Coupon Creativity: How to Stretch that Monthly Paycheck

While nearly everyone has seen television shows or documentaries about people who go a bit too far with couponing, you don't need to spend hours a week chasing deals to enjoy some major savings. Andrea Woroch of the Promotion Marketing Association states in US News & World Report that an average coupon user can save up to a thousand dollars per year. Here are some strategies to save money without a huge time commitment to couponing.

Research Online Prices First
It's not uncommon to find a great coupon or percentage-off offer that apply to online sales only. Check your favorite store's website to see if items you want are cheaper online. If you're paying for shipping, make sure to factor that into your total costs. While you're perusing the site, take advantage of offers that give you free shipping for orders over a certain dollar amount.

Take Advantage of Mobile Apps
Many coupons are available online and can be scanned at the checkout directly from your smartphone. Other apps allow you to add the coupons to you in-store rewards card and have them all tallied at the till. Some apps even pull double duty, allowing you to compile a grocery list or offering up low-cost recipes to try.

Get Coupon Codes Online
Before you click on the checkout button of your favorite website open up a new tab and run a search for a coupon code. These codes are freely shared around the Internet and can net you anything from free shipping to a percentage off. Check out sites like discountrue which offer Nordstrom promo codes and special offers from other retailers. You may also be able to score buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers or other sweet deals at your favorite stores.

Keep Your Coupons Organized

Take a few minutes before you head off to the store to get everything organized. Know what you'll be buying and whether you're using a paper or electronic coupon. Check the expiration dates and any limitations or provisos listed on the coupons as well. This can save you a lot of time at the store and ensures you're taking full advantage of the deals offered.

Add Yourself to Electronic or Paper Mailing Lists

Getting coupons sent to you directly is usually just a matter of asking to receive them. If you don't want coupons clogging up your primary email account, create a side account for collecting all the deals and specials you want sent to you. You can usually sign up with the cashier at the checkout or on most stores' websites.

Stretching your paycheck by using coupons doesn't have to be like the extreme examples shown on television. By keeping these tips in mind, you can save a lot of money without any hassles.

About the author

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for preventing automated spam submissions.