Finding Discount Grocery Coupons

How would you like to pay less for everything you buy? All you need is a pair of scissors, a desire for slashing bills and some helpful  discount grocery coupons. How low do you dare to go?

Anyone can become a champion coupon cutter, from a penniless college student to a senior on a fixed income. Most of us have more time than money, so coupon clipping is right up our alley. Even people who are well off financially use coupons to further their finances.

You might be wondering what all the fuss is about over a few cents off an item you may not even use. I kept all my grocery bill receipts for one year, shopping for a family of four. I saved over $1,240 by using coupons! This year I am hoping to beat that. It's September and I've saved $934 so far.

Coupons are everywhere. The most reliable place to find them is in your local newspaper. Sunday's edition usually offers an insert of up to 50 manufacturers' coupons for various products. Other sources are magazines, free flyers or mailers.

Once you've collected a few coupons, organize them for easy retrieval. You can find pre-made coupon organizers at discount stores. You can also order them through specialty catalogs through the mail. Any checkbook-size holder will do: simply divide it into compartments with stiff cardboard. Categorize each section according to your needs.

For example, my coupon organizer has the following categories: beverages, canned goods & frozen vegetables, dairy & meats, baking products, toiletries, prepared foods & pastas & rice, sauces & condiments, snacks, miscellaneous and pet needs. I put each coupon in the appropriate section. The easier it is to locate your coupons, the more you will use them.

While you are clipping coupons, note the expiration dates. Coupons for newer products may expire more quickly, so use those first. You can also check expiration dates periodically so you don't forget to use a valuable coupon.

Grocery stores often double or even triple the face value of your coupons to get you to shop there. So suddenly that $.50 off coupon is worth $1.50, money that is in your wallet or purse instead of the store's cash register. Add up enough savings by using coupons and you could have a free night on the town, go see a movie or have some unexpected spending money.

Another way to save with coupons is by using them when items are already on sale. Let's say your favorite brand of gourmet ice cream normally costs $5.65 a half-gallon. The store has a sale of 2 for $5. You happen to have two $1 off coupons for ice cream, bringing the cost down to only $1.50 each.

An easy and efficient way to shop is to check the ads before you go. That way you can check your coupons and estimate how much you'll be spending. You spend less time and money if you have already planned your trip, rather than selecting as you go.

Maximize your savings by stocking up when things are on sale or if you have duplicate coupons. Always make sure you will use something before you go overboard. I once purchased about 50 boxes of macaroni and cheese dinner boxes, only to discover that my family disliked the taste. I still used the noodles for other dishes, but it was a lesson for me to only stock up on proven products.

Maybe you already clip coupons and aren't seeing significant savings. Get aggressive with your shopping strategies! I often refrain from buying something more expensive unless I have a coupon. I am able to do this by having enough on hand to tide me over until the desired item goes on sale or I come across a coupon. It is all too easy to overspend when you are completely out of something and you have to make Sara's school treats or host an afternoon tea.

That leads to my next point, planning ahead. Our family keeps an ongoing list on our refrigerator and it works wonderfully. Erica, age 10 and Alex, age 7, add things to the list that we are almost out of or that they would like. I appreciate the input because then I can buy things they like and will eat, eliminating wasted food.

If you plan your meals a week or even a couple of days in advance, you will be aware of what you have already and what you'll need to buy. If your family has favorite dishes, keep some staples well stocked. We eat a lot of spaghetti, tacos and pasta dishes, so I keep noodles, tomato sauce, spices, taco shells and cream soups on hand for nutritious and quick meals.

Coupons can get you an "upgrade." My children enjoy the occasional box of kids cereal but the prices are outrageous. I use coupons and sales to treat them to a special box. You can also look for less expensive store brands for identical tastes without the sticker shock.

Coupons aren't just about saving money on food. I've scored a ton of discounts on high-priced over-the-counter medicines, toiletries, household cleaning items, paper products and even toys.

If you cannot use some coupons, like savings on baby products or diet aides, exchange with a friend who has those needs. Maybe he or she has some valuable coupons for you.

What if you have so much money to spare that you'd rather skip coupon clipping? Then give them to someone who can really use them. Some stores have coupon exchange boxes. Donate yours and make someone's day a little richer.

Coupons are given out to promote new or improved products. I always accept them because I may use the coupon right away or in the future. Never turn down a free coupon.

Rebates are another form of coupons. You pay the money up front but you get all or a portion back in the form of a rebate check. Rebates are usually offered at the service counter or may be advertised in weekly flyers.

My favorites are the free rebate items.I've acquired a new computer mouse, three reams of paper at different times, a CD holder, a three-hole-puncher, set of speakers, a mouse pad for a gift, blank tapes and a set of computer disks totally free. The rebate checks arrive well within the 6-8 week stated time period.

Larger purchases have bigger rebates. You already know about the extravagant rebates offered when purchasing a new vehicle - thousands of dollars in savings. Also common are rebates on electronics and computers. We saved over $650 in rebates on our computer back in the year 2000.

Be coupon savvy. If something seems overpriced, ask a store manager if there is a coupon or rebate available. I've been given generous discounts or coupons for future purchases when I've spoken up. It doesn't hurt to ask--the worst that they can say is no.

Keep your eyes open for coupons and rebates. Some grocery store chains put coupons on the shelf next to the pertinent product. Stores actually get the face value of the coupon back, plus an additional amount, anywhere from 1 to 20 cents. They send them in to a coupon clearing house for reimbursement. So the stores make money whenever you use coupons. This information is printed right on each coupon, in the tiny print under terms and conditions. So don't let the clerks make you feel guilty for saving a bundle.

If you think coupons are too much hassle, think again. It takes just about 20 minutes every couple of weeks to clip and organize coupons. The savings you gain far outweigh the small amount of time and energy. I wouldn't be able to feed a family of four on our budget without using coupons.

Using coupons may begin as a necessity, but it soon becomes a way of life. Why not save money on the things you need to buy anyway, and upgrade your lifestyle? So sharpen your scissors, get coupon savvy and start coupon clipping.