Think you know all of the couponing strategies in existence? Then, see if you know this one posted by Trent of Simple Dollar. He says that instead of clipping coupons as they come in, you should wait four weeks, and then clip them.
Why? Because, according to him, the coupons will then match up with the grocery store sales, and allow you to get the best deal.
What do you think of this strategy? Have you found it to be true? Do you think it makes more sense to clip and use coupons as they come in? Have you found a better strategy for maximizing your coupon savings? Share your thoughts!
More About Couponing:
I don’t agree with waiting. For me, most weeks the coupons go along with the sale papers.
I find that the Sunday coupons match up to the following weeks’ specials.
I will not wait to clip my coupons as I could misplace them and , also, not be able to combine my doubled coupons with my store card that gives me the special savings each week.
Since I save between $1,000.00 and $2,500.00 each year with my store card from Harris Teeter plus I save a great deal extra with my doubled coupons it pays me to clip my coupons weekly and use them then.
I also find the Sunday coupon inserts match up well with the current ads. Stores like CVS even use an icon next to sale items to show you there’s a coupon to look for. Now, I do sometimes have to hang onto coupons until the items go on sale, but I’ve never employed a “wait four weeks strategy.” It seems like this might hold some merit for new items. At times, I’ve found that a coupon will beat an item to the stores.
I usually find the coupons won’t last that long, they usually expire here within a month. Lots of times I find they line up with the sales at the stores the following week or so. But four weeks usually wouldn’t work here. I’ve complained before that coupons expire fast. Maybe it just seems that way. But if I haven’t used a coupon within that frame of time I figure I don’t really intend to get it anyway.
I use a website called http://www.couponmom.com which compiles a list of the best deals at each store by coupon date. I never clip coupons! I save them in a manilla filing folder by date and when the website says BUy Buy Buy! I clip, clip, clip. Sure beats carrying around all those clippings. Check it out! It is also a non-profit org. They hope that by saving you money, you will pass those savings on to charity. You have to sign up, but it is free and they don’t spam you or anything.
I use http://www.consumerqueen.com and she matches up the sales to the stores and the coupons! Works great for me. Sometimes I do not clip them but place them in a folder and clip what I need (this works for planned trips).
Hello. I also use http://www.couponmom.com – the site is simple, organized and all my shelter ‘donations’ are tax deductible! I cut out my coupons, so they are always within reach. Yes, coupons are worth the time for my family, along with ad match and freebies. Just yesterday I was at Fry’s (Kroger’s) – spent $28.00 and saved a total of $67.00 off my bill.
Why wait 4 weeks to clip them? I clip coupons, file them by date in an envelope, and use them if and when I need or want to use them, typically when they are on sale.
I find that the weekly coupons will match Meijer,and CVS,but no others….in two to three weeks,the other stores will have the same deals,so waiting,to me,is not a good ideas,why not clip them now,and get the deals as the items go on sale at different stores?
I always clip and plan store visits. I’ve also started taking coupons I don’t use and laying them on the shelf with the product for other people to use! The store never seems to notice or remove them; I’ve seen several still there on my next visit. Another shopper noticed me leaving one and said she’d found and used a few of my coupons – “just like an Easter egg hunt”!