for stores out of state since these won’t be considered local competitors.

Happy comping!

Store Policies for Coupons

A coupon is a coupon…right?  Well, not exactly.  A coupon used at one store may be worth more than a coupon used at another store.  You need to be familiar with each store’s coupon policy to get the best value for your coupon.  Some stores, like Meijer, allow you to use a store coupon (mperks) AND a printed manufacturers coupon.  Other stores, like Kroger, only allow you to use a store coupon OR a printed manufacturer coupon.  Here are some tips regarding store coupon policies:

• Some stores double coupons up to a certain face value, such as $.50 or $1.00, but may limit the number of coupons that will double.
• Use coupons that don’t double at stores with lower prices, such as Walmart.
• Most stores limit how many of the same coupon you can use per transaction.
• Most stores limit how many coupons you can use for the same item.  The coupon may be for a different amount, but for the same item, and therefore might be limited.
• Some stores limit the total number of coupons you can use per transaction.
• Some stores will give you the “overage” or cash back when a coupon value exceeds the purchase price.  Some stores will allow you to use the overage on other products but not receive cash back.  Some stores will only allow the coupon to cover the cost of the item.
• For stores, like Kroger, that limit the use of one coupon per item, remove the coupons you      are going to use from your Kroger card.  At Kroger you can only use one coupon.  The printed      manufacturers coupon may double if up to $ .50, but the Kroger card coupon will not double.  Kroger will automatically take off the Kroger card coupon before the manufacturer coupon and you will miss out on the double coupon deal.
• Some stores will accept competitor store coupons.
• Print the store coupon policies and carry with you in your coupon binder.  Some store      associates are not familiar with the store coupon policies.  When they try to deny your coupon, you can show them you are within store policy.
• Some stores will allow you to split up your transactions to use the maximum coupons per      visit.
• Stores without a coupon policy will follow the wording on the coupon.

Store policies vary and change, so check the store websites periodically for changes.  We will try to keep you updated on any major changes we become aware of.

 

How I Got $35 in Free Gas

How many times have we been filling up at the gas station and thought, “I sure wish there was a coupon for gas!”  Well, guess what?  There are ways to save on gas!  Kroger has a great program where you earn fuel points for each dollar you spend in the store and at the pharmacy.  Many times you get extra fuel points for purchasing gift cards at Kroger. Check the store for details.   Whenever you are going out to eat, stop by Kroger on the way and purchase a gift card to the restaurant you are going to eat at so you get the fuel points added to your Kroger card.  When you go to cash in your fuel points, when you are filling up at the gas station, you can get your discount on up to 35 gallons of gas.  My husband and I go to the gas station at the same time and park on opposite sides of the gas pump.  He fills my vehicle up first and then fills his up, all on the same transaction.  That way we can get the maximum gallons available at the discounted rate.  And he gets to pump my gas for me!  lol  We like to save up our points in the month until we get $1.00 off per gallon.  That’s a $35 savings on gas when we get 35 gallons!

Also, sometimes some stores, like Kmart, will have a promotion where you receive a coupon to a Super America gas station when you make certain purchases.  Last month I received a twenty cent coupon off gas at SA.  With gas prices on the rise, every little bit helps!  We will try to keep you informed on any new gas promotions.  Any Couponers have any great gas savings stories to share with us?

Real Couponing for Real People: Step 5, Waste Not, Want Not

Now that you have built up your coupon supply, organized your coupons and have started getting great deals, it’s time to talk about some storage suggestions and ways to avoid wasting your purchases.  As your stockpile begins to grow, you will need to make sure you organize your storage for your couponing deals.  Some people turn a corner of their basement or garage into a storage center.  You could designate the coat closet or spare bedroom closet into your stockpile storage area.  Here are a few suggestions to make sure you are not allowing your deals to go to waste.

 

• Organize your storage on vertical shelves to get the most use of your space.
• Rotate your food and health/beauty items to avoid  passing the expiration dates.
• Use a marker to write the month and year of the expiration date on labels or on the front of boxes large enough to be easily seen.
• Donate any products that you can’t use before the expiration date to your favorite charity or organization.
• Put together a food box for a needy family, a sick friend, a couple about to marry, a new      mom or a college student.
• Keep a record of what you have in your stockpile so you know what you have.  Index cards work great.
• Remember to “pest-proof” your storage area.  Don’t store  items where they may be damaged by insects or rodents.
• Use over-the-door shoe organizers to hold small packaged items such as taco seasoning and drink mixes.
• If you find a freebie or an inexpensive item in a brand you don’t use, buy it and donate it to your church’s missionary closet.
• Give away or donate immediately any items or brands that you know you won’t use so they      don’t take up storage space.
• Put food packages in small laundry baskets or plastic crates so you can pull them out on the shelf to reach items easier.
• Organize your freezer using baskets or plastic crates so you can find food quickly.
• Store chemicals  separate from food items to avoid cross contamination.

Leave us a comment on your favorite storage and stockpiling idea!  We look forward to hearing from you!

Real Couponing for Real People: Step 4, Shop Smarter, Not Harder

Here are some tips for shopping smarter, not harder.  We are busy people, so we want to save time and money, not just add to our workload!  If couponing is too much effort for you, eventually you will stop using coupons.  Keep it simple and convenient for what works for YOU! Read more

Real Couponing for Real People: Step 3, Organize your Coupons

Now that you have collected tons of coupons, you will want to organize them.  Remember, couponing is flexible.  You can start with one method of organization and move to a different method as your couponing needs change.  What works for one person may not work for you.  One thing is for sure – if you don’t organize your coupons so you can find them and use them easily, you won’t use them.  If you don’t use them, you won’t save money.

Most people I know start out keeping their coupons in an envelope.  Hey, if that works for you, go for it!  You can even use envelopes to separate the different categories of coupons, or by the different stores where you will use the coupons. Besides using envelopes, some people like to use an index card file box.  The lid snaps shut to keep your coupons protected and in order. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a coupon organization system.  You can make one yourself using supplies you probably already have or can buy for little money.   Of course there are numerous ways you can organize your coupons, but we will go into detail about three of my favorite methods:  using an accordion file, a Velveeta Cheese box and a three-ring binder.  Yes, you read it right, a Velveeta Cheese box!  =)  We will tell you all about these three methods in our next posts.  Check back with us… and happy couponing!

Real Couponing for Real People: Step 2, Collecting Coupons

In order to start saving big money with coupons, you must build up your stash of coupons!  There are multiple places to find coupons, such as printed coupons in the Sunday paper, online coupons that you can print from websites like couponers.com, and online coupons you load directly to your rewards card or cell phone. Read more

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