How to Save Money by Maximizing Coupon Use

Using coupons may not seem like a great way to save your family money, but if you take the time to really learn how to use them to your advantage, you can save a lot of money that would otherwise go directly to the manufacturers. Although you may already clip a few coupons from the local paper and use them in your weekly shop, it is highly unlikely that you are saving more than a few dollars. Either the products that are featured in the coupons section are not something you need, or the savings just does not make sense for your family. Sometimes the products may even end up costing more money since an alternate brand without the coupon costs less. So if the coupons in the Sunday flyers aren't for the products you use, where can you get some? The answer is actually quite simple and involves some organization and time writing companies which will be worth for you in the end if the savings are that important to you and your family.

Before you get started it's a good idea to get yourself a notebook and a three ring binder filled with clear card sheets like the ones used to store baseball cards. After you have these two items, you can begin by researching your own pantry for your favorite products. Make a list of the top companies and products that you use on a regular basis. Keep in mind that most of the larger companies are not really interested in sending you coupons so try to find a substitute if possible. For example, if you use Kellogg's brand cereal you may find that a company like Kashi will be more responsive to your request for coupons. You can also include products that you would like to try that you may not have in your pantr at the moment.

Each day spend about fifteen minutes writing to each of the companies on your list. Yo can either compliment them on their product, ask questions about their product or provide some general feedback. The most important thing is that you request some samples or coupons from them. Be polite, courteous and pleasant. Keep a log of who you right to in your notebook and be certain to mark the date of their response. In a matter of just one week you will find your mailbox filling up with coupons on a regular basis. Some companies may even send you samples.

After your coupons and samples arrive arrange them in your three ring binder. You can then have easy access to them whenever you need them and they will be easy to see and go through. You can even bring your binder to the store with you to match coupons to sale items for additional chances to save.

To get you started, here is a list of companies I have written to and received coupons from: Arnold's bread, Bush's Beans, Celestial Seasonings, Crisco, Eden Organics, Florida Crystals Sugar, Malt-O-Meal, Michelina's Lean Gourmet, Old Mother Hubbard, Smart Balance, and Stoneyfield Farms.