last updated June 8, 2008
Get "Free" Food - Ways to Find More Cash for Groceries Using Coupons
I don't know about you, but I'd rather be outside playing than shopping and don’t enjoy trips to stores one bit. When you've got a 4-year old who feels he deserves the latest hot wheels sports car or every chocolate treat strategically positioned in the grocery store checkout line, it gets old quick. But, we've all got to eat, which means we've all got to shop, and with the price of food skyrocketing in the past several months, how can we reduce our grocery and shopping bills?
One solution: Coupons! Finding and using food coupons to save money at the grocery store does not have to be complicated, but it may take some planning, patience, and perserverence. According to CouponInfoNow.com, saavy shoppers redeemed 2.6 billion coupons last year, reversing a 16-year decline. With prices on everything from produce to dairy products to meat on the rise, shoppers are expected to clip even more this year, says Sue Perry, deputy editor of Consumer Reports' ShopSmart magazine.
Pare down your food and staples expenses with any number of strategies. The following tips should be helpful for learning quick ways to find, organize and use coupons. Use the ones that will work for you.
All of these ideas will save you money, some more than others.
Finding Coupons Tips
- Look for coupons in the Sunday newspaper, snail mail coupon books, in magazines, in your mailbox, on the Internet and even on your cash register receipts.
- Call manufacturers' 800 numbers (often found on the packages of your favorite products) to request coupons.
- Register on rewards and coupon program web sites to access exclusive “members-only” coupons (be careful some just want to spam you). Some to try include Coupon Mom, SmartSource.com, and coupons.com.
- Buy (or get from friends or family) multiple copies of the Sunday paper just for the coupon books; worth it if coupons are ones you use!
- Review the packaging of your products as sometimes coupons are included inside or printed or adhered to the packages.
- Make sure you check for manufacturer's rebates: many stores have a rebate center you can browse or a monthly circular with this information.
- Browse the store shelf for coupons; some stores have them available right next to the product.
- Trade coupons with friends or family; ask them to save particular products in trade for others, etc.
- A web site from AOL called shortcuts offers a great service: it lets consumers load manufacturers' coupons onto their store loyalty card and use them at checkout. Kroger's (and its affiliated brands) currently offer the service.
- Look for an in-store "coupon kiosk": Shoppers at CVS, Marsh Supermarkets and Giant Eagle stores can swipe their loyalty card at an in-store kiosk and receive coupons based on purchase history and current store specials.
- Newer technology, use a "shopping widget": Last month, grocery chain Meijer released Mealbox, a downloadable computer program that helps consumers prepare shopping lists and find associated deals. The widget alerts shoppers to store sales and automatically attaches any available coupons.
Shoppers then print out the list so the coupon barcodes can be scanned at checkout.
Organizing Coupons Tips
- Buy or make a coupon organizer; use envelopes, folders with labels, or a virtual coupon organizer (again, try couponmom.com).
- File and store them in your coupon organizer by expiration date, product, or alphabetical order.
- Keep your coupons with you in your purse or car so that they are available during those "unplanned" errands!
- Make an effort to use those with shorter expirations periods more quickly.
Using Coupons Tips
Use coupons in conjunction with loyalty/frequent shopper cards from your local retailers.
- Shop on double or triple coupon days and use manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
- Get a rain check:if you get to the store they are out of the advertised item, but that doesn't mean you should leave empty-handed.
- Combine sales and "loss leaders" with coupons. "Loss leaders" are items in a store (typically items like soda, that are advertised at rock-bottom prices.
- Use price tracking web sites. This involves monitoring the prices of products you do buy. Check out Price Booking and The Grocery Game for more information.
- Buy in bulk for those items that are heavily discounted, and store in your cabinet, as long as it's an item you will use!
- Find the best deal on the products you regularly use through "price tracking" web sites: examples are Price Booking and The Grocery Game.
- Always check the price of the equivalent store or generic product; if this is cheaper than using your coupon on a name brand, buy generic.
Of course, doing all these things sounds great in theory, but the efficient use of coupons and finding the best bargains on food/staples each week takes time. And, for each of us, the "time value of money" is different. If you have to go to 5 different stores to get the best deals, you have to factor in your time and gas costs, which without a doubt can make or break a good deal. So it is up to you to find your happy balance. Good Luck!
Also read this article on tips to save money..
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