As a true adult, coupons often become our best friends. What’s the thing we love most about them? You can use coupons to spend less cash the next time you visit any store. Coupons are available from different sources like newspapers, magazines, and Internet sites. Retailers may also offer promotional codes, which work the same way as coupons. Using coupons is easy to do, but you’ll commit errors if you become complacent. Here are mistakes to avoid when you’re using coupons.
High Expectations
Coupons aren’t magic tickets. You can buy $2,000 worth of groceries and only come up with a $50 discount when you use one or two discount vouchers. You might see shows about people getting about 90% off of the price they pay for their items because of the coupons they use. It may look like it’s too good to be true, but it’s not impossible to achieve.
You need to spend several hours and plenty of effort if you want to save over 50% off your purchases when you’re using coupons. Even the most dedicated couponers will only shave off about 60% to 70% from each shopping trip.
Set your expectations low as a coupon clipper. Don’t worry if you’re reducing prices by about $1 or $2 per item at the start of your journey as a couponer. Gain satisfaction with any savings you can get from using your coupons.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
2. Using Coupons for Buying Things You Don’t Need
One benefit of online shopping is you can now search for thousands of online coupons. It’s tempting to go on a couponing spree and buy whatever item you find on the Internet. Remember, just because you have vouchers for a particular item doesn’t mean you need to buy it.
Only grab coupons from products you like or need to use. If you buy something with a voucher but you don’t need it, you can donate the item to charity. Retailers may have a donation box near the exit so you can drop off things for the benefit of less fortunate individuals.
3. Not Comparing
Never assume you’re saving a significant amount of money just because you have one coupon. Compare the prices of the same item found in several retailers. One store may attach a more expensive price tag than another shop. Also, make a mental note to check store promotions. It can be worth waiting for sales before using a coupon.
Aside from the money you spend from buying items from stores, also consider gas and travel costs. Serious couponers plan their travel routes to make the most out of their budget. If you’re driving across town to take advantage of a “$1 off” coupon for a shampoo, then it won’t be worth the money you spend on travel.
4. Not Tracking Your Budget
The first few weeks of couponing is the most time-consuming. This period is also the most expensive. Many people make the common mistake of snipping and stockpiling several coupons. Even though couponing is an effective way to save cash, not being wary of your spending allowance can throw off your budget.
Try to use only a few coupons per week until you can raise the bar for your budget. Buying too many items at once can lead to spending more money than you save. It’s okay to increase your budget ceiling if you have flexible finances. Many couponers don’t have this luxury and will stick to a set budget. Consider the flexibility of your cash on hand to avoid running into financial troubles.
5. Missing the Fine Print
An Invesp infographic shows that about 16 billion coupons were redeemed in 2014. The report also states that the figure will increase to 31 billion in 2019. With that in mind, it’s easy to fail in looking at the fine print on your discount vouchers. Coupons will have expiration dates, guidelines, and restrictions.
Take time in reading all the fine print on every coupon you clip from magazines and newspapers. Do a double check when you redeem coupons from a website. For physical coupons, keep them all in a coupon binder so you can confirm the expiry dates of each voucher. This simple act of looking at the fine print can help you save yourself from the shame of handing out an expired coupon upon the checkout of your items.
Final Thoughts
More people are now taking advantage of using online coupons to save money. Discount vouchers can help consumers enhance their spending abilities while saving cash. Once you’ve been couponing for a few months, try to analyze how much time and money you’ve spent. Keep yourself in check as this venture can become addicting.
Need A Massage? Learn How To Give One To Yourself And Your Loved Ones
Receiving a massage, whether it’s given by someone else or self-administered, can help loosen your muscles and establish a better connection not only with your body but also with the people you love.
