by Suzanne Rose

Created on: September 08, 2010   Last Updated: November 30, 2010

Grocery coupons can save you a great deal of money.  Even if they seem small at  twenty-five or fifty cents, they can add up, and over time this number can be significant.  You may be able to lower your grocery bill significantly by just looking through your Sunday newspaper every week. The following tips can help you use coupons effectively.

Search for coupons in a variety of sources

There are many different places where you might find grocery coupons.  Some grocery stores have them at the actual retail locations.  Sometimes they are mailed to you.  Other times they are in the newspaper ads.  To be the most effective, get them from every place possible.  Cut them out neatly so that they do not rip and it takes you less time. 

Keep them organized

Oftentimes people cut out coupons but then they lose them or they forget about them.  One option is to get a box, folder or envelope in which to keep them.  There are different ways for organizing them.  Some people will keep a box that lists the different dates by week or month.  They will put them in according to expiration date.  This can be the best way to avoid having them expire on you.  Other people find it easiest to put them according to the store they will use them at. Yet others will put them in alphabetical order.

Make sure you get to the store when they are still valid

If you have a lot of them that are going to go bad, then make certain that you get to that store. The coupons will not save you money if they are sitting in your wallet.

Make sure that you fill all the requirements of the coupon

Sometimes coupons are more complicated than just a certain amount off of one product.  Make sure that you read through all of the limitations and exclusions so that you do not have an issue once you are at the store.

Look to find stores that will double them

Some stores have a wonderful practice of doubling coupons.  This can save you a lot more.  A lot of stores have a limit on this such as they won't do it for coupons over $1.  Some coupons specifically forbid it.

Combine it with other good deals

If you can only use a coupon at a store that charges twice as much for the product then it might not be worth it.  Look for the stores that offer the product at a low price. Also some stores will let you combine a coupon with sales, so you can look for that as well.

Make sure that it is put in properly

When the cashier is ringing you up, make sure that the grocery coupons get reflected. Mistakes at cash registers are common, and you want to realize the full savings for which you are due.

Grocery coupons can save you money, and you want to maximize this money-saving strategy.  The above tips can aid you in this endeavor.

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