Getting the Most from Manufacturer Coupons
Manufacturer Coupons May Be Worth More Than You Think
If you’ve never used manufacturer coupons when shopping, you’re literally throwing money away. Using manufacturer coupons regularly when shopping can save you hundreds of dollars each and every year so there’s no excuse not to. You can find them almost anywhere -- magazines, Sunday newspapers, local mailers -- the list goes on. But what you do with those manufacturer coupons once you get them is the key to saving as much money as you can.
Expired May Not Mean Expired
The majority of manufacturer coupons have an expiration date stamped on them and if you didn’t know any better, you’d probably think the coupon was pretty much worthless once that date had gone by. However, manufacturer coupons can be quite tricky and an expiration date that’s already gone by doesn’t necessarily deem the coupon worthless.
Depending on the policy of the stores you shop at, you may still be able to use manufacturer coupons after their expiration date. Some stores will even take manufacturers coupons that expired a year before. It’s just a matter of finding a store near you with such a policy.
If no stores near you accept expired manufacturer coupons, you can always donate the coupons to military families. Many military commissaries accept manufacturer coupons up to six months past their expiration date.
Double Your Money
Another way to get more from your manufacturer’s coupons is to shop at a store that offers opportunities to double or even triple the face value of your coupons. While it’s not as common as it used to be, there are still grocery stores that will double or triple the value of your manufacturer coupons on a certain day of the week. While it may not seem like much at first, the nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars really do add up over time.
With the cost of living constantly increasing, we all need to do everything we can to keep expenses low. So the next time you go grocery shopping, don’t head out without an organizer filled with manufacturer coupons for the products you use. You’ll find your dollar stretches a lot further than it does without them.
Comments
I do use manufacturer's coupons. My gripe about them is a lot of times you have to buy two of the items to save, for example 25 cents.
Posted by: Linda Mabrey | May 24, 2006 4:08 AM
But be careful with coupons, manufacturer's or store coupons. If you buy something that you don't need at 25% off, that's 75% wasted. Similarily, a name brand at $.10 off can still be more expensive than a house brand that is just as good. Be careful that you don't save money that you wouldn't have spent otherwise.
Posted by: Steve Waddell | May 24, 2006 8:00 AM
nothing in this world irks me more than to be behind some woman yes it's always a woman who pulls out a wad of coupons in the market which takes the cashier 10 minutes to check and then the woman takes another five minutes to write a check instead of having the check already made out except for the amount of course...thanks for letting me vent!!!
Posted by: SID NORRIS | May 24, 2006 8:32 AM
How about the time you spend looking up the coupon, taking it to the store, ect., ect,? I don't know about you, but my time is worth alot more than the small savings you save.
Posted by: John Brown | May 25, 2006 5:56 AM
Please use the following link to send your expired coupons to our military service persons.
About.com
Coupons/Bargains
Expired Coupon Program -- Where to Send the Coupons
http://couponing.about.com/od/seasonalsavingszone/a/militaryexpcou3.htm
Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by: Janet Smith | May 25, 2006 7:54 AM
Yes, just use coupons for hair dye, toothpaste food and other things you would normally buy also use them at Ralphs and other grocery stores that double them. Also remember Walmart accepts coupons!!
Posted by: Tana | June 1, 2006 11:44 AM
I've known some people who are coupon collectors and they spend a couple hours each week searching newspapers, etc., for coupons totaling a savings of potentially $40-50 for that week, but end up only realistically using about $10-20 worth of those collected. Some they never end up using or they expire. As another said, time is money and IMO, my time is worth more than $5-$10 per hour. I think I'll just stick to working those 2 extra hours and make $50-$75 "hard cash" extra that week. Cash is more fluid and more useful and I'll end up with more than trying to pinch pennies.
With that said, I do sometimes run across an especially useful coupon from time to time with $1-$5 off some product, but yet I don't search for coupons—it just usually doesn't pay off. However, I could see how some poor people might benefit when they have little to no income, then every penny does count for them.
Posted by: CD | June 4, 2006 5:49 AM