Couponing: A Beginner’s Guide

Coupons are a great way to save more money at your favorite stores—especially grocery stores, where they can really cut down on your food bills. They're also easier to use than ever, and available in newspapers, mobile apps, and store flyers. 

Ready to save money? Here's a quick primer on how to start couponing.

Familiarize Yourself with Different Coupon Types

The type of coupon you have determines how you can use it. Let's take a look at the different types of coupons you might find.

Manufacturer vs. store coupons

Most coupons can be put into one of two groups:

• Manufacturer coupons. These are coupons released by the makers of a product. Manufacturer coupons can usually be used at any store.

• Store coupons. These are coupons released by a store. Store coupons can usually only be used in the store (or chain of stores) that released the coupon.

Many stores let you use manufacturer and store coupons on the same item. This is called “stacking”—you combine, or stack, multiple discounts onto one purchase (check the store's coupon policy ahead of time for best results).

Competitor coupons and price matches

Most stores only accept store coupons from their own store, but sometimes they accept store coupons released by competitors. Stores that accept competitor coupons are pretty rare these days. More common is price-matching, when a store matches the price on an item if it is cheaper at a competing store. 

Digital vs. paper coupons

Part of what makes couponing easier than ever is that you can find both paper and digital coupons. This allows you to coupon in the way that suits you best. Paper coupons typically need to be cut from the newspaper or sales ad and handed over in-store at checkout, but some can be used digitally by entering a code online.

How you use digital coupons varies. Commonly, they are:

• Printed out and used like a paper coupon

• Scanned at store checkout via a barcode or QR code

• Used through a store account or store saving card

Expiration dates and restrictions

Generally, manufacturer coupons tend to have more-generous expiration dates and fewer restrictions. You can also use them in more places, so you can shop around to get the best bang for your buck. 

Store coupons often have very short redemption windows, especially digital coupons. It's not uncommon for stores to offer in-app coupons that are good for just one day. You may also be limited to one store coupon per item or order, which may require some strategy to maximize.

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Find Your Coupons

There are lots of quick and easy ways to make couponing a regular part of your shopping. You can find coupons in lots of places, including online, in the mail, and at the store. Here’s how and where to find them:

• Store mobile apps. Most stores have their own mobile apps these days, often with digital coupons you can easily scan on your phone or apply to your loyalty account.

• Store flyers. These can be found at the store or in the mail. They usually list what’s on sale for the week, and they frequently contain coupons.

• Email newsletters and promos. Sign up for a store's email newsletters to get exclusive coupons sent to your inbox.

• In the newspaper. The Sunday paper usually has a few large manufacturer coupon inserts. Otherwise, some free local papers have coupons, too.

• Product packaging. Manufacturers sometimes stick coupons on the packaging of new products to incentivize you to try them.

• Manufacturer websites. Most major manufacturers have printable coupons on their websites that refresh on a monthly or weekly basis.

• In the mail. You can get coupons sent to you in the mail by most of the manufacturers of the products you use regularly. Visit their website, go to their “Contact Us” page, and ask to be added to their coupon mailing list.

• Coupon websites. There are many third-party websites that aggregate coupons and offer shopping rebates.

• Couponing apps. As with the coupon websites, you can find a variety of third-party coupon and savings apps with discount codes or shopping rebates.  

Many retailers accept coupons sent out by the store itself and coupons issued by the maker of the product. You can generally also stack these coupons, using both on the same product at the same time to save even more money.

Organize Your Coupons

Once you've sourced your coupons, have them ready to use:

• Download or digitally clip e-coupons or in-app coupons

• Cut out coupons from newspaper inserts and store ads

• Print online manufacturer coupons for use in-store

Organize your physical coupons by store and product so you can find them when you need them. (Photo storage boxes can be helpful here.) Consider making a list of your digital coupons so you don't forget any important deals. 

Saving unnecessary coupons takes up space, and it can be a waste of time—so be smart about which you keep. For example, don’t waste your time clipping a coupon for a brand of cereal you don’t usually buy.

Plan Your Trip and Start Shopping

Create a shopping list based on the coupons, sales, and your needs. Watch out that you don't add items to your list simply because there is a coupon. "Because it's on sale" isn't enough reason to purchase something you wouldn't otherwise buy. Don’t use couponing as an excuse to shop recklessly.

Also consider the best use of your time. Going a half-hour out of your way to a different store to save $0.50 on a can of beans probably isn't a good use of your valuable time. Focus on coupons you can use at stores nearby, particularly ones you know well. When you shop at a familiar place, it’s easier to find the items you need quickly and maximize your efficiency.

Maximize Your Coupons

Simply using a few coupons on your next shopping trip should help you save some money. But here are a few tips to help you really maximize your couponing game:

• Read the coupon’s fine print. Expiration dates and usage restrictions should dictate your coupon strategy.

• Join the store rewards program. Most stores have a loyalty or rewards program. Joining can unlock extra coupons and savings.

• Download the store's mobile app. The mobile app is usually the best place to find digital store coupons. Many grocery store apps include manufacturer coupons you can attach to your rewards account for automatic redemption at checkout.

• Use coupons on things that are already on sale. For example, use that manufacturer coupon on a BOGO item to get an even better deal. It might make sense to hold onto coupons for items that have regular sales cycles (just watch your expiration dates).

• Stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons. Many stores let you stack, or combine, one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item (or purchase, depending on the coupon). This can multiply your savings.

• Always compare the price per unit. You can compare prices across brands and sizes by comparing unit prices. For example, when estimating the best price on flour, compare the price per pound or kilogram.

• Buy in bulk when it makes sense. Buying in bulk typically results in a lower price per unit, but it only makes sense if you can use everything you buy before it expires. Items like paper towels won’t go bad, but bulk produce may go bad in a week.

• Price-match with competitor ads. A lot of stores have price-match guarantees that can let you get another store's advertised lower price. This can be a hack for using a store coupon or rewards program while still getting the best deal.

• Consider third-party cash-back apps. You can find a variety of cash-back programs and apps that offer rebates on certain purchases. You typically need to upload your receipts to access the savings. Only use these apps if you're comfortable sharing that information (which is usually sold to other companies).

It only takes a little time and effort to start couponing—but before you know it, couponing will become part of your weekly routine. Start small. Work it into your shopping habits little by little, then watch your savings grow.

Common Couponing Mistakes to Avoid

Any coupon you use is savings earned. But you might not be making the most of your coupons. Avoid these mistakes for the best results.

Buying items just because you have coupons

Coupons only truly save you money if you use them on items you'd buy anyway. You're not actually saving money if you're using it for items you don't want or need just because you have a coupon. Make sure you stick with healthy financial habits. 

Not checking expiration dates

Most coupons expire within a few weeks of being issued. While some stores may let you use a slightly expired coupon, most stick firmly to expiration dates.

Driving too far for small savings

Saving $0.25 on a box of cereal is great—but not if you had to spend $0.25 in gas to go to a store you don't typically visit. Prioritize deals you can get at your usual stores so you don't waste time or money.

Assuming the coupon makes it cheaper

A national brand with a coupon may still be more expensive than the store brand. Similarly, a larger box without a coupon could still be a better value than a smaller box with a coupon. Always compare the per-unit cost to verify the better deal.

Not activating digital coupons

Most digital coupons need to be activated in some way, be it a digital "clip," or by adding them to your store account. Not activating digital coupons is the same as leaving paper coupons at home.

Forgetting to stack when allowed

Always check for both manufacturer and store coupons for any item you buy. Stacking your coupons (when the store allows it) is an easy way to double up on savings.

Overlooking limits and fine print

Most coupons limit the size or quantity of items you can get. Also look for limits on how many coupons you can use per item or purchase. 

Master Couponing, Tame Your Debt, and Plan Your Future

Adding couponing to your shopping routine is a great step in mastering your budget and taking charge of your finances. The skills you learn couponing, like getting organized and prioritizing needs on your shopping lists, can also be applied to your finances overall. The money you save can help you in other areas, like paying off debt and taking control of your financial future.

Looking for debt relief in Delaware or across the country? The first step is the most important one—learn more.