Clipping coupons is all the rage among the ranks of the frugal. But to a newbie, it can be tricky. Here are a few pointers to help you get the hang of it.
Coupons have two basic categories: manufacturer coupons or store coupons. Both can indicate a name brand, but the way you tell the difference is the source. If it comes from an ad page with a specific store's name on it, it's a store coupon. If you found the coupon in a magazine, through an online coupon resource or on the manufacturer's website, it's a manufacturer's coupon. Even though you redeem a manufacturer's coupon at a local store, it's actually the manufacturer that "pays" for the discount. The discounts you find in flyers and ads from specific stores -- whether it's Walmart or your local grocery -- are supplied by the store itself.
Manufacturer's Coupons: A manufacturer's coupon you can use at a variety of stores, as long as they honor coupons and carry the product. That extra flexibility can be a lifesaver if you shop several different stores or are traveling. The best use of these coupons is to get the premium quality of a brand name item at the price of a generic label item. For instance, if you are just wild about Maxwell House Coffee, keeping an eye out for manufacturer's coupons can keep you stocked with your favorite brew without having to shell out the extra dough. Gone are the days when the only source of coupons was the Sunday paper -- you can keep yourself swimming in coupons by surfing the Internet. Some resources require you to register but are free to join, such as Cool Savings, Coupons.com, and Proctor & Gamble Everyday Solutions. Red Plum is another great coupon site, and no registration is required.
Store Coupons: Both local and national stores offer their own coupons. Sometimes the discounts you can score with these coupons are a little deeper, though not always. Some store chains with great coupon sections on their websites include Kmart, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Hy-Vee and Safeway, to name a few. You can also get great Home Depot coupons when you sign up for their free Home Depot Garden Club or Home Depot Home Improvers Club.
In-Store Rebates: Another way to save when you're shopping is to keep your eyes open for in-store rebate offers. These are attached to the packages of the product that gets the rebate. Common items for this kind of discount are hair care, skincare and household cleaning items. We love in-store rebates because they are so much less hassle than the traditional kind where you had to mail in receipts, forms and UPC codes, then wait for four months to get your $5.00 back. With these, you just point them out to the cashier and they run the rebate coupon through their system.
Double Coupon Jeopardy: This tactic is for the brave of heart. Occasionally, a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon will run concurrently. Say for example your local grocery store has a coupon for $ .50 cents off Pillsbury cookie dough, and you find a Pillsbury coupon for $ .75 off in a magazine. You can present both coupons at the grocery store for a possible total discount of $1.25. It should be noted that not all stores will honor both, but it never hurts to ask! Many times you can get items free by using this double coupon strategy.
Hopefully, this guide will help make sense of the coupon world maze, which can be confusing and contradictory at times. We have new coupons and coupon sites showing up every day, so follow FreeToday to stay posted on the latest in savings!
--Renee
Image courtesy of momlogic.com