Coupons, whether they’re old-school paper, store promotions, online or app-based, are designed to help make you a savvier consumer.
From saving dollars and cents to getting two for the price of one, coupons can safeguard your shopping budget and afford a little wiggle room to save toward your retirement goals.
Next time you hit the store, remember to bring the following tips so you can coupon like a pro and save big.
Hunt for Coupons to Save Money on Your Purchases
In order to save with coupons, you need coupons. Luckily, there are plenty of sources.
Start with your Sunday paper, which is filled with circulars from your most-visited retailers.
Then go higher-tech: ask Google for help by pairing “coupon” with your shopping destination, advises NerdWallet writer Courtney Jespersen.
Go directly to the source — retailers’ websites — which will often boast downloadable deals and coupons, adds The Balance writer Erin Huffstetler.
Manufacturer coupons may also be tucked into your favorite magazines.
If you’re loyal to certain stores, i.e. have enrolled in their loyalty programs, you should be receiving targeted coupons and automatic savings on purchases.
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Websites, such as Coupons.com, can be a savings black hole with coupons ideal for your grocery runs, notes Huffstetler. You just have to select the ones that match your list or your preferred brands and print.
Just remember that it’s important to play by the rules – printing more than the allotted number of coupons or making photocopies is actually illegal, according to Donna Montaldo at The Balance.
The Balance writer Eric Rosenberg is a fan of CouponSherpa.com, which has been in the printable coupon game for quite some time. It offers deals from a range of retailers such as Amazon, Gap, Target and Old Navy.
Look at the packaging of products you already own to see if it includes a coupon, and review your receipts — sometimes a coupon for your next shopping trip is printed at the bottom or perhaps after completing a survey, you’ll earn some savings.
Target the Competition for Additional Savings
Even stores you don’t shop at can be a source of savings at the retailers you do frequent.
Your favorite store might honor competitor’s coupons or match the discounted price, notes Huffstetler.
And if your store doesn’t currently double coupons or allow you to stack coupons — using multiple coupons on one item — it might be time to find a retailer that does so that you can start saving more.
“When you have coupons that exceed the value of the items you’re buying, use them at Walmart. They’ll allow you to apply your coupon overage to other items, or will even give it back to you in cash,” said Huffstetler.
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Save Money With the Right Mobile App
Whether you’re shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar establishment, there’s an app designed to help you save. You just have to match the best app to your shopping experience.
If you’re on grocery detail, check out the benefits the app Ibotta® offers in terms of organization, cost-savings and cash back, suggests Rosenberg.
Coupons are a great way to save, but you do have to do some work to make them work for your shopping lifestyle.
Do a bit of couponing research before you start adding things to your cart, both in-person and online, and over time every dollar will add up and help you save for the future.
Start Saving Money for Your Future With Minster Bank
At Minster Bank, our financial experts can help you get on the right money track both now and for all of your future goals.
From saving for retirement to legacy planning and trust services, our Private Wealth Management Team is just a phone call or email away. Contact an advisor to start saving for your future today.
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