I used to be a coupon queen. Then, I slowly just stopped. Sure, I’d use a coupon if I happened to come across one but I didn’t actively seek out deals. While this has been fine for groceries (thank you ALDI!!!), I realized I was spending way too much money on other products.
Do you want to ease back into couponing but don’t know how to get started?
Realize You Can’t Always Do It All
For so long, I thought that couponing was an “all or nothing” game. It drove me bonkers to find out later that I could have saved an extra $1 if I only would have printed that coupon or used that savings app. This line of thinking caused me to shy away from couponing for far too long. Now, I believe I have a much easier system that works for me and my family for right now.
If you are not interested in couponing, that’s perfectly fine. There are so many other ways you can save on groceries without coupons.
Sign Up For A New Email Address
Do you already have an email address for samples and coupons? If not, go sign up for one right now. You do not want all of the advertisements junking up your regular inbox.
Pick Only One Store
Trust me, trying to catch every deal at every store is not the way you want to start. Learn one store at a time. Or, if you like a bit more of a challenge, pick one grocery store and one drug store. Learn the rules of each store before attempting to shop at another.
Pick Only One Savings Program
Do not sign up for every savings program, coupon app or rewards programs out there. Pick only one to focus on. Add on to that a small amount at a time until you reach your mental coupon limit. I highly recommend starting with Swagbucks (you can print your coupons from them!) and Ibotta.
Use Printable Coupons
Printable coupons are so much easier to handle than newspaper ones. You only print out the ones you need and you don’t have to run to the store to get them! I save on the cost of ink and paper by using a laser printer, off brand ink and scrap paper.
Visit Blogs
There are several blogs dedicated to providing matchups to your favorite stores. My favorites are ForTheMommas and MoneySavingMom. Their matchups save me countless hours of looking through sale ads!
Set Limits
When you are just starting out (or even when you are a seasoned couponer), setting limits can save you a lot of stress and money. This might mean that you only buy X amount of shampoo and skip deals until you are under that limit. Or, this might mean that you only spend $10 a week on stock up products. Find what works for you and your family and stick with it.
Don’t Compare
Don’t compare your shopping trip to the person who has a whole shopping cart of stuff that cost pennies. You will just drive yourself nuts.
Avoid Stress
I don’t have the time or energy to do multiple transactions or shop every sale at every store. There was a time in my life where I was able to do this but that is not the season I am in now. I try to avoid stress by only going after the deals I REALLY want or could use. By not trying to catch every single deal that comes my way, I avoid a lot of stress. (Please know that 99% of the time, you will see the same exact sale within a month or two. Don’t stress if you miss a sale. It will cycle back again).
Have Fun
Having fun while saving money is what I love the most about couponing. To me, couponing is a game. While you are out hunting down deals, try to have fun!
Have you stopped couponing for a time? Was it hard to pick it back up again?
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