We have all seen ads for coupons in the newspaper and on the Internet. There are a lot of things that seem like a good deal. At the same time, however, saving all those coupons and finding the time to use them before they expire may seem like it is not worth the money. If you do it right, it is possible to save money on coupons and not spend all of your time searching for deals. Once you start, you will wonder where this idea was your whole life. If you want to get on your way to saving big with coupons, here are a few basic tips that will help you get started.
Basic Rules of Using Coupons
First of all, remember that you can only use a coupon one time. So if you have Kelloggs coupons and you use them in one grocery trip, do not expect to get that same discount the next time you go to the grocery unless you have additional coupons. Also, most coupons have stipulations that will limit the numbers of items that can applied toward that coupon. For example, if you want to buy two packages of crackers, you will need two coupons. You cannot apply that coupon to all of the crackers you buy. And finally, be aware that you cannot use more than one coupon on a single item unless it is clearly indicated in the terms of use. So if you need to buy one box of cookies but have ten coupons, you are out of luck. You can only use one coupon for that box of cookies and if you want to use the other nine you will need to buy nine more boxes of cookies.
Focus on the Discounts
Next, when you get a coupon, just focus on what it says and not on the picture. If you get Michaels coupons, for example, they will very likely include a photo of the most expensive item in the store to make you think that you will be saving on that product by using the coupon. Usually, however, you can apply that coupon toward any of the brands of that product line. If you apply a coupon to a cheaper product from a less expensive brand, you will end up saving more money because the savings are a bigger proportion of the total price. Just because items are on sale or clearance does not mean you will not be able to apply a coupon. In some cases, the coupon will specify that it is only valid for items that are full price. In other cases, no such stipulations are in place and you can essentially get double savings.
Speak Up
Finally, you should always speak up if something does not seem correct. If you have Publix coupons and you are expecting coffee to cost eight dollars with a coupon and it rings up as ten dollars, you will need to let them know. Just to be sure, make sure you read the receipt before driving away from the store.