Couponing 102 Part 2: How Do I Prepare For Shopping?

Couponing 102 Part

How Do I Prepare For Shopping?

Get yourself organized

·        Create a Grocery Check List based on what is on sale and the coupons that you have collected.  I find that using www.couponmom.com, and www.southernsavers.com helps with this.  These sites do all the work for you and are easy to use.

    Here is another option for helping with a list.  http://www.mygrocerychecklist.com/

·         Have your store ads along with your inserts handy

·         Log into your blog (example. www.couponmom.com and I also use a blog here at the Lake www.savingatthelake.com that helps with the local grocery store)

1.      choose your store

2.      make your list of sale items, saving atleast 40% is what you want to shoot for

3.    print your list

4.      Combine store sales with coupons

How Do I Shop?

          

·     Be Prepared. I find that the more prepared I am the better my shop goes.

·     Shop with a Partner.  Shop with another Couponer, there is strength in numbers.  However, you might find it less stressful at first to go it alone. 

·     Know your list and your coupons.  I shop more than one store so I make sure to have the coupons for that store attached to that store's grocery list.

·    Take your coupon base.  I always take my binder with me; you never know when you will find an item on clearance that you have a coupon for.  I love it when that happens.

·     Rain checks.  If an item on sale at the store is out of stock, get a rain check. (not every store will give out rainchecks.  Be sure to check your store's coupon policy and the sale ad.  If it states "while products last" the store won't give a raincheck)

·    Buy small.  If the coupon says "off any size" then buy the smallest size. This is usually a better price deal, but not always so, do the math.

·     Be flexible.  There will come a time when the store doesn’t have the item you have a coupon for or you will get to the shelve to find it empty.  Don’t fret.  I have been able to buy items a week or so later after the start of the sale. Remember, sales are on a 6 week cycle.

·    Organize your basket.  I try and make sure that every coupon I have matches perfectly with the items.   Reviewing saves time at the register.

·    Choosing the right cashier.  Yes, it does make a difference.  Look for one that seems friendly and doesn’t have a long line of impatient shoppers. 

·    Watch the sale.  You will want to keep track as much as possible during check out making sure all of your coupons have been scanned. 

·    Pat yourself on the back.  Yes, it is a lot of work but well worth the effort.  Give yourself a pat on the back for you labor. 

Couponing 102 Part

How Do I Prepare For Shopping?

Get yourself organized

·        Create a Grocery Check List based on what is on sale and the coupons that you have collected.  I find that using www.couponmom.com, and www.southernsavers.com helps with this.  These sites do all the work for you and are easy to use.

    Here is another option for helping with a list.  http://www.mygrocerychecklist.com/

·         Have your store ads along with your inserts handy

·         Log into your blog (example. www.couponmom.com and I also use a blog here at the Lake www.savingatthelake.com that helps with the local grocery store)

1.      choose your store

2.      make your list of sale items, saving atleast 40% is what you want to shoot for

3.    print your list

4.      Combine store sales with coupons

How Do I Shop?

          

·     Be Prepared. I find that the more prepared I am the better my shop goes.

·     Shop with a Partner.  Shop with another Couponer, there is strength in numbers.  However, you might find it less stressful at first to go it alone. 

·     Know your list and your coupons.  I shop more than one store so I make sure to have the coupons for that store attached to that store's grocery list.

·    Take your coupon base.  I always take my binder with me; you never know when you will find an item on clearance that you have a coupon for.  I love it when that happens.

·     Rain checks.  If an item on sale at the store is out of stock, get a rain check. (not every store will give out rainchecks.  Be sure to check your store's coupon policy and the sale ad.  If it states "while products last" the store won't give a raincheck)

·    Buy small.  If the coupon says "off any size" then buy the smallest size. This is usually a better price deal, but not always so, do the math.

·     Be flexible.  There will come a time when the store doesn’t have the item you have a coupon for or you will get to the shelve to find it empty.  Don’t fret.  I have been able to buy items a week or so later after the start of the sale. Remember, sales are on a 6 week cycle.

·    Organize your basket.  I try and make sure that every coupon I have matches perfectly with the items.   Reviewing saves time at the register.

·    Choosing the right cashier.  Yes, it does make a difference.  Look for one that seems friendly and doesn’t have a long line of impatient shoppers. 

·    Watch the sale.  You will want to keep track as much as possible during check out making sure all of your coupons have been scanned. 

·    Pat yourself on the back.  Yes, it is a lot of work but well worth the effort.  Give yourself a pat on the back for you labor.