A Beginner's Guide to Coupons

Dreading becoming "that lady" at the grocery counter who takes 20 minutes because she has a coupon for everything? Budget cutbacks may have forced you into frugality, but it doesn't have to be painful. Before you dig out your scissors and give up your social life for hours of coupon clipping, there are a few facts to consider. A little knowledge can turn your exasperation into a more effective savings strategy.

MANUFACTURER COUPONS:

WHAT THEY ARE:
These are coupons issued by the manufacturer of the product. A coupon for General Mills Cereal is not specific to one store, but IS specific for the product. Because of this, your local grocery store may or may not honor these coupons, and may not carry the item on the coupon (although this is not usually an issue with common/popular items and brands.) These are most often for grocery, cosmetic/personal or household items, and are among the most common type of coupon. Sometimes during holidays you may also find them for toys or other gift items on the companies website or in your Sunday paper.

BEST WAY TO USE:
Holidays, special occasions, cosmetics and personal care.

For everyday grocery shopping these coupons are time wasters. Buying the discount (store) brand at your local grocery or discount food store usually costs less (even after the coupon has been applied) and there is no hassle. (Someone really needs to let "that lady" with the coupons in on this secret.)

The ideal use for manufacturer coupons is for brand name items you just CAN'T live without (Philadelphia Cheesecake Snack Bars-- for example), or personal items you don't want to skimp on like shampoo or cosmetics. They're also great for special occasions when you want to use only the finest like Christmas dinner, birthday dinners, family gatherings etc.

WHERE TO FIND:
Old school resources include the Sunday paper advertisement section and women's magazine advertisements. Modern sources include a bevy of internet sites for companies like Proctor & Gamble, Betty Crocker and General Mills. These sites offer customers ongoing coupons when they sign up for the mailing list or coupon group. A Yahoo! search for "coupons" will bring up a host of coupon sites that offer a mixture of manufacturer coupons.

STRATEGY:
If you have a favorite brand, find their website and sign up for their email newsletter. Keep your eye open all year long for canned or dry good coupons and stash for holidays and special occasions. During the holidays visit toy and gift manufacturer's sites for savings on brand name items. As always, keep your eye on that Sunday paper, you never know what bargain will pop up!

IN STORE COUPONS:

WHAT THEY ARE:
In store coupons are coupons specific to a store. It can be a local grocery, a national retail store or even dining establishments.

BEST WAY TO USE:
Everyday savings at your favorite retail chains, grocery stores and restaurants.

This is where you find big savings on groceries. Unlike manufacturer's coupons which offer minimal savings, shopping the weekly specials at your grocery store can set you ahead. Some stores will have fliers with coupons to clip, some will have their specials available without coupons, and others use a "value card" that automatically adjusts your purchases to the sale price on featured items.

Retail chains like Target and Kmart have coupon sections on their websites. Stores like Lowe's and Home Depot will send weekly specials if you sign up for their email newsletters.

Go to your favorite restaurant chain or fast food place and sign up for their email list, and make sure to hit their Facebook page. You'll score coupons, free birthday treats, special "member only" savings and more.

WHERE TO FIND:
If your local grocery store uses a card system you will be asked for your card every time you go through checkout. If your store is old school you will find their weekly specials flier somewhere near the entrance, and usually in your Sunday paper as well.

As mentioned, go to the website of your favorite chain and sign up for their email newsletter.

STRATEGY:
Rather than making your grocery list and then seeing what is on sale, plan your weekly menu and grocery list around that week's specials for significant savings.

Sign up for several restaurants that offer birthday freebies (Red Robin, Benihana, Black Angus Steakhouse, Baskin Robbins and Cold Stone Creamery to name a few) and plan for a free food bash on your birthday. Want to find more birthday freebies? Do a Yahoo! search for "birthday freebies" and you'll find a number of sites with lists of companies offering birthday goodies.

Making house repairs? Sign up for hardware store newsletters (think Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards). Keep an eagle eye on their websites for free "how to" articles and the latest specials. If it's possible to plan ahead for your project, give yourself four to six months to shop the specials and gather needed materials at discount prices. It will be less of a shock to your bank account to spend gradually, and the savings will be worth the wait.

The number one rule of budget cutbacks is "eat in not out", but everyone needs to grab lunch on the run or have a night on the town sometime. Be prepared with coupons and specials by signing up for several different restaurant's email newsletters and connecting with their Facebook page.

(TIP: If you sign up for too many email newsletters and then don't read them -- you won't save money, so only sign up for the ones you absolutely need and know you will use.)

BUDGETS DON'T JUST HAPPEN

Using coupons does take planning, and some extra effort. But if you know what you're looking for and where to find it, it will decrease the drudgery. If you start to feel frustrated don't give up. Give yourself two months to get used to the new adjustments, and experience the savings. With a few coupons, a couple of newsletters and some common sense you can win the battle of the budget.