Whether you’re deep in debt or just need little extra cash, consider saving money with coupons.
It might not seem like much, but clipping a few coupons for your weekly grocery shopping trips can add up to major savings over time.
The practice has been taken to the extreme by many thrifty people to the point that TLC made a show about it.
While you don’t have to go all out with your couponing, you can use the following tips to keep a little extra money in your pocket every time you shop.
1. Make Time Every Week for Couponing
Couponing is a time investment, so much so that some people make full-time jobs out of it.
You don’t have to quit your day job to coupon, though. Just set aside an hour each week to go through sales papers and find coupons to maximize your savings.
2. Keep Tabs on Online Coupon Sites
There’s a coupon for everything, from American groceries to German products like Gearbest Gutschein.
Couponing has become a worldwide practice, so you can usually find good savings in your local market. Keep tabs on online coupon sites to find the best deals, as most coupons expire after a few weeks.
3. Learn How to Double Your Coupon
Some stores will offer to double the value of your coupon up to a certain amount. For example, a coupon worth $0.50 will actually save you $1.00 on an item.
Other stores may have a specific day of the week when they double coupons.
Check with the stores in your local area to find out more about their coupon policies. This way, you can maximize each coupon’s value and get more for your efforts.
4. Check the Sunday Paper for Deals
While you might care nothing about the local news, you should pick up a copy of the Sunday paper in your area. This is the issue when you’re likely to find the weekly coupon circulars.
Sunday papers are usually more expensive than other daily papers, but the savings within each one should more than justify the expense.
5. Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need
It’s tempting to buy a product simply because you have a coupon. But do this too often and you’ll end up spending more money than you’re saving.
The best practice is to only buy items that you need or would have bought anyway.
Also, if you have a coupon for an item, see if there’s a comparable item that would be cheaper than if you’d used the coupon. Many brands will put out coupons to drive sales, but buying generic still might be cheaper.
Saving Money with Coupons Takes Practice
Saving money with coupons won’t make you rich, but it can help you save a few hundred dollars each year. To get the biggest benefit, remember that it takes practice and effort to recognize deals and plan your shopping trips.
Don’t think you have to take it to the extreme. Even small efforts can go a long way in helping you save money or buy more for less.
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