Are you new to using coupons? Check out this guest post by Mary at The Krazy Coupon Lady on the top 5 mistakes she has made when starting to use coupons and what she has learned since – great advice for everyone to remember!
A couple highlights –
“I thought I needed a coupon for everything.” Once you start using coupons, it can become addictive to see how much you can save. This can work, but there are many times when you may need to buy necessities and do not have a coupon. We still need to purchase milk, fruit, meat, and other items that don’t often have coupons for them. For these items, shop the sales, and you can still find some great deals.
Trying to get every deal that is posted – I, too, have occasionally run out to several stores within a week to try to get all of the great deals. The truth is that it is really exhausting and time-consuming! Everyone needs to find their balance between saving money and the time spent doing so. Now, I usually only go to 2 stores each week – once to Walmart or Target to price match, and possibly another store if there is a great deal that cannot be price-matched.
“Just because it is cheap does not mean you have to buy it.” It always bothered me while watching episodes of Extreme Couponing when some of the shoppers would clear the shelves of items with more than enough for one family. How could they really use that much mustard or antacid tablets? Hopefully, much of it was donated. Additionally, items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, canned food items, etc. that are often free or cheap are wonderful items to donate.
Honesty is always the best policy when using coupons. Just this morning when I was at Target, one of the items did not scan as the cashier began putting it in the bag. Sure, I could have not said anything and gotten the item for free, but it really never pays to be dishonest. It is always best to do the right thing even if the register does not beep and you do not get caught (of course, this applies to everything outside of coupons, too).
Start small. Begin with a few coupons at a time. Only purchase items you will use or donate. If the price is low and the item will not expire, start to build a stockpile. Check out more Couponing Tips here:
- Start Saving
- Couponing – The not-so-extreme way
- Couponing – How to use coupons
- Coupon Lingo
- Printable Coupons
- Building a Stockpile
What tips would you share with others who are just starting out?
CC image courtesy of Mike Licht