Guide to Using Digital Grocery Coupons

As someone who still enjoys using a VCR, I am not usually quick to embrace new technology. Digital, or e-coupons, are the exception and I find myself checking for them on a regular basis. Many of the coupons are similar to those available in the Sunday newspaper and retailers sometimes offer free products or high value discounts.

Try these tips to add digital coupons to your usual shopping routine.

Find Digital Coupons
Start by checking the websites for stores that use loyalty cards. Third party sites, such as shortcuts.com and cellfire.com, also offer e-coupons. You will need to register your e-mail address or phone number and add your loyalty card number to receive the coupons.

Load Digital Coupons to Your Account
Browsing through the available coupons is much faster than sorting and clipping the newspaper coupon inserts. Read through the coupons and check the ones you want. Click to load them to your card. It can take a few hours for your loyalty card to receive the coupon information. Check the e-coupon site's FAQ or help section for more information.

Redeem Digital Coupons
Some coupons have a lot of restrictions or details regarding the applicable products. I usually print a coupon summary so I have all the details handy while shopping. When adding only a couple of coupons, I conserve printer ink by writing the info directly on my shopping list or previous coupon print out.

When you show your shopper's card and buy the applicable products, the coupon should automatically appear on the cash register screen. The deduction usually prints directly beneath the corresponding item on the receipt.

Understand Coupons
Typically, digital coupons are manufacturer coupons and will not double or stack with another manufacturer coupon. The store cashiers do not have any control over the coupons loaded to shopper's accounts. This can be a tad inconvenient when I have an e-coupon, but want to use a higher value paper coupon. I have to use the digital coupon or sign in to my online account and remove it.

Receive Special Discounts
Digital coupon websites periodically offer special coupons valid for any purchase. These offers usually arrive via e-mail and are only available for a short time frame.

Some grocers complement big sales with corresponding coupons and giveaways. These offers sometimes come via e-mail, but I make a point of checking the store's online website whenever I notice a special sale in the weekly circular. This is an easy way to find coupons for free products or double dip by combining a sale price with a coupon.

Overall, the benefits of using digital coupons outweigh the hiccups and I am glad to have an alternative to relying on the Sunday newspaper for coupons.