With TLC’s hit show “Extreme Couponing”, viewers watch as moms save as much as 99% on groceries. It is only natural to wonder how much you could potentially save with the right help. However, not all of us have 40+ hours to spend a week on clipping, nor do we want to start hoarding hundreds of bottles of ketchup. By following these simple steps, you will be able to save big without losing lots of time, energy, and cupboard space.
The best way to get the most out of you savings is to find a store that matches coupons, automatically doubling your savings. Once you find a store that matches, check the other components of its coupon policy. It’s beneficial to know if you can use more than one of the same coupons, if the store accepts expired coupons, what types of coupons it accepts, etc. Also, be sure to ask what day of the week the store rolls out sale prices! Organization is the key to any successful grocery store trip. It is important to keep track of when your coupons expire. Expired coupons mean lost money, so be sure to keep them in a safe spot. It would be wise to keep your coupons organized by product or aisle to save time while shopping.
With the internet, there are endless coupon outlets. The traditional coupons found in the mail or newspaper are still good – even better when you have relatives or neighbors to save the best coupons for you. The internet coupons are often preferred because you can search for specific products. Furthermore, you can have coupons sent to your smartphone, so you can keep them organized more easily and don’t have to bother printing anything out. Online coupons give the option of browsing for coupons on the company site, signing up to receive emails with coupons, or even paying for bundles of coupons.
An hour or two a week devoted to spotting savings should be plenty. Dividing the savings earned by hours spent is a great way to determine whether or not your time is being well spent. If it takes you four hours of clipping to save $20, it might not be worth the effort because you are basically working for $5/hour.
Whether you become a coupon mom or an extreme couponer, it is always possible to save. Know what you’re looking for beforehand, and search for deals online. There’s no reason to pay full price if we don’t have to!
