Coupon Tips

As I'm new to shopping with coupons and have found myself feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed lately I appreciated these very timely ideas and reminders below from the PYP blog especially the first that reminded me I don't have to get every item (and really that wouldn't be very budget-friendly!). I need to find a system that works for me and my family, be glad and grateful for the savings we do get, and then stop comparing or worrying about what others are doing or what others sales I "missed" when it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I am being smart with our money and hopefully being as thrifty as I can in the process.

Tips for shopping with coupons - compiled by PYP members!

• Pick one or two stores to focus on. Don't try to get every deal at every store. You'll get burnt out before you see significant savings.
  
  
• If a store ad says, "Spend $25, get $5 back," you can use coupons and have it total less than $25 after coupons.
  
  
• Stockpile - buy extra when the price is right so you don't have to pay full price later.
  
  
• Don't buy more than you can use before it expires.
  
  
• Get extra newspapers in order to take advantage of the sale.
  
  
• Be familiar with the coupon policies at various stores.
  
  
• Keep coupons in a binder and always take the binder to the store with you. You never know when you will run into something marked down that you have a coupon for.
  
  
• You can save money even without clipping coupons. Use PYP's shopping lists to find out which sale prices are good and how to use the deals like catalina offers and buy $20 get $5 back, etc.
  
  
• Plan your meals around what is on sale this week and what you've stocked up on from previous weeks.