How to Use Free Coupons at the Grocery Store

Coupons are one of the easiest, most accessible ways for grocery shoppers to save money on their food bills each month. Whether feeding a family of one or six, consumers can use free coupons to cut back on their spending from week to week. There are various ways that shoppers can find coupons, and they can use these money-saving tools to cover products ranging from household supplies and toothpaste to boxed cereal and frozen foods. Furthermore, shoppers who receive public benefits or unemployment insurance may want to know how to cut back on their families’ average cost of groceries per month in order to stretch their benefits. Couponing is a practical way for benefits enrollees to save more of their funds each month so they can buy more for less.

As the prices of some food items spike across the nation, many individuals want to know how to save money on groceries each week. By using coupons, consumers are able to trim their budgets without needing to make great changes to their lifestyles or purchasing habits. For these reasons, couponing is one of the most practical money saving tips that shoppers can learn. Once buyers understand how to take advantage of these free money-savers, they can watch as their grocery bills begin to fall.

How can coupons help me save money on groceries?

Families and individuals who are looking for ways to save money will find that couponing is one of the most practical ways to do so. Often, the only investment that shoppers make into couponing is with their time. In the majority of places, consumers can access coupons at no cost to them. At first glance, individuals who are hoping to learn about couponing for beginners may be discouraged by how small of value these offers are worth. In fact, many of them only save shoppers less than a dollar apiece. However, consumers who are committed to this practice will gradually notice a difference over time as they clip their way to greater savings.

Where can I find free printable coupons?

Once shoppers learn about the benefits of couponing, they may wonder where to find coupons that they can use at their local grocery stores. Generally, there are two main ways that individuals can find these tools. The first way is more traditional. Each week, grocery stores send out circulatory advertisements in newspapers that alert shoppers to whatever sales they have going on during the next few days. Usually, these advertisements also include free coupons that individuals need to cut out and bring with them to the store. Alternatively, shoppers can go online and find digital coupons that they can use during their grocery trips. Users are responsible for printing and bringing copies of these online coupons to their stores when they complete their purchases.

In order to properly save money on groceries and to save time at the store, there are several facts that shoppers should confirm before they step into the supermarket. Specifically, consumers need to check:

  • Coupon expiration dates – In order to reduce the cost of groceries per month, shopper need to be sure that their coupons are valid and have not yet expired. This information is usually printed on the bottom of the coupons.
  • In-store sales – Before shoppers use their coupons, they should check to see if any nearby stores are having sales on the items they intend to purchase. This process is referred to as “stacking,” which means that consumers pair coupons with in-store discounts to gain even more savings.
  • The products are in stock – Buyers may consider calling their grocery stores to confirm that the products they want to buy with their coupons are in stock. Sometimes when there is a good deal circulating in an area, stores may sell out of products quickly.

What is the difference between store coupons and manufacturer coupons?

Consumers who are looking for ways to save money on groceries must be aware that there are different types of these clip-outs that they can bring to the grocery store. Most notably, there are manufacturer and store coupons. The major difference between these two types of tools is where shoppers can use them and who distributes them. Generally, a store coupon is issued by a specific store, such as Walgreens or Publix, and shoppers can only use them at their corresponding stores. On the other hand, manufacturer coupons are sponsored by particular brands or manufacturers. As a result, buyers can use these coupons at most stores that sell the product that the coupons relate to.

Rules for Using Coupons

The Krazy Coupon Lady runs a blog where she talks about how to save money with coupons at various types of stores. Like many couponing bloggers, she provides aspiring couponers with money-saving rules they need to remember when they use these promotions at various markets and pharmacies. Shoppers who remember these tips and guidelines will have more success and savings when it comes time to spending these vouchers at the supermarket. Specifically, consumers need to understand how to use coupons properly. Therefore, buyers must remember the following rules:

  • Depending on the store, shoppers may be able to combine manufacturer coupons with store coupons.
  • Many coupons are labeled as “one per purchase,” which means that shoppers can only use one of those coupons for each of the products they buy.
  • Shoppers cannot photocopy online coupons they obtain from a single site or link.

Is there a coupons app I can use to find savings?

Some of the most successful couponers use a combination of paper promotions and discounts available through a reliable coupons app to maximize their savings. Regardless of what types of foods or products individuals want to purchase, there is usually an application that can help them save money during their shopping trips. Often, the best coupon app is regarded as a platform that is updated regularly and features discounts for a variety of products that shoppers can buy. Some of the most popular apps for new and seasoned couponers include:

  • RetailMeNot.
  • SnipSnap.
  • Grocery iQ.