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The method I use now, which is to organize my coupon inserts by date and uncut in a large file box has changed my couponing life. Each week all that has to be done is to rotate out the files by taking the one from the back oldest date , recycle those inserts, date them for the new week, add the new inserts and place the file in the front. Once I have my list printed, I then gather all my coupons. On the shopping list I mark how many items I am planning to buy for each product. I then use a smaller sized storage clipcase to keep my coupons and shopping list organized. My shopping list clips onto the front and the coupons go inside.
This case fits nicely into the front of the shopping cart and I am able to work off the list while I shop.
Because the weekly deals we post on Southern Savers are the lowest prices on those products for the week cycle, you should go ahead and buy any items you see listed that you need -- even if you don't have coupons! What are some of the best strategies and methods that work best for you? Save Money Explore. The easiest method to getting the best deals is to have a library of inserts saved up. You can also use pocket pages for coupons that expire quickly within a day or two of the day you find them or coupons that are only valid at a particular store. Don't wait to get started and then end up paying twice the price on those items for the next two months. Protect Money Explore.
If something changes on my shopping list, I make a note of it. For instance, if I was only able to get 1 product instead of the 3 that I planned, I change the quantity of the item. At that point, I compare my coupons to the items I have in the cart by the updated shopping list. I still shake my head in disbelief when I look at what my family has saved in just the first three months of this year.
Recent experience has shown me that there are essentially 4 levels of couponing that range from casual to extreme. Levels 1 and 2 are well known, but levels 3 and 4 are starting to become more popular. This is where many people find themselves today. Most of the time, a person will pay for a whole cart full of groceries while handing over less than 10 coupons. They end up normally saving a few bucks off the entire order. Many people also find themselves in this category. The problem for me here is that I prefer the name brand over the generic — it just tastes different to me.
Believe it or not, when the circumstances are just right, people can save even more money buying the name brand stuff than the generic brands. Items frequently go on sale, and when they do, the Coupon Deal Shopper capitalizes on the opportunity. You know what happens when you align the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon all in a line?
You get a solar or lunar eclipse, right? They set up little eclipses all over the place at different stores and walk away with items for pennies on the dollar. So if I wait for a sale, I can save even more money than buying generic.
Saving at this level requires a little bit of effort. You must clip and organize your coupons, and be patient. Well, you can. Did you know that you can use two coupons on a buy-one-get-one-free sale? Setting up bigger and better deals is what the Extreme Couponer does.
They take the same measures as the Coupon Deal Shopper but then they look for multiple deals. Why get just one deal when you can get three or four all at once? Let me give you an example to explain why:.
If you can get your hands on more coupons, go back in the store and do it again! Lastly, Extreme Couponers make good use of store coupons as well i. This simply makes a sweet deal even sweeter. The ultimate savings scenario is to combine 3 types of coupons: Now that you know what all the levels are, what level of couponer are you? You just need to find the right moves to use coupons in conjunction with store sales and promotions, and then enjoy the satisfaction of getting items for free or close to free. If you wait for a store to have a sale, you can really win out and find yourself saving much more.
Sound familiar? The smart move is to get multiple copies of the same coupon, so that if you come across a deal you can maximize your savings. Acquire as many as you can, using these top sources:. Coupon inserts and local ads are the best places to start. Just a few years ago, the Internet might not have been worth your time for finding coupons.
You had to dig around for far too long to find the right deals in your area. Now, individuals and various websites are curating the best deals available and, better yet, setting up local deals to get in on coupons and big sales. Have you ever seen those small devices in the aisles that blink and share coupons?
While coupon booklets are often sitting out in plain sight, some stores require you to take some initiative. All I had to do was write to Kraft and ask. Even if you pick up four Sunday newspapers, you can get some extra free coupons by building a rapport with your neighbors and asking them for their coupon inserts.
Plenty of people buy the paper and then scrap the money-saving inserts.
After a walk up and down the block, they have around ten copies of great coupons they can use. But where will you keep them without losing track or letting them take over your home and your life? You need to know which products you have coupons for, and when your coupons expire.
Most of the time, we know about these coupons, too, and will reference them in the shopping list for your convenience. The Binder Method is the most organized but the most time-consuming approach. This method has you clip out every coupon possible and file it in clear inserts in a binder.
This method will take a lot of time, but some people enjoy it as a hobby. We post only the lowest prices matched with all the available coupons. Check the Stores and Schedules. We even include all the coupon match-ups! Because the weekly deals we post on Southern Savers are the lowest prices on those products for the week cycle, you should go ahead and buy any items you see listed that you need -- even if you don't have coupons!
Don't wait to get started and then end up paying twice the price on those items for the next two months. To make it easier on yourself, just pick ONE store and buy the lowest-priced items there. That way, you're not trying to keep track of all the stores' sales and you know you're getting great deals and saving money. All content on this site is created by Jenny and her helpers and it's illegal to steal it! Learn to Coupon! Sales Cycles and Stocking Up Most people make a list of the groceries they need and head to the store.
Here's how it works: Store Policies Each store has a different set of rules for what kinds of coupons they accept, how many they accept, and which coupons they will double.
Getting Organized The easiest method to getting the best deals is to have a library of inserts saved up. Best Option: