Tip #8 – Use Coupons, For Everything!
Welcome to the eighth day of our roughly 10-day journey, where we are looking at 10 money-saving tips to help save $10,000!
If you missed the introductory post of 10 Money-Savings Tips to Help You Stash $10,000 you’ll definitely want to check it out so we’re all on the same page.
But to sum it up – here’s our mission:
- The Goal: Save $10,000
- By When: This time next year
- How: By implementing 10 money-saving tips
For the next couple weeks we’re going to look at one money-saving tip each Monday through Thursday.
On Thursdays we’re going to look at a tip, but also hear Personal Finance bloggers’ and hopefully some readers’ ideas and experiences on how they’ve saved money!
If you’d like to be included in the Thursday posts – please let me know your best money-saving tip here! We’d love to hear your stories of what you did and how much money you saved by implementing your tip! If you’re a blogger and have posted about your money-saving tip, please include a link to your post!
Here’s what we’ve been through so far:
Tip #8: Use Coupons, For Everything!
Some of you are going to hate this idea! Some of you can’t stand the thought of being “one of them” – you know what I’m talking about…a “coupon clipper”.
For some, just the thought of cutting coupons is torture enough. I totally get that – I do. I have to admit that I have a major advantage here. My wife LOVES coupons, coupon-clipping, and finding good deals. So, I rely on her for our savings in this department.
But, with the internet, coupon clipping doesn’t have to be old school – you know, where you sit down with the Sunday paper and a pair of scissors and clip away! Although, that does save money too!
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Ways to Find Coupons
Let’s take a look at a few unique ways to get on board with coupons to help you stash some money!
Check Websites
There are a plethora of coupon websites out there that offer deals and keep consumers up to speed on some great savings. A few that come to mind are Wise Bread, who offers their ”Best Deals Today” list and newsletter that you can subscribe to. Mummy Deals is a great coupon site that my wife frequents regularly. If you’re looking for coupons for restaurants, you can’t beat Restaurant.com!
Utilize Your Email
I had not thought about doing this until I received this guest post from Ann Smarty! This is a pretty cool little system to take advantage of deals out there without getting overwhelmed!
Sign Up For Birthday Clubs or Fan Clubs
This is one of my favorites! As long as you don’t mind getting inundated with emails, this is a great way to get special offers and coupons emailed to you all the time!
A lot of restaurants will give you a free meal on your birthday. One local place we like gives you your age in years as a percentage discount off the bill!
Use Google Search
Maybe you’re looking for a new computer and would like to get some good laptop deals or notebook deals. Before you go to the store, do a Google search and type in best laptop deals, notebook deals or laptop coupons and find out what’s out there to help you save some money!
If you’re a big Overstock.com fan, you can Google Overstock Coupons or Overstock Deals and get some great internet coupon codes for them.
You can find internet coupons and coupon codes for just about anything! There is no reason to pay full price - Google it and see what kind of deals can be had!
Coupon Trains
This is new to me. I found this idea on GroceryCouponGuide.com! Basically what you do is find three to six other people who share your affinity for coupons and deals, preferably with different needs (i.e. one needs pet food coupons, the other diapers, etc).
The “conductor” starts with an envelope of 40-200 coupons, takes out what he or she needs and replaces them with coupons that won’t be used. The envelope then gets mailed to the next person who does the same thing, and on it goes down the line.
It’s a way to stockpile some good coupons that you need, although it does take some work. It could be well worth it if you have the right people in your train.
Entertainment Books
This is one of our favorites too! We love the Entertainment book. For $20, you get a book full of coupons to restaurants, entertainment venues etc.
We buy one every year and probably get at least two to three times the savings from that book! It’s great and it allows us to eat out a little more often without spending additional money.
More Money-Saving Tips From PF Bloggers and Readers
Donna, a reader and commenter on R2 says,
A price book is essential to finding the lowest prices on groceries and to recognize a real sale. I also never trust the warehouse store as the cheapest source of all items. By comparing prices and knowing a real sale the savings can really add up.
The Debt Hawk says,
One of my favorite tips is to increase your 401k contribution percentage by the amount of your annual raise. This is one of the best ways for people to reach the 15% contribution limit. Since you have not gotten used to the raise yet as part of your disposable income, you will not even miss the money, but you will be increasing your savings a lot year after year.
Budgets Are The New Black says,
I gave up my cell contract and switched to prepaid!
Are you a coupon clipper? Tell us some more great ways to save using coupons!
Estimated Savings: $25 – $50 per month
Check Out All The Tips From Our Series
Tip #1: Cut Back on Going Out to Eat
Tip #2: Evaluate Your Entertainment
Tip #5: Negotiate Your Cell Phone Plan
Tip #6: Get Rid of Your Land Line
Tip #7: Slash Your Grocery Bill by Cutting Out Junk Food!
Tip #8: Use Coupons, For Everything!
Tip #9: Negotiate Your Home and Auto Insurance
Tip #10: Start Packing Lunches!
I REALLY need to become diligent about this! I see the numbers and I know I can save money by using coupons…I need to become a smarter shopper! Thanks for the reminder
We area so bad at coupons its not even funny. So we rock the price book and we changed where we shop (To Trader Joe’s) because the everyday prices are lower. Then we check the weekly for when the staples go on extreme sales at Target. Works for us. I know we could save more cash couponing but we have trouble enough getting organized! So our system works for us.
.-= Ted @broketofree´s last blog ..The shame of debt =-.
I get a pass on this one–my wife is the coupon queen! We hardly ever pay full price for anything–groceries, restaurant meals, bowling, you name it.
It seems to be one of those things that once you get into a habit, it just flows. My wife spends maybe an hour or so each week combing the newspaper (we buy only the Sunday edition and only for coupons), the mail, the web and discount booklets. I’m guessing we save $50/month minimum and probably a lot more.
.-= Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Wasting (Money) Away Again in Margaritaville =-.
Lakita – coming up with a system helps for sure. My wife has a little coupon organizer and sets aside time to keep those organized. It does take some forthought to get good at using coupons, but it can happen.
Ted, I was surprised at how inexpensive Trader Joe’s really is! For an organic store like that there are a lot of great deals. I wish we had one closer to our house!
Kevin – that’s hilarious…it sounds like our wives are very similar! We used to get the Sunday paper just for coupons too, until we moved – I’m sure we’ll be signing up again for it.
My wife is the Coupon Queen as well. She has the receipts to prove it. She combines Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) with manufacturuer’s coupons and makes a killing. I have to say she is the bomb.
We also have a great stockpile.
Great job Ken’s wife, keep it up!!
Jason, I’m really enjoying this series. Mr. Boomer used a coupon on our first date so it’s a long tradition with us.
Our kids used to roll their eyes when we’d whip out the coupon whether it was at a restaurant or hair salon. We always try to find a coupon before buying any service or product.
.-= Bucksome Boomer´s last blog ..It’s Time to Buy Lottery Tickets: Winning the Census Jackpot =-.
Bucksome – thanks, glad you’re liking the series! Wow, a coupon on a first date – that’s gutsy, but it looks like it paid off!
Great job Mr. Boomer!!
If you have 15 dollars worth of coupons just think of how long you have to work to earn 15 bucks because it is tax free money!
.-= Daddy Paul´s last blog ..Health Savings accounts fund your future =-.
I’d like to add another suggestion that I couldn’t find on your list:
Make your purchases from your local thrift store.
Yup! I’ve found such great deals on clothes and electronics ESP kitchen appliances.
Sure, you are buying 2nd hand, and sure, you are buying from a thrift store, but again, with our image being not built on society’s expectations, there are awesome deals, and high quality stuff there!
And if you have young kids, check out the thrift store for children’s toys. We’ve found stuff barely used for about 1/10th the price of new.
If you’re in Vancouver BC where I am, Value Village is a great place. And all proceeds go to help Big Brothers, and Canadian Diabetes. (and if you can get your parents to go along, they have 30% off senior’s days!)
Moses, great point about the thrift stores. That is one I forgot. I think there are some that have some negative perceptions of shopping at a thrift store, but you’re right there are some deals to be had there.
#8 is a key one. And when combined with sales, you can get many items for next to nothing.
.-= Coupon Codes´s last blog ..Spend $100 and get a $15 gift code at Shoes.com =-.
Yes, one of the best and smart ways to save money is through using coupons when shopping. It’s only practical to take advantage of these offerings and find more value for your money in today’s economic situation.