Tips for the Average Couponer

rebeca  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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Before you get started with your couponing, take some time to consider these few things I learned along the way. And please feel free to add your own tips! I’m learning too!

Be Realistic – You might hear stories of couponers filling a grocery cart for just a few dollars. Or, even worse, you might be wondering how those crazy people on Extreme Couponing make it work. I’m here to tell you that those people are the exception to the rule. The average couponer can expect to save about 50%. And the people on TLC are likely scamming the system!

Don’t Get Discouraged – During your first couple months, you will continue to spend as much, or possibly more as you build your stockpile…but you will be bringing home more than you’re used to. It takes at least 3 months to see your grocery bill reduced.

Understand the lingo – Bloggers use a pretty standardized list of abbreviations for their posts. Click here for a breakdown.

Don’t Work Too Hard – Once you get the hang of it, successful couponing should only take an hour or two a week. For me, I stick to one or two stores a week and that’s it. I don’t shop at drugstores because it’s just too much work for me. I have two small children, so the last thing I want to do is run all over town chasing deals. Nonetheless, I’m happy with the savings I’m reaping.

Don’t Overbuy Before you Know the Cycles – When I first started stockpiling, I loaded up on pasta when I saw it go for 50 cents a box. I have so much pasta, I don’t know what to do with it all. Two weeks later it was actually FREE at my local Kroger. Good news is that I have plenty to donate.

Another Deal will Come – Don’t worry too much if you miss a deal. Don’t feel like you have to drop everything to rush out and pick up 12 jars of coffee because it’s on sale. Most coupons and sales will cycle back around and you’ll get another shot at it.

Get to know your store(s) policies – Do they double coupons? Is there a limit to how many like coupons you can use? Do they take competitor and/or printable coupons? Do they have a shopper’s card or other rewards program? How do they handle electronic coupons? To find your store’s policy, check the circular, their website, ask the manager or call customer service. (Note: Many cashiers do not understand their store’s coupon policy, so take what they say with a grain of salt)

Read your Coupons – Make sure you have the right product and the right quantity required by the coupon.

Do take Advantage of Coupons to Try a New Product, but don’t buy things your family won’t use just because the price is low.

Don’t be Embarrassed of your Coupons – During one of my shopping trips, the bag boy was teasing me about my elaborate coupon book. I said, “Just wait and see how much I save.” After he saw that I saved $95, he vowed to start couponing.