Tough economy gives rise to more coupon cutting
In case you missed it, September is evidently National Coupon Month. And business is booming.
According to recent industry figures, the number of coupons distributed in the first half of this year across in the United States rose more than 11%. Canadians, however, tend not to use these incentives as much … but we still come a close second.
Whether you're one of those zealots who simply won’t make a purchase without a coupon or are a more casual user, you'll find just everything you ever wanted to know about coupon clipping at the I Love Coupon Month blog.
They kicked off the month with several interesting posts on using a coupon binder system, matching coupons with sales, where to find the best deals, and getting the most out of online offerings.
Here are a few tips from Lisa Reynolds, host of the online radio show, Viva la Value.
1. Build a network: People are passionate about scoring great deals and word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find coupon deals.
2. Meld print with online offerings: Those achieving the greatest savings are clipping print coupons and clicking and printing online coupons. And be sure to search for coupon codes or free shipping offers for all of your online purchases.
3. Organize your coupons: Sort coupons the way in which you walk through the store — putting those expiring soonest in the front since some only last a few weeks.
4. Stay ready: Create a coupon envelope that lives in — and is always returned to — the car of the family’s main shopper to always be prepared.
5. Stock up on sale items: When you see an item on special that you use regularly, or a savings is featured with your loyalty card and you have a coupon, stock up.
6. Double your savings: If your favourite retailer offers double or triple coupon values, shop on the days when you can get the most value for your money.
7. Call manufacturers directly: Roughly 35% of companies only send coupons upon request, generally through 1-800 numbers.
Are you a coupon maven? Do you use them more than you once did? If so, how do you maximize their value?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Lina Zussino | Sep 9, 2021 8:59:32 PM
I wanted to inform everyone about a new application that tracks how much you have saved with coupons.
The application allows you to enter your coupon savings (The store, amount saved, and date are entered). You can generate a report from your coupon savings and post it to your Facebook wall or blog. I am an avid coupon user, but I was surprised that in less then 3 months I managed a savings of over $667.60 using coupons. Enough savings for a recent trip to Hawaii!
The application has turned in a competition between my husband and I to see how much we can save using coupons this year. US and Canadian stores are built in but any store is available to be entered.
The free application is available at http://www.groceryalerts.ca/coupontracker
Posted by: John | Sep 10, 2021 10:08:41 AM
To Lina,
Careful...did you actually save $667.00? Or did you spend a lot of money on items that you didnt' necessarily need because you had a coupon for it. Setting up a competition with your husband to see who can "save" the most money seems like a bad idea because the best way to save money is to not spend it in the first place, coupon or not.
Posted by: Deitmar Hande | Sep 10, 2021 1:23:53 PM
To Lina: Shhh... The new application that keeps track of your coupon savings may not be all
that great afterall. I'm sure that when Mr. Harper and Mr. Flaherty get wind of your savings
they'll figure out how to tax them.
Raising taxes seems to be a conservative government thing!
VAT- conservative, Mrs. Thatcher and the lord of the exchecker
GST- conservative, Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Wilson
HST- conservative, Mr. Harper and Mr. Flaherty
Posted by: Marilyn | Sep 10, 2021 2:20:23 PM
I would love to know where to get these coupons!!! I live in a town with 3 grocery stores and NOT one of them accept online coupons!! So tell me what a girl is suppose to do?
Posted by: aaa | Sep 10, 2021 7:59:03 PM
I can't ever find coupons for what I truly want. (I guess I shouldn't be surprised.)
By the way Mr. Hande: You are wrong about the HST. That was liberal Mr. McGinty that did that. Just ask yourself if all the provinces got the HST implemented at the same time? They did not. Mr. Harper allowed it because the liberals have run Ontario into so much debt. On the whole, Mr. Hande, it's the liberals (and NDP's) who like spending our money pointlessly. Just look into history.
Posted by: shagmo | Sep 13, 2021 10:42:17 AM
Mr. McGinty coupons have left the building!! He will not be the next premier of Ontario!!
Posted by: Renee | Sep 13, 2021 2:49:41 PM
These ideas seem great and online couponing is still a growing industry, however you neglected to discuss mobile couponing. With the growing desire for location based services (Especially mobile coupons) and with successful launches such as ShopKick (US) and the soon to launch Face Wireless network in Canada (Something to keep a close eye on), mobile will be the more efficient way to go.
With Face Wireless (www.facewireless.com), for example, consumers will not only get access to free Wi-Fi, they will get pinged with amazing deals/offers on their mobile devices in the places they love the most; malls, stores, restaurants, airports, you name it. This alleviates the need to search, print, organize and bring in the coupon to the store. With mobile couponing, this is already done for you.
The new mobile couponing apps are a great way to maximize the coupon value … and it saves trees!