Couponing isn't for everyone.
Couponing takes time. So if you are not willing to spend time cutting out coupons and keeping them organized then I suggest you skip this part of my advice on living frugal.
I have been told that some people are embarrassed to use coupons. I don't understand this. I figure if a company wants me to buy their product for less then why not take them up on the offer. And seriously, do you really think the teenage checkout guy goes home and posts on Facebook how many coupons you used?
Couponers come in many forms.
Casual couponers might use a coupon if they have it but don't go out of there way to get collect them.
Average couponer will use the coupons that come in the Sunday paper. They don't pay attention to sales. Just saving a little money from the coupon is enough.
Serious couponers will buy extra papers to get more coupons. They will print coupons from the internet. They watch for sales and match coupons with the sales. They buy more shampoo then they need and really try not to spend too much cash.
Extreme couponers won't pay cash for anything. They collect many of the same coupon and stay up late thinking about the deals they will do. They will go after any deal that is free or a money maker. Couponing is a way of life for them.
Couponing takes time. So if you are not willing to spend time cutting out coupons and keeping them organized then I suggest you skip this part of my advice on living frugal.
I have been told that some people are embarrassed to use coupons. I don't understand this. I figure if a company wants me to buy their product for less then why not take them up on the offer. And seriously, do you really think the teenage checkout guy goes home and posts on Facebook how many coupons you used?
Couponers come in many forms.
Casual couponers might use a coupon if they have it but don't go out of there way to get collect them.
Average couponer will use the coupons that come in the Sunday paper. They don't pay attention to sales. Just saving a little money from the coupon is enough.
Serious couponers will buy extra papers to get more coupons. They will print coupons from the internet. They watch for sales and match coupons with the sales. They buy more shampoo then they need and really try not to spend too much cash.
Extreme couponers won't pay cash for anything. They collect many of the same coupon and stay up late thinking about the deals they will do. They will go after any deal that is free or a money maker. Couponing is a way of life for them.
The thing about extreme couponing is that you have to be willing to shop at any store. You have to go where the deals are.
For groceries, I am a Meijer shopper. I have been for years. In general I feel Meijer's every day prices are better than other places. Meijer is a one-stop shopping trip for me many times. It offers more then food and drugstore items. I can buy milk, a plum tree, motor oil, and towels all at once. And with mPerk (digital coupons and perks) it is even better!
You might be wondering why I didn't say Walmart has the best prices. Simple fact is they don't. They do have low prices but if you follow the sales at other stores you will do much better. Not to say that I won't go to Walmart. I go there for really good deal...like free or they pay me to take the stuff. Ad price matching can be useful if other stores run out of a product you are looking for. The thing is grocery stores don't advertise everything that is on sale so how could you get Walmart to price match them. Walmart will give overages on coupons.
I have always been a Target shopper but mine isn't a Super Target with the full grocery. It is a half-way to a Super Target grocery store. They don't have space to make it a full grocery which means I don't get the really great deals on groceries that can be found at some Target stores. Target has printable coupons that can be stacked with manufacturer coupons which makes them a great place to shop for extreme deals. Target also has weekly sales that involve getting a Target gift card (usually $5) if you buy x number of specific items. Using coupons along with the gift card deal is a great money saver.
Rite Aid is my favorite store. I spend more time working out deals at Rite Aid then I should but there is a pay off. Usually every week there are items that can be gotten for free or that will pay you money back for taking them. Ways to get deals at Rite Aid are to use manufacturer coupons, in ad coupons, video value coupons on their web site, and +UP rewards.
The point of drugstore couponing is to use the store rewards money you got this week to buy more items next week that give you back store rewards money. CVS and Walgreens do similar deals. Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens all offer this kind of program.
Other places to coupon near me include Kmart, Dollar General, and Family Dollar.
Tips for Couponing
#1 Not all stores accept coupons. Big Lots and Aldi's would be examples. Make sure your store accepts coupons.
#2 Stacking coupons. This means there are store coupons that can be used with manufacturer coupons on a single item. Stores would include Target, Meijer, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Kroger, Dollar General, and Family Dollar here in southern Indiana.
#3 Know the coupon policy of each store. They vary greatly. Most of them can be found easily online.
#4 You pay tax. Each state has laws about sales tax. Some states have no sales tax. Some states do not allow tax on any amount subtracted by coupons. Some states charge tax on the full amount before coupons.
#5 Cash credits, store rewards, or Catalina coupons. Learn about what rewards programs the stores in your area offer.
#6 Sales: Really great (that is extreme) deals come when an item is on sale and you can use a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon/money back reward all on one item.
#7 Coupons work on clearance merchandise.
#8 Be sure to read the coupon. Coupons restrictions vary.
#9
#8 Be sure to read the coupon. Coupons restrictions vary.
#9
