It’s no hidden mystery: one could use the hours we waste on Instagram, Twitter, and the general rubble of the Internet for something better. In reality, you might spend the time cutting costs on something you pay for each month: groceries.
Some financially savvy folks caught on to this a long time ago. They started staking out coupons from any cranny, using them consistently with other deals, carrying the cartload of shopping deals. Now known as couponing, the hobby can save you thousands.
To gain access to the best-kept couponing beginner guide, you don’t need to be a member of any underground club. For beginners, let’s learn some couponing tips to save money or for discount shopping.
Learn the Basics
You need to learn the nitty-gritty details of couponing if you are a beginner and want to learn the tips for couponing. There are two forms of coupons, manufacturer and store coupons.
The manufacturer coupon is provided by the brand that produces the product, while a particular retailer or supermarkets such as Walmart or Target issue the store coupon. In three types, these coupons are available.
- Insert – you can get from the magazines.
- Printable – you can print directly from your printer.
- Mobile coupons – you can access with your phone.
Get to know the couponing vocabulary. You can make the most of your coupons by reading up on the acronyms. As some couponers speak their own language, you will encounter these words.
- OYNO (On Your Next Order).
- MIR (Mail-in Rebate).
- Blinkie (coupon-issuing machine often found in grocery aisles).
- BOGO (Buy One Get One).
- MFR (Manufacturer).
- MOC (Money-off coupon).
- OOS (Out of stock).
Find Coupons
Determine where you can find your local coupons. Coupons appear in five key locations, depending on where you live — shop coupon walls/bulletin boards, local newspapers, store flyers, coupon apps, and coupon websites. Take these steps to make sure you’ve covered your bases.
- Sign up for your local newspaper.
- Check your store bulletin board for coupons before your shopping (typically at the store entrance).
- If you’re app-savvy, download coupon apps.
- Join local coupon groups on Facebook to keep in the coupon know-how where you live.
- Use coupon websites.
Understand Per Purchase Per Transaction
The main thing that consumers are sometimes confused about is that coupons restrict you to one coupon per purchase. Or, with coupons, you can’t buy more products. Limit one per purchase means that if you buy two products, you can use one voucher for one product purchase or two coupons.
On a single item, you can’t use two coupons. If the voucher has a cap of one per transaction, or one per person, or one per household, then only one item can be purchased, and one coupon can be used.
Use Coupons for Healthy Foods
Many products do not go on sale as often as other products, such as fresh produce, meat, and dairy. You may be piling discounts that most shoppers overlook on nutritious foods.
The coupons printed on your receipts are a treasure trove for rare coupons on meat and vegetables, and it would be a careless act to throw the receipts into the bin.
Only Purchase Items You Actually Use
Becoming a couponer does not mean purchasing something on sale and then later wasting those things. Don’t forget to save strategically. Just buy products you can use.
It is never prudent to get 15 cans of beans for a great deal, and you’re not going to eat them all. It’s not the art of couponing to purchase things you won’t use; rather, it’s just a waste of money, even though you pay a few cents.
Conclusion
When you are a beginner in couponing, even the smallest of efforts go a long way. Take it slowly, and embrace your next adventure with accumulated savings! Don’t let coupons govern your life.