Effective Coupon Strategies
To some, using coupons hardly seems worth the effort. 50-cents savings here and there just doesn’t add up to much. However, the real deal is better when using these two strategies.
First, stores run items on sale/special about every 6 to 8 weeks. You will want to take advantage of this by using your coupons during these abnormally low pricing cycles to save big. Buy enough of whatever items is on sale and that you have coupons for, to make it to the next cycle.
Second, to implement this strategy, you will need the next strategy — multiple copies of coupons. Get them by buying more than one newspaper, getting coupons from friends and neighbors, or by joining a coupon club. If your family needs 10 bottle of Suave shampoo the next time it goes on sale, you will need 10 Suave coupons.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Your family eats 2 boxes of cereal per week.
Let’s say the price of cereal is $4 per box when not on sale. The math on that is 2 boxes x 6 weeks = 12 boxes x $4 per box = $48 on cereal!
Now, let’s see the numbers if you bought that same amount of cereal during a sale (2 for $4) and used coupons ($1 off 1 box).
12 boxes of cereal x $1 per box = $12!
$48 – $12 = $36! You just saved $36 dollars!
I know you’re thinking where would you get 12 coupons for cereal. It’s easier than you think. For starters, you can buy multiple copies of your Sunday paper. Some newspapers offer discounts when buying more than one. You can also print manufacturer coupons from coupon distributor sites or from manufacturer sites. And, you can ask friends, family, and neighbors for coupons, or find people willing to trade coupons with you.
Coupon Tips
Cut All Coupons
Even the ones you don’t think you will need. I have purchased items I don’t need just so that I can get a Register Reward from Walgreens, or qualify for a rebate. I give the unwanted item to a someone in need, or a charity, or a food bank.
Stock-Up
When an item goes on sale AND you have a coupon for it, stock up. Buy enough to last you until the item will go back on sale again. Keeping up with sales from different stores gives you more options when stocking up. I once bought 5 tubes of toothpaste (enough to last my household 3 months) because they only cost me 4-cents a tube!
You will need to use available space in your house to your advantage though.
Menu Planning
I cannot emphasize this enough. I plan meals on a weekly basis. I use my menu to make my grocery shopping list. I only buy items on sale. And because I keep my kitchen stocked up with things that are on sale, my shopping list mostly includes fresh fruits and vegetables – things I want to buy fresh anyway.
End the Loyalty to Brands
National brands –like Del Monte, Coke, etc., cost more money. However, they are cheaper when on sale AND when you have a coupon. But only under those conditions.
Store brands were developed in the 70s and 80s as a “price alternative” (washingtonpost.com). But they are not necessarily cheaper when national brands go on sale AND you use a coupon.
