Learn How to Coupon Like a Pro

Extreme couponing is a growing trend that many parents and even teenagers are using to help cover expenses and cut the cost of many daily neccessities.

Although extreme couponing is time-consuming and requires extensive knowledge pertaining to coupon rules and restrictions, there are some practices almost anyone can adopt to help them save more money.

Whether you have one extra hour a week or twenty, you can utilize any of the following tips and tricks to help lower expenses and increase your savings!

So, what are you waiting for? Start saving today!

Many people overlook the importance of making lists. When it comes to couponing and saving money, lists are one of the most important things anyone can do, and they are also one of the least time consuming.

Lists can be the difference between saving more and spending more. Extreme couponers always utilize lists. They can help prevent you from buying unwanted things, as well as help remind you of the things you actually need.

Some examples of helpful lists you can make to increase your chances of saving more money include weekly grocery lists, lists of special deals and how long they will last, lists of stores that double your coupons, as well as lists of things you already have a stockpile of at home (to prevent you from any unneeded purchases while you are shopping).

Printable coupons are probably the most used form of coupon because they are easy to find, simple to print and super convenient. Finding the best couponing sites however can be frustrating, which is why I have compiled this list of helpful couponing sites that can increase your savings:

• CouponMom.com
• Coupons.com
• RedPlum.com
• SavingStar.com
• RetailMeNot.com

• Make a list of things that are non-perishable and that you use on a regular basis. Buy these items in bulk once a month or every other month and you will save boatloads.
• Find out which newspapers contain the most coupons and subscribe to all of them.
• Combne newspaper coupons with online coupons.
• Sign up for your favorite stores e-mail lists. They provide you with coupons, special discounts and more. You will also be able to match your coupons with in-store savings to double your profits!
• Brush up on your coupon jargon. Learn the difference between a BOGO (buy one get one free) sale and a OYNO sale (where you save X amount on your next order).
• Stop being brand loyal. By branching out and trying new brands, as well as new stores, you open yourself up to a world of savings you never would have found.
• Familiarize yourself with each store's coupon policies before you shop there.

If theres one thing more important than patience when it comes to extreme couponing, its organization. Staying organized is essential if you want to save as much as possible.

How you approach organizing all of your coupon related items is up to you, all that matters is that you do it.

Some people like to purchase several tiny index card organizers that they use to keep track of the coupons. These are great options because they are inexpensive and you can take them with you everywhere you go.

Other coupon savvy shoppers prefer to use large binders to categorize and organize their coupons. Although it isn't as portable as the index card organizers, binders are great options if you plan on collecting a large quantity of coupons.

When it comes to organizing coupons, the first priority should be the expiration date, placing the coupons that expire soonest at the front, and those that have the furthest expiration date in the back.

Next, separate your coupons by type: separate grocery coupons from coupons that apply to other merchandisers, then organize your grocery coupons by aisle, aiming to align your coupons to match how you usually shop at the grocery store.

You don't need the most elaborate system to organize your coupons - the simpler it is, the more likely it is that you will stay on top of it.

When it comes to extreme couponing, every coupon counts! That means that if one coupon goes unscanned, it can throw off all of your planning.

Remember that the person scanning your items at the register doesn't care about how much you save - only you care about this, so pay attention!

Know what coupons you have, what coupons you gave to the cashier, and make a note when each coupon is scanned. If you notice that something seems off, speak up and ask the cashier to print out the receipt so you can find out where the hiccup occurred.

Bonus Tip: Don't just pay attention to your coupons, but also watch how much the items originally scan for at checkout. Sometimes an item that is on sale will not reflect the sale price at checkout, which is usually an error on the part of the store, not you. If you point out any of these discrepencies, they will likely go check the item and verify the retail price, then credit you for any mistakes made by the register.