Online Printable Coupons: Online Savings or Budget Killers?
Save More and Avoid Common Mistakes
--Inquire with merchants if online printable coupons are accepted. Due to increasing fraud, many brick-n-mortar establishments will not. The result: buyers tend to spend more than intended or may need to return the undiscounted items. Further, wasted printer ink adds to the budget damage.
--Research and compare online printable coupon sites. Note that recommendations may not be thoroughly vetted or are motivated by a kickbacks, affiliate fees and/or the selling of consumer data. See the AC article, Coupons: Beat Fake Coupons and Save on Groceries to minimize the risks associated with unscupulous websites.
--Begin your search for coupons for online savings at established websites, such as Coupons.com, CoolSavings, RetailMeNot, Wow-Coupons, and CouponMom.
--Shop smart. Look for deals and coupons for online savings at the likes of Buy.com, Overstock.com, Amazon and PriceGrabber. Note that store specials, free shipping and tax savings may trump online printable coupons and codes. For serious shopping and savings, see the AC article, Best Comparison Shopping Search Engines.
--Keep track of local sales at ShopLocal.com and consider purchasing the Sunday newspaper, especially during the holiday season. Sales and hard copy coupons may trump online coupon savings.
---Factor in the cost of printer ink and optimize savings. Worth noting is that some printers tend to guzzle the substance. Avoid spending 5 to 10 cents in ink and paper for a 10 cent coupon. Print online coupons in black and white, if the black ink is more economical, and use the lowest printing resolution that maintains a clear UPC code. If the coupon is fuzzy, perform a printer cartridge alignment test.
Despite the cautions, online printable coupons and coupons for online savings often proves worthwhile for consumers. Start small (e.g. groceries, tolietries, clothing) and become accustomed to coupon sources and comparison shopping. If it proves profitable, set aside a consistent schedule for finding good deals and use your research knowledge to save on bigger ticket items such as electronics.
Tip: Check the manufacturer website directly for coupons, savings and specials made available via e-mail.
Sources:
AC articles on shopping / coupons as listed.
Published by Donna Porter
Writer / Journalist -- A Yahoo News! Contributor Donna began her writing and internet career in 1995 in the health industry and became an early dot-com entrepreneur soon after. Masters certified in Internet... View profile
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59 Comments
Post a CommentGreat tips and points :)
I found a great site that offers downloadable coupons. They download them onto your grocery card at the store where I shop. When you swipe your shoppers card, you automatically get the coupon discount.
Excellent tips.
Wonderful tips. Our closest grocery doesn't accept online coupons so that's a great point.
Great tips on online printable coupons,thanks Donna Porter
Excellent points.
lots of good tips here. keep up the great work! :-)
Thanks for the timely economic advice. In the past, I have not found coupons to be terribly helpful because they are usually for namebrand things that I don't buy anyway. I prefer just to buy store brands to save money.
Right on, Donna, fantastic info here!
Great points in this article! I love the professionalism of your work, by reading your articles, I learn more about how to be a better writer! Good point about how printing out coupons can really use up expensive ink. Best wishes, Allison