How To Use Coupons

To get the best deals, there are some basic ground rules for how to use coupons effectively. It’s not rocket science, but it’s also not just as simple as clipping a coupon and using it on an item. (…While you can definitely do just this, you won’t be getting the BEST deal!) Read on for some basics on how to EFFECTIVELY use coupons to score the BEST deals… once you know the rules of the “game”, you are armed with some exceptionally valuable knowledge…

Store Sale Matchups
The bottom line is that you have to use a coupon combined with a store sale (Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale or a regular sale on an item) to get the BEST deal. Each week, stores have sales that are good for that week only. Many grocery stores, such as Publix or Winn Dixie, have a long list of “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” items. Paired with coupons, you can sometimes score these items for FREE or just pennies. Many new couponers also don’t realize that you can use a coupon on EACH item for a B1G1 Free sale… so if Cheerios are on sale for B1G1 Free, you can buy 2 boxes and use 2 coupons. (or you can buy 4 boxes and use 4 coupons)… so, for example if you buy 4… with already getting 2 items for FREE, plus using 4 coupons, you can score your 4 boxes of cereal for SUPER cheap. Welcome to the “game”!…
The planning can take a bit of time, but we can help you with that! Each week, Sweet2Save posts the deals for Publix, Target, CVS, and Walgreens (more stores will be coming soon!), along with where you can find (or print) the coupons that correspond with EACH sale. So just check back each week, go through the list for the weekly sale, and print any coupons for items that you want… and you’re armed with valuable info to go score some sweet deals!

Coupon Stacking
You’re probably heard the term “coupon stacking” before and it either sounds complicated or that you’re doing something wrong, right? Well, it’s actually neither of those things. Coupon Stacking simply means that you can use TWO coupons of a different TYPE on ONE item. Huh? Well, some coupons come from the MANUFACTURER of the item and some coupons come from a particular STORE. Grocery stores, large retailers, and drug stores come out with monthly or weekly sale flyers which contain STORE coupons (and sometimes Manufacturer coupons as well), which you can use ALONG WITH a Manufacturer coupon for the SAME item. For example, if Publix is offering a Store Coupon for $0.50 Off Green Giant canned vegetables and there is also a $0.50/2 Off Green Giant manufacturer coupon available from a recent newspaper or printable from online… you can use BOTH to snag some veggies for super cheap (or sometimes FREE)! Store coupons will be clearly labeled as such… so just take a look at your coupon if you have a question. Also, presenting your coupons in the right order is sometimes important to maximize your savings. For example, if you have a $5 off $20 purchase coupon, be sure to present that coupon FIRST, while your total bill is above the $20 purchase price, and then any coupons for individual items that you may have.

Start Small and Avoid Burnout
When you start playing the couponing “game”, it can actually get quite addicting when you see the sweet deals that you can get! However, my advice would be to start small. Just pick a few deals, print your coupons, and go snag ‘em. It takes a while to really get the hang of it, and you don’t want to get frustrated and burned out before you really even get started. Also, for all of you over-achievers out there… it’s good to keep in mind that it’s just impossible to get EVERY deal, EVERY week. Always keep in mind… these deals will typically ALL come around again. Grocery stores are on 6 to 8-week sales cycles… so just know that Cheerios (or oatmeal, or coffee, or olive oil…) WILL go on sale again!

Stockpiling
What is stockpiling, and why do we do it? If you have images of a huge storage shed, with rows of shelves with cans… this is NOT what I mean when I refer to stockpiling… Stockpiling simply means to STOCK UP when items are on SALE… to get the BEST price.  Remember, stores are typically on 6 to 8-week sales cycles. When an item goes on sale, you’re scoring it at the BEST price when paired with a coupon, right? So, just make sure that you are stocking up so that you will have enough of that item to last you through the next sales cycle. If you think you’ll use 6 boxes of granola bars in a little over a month, then make sure you snag 6… because if they are on sale for Buy 1 Get 1 FREE, it’s at the rock-bottom price. If you can score items for FREE or pennies, even if it’s an item that you may not personally need, consider donating them to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

Printable Coupons
You can definitely find more coupons online than you can find in the newspaper these days. This is a relatively new phenomenon but just a product of our changing times.  Here are some answers to common questions as you enter the world of printable coupons:
How do I print online coupons? To print online coupons, all you need is a computer and printer. The first time you print a coupon you will most likely be prompted to download a “coupon printer.” Just follow the prompts to go through this process. Make sure your printer is turned on, loaded with paper, and has ink before you hit print, because your coupon(s) will be sent automatically to your ‘default’ printer.
Can I print more than one? Most printable coupon sites allow a maximum of TWO per computer. Once you have printed the first coupon, simply click the ‘Back’ button on your browser a few times slowly to print another. After two, you will not be allowed to print any more. If you really need 4 of a coupon, you will need to use TWO computers. So go borrow your hubby’s computer, or print 2 each from work and home to score 4 coupons.
Once I print a coupon, will I ever be able to print it again? Yes, most likely. Printable coupon sites “reset” their coupons at various times, which means that they release new ones and clear out the list of who has printed the coupon before… giving you the ability to print two more. Some popular sites (such as Coupons.com) do this at the beginning of the month, and sometimes at various times throughout the month, as well.