I think most people look for obvious deals when shopping, but miss many of the not-so-obvious ways to save. People want to get in and out of the store quickly. It can seem a bit daunting to start couponing and to figure out how to do it effectively but the savings are huge. There are many ways to save that are not obvious. Cut your expenditures by using the Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips.
There seem to be a lot of things to learn: where to get coupons, where to use them, and store policies. Many people think that it is not worth their time to coupon or deal hunt…don’t believe them! I regularly cut my grocery bills and family purchases in half. I am mindful of how I shop, when I shop and where. These Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips make this saving possible.
It is a thrill to get a great deal. To walk away from a store knowing that you just paid half of what others pay for similar things. Getting deals makes me wonder why doesn’t everyone do it? I can’t imagine wasting money when there is the option to save. I can think of many other uses for my money. I want to get a bargain wherever I can. Knowing where to get the best deals and how to use coupons can be the main sources of savings for your family.
Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips:
- Plan/Research Before Shopping
Before going to the grocery store (or any store) always check for deals. Make a list for each store that you visit. Many stores have loss leaders (great sales that draw you into the store to purchase). The stores are counting on the fact that you will buy a lot more once you are there. Sticking to a list helps avoid buying other more expensive items. The key trick to big savings is only shopping the deals. This is a critical aspect of applying the Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips.
Use an app on your phone to easily look for the weekly deals at stores (I use the Flipp app but there are a lot of app options available). You can see the weekly flyers posted for each store. By finding the best deals you can create a shopping list. Search for particular items you may need to find the best price available. Making a list helps to keep the shop efficient. Menu plan each week when you make your list. This makes certain you have all of the food required for the week of meals and reduces picking up random extra items. Stick to your list when shopping.
I price shop and compare prices in multiple stores to know where I can get the best deals. One example is the same type of sandwich meat is $2 less in one local store compared to another. Always buy it at the cheaper store. To identify bargains you need to learn the prices of your regular shopping items. I cannot stress this enough. You need to be able to quickly recognize good prices and know when something is a true bargain. I usually shop at 2 stores per week for groceries, but with a list it is quick and I know what I am getting. It doesn’t take me much longer than one store would.
I menu plan based on what is on sale that week to ensure the most value for my meals (have a plan to use any leftovers). Always check your freezer/ stockpile to make sure you are using the items you have before purchasing new ones. Making sure that you don’t have food waste in your home is a great way to reduce your overall cost of groceries.
One critical tip is that stores advertise the best deals usually on the front and back of their flyers to grab our attention. They want to get you in the store. Instead of spending a lot of time looking through every flyer focus on those pages specifically if you are pressed for time. The best deals can be used to plan your meals and what you are going to purchase that week. - Where To Get Coupons
There are so many places to get coupons. One of the standards is at the grocery store itself or pharmacy. Some grocery stores have coupons on boards when you enter, others have them on the shelves. I check the coupons each time I go to the store and ensure to stock up on coupons for any items that I may purchase. It is etiquette to not take the whole pad, only take the number of coupons that you may need and what is reasonable (to make sure that others can share in the joy of couponing). You can also trade coupons with friends and share the joys of saving.
Another place to find coupons is online. Many online sites offer coupons for printing. Investing in a second-hand printer is a great option instead of buying new, you can get them quite cheaply. It is important to remember is that you CAN NOT photocopy coupons. They must be printed (it is illegal to copy them). Many sites have a limit of printing 2 coupons per computer or account. You can be creative in this, my husband also has a coupon account where we print our coupons so we can print double the amount, we print from multiple computers in our home and use multiple browsers, all to make sure that we get the most coupons possible.
Manufacturers can also have coupons on their website, check your favorite brands to see if they offer any type of discounts on their sites (you can also email companies and ask for coupons). The options are everywhere is if start looking.
I organize my coupons by category (cleaning supplies, toiletries, produce, canned good, frozen, etc.). This makes finding them easier when needed. I use a binder with baseball card holders to organize mine. You can use all sorts of organizational systems (I have seen people use recipe boxes or labeled accordion-type file folders, whatever works for you). Saving coupons is important if you want to get the best deals. An item may not be on sale at the time the coupon is available but may go on sale before the coupon expires. Having a coupon stockpile helps you match coupons and deals and the right time.
You should go through your coupons every month to look at expiry dates. Regularly clean out any old coupons that you have not used. You should also know which coupons are soon expiring. Knowing what you have in your coupon organizer makes organizing your shop a breeze, you know how many coupons you have. I use a simple paperclip to hold all my coupons for a particular shopping trip in my wallet so I can easily present them to the cashier as they ring in the item. - Join Savings Communities/ Groups
The saving and thrifty community is amazing. There are so many groups and websites to share information (depending on region and country), the easiest way to find them is by searching for local groups in social media apps). Joining these savings groups saves so much time and provides a wealth of information. Many groups post a list of the best deals of the week and coupons that match up to sales, this can save you lots of time and help make sure you do not miss out on any great deals.
Savers like helping savers, they love sharing information, coupons, and tips. I have loved being a part of these groups and speaking to like-minded people. They are always willing to answer questions you may have and teach you new tricks to save. Learning from others is a quick way to become efficient at couponing and spotting deals. - Matching Coupons to Store Points/Sales/Clearance/Cash Back Apps (this is where the big savings are)
This is where you get the most bang for your buck and is the true secret of couponing. By matching coupons// app savings to existing store sales you get the best prices for items. In many cases, I have gotten items for free or close to free. I have gotten cereal, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, cleaning supplies, and lots of other items for absolutely nothing by matching coupons to sales. To do this properly you need to make certain that your coupon matches the item on sale exactly. Not only does it have to be for the brand but the size of the item.
Store points can also be a great way to save money. I have purchased items on sale, then used a coupon and then received store points for that purchase, and then made cashback on a cashback app, making the item free. The trick is to use all the possible ways to save together. In many stores, you can redeem store points for cash on your next purchase. This “stacking” of deals is the real way to save.
I always look for store events where they have high-value point offers or 20X points events. Points are an easy way to quickly accumulate credit for future purchases. Credit in the form of store points can also be helpful for a rainy day. You never know when you may be in a financial bind, and having a small amount of money saved on a points card or a cashback app can always ensure that you have some disposable income if and when you need it in an emergency.
Cashback apps can help you accumulate some additional money (they are similar to coupons but instead of getting the cash value taken off your transaction you build up money in an account of the app that can be paid out in cash). Make sure you read the fine print of the particular app: know when you can cash out, know how they provide the cash-out, if they take a percentage of the cash and if the cash in your account can expire. It isn’t a savings until you get the money back, so make sure that you are aware of how they work and how to get your cash.
Clearance items are another great way to rack up savings. Stores usually have clearance areas/ sections where they are getting rid of certain products. I regularly find items that are 50% off or more in clearance sections. If you can add a coupon when purchasing the item as well it truly can add up to significant savings. - Know Your Stock Up Price
To apply the Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips is critical to know your prices to get the best deals. You need to know the regular cost to identify if it is a good deal or a fantastic deal. I know the normal price of items I regularly purchase, in addition I know what a really good sale for each item is. I keep a list of the main items I purchase and what my stock-up price is (the price I identify as a fantastic deal and worth buying extra for my stockpile).
I don’t purchase most items unless they are 50% off or more. That is my stock-up price (where I will buy extra of the particular item). This means planning, but more savings in the long run. You can save by having a small stockpile of items at home. This allows you to only purchase an item that is only on sale (with a few exceptions like dairy and produce that you need to make it through the week). Getting items at the best price and stockpiling that item for future use lowers your grocery bill throughout the year. When I see an item below my stock-up price I make sure that I buy extra. As a saver, it is terrible to run out of something and then pay full price for a replacement. It is a waste to pay full price. My stockpile has enough to last my family until the next time it goes on sale. - Know Store Policies for Price-Matching, Rainchecks, and Coupons
This can take some time but save you a lot of headaches. doing your research is critical in the Top 10 Deal and Coupon Tips. Stores for the most part post their coupon policies on their websites. It is worth reading them to know how each deals with coupons. Many of the social savings groups post information and changes to the major store coupon policies and notify their members (another reason why these groups are great). I belong to a few local groups to keep informed.
Knowing where you can get rainchecks is also critical. Stores often run out of their best deals, and getting a rain check allows you to take advantage of the sale in the future. I keep my rainchecks in my coupon binder and use them on my next shopping trip to get the deal.
Price-matching can save you a lot of time when shopping. If you have a local store that price-matches, you can usually get all your items in one location instead of shopping in multiple stores. If you have not price-matched before I recommend starting slow and price-matching one or two items on your first trip. This will teach you the process. Then you will be ready to tackle larger shopping trips where you price-match from many stores. I know my local stores that price-match and it is a great way to get deals from many stores in one location.
The key to price-matching is organization. Look at the flyers for your local area and find the best deals. When I create my shopping list for the store I write which store I am price-matching the item from and which page the deal is on in the flyer. This allows me to tell the cashier that I would like to price match the item at checkout. I show them the flyer sales price quickly in my app (cashiers have to see the deal in the competitor’s flyer). I also hand the cashier any coupons for that item (if I have one) while they are ringing in that item to make the shop efficient. - Sale Cycles
Once you have deal hunted for a while you realize that there is a cycle for most of the sales. Different items go on sale at different times of the year. This is the time to stock up where possible, and purchase items to last you until the next sales cycle. These cycles usually center around holidays, seasons of the year, or milestones like back to school.
Usually, the really good sale items are referred to as loss leaders (and are a great deal for us consumers). Items that stores advertise on sale and actually may take a loss in profit on the item. The idea is to draw you into the store to shop (examples are exercise equipment in January, hot dogs in the summer, BBQ chickens in the grocery store, or turkey a few weeks before Thanksgiving).
Thinking about people’s habits helps you identify the sales cycles. When you think about Christmas you know that this is when people do a lot of baking. This is when you are likely to find items like flour, sugar, eggs, butter on sale. Stocking up on items when they are at these extremely low loss-leader prices is where you save big. You can freeze butter and eggs (I crack eggs and put them in freezer bags), sugar and flour last a long time on the shelf. Purchasing extra at this time when they are a great deal helps you save in the future. Buying when it is the best deal saves you from paying full price in the future.
Toiletries/ Razors and essentials usually have a 4-8 week cycle and knowing this helps you determine the amount you should have in your stockpile. I always have enough shampoo to last a couple of months (until the next sale), or enough peanut butter in my cupboard to last for a couple of months. This allows me to purchase it when it is on a great sale (usually at least 50% off) and wait until it is on sale again before purchasing more. - Buy Offseason or End of Season
Stores do not want to save items for the next season. Purchasing items at the end of the season is a great way to save. I have done this with many purchases for our home and saved large amounts. Outdoor patio furniture is a great example. At the end of the season, stores want to clear it out. You can get it at a fraction of the cost. I buy school supplies I will need for next year once the kids go back to school. The supplies go on clearance and I get the majority of what I need at less than 50% of the normal price.
End-of-season clearance clothing sales are a great way to stock up on children’s clothing. I purchase a larger size for my kids for the next year. I tuck them away and have them on hand ready for the next year at a fraction of the price. Instead of paying $20-$30 for a pair of shorts, I can get them on clearance for $5.
Christmas decorations and gifts are other examples. I go boxing day shopping for Christmas gifts for the next year. I purchase ornaments, and non-perishable gift packs to give others when they are at clearance prices. I purchase holiday cards as soon as the holiday has passed, I buy flowers the day after Valentine’s Day when all the stores are looking to clear out the items.
I have heard others say that they don’t have the extra money on hand to do advance purchasing, which is true for many families. This is where you need to get creative. Some examples: use the points to have accumulated in that store towards the offseason purchase so you’re not using cash, figure out a way to bring in a small amount of extra income to give you a small slush fund. The trick of saving, in the long run, is buying your items when it is a deal instead of close to full-price.
Purchasing used instead of new is another amazing way to save. You can get great deals at thrift stores for most household items. clothing, furniture, sporting goods, etc. It is well worth your time to pop into your local thrift stores and see what they have periodically. Also, keep an eye on community selling resources (like FB marketplace/ neighborhood selling groups). You can save your family a large amount of money by purchasing lightly used items. I also get lots of useful items for free.
Learn how to thrift like a pro: Top 10 Thrifting Tips - Stockpile (but not to excess)
Creating a small stockpile of items is the key to getting the best deals. Your stockpile allows you to not shop for the item between sale cycles. Many people ask how can they create a stockpile if they don’t have extra money? The way to do this is slowly but methodically. If you usually budget $4 for cereal and you can get it for $2 (either through a sale or by using a coupon), buy 2 instead of 1. You have still spent the same amount of money, but now have one for your stockpile. It is amazing how quickly a stockpile can grow if you implement this philosophy. You may not be seeing the savings in your bank account immediately, but you will in the long run.
If you do not have any disposable income look for ways to make a bit of extra money to start your stockpile. It can be challenging when you are in debt or struggling to pay bills. We have some suggestions in our post: Ways to Make Extra Money.
A stockpile can provide security and comfort for a family, knowing that they have food on hand if they run into unexpected financial issues. Knowing you can feed your children and yourself provides a base level of stability and reduces financial stress. This is where stockpiling can positively change your life.
Stockpiling can be taken too far though. We have all seen the T.V. shows where people have thousands of dollars of food and supplies hoarded in their homes because they got a great deal. This is completely unnecessary. If you stock too much food you end up wasting it because you are unable to use it before it expires. You only need to keep on hand what your family will be able to use. There is no reason I can think of to have 300 razors in your home. Keep enough for your own needs but don’t go overboard.
If you can get a great deal and don’t need it for your stockpile, consider still purchasing the item if you can (especially if you can get it for pennies or free). This is where you can take your saving skills and share them with others. You can share items with friends in need (or trade items with friends from their stockpile to make sure you all have what you need). Foodbanks and charities are always thankful for donations, there are always people who can benefit and in need.
It is painful to know that there are hungry families (more families than you think to suffer from food insecurity). People struggle to acquire things to meet their basic needs. Everyone deserves to have food when they are hungry, shelter when they are cold. Helping others and sharing your good fortune is important. If you can get an item for free or cheap (or have too much of an item) please consider sharing it with others. Sharing is a beautiful gesture of kindness and compassion. We all need help or support at one point or another in our lives. Be that kindness in the world when you can. Give The Gift of Kindness talks more about the true gift of giving. - Brand Names and Imperfect items.
Deal hunting/couponing means that you may not always be able to stay brand loyal. Even though you usually drink a certain coffee if another is on sale at half the price you should consider being flexible. Brands’ names are usually associated with coupons (where generic store brands do not often have coupons available). Having brand flexibility lets you get the best deals.
Imperfect items are also important to review. In many cases, the taste is the same at a fraction of the cost. To truly save you cannot worry if a carrot is a bit bent, or if the frozen mango chunks are not in perfect squares as examples. Many stores now offer produce and other frozen items that may not be visually perfect but as still perfectly good. You can get these items at great discounts. It is wonderful that we can purchase these items. It is great for our environment and farmers that they are not wasted and great for the consumer to get a deal. Baked goods like day-old bread is another amazing way to save, it is usually marked down the next day and still wonderful to eat.
Grocery stores also have drastically reduced produce that is in less than optimal condition but still useful. For example, bananas that are beginning to turn brown, a pack of tomatoes with one bad tomato in it, lettuce that has a couple of brown edges. Do not overlook these items. Wilted salad leaves can be removed, bananas can be used for muffins or banana bread, tomatoes for sauces, etc. You can also buy greatly reduced fruit/veggies and freeze them wherever possible. Frozen produce can be used in the future for cooking, baking, smoothies, etc. I try not to waste any of my produce and add to my stockpile if I can freeze something before it is wasted.
Buying in season also creates huge savings. If you can buy produce cheaply when it is in season you can freeze it/ can it or make preserves for the upcoming months. For additional in-season produce information visit: Month to Month Seasonal Produce Guide
Deal hunting and using coupons can impact your grocery and household expenditures. It does take time but it is worth it. It can be overwhelming when you first start, but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of things. The longer you do it the faster you get at it. It is a fun and rewarding way to save money for your family. Get out there and try it, you will be amazed at the savings! My only word of warning is that saving is addictive, once you start you will never want to pay full price for anything again.