If you want to save money, but you’re not willing to go to extreme lengths to do it, there are many things you can do. You can avoid shopping at peak hours, clip coupons for products you know you’ll use, stack your coupons with discount gift cards, and even start a coupon club with friends. If you’d like to save even more money, read the tips below.
Avoid shopping during peak hours
To make the most of your Smarts Saving coupons, avoid shopping during peak hours, if possible. According to Time Use Institute research, 41 million people buy the majority of their groceries on Saturdays. However, extreme couponers might be confronted with brick walls and cashier or store manager restrictions. Avoid shopping during these times and you’ll save yourself the hassle of having to deal with the checkout line and the cashier. If you’re a regular coupon user, these tips may be useful in keeping your costs down.
Clip coupons for products you know you will use
In order to save money without going extreme, clip coupons for products you already use. Whether you’re shopping at the store or at home, you can use these coupons to make your total cheaper. Limit the number of coupons you use to those you’ll actually use. Clip coupons for products you know you’ll use, such as toothpaste and shampoo. Try stacking them with sales price savings when you’re shopping.
The key to saving money without going extreme is to limit the number of coupons you clip. If you know you’ll use a product often, you’ll likely be more likely to use the coupon. That way, you won’t be spending hours cutting out coupons for products you don’t need. You won’t need to use a binder full of them or pull all-nighters with a pair of scissors if you’re not using them.
Stack coupons with discount gift cards
Stacking coupons with discount gift cards is an easy way to maximize savings without going overboard. Many stores allow you to stack coupons and discounts in one purchase and you can save up to 3.10% off the full price of your groceries. You can get gift cards for various stores such as Kroger, Meijer, and Winn-Dixie for cash. There are also websites that will allow you to sell unwanted gift cards for a profit.
Another way to save money without going overboard is to use loyalty programs. Using store loyalty programs will allow you to earn points to redeem for future savings. Cash-back credit cards can provide you with 1%-2% cash back on your grocery shopping. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred(r) Card from American Express gives 1% cash back on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000. You can also use rebate apps to save even more money.
Start a coupon club with friends
Using coupons to save money isn’t as hard as it seems, especially if you know where to look. Start a coupon club with friends and meet up once a week to bring coupons and share tips. You can even share websites and apps to find coupons. It’s fun to save money together! Start a coupon club with friends to save money without going extreme! Just remember to save the coupon inserts.
If you’re an extreme couponer, start by thinking of every single one of your coupons as a cost. If you’re earning minimum wage, that means five hours of clipping coupons will only save you $15. That means you spent $40 of your own money and saved only $15. Rather than spending the time cutting coupons, focus on the ones you’ll use. If you’re working with limited time, you might as well just print the coupons that you really need.
Store coupons in a binder
One way to save money by storing coupons is to use a coupon binder. You can use this to organize coupons by categories, store, manufacturer, or method of use. The coupons that have the shortest expiration dates should be placed at the front of the binder so that they are easily visible and accessible. Another great way to store coupons is to use a zippered pencil case.
Final Words:
If you’re a couponer, you’re likely to find some great deals. Coupons are often printed on the back of cereal boxes, contact lens solution boxes, and granola bars. You can also print out coupons from the internet or clip them from store flyers. Once you’ve clipped and stored your coupons, you’ll be well on your way to saving money without going extreme.
