Clip Your Way to Big Savings at the Supermarket

How much money can be saved utilizing coupons?

According to Steve and Annette Economides (also known as "America's Cheapest Family"), PENTY! They report saving 50% of their grocery bill utilizing coupons in conjunction with price matching.

Some studies suggest that by merely taking twenty minutes a week for clipping and organizing coupons, it is possible to shave twenty percent or more off of grocery expenses.

Usage of coupons is usually attributed to low-income households. However, in June 2007 PriceRunner.com reported that of 1,000 customers with access to the Internet surveyed, coupon usage increased with income.

The Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) Coupon Council, revealed 71% of people between the ages of 18 to 24 utilized coupons for purchasing services and products.

PMA also reported that ‘coupon clippers' save billions of dollars annually and represented 86% of the overall Ameican population in 2007.

Coupons and rebates are like free money. However, the real savings only begins if you already use that particular brand, or if you would like to try that particular item.

Compare with generic or store brands to decide if the savings are worth it. It is not really savings if you make a purchase with a coupon just to get a good deal unless you plan to use the product.

Charles Brown, Vice President for worldwide coupon processor NCE (National Commercial Exchange, Inc.), says that marketers have distributed more coupons during economic downturns in the past "and consumers tend to be more apt to respond and redeem during periods of economic decline."

• Coupon users represent 86% of the United States population.
• Shoppers saved approximately $2.6 billion by using manufacturer's coupons in 2005.
• In 2006 the typical manufacturer's coupon was worth $1.15 in savings.
• Coupon users report an average of 11.5% savings on their grocery bill utilizing coupons.
• Manufacturers offered approximately $330 billion in coupon savings in 2006.

1. Sunday newspapers usually have tons of coupons.
2. Clip coupons from coupon books from snail mailings.
3. Some grocery stores have coupons located at their shelves, right below the product.
4. Many supermarkets have begun the practice of printing coupons on the back of cash register receipts.
5. Develop a network of family and friends where you can trade coupons that do not interest you and vice-versa.
6. Look for 800 numbers on the products that you purchase. Some manufacturers only send coupons upon the customer's request.

7. The Internet is a treasure trove of coupon websites like coupons.com, family.com, coolsavings.com, valpak.com, dealcatcher.com, couponmountain.com, or couponsurfer.com.

   Grocery Guide and Coupon Mom (both comparable to the Grocery Game, a fee based coupon service), are places where you can find specials, coupons, recipes and price charts from your favorite local grocer for FREE. Offering valuable information like sale price alerts, notifications for coupons, nutritional data, charts and more.

1. Use coupons in conjunction with double and triple off at participating stores.
2. Plan your weekly menu around coupons.
3. Utilizing coupons in combination with sale items, especially buy 1 get 1 free offers.
4. Organize coupons in the order of their location in the store.
5. Participate in store clubs to get the item at their advertised price plus the discount from the coupon.
6. Use the coupons that have shorter expiration dates first.
7. Have children help with coupon clipping, which helps them to learn the value of money and budgeting.
8. 'Stack coupons' and combine a manufacturer coupon together with a store coupon for the same item; or take it to a higher level and combine a manufacturer coupon, along with a store coupon, a sale and a rebate.
9. Most often coupons mention sizes on their face that the manufacturer will honor. However, if they do not, utilize them for trial sizes of products where size in not mentioned on the coupon.
10. Be brand flexible. It is possible to save hundreds of dollars per year if you purchase the brand that is on sale with a coupon.