Mary Bradley | On August 26, 2015
It doesn’t matter who you are or how many commas are in your bank account, saving money rocks.
And coupons are here to help. Yes, those thin little sheets of paper that are slid right into your newspaper or those discount codes for online shopping.
If you haven’t already heard, seen a snippet of or binge watched it, Extreme Couponing is a show on TLC that debuted in December 2010 that changed the game of couponing for viewers.Here’s a quick synopsis: there are people who collect, cut, sort and live off coupons. They dumpster dive for more coupons. They have storage closets that could rival department store warehouses. In one word, it’s baffling, not only because they have the time and skills to put it together, but they get most—if not all—for free.
Now, if your palms are sweaty, knees are weak and arms are heavy just by thinking about how to tackle the world of couponing, don’t fret, because here are four tips to get you on the right track to saving some green:
Get the apps
It’s a matter of hitting up the App Store and boom! You’re already saving. One app, called RetailMeNot, is available both on your phone and online. It’s simple to use. Type in where you’re shopping and show the cashier the barcode to scan or the code to type in and you’re saving. Another similar app, Yowza!!, helps users save, too. Both apps have a favorites feature that saves deals, so you don’t have to make a mental note every time you find a coupon you’d like to use later.
Change the way you shop
It takes some training to get into the couponing mindset. You have to begin to pay attention to what sales there are and what coupons are available. Essentially, simply going to the store and picking up whatever tickles your fancy at the moment is a no-go. So, before you take off to shop, sit down with inserts for several stores and plan your meals for the week then. Keep in mind that you may have to visit a few different places to get the best deal possible.
Organization is key
If the accordion binder wasn’t your friend before, it should be now. This is a staple for organized couponers. It doesn’t matter how you organize them, as long as you know where your coupons are for what day and what item. Keeping your coupons organized will help you in the long run—trust me. Nothing stinks more than when you realize you could’ve gotten something you bought for super cheap but didn’t because you didn’t realize the coupon was there the whole time.
Learn a routine
Take it slow and simple. Start with one store and work your way up to planning for multiple stores if you have to. Remember that stores work on sale cycles, which means you can ditch the save, save, save mentality—it’ll only lead to buying things you don’t need. Of course, always speak to the store’s manager if you need the lowdown on policies, like doubling coupons and honoring competitor coupons.
There you have it! You’re ready to roll. And, if you’re feeling doubtful, check out some online resources to guide you along the way. The Crazy Coupon Lady and Couponing 101 are some spots to give you that extra push. Happy clipping!
Feature Photo via