It’s no secret that couponing can save you a lot of money on your grocery bill. However, if you’re not familiar with how to use coupons effectively, you may not be getting the most out of them. 

This guide will teach you the basics of couponing so that you can start saving money today. Included are some tips on how to find coupons, and how to use them for the most savings. 

1. Know Where to Find Coupons

To get started with coupons, find stores that offer them and search online for digital flyers. Digital coupons can be found on grocery store websites where you will see what’s available during your weekly meal planning sessions.

You can also get coupons online. The internet is a treasure trove of deals, with coupon numerous coupon sites that scour the web for any available discounts and promo codes.

Other reliable sources of coupons include;

• Newspapers
• Magazine
• On products packaging
• Junk mail

2. Organize Your Coupons

Coupons are an essential part of any shopping experience. The last thing you want is to lose or forget them at home, so it’s important that they’re organized and easy to find when needed. If you are a regular couponer, get a coupon wallet. They come equipped with dividers so they can sit nicely in groups. If simple organization isn’t enough then maybe trying an app would work better such as SnipSnap which turns paper ones into a digital format so you can use them on the go.

3. Know The Coupon Policy

Coupons are a great way to save money on your shopping, but what happens when you get more than one? Some stores will only accept their own coupons, while others let competitors’ ones count too. To find out all about how this policy works in different retailers check online. Most retail stores have a coupon policy published on their website.

The most important aspects include;

Competitor Coupons: 

Know the store’s coupon policy about competitor coupons. Coupons from other stores might not work in your favorite retailer and vice versa – check with them before applying them. For example, Lowes Foods will only accept competitor offers from select brands like Food Lion, Aldi, Walmart,  and Target.

Price Matching. 

While the odds are against it, you may be able to save some money at your local store by matching prices with competitors. While this is uncommon and most stores won’t price match simply because of a lower-priced competitor in town, they’ll adjust their own sale or promotion if there’s one on another nearby location where customers would otherwise shop instead.

4. Stack Your Coupons

Stacking coupons is a great way to maximize your savings. Stores like Target let you combine manufacturers and their own discounts for an even more lucrative deal on purchases. Don’t forget about cashback too; when paying by credit card there might be opportunities available through certain cards which will give you extra reward points when used at the time of purchase.

5. Maximize the Overage

When you can get a product for less than what it costs to make, why not take advantage? An overage occurs when your coupons exceed the price of an item and there are still some left. Some stores will allow you to apply the coupon on other items in your cart, and some like Walmart will give you cashback.

The key to using coupons successfully is understanding how and when they can be applied. Knowing where to find the best deals, organizing your coupons, knowing which stores have a coupon policy, and stacking your discounts will help you save more money on all of your purchases in the future.