Grocery coupons can help thrifty shoppers save a lot of money on their monthly grocery expenses by being part of their coupon strategy. By spending a little bit of time up front, shoppers can end up saving more time and money once they are actually shopping in the grocery store. Here are a few tips for consumers looking to save some cash with grocery coupons:
Select One Store. It can be easier to keep track of sales and discounts for one store than trying to keep a pulse on every grocery store in the area. Once a shopper clips select coupons, either from the manufacturer or retailer, targeting one store can save time, money, and gas. Planning out one trip can reduce the amount of extra buys that occur on each trip to the store.
Shop At Different Stores. Yes, this completely contradicts the last point. But there may be times that shopping at different stores can make a difference. Maybe the different store has double or triple coupon days, but is farther from home. While this may not be ideal for a weekly stop, it could be useful for that once-in-a-while shopping trip, like before the holidays or large gatherings.
Internet Coupon Sites.
Grocery coupons become more widely available every day on the Internet. For those who do not receive the Sunday paper with the grocery coupons circulars, there is still an opportunity to find coupon savings on websites. Many of these websites allow users to select either manufacturer’s grocery coupons or local store coupons and then print them from their home computer. These coupons can be used just like traditional grocery coupons.
Mobile Grocery Coupons. Consumers can download mobile apps on their smartphones to keep an eye on local grocery savings. They can then download desired coupons directly to their phone in order to have the grocery coupons always on them. It is pretty common that people will clip coupons that never actually make it to the grocery store. They leave them on the kitchen counter or in a purse that is not in use that day. Keeping up with coupons on a mobile phone is great way to have the savings on hand at all times.
Stack Discounts. There are manufacturer’s coupons and store specific grocery coupons available to consumers. Clipping manufacturers’ coupons and then matching up one store’s sales items can save time and money. Shoppers can keep track of store sales by looking at the circulars that arrive by mail usually on Thursdays or by looking on a specific grocery store’s website. Organize shopping days based on times items go on sale (usually every three weeks) and days stores will double or triple up.
Stay Organized. It is important for a shopper to have a savings system that they will use week after week. Once the grocery coupons are clipped, it is helpful to keep them in one place. When new coupons go into the file or wallet, expired ones should come out. Knowing which coupons are still valid and what is actually on hand will help a shopper better plan a targeted shopping trip packed with savings.
A recent study found that a family spending just 20 minutes a week clipping and redeeming grocery coupons could easily save 20 percent on their total grocery bill. That could equate to a savings of $1,000 a year with the average American family spending about $5,000 each year on groceries. (1) Just by spending a little bit of time putting a plan together and following a few tips — organize coupons, shop the right grocery stores, stack discounts, use mobile apps — the savings can be significant with grocery coupons.
Sources
1) http://saveitsomewhere.com/september-is-national-coupon-month/
