How To Coupon: 5 Top Tips for Couponing Virgins

1 Comment | Written on August 10, 2012 at 9:00 am, by Rachel Achmad

iStock

Recently, two friends asked for basic tips on couponing. Neither of them had ever couponed before, and both really needed to reduce their spending. Since it’s Back To School season, I thought I’d offer a quick tutorial for any couponing novices out there.

The five best beginning steps you can take to reduce your grocery bill:

1. Combine sales and coupons

This is your quickest way to big savings. Before you shop, check your store flyer and figure out what coupons you can use on sale items. Do not bring an envelope of coupons to the store and wander around shuffling through them. (I did this at first. You’ll go insane.)

2. Make a list

Do not buy anything that’s not on your list. The quickest way to overspend is when you start throwing random things into your cart.

3. Don’t shop while hungry

Even if you get the store hungry, eat something before you shop. Sticking to this rule alone will reduce your spending.

4. Scrap brand loyalty

We all have a few brands we think we “can’t live without,” but if you’re willing to be flexible on, say, what brand of toothpaste or yogurt you buy, you will open up the possibilities for more savings.

5. Seek out the biggest savings on personal care items

Pick one chain drugstore — whichever one you prefer — and get to know their rewards programs and coupon policies. Every week, you’ll be able to get at least some personal care items for next to nothing, and you can start building a stash of them at home.

Check back next week for the 5 biggest mistakes shoppers make …