- Couponing has been around for a long time but faded into the background. Grandma’s used to coupon so they could get that $.05 off a gallon of milk. Now when the recession hit couponing returned to the forefront. With more couples having one parent at home couponing has risen dramatically. Why should the kids suffer because half of the income is lost? They shouldn’t, couponing is totally do able and will save you and your family a ton of money. It might be overwhelming at first but you can ease into it and build your confidence and your stock pile.
- When Starting Out prepare to take a little more time then someone who has been doing it for a while. This is because most people develop a system that works for them but you need to run through these days couponing is done in many different forms. Most stores will let you combine different types of coupons so you can maximize your savings. Extreme couponing is real but has put out an unrealistic view for most couponers. It is normal and more than acceptable to start out with 30-50% savings and on occasion rake in those extreme saving. I personally have saved 110% but that was one time. I did however save 100% on 6 deodorants for my husband last night but mostly my savings average 50-70%. The hardest thing when you begin is getting discouraged. It can be frustrating when you find a smoking deal and you don’t have the coupons yet. Don’t worry!!!! That sale or one like it will come around soon enough and you will have a coupon stock pile to pull from and really stock up.
- There Are Places out there where you can print your coupons and then when you redeem them they place you printed them from gives you points. When you accumulate enough points you can get a gift card to target or Wal-Mart and then you can turn around and use those gift cards on a coupon transaction so that you will pay nothing out of pocket.
- When You Have the Coupons and you can get that screaming deal then stock up, get as many as you can, go early and be sure not to clear the shelves. If you are lucky you will have multiple of the same stores in a short distance from you that way you will have more of an opportunity to stock up. You can also call ahead (before the sale starts) and ask them to order XX amount more for you personally that way you get what you need and are still courteous to those who want in on the same sale.
- Try and Make Friends with the managers that way they will be more willing to accommodate you and you will be a familiar face in the store. You will see where to find the store coupon policy and remember to take it with you. A lot of store clerks are unsure or uneducated on the coupon policy and you cannot be afraid to show it to them. They are not trying to be mean they are just trying to do what they think is their job. This just happened to me today! I went to Fry’s and I had $1.00 off of 1 Brut Men’s Deodorant. Fry’s had them on sale $10/10 so I picked up 6 of them and went to check out. She looked at the coupon and told me I could not use it on the smaller ones. I nicely pointed out that they were 2.4oz and the coupon states bigger than 2.0oz for the deodorant. She said “Oh sorry I was reading it wrong” I saved $6.00 and 100% because of that. Once you get your method down and face down your fears you will be a couponing machine.
