Extreme Coupons Tricks Of The Trade
How do those coupon collectors get so many coupons? How do they get so many things for free? Some shoppers do buy coupons from coupon clipping services but in my opinion, once you’ve paid for a coupon for a free item, it really isn’t a free item anymore. Here are five coupon-clipping tips to help the beginning extreme coupons saver. This article was written by reader and coupon maven, Niki Casselberry at the Gamer's Fridge. Read about her delicious recipes aimed at video gamers on her web site.
PRINTING COUPONS
There are many websites like Coupons.com or Coupon Network where anyone can go and print coupons. The catch is you can only print two. But there is a very easy way to print more. While the fine print says two per person, all they are really doing is tracking "the name" of your computer. You can still print out two more from a different computer. We have three computers in our family so I print out six of each coupon - two per computer! It's an easy way to circumvent the rules and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
COUPONING IS LIKE HUNTING AN ANIMAL
You wouldn’t go hunting without first knowing what type of weapon you were going to use. You might end with an elephant gun for a squirrel. In couponing, it is the same thing. You wouldn’t use a coupon without first finding the item at an already low price. Have you ever walked into a grocery store armed with coupons only to find the off brand or another brand is already cheaper? You start thinking to yourself, what is the purpose of coupons if I can already save money on the generic? We’ve all been there. The art of using coupons is clipping and waiting. Waiting for that item to go on sale or buy one, get one free. That is when you strike like a coupon ninja, paying nothing or pennies for an item.
SAY GOODBYE TO BRAND LOYALTY
You are loyal to you, coupons and your wallet now. Couponing changes the way you think and shop. You can still buy the brands you like but only if they are on sale and you have a coupon. No more three dollars for bottle shampoos or seven dollar mascaras. If the mascara is on sale for buy one get one free & I have a two dollar off coupon, then I buy it! I know I will be using mascara sometime in the future. Use these deals to find products you have never used before. You may just find your new favorite brand. For today at least...
USE COUPON BLOGS
Coupon blogs are wonderful time saving tools when couponing. The tip is NOT to run to the store as soon as a list is published. While the coupons are important, most likely they will be there all week. With blogs, waiting a day will give you an advantage. You will start to see comments appear on the blog from other shoppers who didn't wait. Use their mistakes to your benefit. You will find better deals and be able to fine-tune your shopping trip to get the best deals. Many couponing blogs also have a “print and take” option or a "smart phone friendly" version that is easily readable from your phone.
MORE THAN JUST COUPONS
I have used the free web site, SwagBucks.com, for several months. It is a survey and opinion site where you take surveys and answer questions to gain points. They also have a “coupon” section where you can print coupons and receive points for each coupon you redeem. Not a bad deal considering that you are getting paid to save money! You turn in your points for cash that is deposited right into your Paypal account. Another free web site I follow is called Shop at Home. It follows stores, like Wal-Mart, and emails you when a great deal appears. For example: Shop at Home emails me about a Lysol cleaner that is on sale at Wal-Mart for $2.99 AND is offering $2.99 cash back if you purchase through them with free shipping. So I buy it and use Paypal or a debit card to pay for the item. You NEVER want to use a credit card because interest adds up and these are supposed to be free items! I purchase the cleaner and the full $2.99 goes into my credit at the Shop at Home website. When my balance reaches $25 I can have them issue me a check or release the $25 back into my Paypal account. I didn't lose any money I just moved it around and I have $25 worth of purchases for free!
Good luck out there. I hope these tips and tricks are helpful in your couponing adventures.
