7 Coupon Tips to Save You Money

Almost every weekend the Sunday newspaper is loaded with coupons that can save you money. However most people completely ignore this essentially free money that is being given to them every week. Now is the time to stop ignoring those coupons and start saving money.

Get Over It
Coupons are essentially free money and it there is nothing wrong with using them, lots of them. If someone looks down at you when you whip out a stack of coupons, just laugh at them (on the inside) for the fact that you are smarter than they are. If you can buy a bottle of laundry detergent for 30% less than retail thanks to a coupon, then there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. When you get your receipt look for the line that tells you how much you saved, that's all the motivation that you will need.

Buy Multiple Newspapers
This one is a no-brainer that many people overlook, but falls under the old adage of "you have to spend money to make money." If a newspaper contains enough coupons to save you $10.00, then 2 newspapers will save you $20, and since most places carry the Sunday paper for as little as 99 cents, it is a simple decision to buy an extra copy or two.

Use the Coupons that Make Sense
Don't have a cat? Don't buy cat litter. Don't really like yogurt? Don't buy 6 tubs of yogurt. When you see a coupon that offers you a great deal, it is very tempting to buy it. However you have to realistically look at each coupon and decide whether the product offered is something you need or even want. If you buy something and wind up throwing it away or letting it rot in some forgotten drawer, then you have wasted money.

Learn what "Per Purchase" Means
If you buy 1 can of soup, then you have made 1 purchase. If you buy 2 cans of soup, then you have made 2 purchases. If the coupon reads "1 coupon per purchase", then that means you can use 1 coupon on each can of soup that you buy. If you buy 3 cans of soup, then you can use 3 coupons.

Learn what "Per Transaction" means
You buy a can of soup, and then you give the cashier the money and she gives you a receipt. That is a transaction. If the coupon says "1 coupon per transaction", then you can only use 1 soup coupon no matter how many cans of soup you actually buy. If you have a nice cashier and really need to buy 3 cans of soup with your coupons, ask her to ring up each can as a seperate transaction. Some cashiers will do it without blinking an eye, some will act like you are a thief, but either way there is no law that says you can't do it. If the store gives you grief, go elsewhere and make sure to THANK the ones that let you do it.

Prepare for your Trip
There is nothing more frustrating then bringing a basket of groceries up the counter, getting them all rang up, and then realizing that your coupons are sitting on a desk at home. Before going on a grocery trip, plan what you need, then find the coupons that match up to it. Take some time to go through the sales circulars of all the grocery stores nearby and look for deals. Many times a store will put an item on sale that also has a current coupon available, reducing your cost by 50% or more for that item. An hour making a list and looking for sales can save you a ton of money. Take your list and your coupons and put them where you won't forget them.

Don't Go Crazy
Once you start seeing the savings add up, it can be addicting to search for more and more coupons and better deals everywhere you go. This is all fine as long as you don't overdo it. Your family time is important, don't squander it by staring at every sales circular fifteen times and keeping a book of 10,000 coupons. Eventually the amount that you save will not balance out with the time you are spending looking for savings. If you spend an hour a week working with coupons and save $20, then you have made $20 an hour. If you spend 20 hours and save $200, then you are only making $10 an hour. Over time you will naturally get better at spotting coupons and special deals without having to do a ton of research. Start your new coupon habit slowly and let it build to a comfortable level. Many people eventually reach a burn out level and drop couponing (and the savings) completely - don't let this happen to you.