1. Before paying for anything, I like to search Google to see if there is a coupon for it. Now this does not mean I go through every item on my grocery list, although I'm sure you could do that, but there are a few things where the return for your search time is usually larger than saving a few cents on your milk.
- Search for store wide coupons at any department store. For example, I was shopping with my mother-in-law the other day at Kohls for a number of Christmas gifts. While standing in the check-out line I pulled out my phone and searched for "Kohls in store coupon". Within seconds, I had on my phone a 20% off coupon for the cashier to scan, taking $40 off of our $200 total....definitely worth the slight effort!
- Search for coupons before ordering online. A lot of stores will offer codes for free shipping or a certain dollar amount off when you spend a certain amount. I love when I find, just before placing my order, a $10 off a $40 purchase coupon. Then I look at my $34 total and realize that I will actually SAVE $4 if I order an additional $6 item.
- I know it seems small, but REDBOX is another one that usually has a promo code available if you just look online. Sometimes, the code is for a completely free rental, but even saving $1 on your rental makes it only $0.50 and even just a dollar here and there really adds up.
- Whenever I go to any restaurant or even fast food, once again, I just type in google to see if there is a coupon. We have gotten free appetizers and desserts this way. I also often find BOGO deals and other little offers.
2. Sign up for Ibotta. It is easy to use and free. Best of all, if you use a referral code, you get an extra $10 just for signing up and redeeming your first rebate. Just enter in this referral code to get your added bonus: ehrphmm. This app is easy to use and usually has great offers. There are plenty of offers for just any brand products that you purchase on a regular basis like milk, eggs, and produce. You can also purchase a certain number of brand specific products and earn added bonuses as well to increase your cash return. It does not need to be done immediately either. Sometimes I scroll through the available rebates while my kids are playing at the park before our grocery run. Then I can scan the product bar codes as I put them away when we got home, and just like that I can earn a few dollars. Sometimes I go back and do it later which is also very simple if you save your receipt. It just means grabbing items out of the pantry or freezer to scan the codes. Especially with the initial $10 bonus, I feel like this app gives you a good return much more quickly and with less time input than some of the others I've tried.
3. Be familiar with the stores that always have coupons available. Now I know this may mean that sometimes their price may be higher than competitors so the coupon is not significant, but this is not always the case. My two favorites are Michaels and Bed Bath and Beyond. Michaels typically has a 40% off a single item coupon, and sometimes you can wait it out for their special 50% of a single item coupon or 20% off your entire purchase coupon. For this reason I usually wait it out for buying certain craft supplies to take advantage of these. Such as buying something bigger like a new photo album or something I look for the 40 or 50% off coupon, but when I need a lot of little things like a set of acrylic paints for a project then I love my 20% off the entire purchase coupon. Also, in case you did not know with Bed Bath and Beyond, they take expired coupons and they will take multiple coupons (not for the same item, but within the same purchase). This could vary by store, but I have been told this at several stores. I don't shop there often, but when I do I always have a collection of coupons for 20% off a single item and for $5 off a purchase of $15 or more. Once again, use these strategically to get the best bang for your buck. Items costing less than $25 use a $5 off coupon and group items together to total the minimum $15 if needed. Using basic math, any item costing more than $25 will give you a better return using a 20% off coupon. This is an awesome way to make your money go further especially in gift giving. Bed Bath and Beyond, also affiliated with Buy Buy Baby, is great for weddings, baby showers, and even a lot of Christmas gifts too.
A little extra thought can go a long way. Most of the time, I don't even realize any time was spent in making a couponing effort. It has become such a habit for me and I try to utilize time that would otherwise be spent just waiting.
My philosophy with couponing is not to buy something just because you have a coupon for it, but if you are going to buy something anyways, definitely see if you can save a little money while doing it!
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