If you’ve ever wondered why extreme couponing is so darn hot, consider that it’s possible to buy groceries and only actually pay every other time, which works out to the equivalent of paying for every other grocery shopping excursion!
So while most of us overlook the coupons in our newspapers, stop and think about what you could save before throwing that section away. Extreme couponing does take time and skill, but it’s not rocket science. Our recommendation is to start small and learn the basics.
Here are five seriously savvy extreme couponing tips for non extreme couponers to help you start your extreme couponing adventures.
1. Subscribe to multiple coupon sources
In the case of extreme couponing and really optimizing your savings, you’ll need to subscribe to multiple sources—most of them are free any way! You can ask friends and coworkers to save their papers (or just their coupon sections) if they no longer need them. You can also ask businesses for the weekend editions that they don’t sell. Remember, many copies mean more coupons!
2. Start with a few favorite stores
For example, if Walgreens is your favorite store than start with it. Or else you’ll find that too many stores at once can be a little overwhelming and disorganized. If you already know the store and go there often, it will be easier to learn their coupon policies because you already know the merchandise. Plus, if you’re a regular customer and know a few of the cashiers by name and face, they will be more amicable when you whip out a pile of coupons and expect them to key them all in the register.
3. Schedule your coupon clipping
Serious savings take a few hours per week—especially when you consider all the sourcing, clipping, and organizing of coupons required of you before actually hitting the stores. That’s why scheduling your couponing—just like you would a weekly book club or yoga class—is a wise idea to ensure you fit it into your schedule.
4. Stick to buying what you’ll actually use
It’s tempting as you coupon to get a rush from saving. That can be disastrous if you end up buying and saving on a lot of items that you just won’t use—for example, baked beans if you’re kids hate them. Instead, focus your newly acquired couponing talents on items you need and make the most use of.
5. Learn the lingo
Maybe you don’t know what BOGO (by one get one free) or OYNO (on your next order) means, but you’d better learn if you expect to save. You’ll want to get a handle these types of couponing acronyms in order to recognize a MIR (mail in rebate) when you see one, otherwise you’ll lose out on real saving opportunities.
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