Love those layers. I love to find ways to use multiple coupons when I make purchases. When I shop at Joann’s, for instance, I may have a 40% off coupon. Then, I whip out a “20% off my total purchase” coupon to get a little more savings. Suddenly that fabric that I’ve been lusting over is more than 50% cheaper.

Coupons go wonderfully with sales. The only thing better than using a coupon is being able to use a coupon with something that’s already on sale. I’ve heard of folks working the CVS coupons and sales to the point that they get things for free (or a few cents). Get more bang for your coupon buck by timing their use carefully.

Get an extra copy of the newspaper (or two). When I discovered how much money I could save with coupons, I began collecting as many as I could. I usually get an extra copy of the weekly newspaper that carries the coupon inserts. I visit a coupon preview site during the week to see if there will be any coupons I want to stock up on when the newspapers hit the stand.

Share the wealth. My friends and I are always passing coupons each other’s way. One friend, for instance, brought me extra coupons from Bed Bath and Beyond when I was saving for new curtains for our bedroom. Likewise, I pass all of my diaper coupons to a friend who just had a baby. I hate to see a coupon go to waste, so I almost always find someone to pass it along to.

Content provided by Not Made Of Money: Coupon Tips and Tricks

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Using grocery store coupons alone, though, doesn’t save our household enough to compensate us for the work I put into coupon collecting. Instead, we use a few strategies to ensure that we’re getting the most out of our coupons. This is where the planning part comes into play.

Combine coupons savings with stores sales. I make it a point to try to use my grocery store coupons when the item featured on the coupon is already on sale. This method allows me to “double-dip” on my savings. In fact, the only time I use a coupon for an item that isn’t on sale is in a situation where the coupon is going to expire within the next week.

Be picky about the size of product you purchase. Most coupons have some pretty specific requirements regarding the size of the product you can purchase. For instance, I’m looking at a coupon for Frosted Flakes that requires me to purchase one of the two larger sizes of boxes. Once you get to the store, though, don’t assume that the largest box has the cheapest price per unit. Most grocery stores include a price per unit on their price tag. Find the item with the lowest price per unit (that is eligible for the coupon) and use your coupon on that item.

Use multiple coupons on one item. Sometimes you find coupons that are issued by your favorite store. Other times you find coupons that are issued by the manufacturer. In many cases, you can use both of coupons on the same item to get some pretty nice savings.

Take help from AFullCup.com. Don’t forget to check the forums for the store you shop at. You may be pleasantly surprised by some of the deals.

Content provided by Not Made Of Money: Grocery Store Coupons – Tips to Maximize Your Savings

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There’s nothing to be ashamed of when you’re a coupon person. I’ve found that once I admit to someone that I clip coupons, they often admit that they are, too. Before I know it, we’re trading coupons, tips, and laughing over some of our craziest coupon buys. Here are some of the best tips I’ve heard:

Register with your favorite shops for the best coupons. You can receive coupons from all over the place if you register with your favorite stores. Michael’s and Justice For Girls each send me coupons regularly. In addition, I get email coupons from Joann’s and Lowe’s.

Expiration dates don’t always apply. I have successfully used coupons that have expired. I would suggest handing the coupon to the cashier and letting him decide whether or not you can use it. The worst that can happen is his telling you that the coupon is expired, and you don’t get to use it.

Many stores will honor their competitor’s coupons. I’ve used Lowe’s coupons at Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond coupons at Linens and Things. Many times, the retailer would rather let you use the coupon than have you shop at a different store. All you have to do is sweetly ask if they honor competitor’s coupons.

You can use more than one coupon at a time. I know the coupons say “one per customer,” but most stores don’t really want you to go through their checkout lines multiple times so that you can use multiple coupons. As long as you have one item for each coupon, you can usually use all of the coupons you want. Stacking coupons works well too. There is where you combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon.

Don’t assume you can’t use a coupon on a clearance or sale item. Different stores have different policies on this matter. Now, I never suggest being difficult in the checkout line. Cashiers aren’t paid enough to deal with rude or cranky people. If you just ask, though, many times you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the leniency you will receive.

Content provided by Not Made Of Money: Budget Stretching with Coupons

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Your Sunday newspaper is still a viable source for coupons. Although you may not find a lot of coupons with large discounts in the paper, no other source can beat the newspaper for sheer volume of discounts. You can increase the buying power of your newspaper coupons by finding a grocery store that has a double coupon day each week.

Many companies now make their coupons available in the grocery store. How’s that for convenience? While you’re doing your grocery shopping, pay special attention to those little plastic coupon dispensers. Make sure that you pick up coupons related to any of the products that you regularly purchase. You might even be able to save the coupon until the product is on sale for additional savings.

Companies will do just about anything to get their customer’s demographic information. If there is a product that you particularly enjoy, or one that is particularly expensive, visit that company’s web page. Often, if you register your email address on their site, the company will send you special coupons or other offers.

To encourage consumers to make repeat purchases, manufacturers will sometimes place coupons on the product’s packaging. Look on the underside of labels for coupons that you can take with you on your next trip to the grocery store. Since the coupon was on a product you already purchased, you’ll already know if your family likes the product.

For useful coupons that are suited to your own locality, don’t forget to check out the annual “Entertainment Book.” These books are usually sold as fundraisers for schools, churches, or other groups. You can find coupons for everything from restaurants, retailers, and attractions in Entertainment Book.

Once you get used to looking for coupons, you’ll really start to see them everywhere. Don’t be surprised when you start expecting to see them on the backs on your grocery store receipts and behind the index of your phone book. Before long, you’ll become an expert at finding everything you need at a discounted price.

Content provided by Not Made Of Money: Coupon Hunting 101

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The only downfall with coupon clipping is the time required to find and manage your coupons. Gathering all of the available coupons can require a great deal of time. In addition you must develop a method of organizing your coupons to make sure that they are available when you need them. Talk about a time commitment.

There might be a way to get some able-bodied volunteers in your campaign to cut grocery costs. Try enlisting the aid of your children in your coupon clipping. Here a few ways to encourage their participation:

1. Make coupon clipping a contest. Many Sunday papers have two or three coupon circulars within its pages. Give a circular to each of your kids and let them peruse its pages. Set a goal, maybe the goal will be to find three coupons for products you regularly use, and reward the first of your helpers to reach it. A frugal reward might be an extra hour of television or video game time for each week’s winner.

2. Reward special coupon finds. If one of your kids finds a particularly valuable coupon like a free item, allow your helper to get that item on your next shopping trip. It won’t cost you anything (except the sales tax) and you’ll keep your little coupon hunters enthusiastic.

3. Plan meals around coupons. Maybe your little one loves those little frozen pizzas. If he finds a coupon for it one week, consider allowing him to plan one evening’s dinner around that coupon. Not only will you get help with your coupon clipping, but you’ll also get helping with your meal planning. For one night you won’t have to wonder what’s for dinner.

4. When grocery shopping, put one of your children in charge of the coupon book. Make him your partner in grocery savings as you make your way through the grocery store aisles. He’ll love being your special helper and you’ll have less to juggle.

Coupon clipping, although a worthwhile investment of your time, can take up more of your day than you’d like. Use ideas like these to turn this thankless task into one more opportunity to spend time with your family. You’ll get a chance to teach your children the importance of budgeting and have fun with them, too.

Content provided by Not Made Of Money: Coupon Clipping? Get Your Kids on Board

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