First Federal Bank Blog

Coupons are a cost-effective way to get more for your dollar. Even coupons that offer only small savings can add up quickly, allowing to you to spend less on your purchases. If you’re hoping to save on your next shopping trip, consider these couponing tips to help you get more out of your budget:
 
Source options
 
The classic source for coupons remains the Sunday paper. If you don’t mind spending some time pouring over ads and exercising your cutting skills, the paper is a great resource for ads. “Coupon inserts like SmartSource and Procter & Gamble as well as local ads are one quick way to start collecting coupons. The more copies you get, the better your savings will be. Some extreme couponers invest in multiple newspaper subscriptions to get more coupons,” says Tom Blake, writer for MoneyCrashers.com.
 
If a paper subscription doesn’t work for you, coupons can come directly to you, free of charge, too. Retailers may send you coupons via mail and email. You might have to sign up to receive coupons and other notifications to start the process, though. Businesses that have an online store may have digital coupons you can download, offering you more chances to save as well. Combining offers, if applicable, can increase your savings, too. “The best scenario is using a store coupon and manufacturer’s coupon together to get an even deeper discount. This is called ‘coupon stacking’ and it can save you big at the register,” advise Courtney Neidel and Amanda Barroso, writers for NerdWallet.com.
 
Stock up on supplies
 
If you want to save big, you may need to buy big — as in bulk. Sometimes the best deals only apply to large quantity purchases, so be sure you have room in your pantry, storage room, or basement so you can take advantage of bulk savings! “Extreme couponers don’t buy an item when they need it — they buy it when they can get it at the lowest price. These savvy shoppers then stock up when the going’s good (and cheap), so they save money in the long run,” explain Jessika Toothman and Ellen Stockstill, writers for HowStuffWorks.com.
 
Take advantage of store programs
 
Stores with loyalty programs offer members exclusive (or at least early) access to specific coupons and promotions. You can take advantage of these savings by signing up. This gives you another way to spend less on what you buy. Loyalty programs can make shopping even better when they include redeemable points or rewards you can apply to other purchases. “Some companies take this a step further and let you open a debit or credit card to earn rewards. For example, Kroger offers a rewards debit card that lets you save 2% on Kroger brands and earn additional fuel rewards,” notes Blake.
 
Get the apps
 
Use your smartphone to mine for coupons with apps dedicated to couponing. Once you download a coupon app or two, you can search for discounts you need and download them to your phone. Then, when you’re out shopping, simply present your phone to the cashier at checkout to cash in on the savings. Blake recommends a few apps to consider, including Coupon Sherpa, SnipSnap, Grocery Pal, and The Coupons App. Coupons.com even offers a mobile app version.
 
With a little time and effort, you can unlock a wealth of savings with printable and digital coupons, loyalty programs, mobile apps, and bulk buying.