The extreme couponing learning process is very frustrating for a beginner who is learning alone, without a mentor. The good news is that I think I've got all the wrinkles out.
How do you know when a deal is a good enough deal to be considered "extreme?" The magic number is 60%. So for each item that I consider purchasing, I first need to do the math to make sure I am getting at least a 60% discount. Sound easy? Nope. When you look in the weekly circular ads, they offer the sale price of the item but rarely tell you the original value. So unless you are certain you would have won on The Price Is Right, you need to do some research to get that original price, in order to find out if you are getting a 60% or more discount with the sale - AND your coupon, which is called a coupon 'matchup'.
Coupon matchups: Sale item + coupon = an item to be considered for purchase. The Buy 1 Get 1 free is no good because it's only a 50% discount. BUT, if you have a coupon for the BOGO item, GOLD! TIP: Forget trying to spend all day on Sunday doing the matchups yourself, there are websites and apps for that! I have the Favado app on my iPhone, it was free, but I don't always use it. I prefer to use a local website that offers coupon matchups because I am more likely to find the coupon and stores in my area. (Coupons vary by region). Just google 'coupon matchups' and you will surely find one in your region.
But wait, there's more... I have found that many times, the prices are raised before the sale. For example, Price Chopper had a sale for Buy 2 Lays Chips, get 3 free. Before you run off to the store, do the math. Each bag was $4.29. Well, I know that I can get a bag of Lay's chips, which go on sale regularly at Walmart, for $2.99, sometimes $2.50. So, I have learned to be careful about the word "sale." Yes, I admit that I used to be a sucker.
How do you know when a deal is a good enough deal to be considered "extreme?" The magic number is 60%. So for each item that I consider purchasing, I first need to do the math to make sure I am getting at least a 60% discount. Sound easy? Nope. When you look in the weekly circular ads, they offer the sale price of the item but rarely tell you the original value. So unless you are certain you would have won on The Price Is Right, you need to do some research to get that original price, in order to find out if you are getting a 60% or more discount with the sale - AND your coupon, which is called a coupon 'matchup'.
Coupon matchups: Sale item + coupon = an item to be considered for purchase. The Buy 1 Get 1 free is no good because it's only a 50% discount. BUT, if you have a coupon for the BOGO item, GOLD! TIP: Forget trying to spend all day on Sunday doing the matchups yourself, there are websites and apps for that! I have the Favado app on my iPhone, it was free, but I don't always use it. I prefer to use a local website that offers coupon matchups because I am more likely to find the coupon and stores in my area. (Coupons vary by region). Just google 'coupon matchups' and you will surely find one in your region.
But wait, there's more... I have found that many times, the prices are raised before the sale. For example, Price Chopper had a sale for Buy 2 Lays Chips, get 3 free. Before you run off to the store, do the math. Each bag was $4.29. Well, I know that I can get a bag of Lay's chips, which go on sale regularly at Walmart, for $2.99, sometimes $2.50. So, I have learned to be careful about the word "sale." Yes, I admit that I used to be a sucker.
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Also, make sure the size is correct. The dollar store is a rip off unless you can get things free. The turkey bacon at the dollar store consists of 5 pieces. Really? Where are you going with 5 pieces? So, even if you get a great discount, even at the dollar store, you are probably wasting your time and your freezer space for all that packaging of 5 pieces of bacon!
I didn't do very well for my first month of couponing, but I will still pat myself on the back because I saved my family valuable money nonetheless. Better luck next month! Keep the faith!
I didn't do very well for my first month of couponing, but I will still pat myself on the back because I saved my family valuable money nonetheless. Better luck next month! Keep the faith!
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