The Magic of Coupons

I have asked some friends to do guest posts here and there, sharing their tips to help you save money.  I think it is important to get info from different people because they may have some ideas that you hadn't even thought about.  

For the first guest post, I have asked Karen Harris to share her expertise in couponing with us.  Enjoy!

The Magic of Coupons…

Coupons can be  magical little things.  

To some they’re just a little piece of paper that says, “save 50 cents off a box of Cheerios”.   Some say, it’s just $.50 that I’m going to lose between home and the checkout…  and some will say, YEAH BABY, that’s a $1 off a box of Cheerios.   What people don’t realize is that 50 cent coupon can add up to a lot of money saved – and quickly! 

There are many things one can do to save money at the grocery store.  Price matching is one very big thing.  Meal planning based on what’s on sale can also make a really big difference.  But when you add the magic of coupons – that’s where the fun begins. 

I recommend people buy a paper every Sunday, consistency will make a difference in the big money- saving picture.  Then once you have your coupons, don’t run to the store today to use it, wait for that item to go on sale, that is when you want to use it.  And with Wal-mart allowing us to price match, that really makes it easy vs. driving to other stores in another town.

Say that box of Cheerios is normally priced at Wal-mart $2.98, but HyVee has them on sale for $1.89, and you put your $.50 coupon with it, that box only cost you $1.39.  That is a savings of $1.59 or 54%!!!  Now you have two options…  cut your grocery bill by over half, or buy 2 boxes for less than the price of one box.  By stocking up at that price, you will save money in the long run, because you’re going to be buying Cheerios, so buy them when they’re on sale. 

Now that same box of Cheerios is also on sale at Country Mart for $2.00, and you say to yourself, I’ll just price match them at Wal-mart, but what you aren’t taking into consideration is that Country Mart will double coupons up to $.50, which means that coupon is actually worth $1.00!  (Please know that Country Mart will take manufacture coupons in print, newspaper inserts, magazines, peelies, and  internet coupons only from www.coupons.com.)  So at Country Mart the cereal will cost $2.00, but that 50 cent coupon will double, so you will only pay $1.00 or a savings 67%!!!  

Tell me couponing isn’t Magical!

Thank you, Karen!