Frugal grocery shoppers are always looking for ways to get more out of their grocery budgets. If this sounds like you, you are probably already using coupons to get discounts on your groceries. The question is are you getting the best discounts you could be? Follow a few simple tips and you can make sure that you are using your coupons to save as much money as you can.
Look for double coupon days. Stores that offer double coupon days allow you to maximize your savings by simply choosing the best day to shop. Now, double coupon days aren’t usually on weekend days, so you’ll have to shop during the week. You may find, though, that you enjoy weekday shopping more. The stores are less crowded, and you will have an easier time finding help if you need it.
Combine store sales with coupons. Unless a coupon is expiring you should try to wait until its item is included in a store’s sales circular. This allows you to enjoy the store’s already-lower price and the coupon savings. I’ve gotten pasta sauce for less than $1 per jar by using this little tip.
Choose the appropriately-sized product. Most of the time, you’ll find that the larger sized products are cheaper by the unit than the smaller products. However, be sure to verify that price per unit before you make your selection. When certain sizes are on sale, the smaller product may actually be the less expensive one.
Make sure your “member” card is scanned. Many grocery stores have gone to requiring that their shoppers use a membership card or a rewards card in order to get their best prices. Getting the card is usually easy (you just have to fill out the form), but you should verify that the cashier scans your card during checkout.
Browse through your coupons for nearing expiration dates. Although I try to save my coupons until there is a sale to pair them with, I hate to see them expire. Before I do my weekly shopping, I always flip through my coupons to see if any will expire before the next week. Then (if the product isn’t on sale) I buy the minimum amount I must to use the coupon.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great tips!
Double coupons: Even if your store doesn’t offer double coupons, you can still get great deals on certain days. If you’re a Senior Citizen, see if your store offers a discount day for you. Also, ask when prices are changed. There is usually an overlap period when the new sales week’s prices are being set up. During that timeframe, you can get the lowest price of those to sales cycles.
Combining coupons with sales: Don’t forget that you can also combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons. Do that with a sale item and you can really stack the savings. And then there are rebates.
Product sizes: Coupon savings on smaller, lower-priced packages are always a larger percentage off, just by virtue of the coupon face value being a greater percentage of a lower price. But, still check the unit price before determining if you are really saving the most you can.
Member card: Have fun with this. As a matter of process, cashiers usually ask for your member card first. Ask if you can give it last, so you can see how much it saves you on your total bill. Others get excited about couponing when they see your bill cut in half by using the store card.
Expiration dates: It’s not always wisest to use a coupon just because it’s expiring. Many coupon expiration dates cycle, so if one is expiring, there is probably a newer one being issued for that product. If you’re not getting the lowest price with the coupon, don’t buy. Let the coupon expire, unless you absolutely need the product.
For more tips on maximizing your coupon savings, see my article here: http://bit.ly/5xJDCF
Blessings,
Jim Bob Howard
http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com
I try my very best to be coupon savvy. I have started a meme called thrifty Thursday. I would love to have you come link up! We had great participation last week.
http://couponteacher.blogspot.com/2009/12/thrifty-thursday.html
I tried the couponing thing, however, my household doesn’t buy enough items that have coupons to make it worthwhile.
We buy the majority of our groceries from a farmer’s market–obviously, no discount there.
But for those who do a lot of shopping at the chains, coupon savings can really add up!