Embarking on the passage of a new year, you may have professed the personal resolution to save money within 2011. With the plummet of the present day economy your goals to begin living frugally and cut cost are justifiable and with good reason. Coupled with the rapid increase of food prices nationwide, the billion dollar industry of couponing has reached an all time high. Used effectively coupons can decrease purchase receipts at your choice grocer by more than 50%, thus with a small bit of assistance you too can save hundreds each time you replenish your food pantry. Regardless of the size of your family unit, household budget, or needs your savings are guaranteed. Let’s begin with the five (5) specific areas of knowledge you should first understand in regards to couponing for your pantry or stockpile.
[1] The Cycle of the Sale – Each store captures the consumers attention by offering a variety of items at a pricing discount in comparison to the regular price. Typically, sale pricing discounts a specific item 10-25%, such deduction falls into an area called the sales cycle; specific to the item itself. Each item in the store will eventually go on sale. In the fundamental perspective of frugality and couponing you should never pay full price for any item. The key is to know the cycling of sales for the items that you purchase, do this by keeping writing records of when the product was on sale; counting the number of weeks between. I typically like to use three to four sales to achieve the weekly cycle so I do not miss the chance to save. Please be aware that cycles vary by region, in my area item sales run every 4-8 weeks. Again, only buy at the lowest possible price; using your coupons. Look to different local stores to gather the most savings possible, if applicable.
[2] The Sale Advantage – When an item goes on sale based on its cycle or through specific promotional offer you should stock up on the goods you need. Last month, I spoke in regards to creating a stockpile with a similar recommendation. Knowledge of the cycle is important as you will need to purchase until the item goes on sale again, bulk buying. At first you should be aware bulk buying appears to go against your goal to save, especially if you are not used to buying multiples, in the end your choice will allow for a 50% or greater savings than what you would have typically spent. When buying in bulk you should pay close attention to the expiration dates, also purchase just the amount of product that your household will use without waste. Any waste that you have will cost you at the end of the year. As you can see grocery couponing is a strategy.
[3] Coupon Utilization – Taking advantage of a sale should never mean paying the sales price, even if it is lower than regular pricing; you should always use your coupons. Proper utilization of coupons also do not mean it is okay to buy at regular price, the goal is to get to lowest possible price. At times this allows for the purchase of items for just pennies on a dollar, when regularly you would have paid a few dollars; a reality to couponing. You will be allowed one coupon per item purchased, when bulk buying if purchasing four until the next cycle you need four coupons; one for each item. However some coupons are valid only if you purchase more than one, if you have a coupon for $5 off when you purchase four (4) you can only use the coupon once; with your bulk purchase of four. To add an additional coupon, which I recommend each time you find that you can, combine manufacture coupons from your Sunday newspaper with Internet printed store coupons. This is called ‘stacking’ and can lead to free items, again always have printed one coupon per item in your cart aforementioned.
[4] Coupon Resources – There are several various methods for obtaining coupons. You should always collect coupons, mindful of their expiration, at the time you see the coupon. Coupons can be gathered by buying/subscribing to the Sunday newspaper; you will find Smart Source, Red Plum, and Procter and Gamble inserts with a General Mills insert from time to time. Each of these inserts also have a website that you can get to by name, couple both. Also you will need to print coupons from the stores you shop with and use resources such as Coupons.com or other couponing data bank. Other frugal tips is to attend coupon parties, purchase coupons, have others save inserts for you, dig through the rummage bin each Sunday, etc. The most coupons you can ascertain the better. Indulge yourself, there will be times when you find yourself having to pay full price or a price higher than expected; if you have the coupons with you at the time of that transaction and properly use them you will save; lessening overage.
[5] Store Zoning – We all shop at multiple stores for bulk purchases of needs at the lowest price possible, as priory mentioned. I encourage this. I also recommend that you choose a single store for the majority of your purchases and couponing transaction. With a single store you can zone in on cycles of the sales as well as print store coupons easily. This may seem to contradict but in concept choosing one store simply means a single grocery, a single discount retail store, and a single pharmacy store; so that you concentrate your sales and can learn easier as to the stores you choose. In reference to these stores you should be aware of the coupon policy and chose a store based on consumer perks. Perks include double coupons every day and membership rewards cards, adding more savings; in addition pay attention to sale pricing for the lowest. Most stores will be exceedingly low on one item and higher on another, which is common. Always try to go to double coupon stores, today these are difficult to find; Kroger and Kroger owned stores offer double coupons but have policies about this perk. Buy once a week so you will be able to stockpile and purchase in bulk all while achieving the lowest price that I hope will be several hundred per month, my friend. Perhaps, thousands
[1] The Cycle of the Sale – Each store captures the consumers attention by offering a variety of items at a pricing discount in comparison to the regular price. Typically, sale pricing discounts a specific item 10-25%, such deduction falls into an area called the sales cycle; specific to the item itself. Each item in the store will eventually go on sale. In the fundamental perspective of frugality and couponing you should never pay full price for any item. The key is to know the cycling of sales for the items that you purchase, do this by keeping writing records of when the product was on sale; counting the number of weeks between. I typically like to use three to four sales to achieve the weekly cycle so I do not miss the chance to save. Please be aware that cycles vary by region, in my area item sales run every 4-8 weeks. Again, only buy at the lowest possible price; using your coupons. Look to different local stores to gather the most savings possible, if applicable.
[2] The Sale Advantage – When an item goes on sale based on its cycle or through specific promotional offer you should stock up on the goods you need. Last month, I spoke in regards to creating a stockpile with a similar recommendation. Knowledge of the cycle is important as you will need to purchase until the item goes on sale again, bulk buying. At first you should be aware bulk buying appears to go against your goal to save, especially if you are not used to buying multiples, in the end your choice will allow for a 50% or greater savings than what you would have typically spent. When buying in bulk you should pay close attention to the expiration dates, also purchase just the amount of product that your household will use without waste. Any waste that you have will cost you at the end of the year. As you can see grocery couponing is a strategy.
[3] Coupon Utilization – Taking advantage of a sale should never mean paying the sales price, even if it is lower than regular pricing; you should always use your coupons. Proper utilization of coupons also do not mean it is okay to buy at regular price, the goal is to get to lowest possible price. At times this allows for the purchase of items for just pennies on a dollar, when regularly you would have paid a few dollars; a reality to couponing. You will be allowed one coupon per item purchased, when bulk buying if purchasing four until the next cycle you need four coupons; one for each item. However some coupons are valid only if you purchase more than one, if you have a coupon for $5 off when you purchase four (4) you can only use the coupon once; with your bulk purchase of four. To add an additional coupon, which I recommend each time you find that you can, combine manufacture coupons from your Sunday newspaper with Internet printed store coupons. This is called ‘stacking’ and can lead to free items, again always have printed one coupon per item in your cart aforementioned.
[4] Coupon Resources – There are several various methods for obtaining coupons. You should always collect coupons, mindful of their expiration, at the time you see the coupon. Coupons can be gathered by buying/subscribing to the Sunday newspaper; you will find Smart Source, Red Plum, and Procter and Gamble inserts with a General Mills insert from time to time. Each of these inserts also have a website that you can get to by name, couple both. Also you will need to print coupons from the stores you shop with and use resources such as Coupons.com or other couponing data bank. Other frugal tips is to attend coupon parties, purchase coupons, have others save inserts for you, dig through the rummage bin each Sunday, etc. The most coupons you can ascertain the better. Indulge yourself, there will be times when you find yourself having to pay full price or a price higher than expected; if you have the coupons with you at the time of that transaction and properly use them you will save; lessening overage.
[5] Store Zoning – We all shop at multiple stores for bulk purchases of needs at the lowest price possible, as priory mentioned. I encourage this. I also recommend that you choose a single store for the majority of your purchases and couponing transaction. With a single store you can zone in on cycles of the sales as well as print store coupons easily. This may seem to contradict but in concept choosing one store simply means a single grocery, a single discount retail store, and a single pharmacy store; so that you concentrate your sales and can learn easier as to the stores you choose. In reference to these stores you should be aware of the coupon policy and chose a store based on consumer perks. Perks include double coupons every day and membership rewards cards, adding more savings; in addition pay attention to sale pricing for the lowest. Most stores will be exceedingly low on one item and higher on another, which is common. Always try to go to double coupon stores, today these are difficult to find; Kroger and Kroger owned stores offer double coupons but have policies about this perk. Buy once a week so you will be able to stockpile and purchase in bulk all while achieving the lowest price that I hope will be several hundred per month, my friend. Perhaps, thousands
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