Extreme couponers can save several hundred dollars each month - not by changing their shopping habits, but by taking advantage of great deals offered only through coupons. And if you don’t want to take couponing to the extreme, these couponing basics will help you save on shopping you do anyway.

  • Use coupon apps
  • Using coupon apps like Grab Qpons is the easiest and most efficient way to discover hot deals on shopping and dining, both online and locally.

  • Read the fine print
  • Most coupons have an expiration date and other restrictions including quantity, brand, size, color, etc. To avoid buying things you don’t need (and negating the savings effect of couponing), read the fine print and don’t be shy about tossing coupons for items you don’t need, or if the coupon terms end up costing you money. More deals are always coming!

  • Print manufacturer’s coupons online
  • Find great deals and print coupons from sites like coupons.com or HotCouponWorld.com, which are huge online databases of printable coupons.

  • Buy non-perishables in bulk
  • Stock up on discounted non-perishables. This may not be practical for everyone (small-space dwellers in particular), but you can save a lot by doing it and never run the risk of running out of something you use frequently, and then having to pay retail.

  • Organize your coupons
  • Organize your coupons by category, and by expiration date.

  • Get a subscription to the Sunday paper
  • If you find that you are using more than 5 coupons per shopping trip, you’ll save even more with a Sunday paper subscription. Even as more retailers are going digital, there are many who haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet and are still offer printed coupons you can only find in the newspaper.

  • Avoid jumping on EVERY deal
  • You’re not going to save money by purchasing things you don’t need, even if they’re on closeout. Be judicious in the coupons you actually use! Resist the temptation to buy something just because it’s on sale. Always ask yourself… “Do I want to pay sales tax on this? Do I want to store it? Do I want to repair it? Will it bring me joy? Is this good for my health?” If not… pay it forward and give the coupon to someone who can really use it!

  • Send in your rebates
  • If something is offered with a rebate, take advantage of it immediately. Out of sight is out of mind, and not submitting a rebate request means leaving money on the table.

  • Double check your receipt
  • Discounts are not always automatically applied. People make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to ask for the coupon price if the register shows something different!

  • Buy generic
  • This isn’t exactly a couponing tip… but you won’t save money if a manufacturer’s coupon for a brand name item still comes in higher than the generic version. Generic brands are often repackaged manufacturer’s brands, and brand loyalty can cost money.