Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.
The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:
Thanks to your comments on this series, we have some great questions to address…
Question:
I’m probably an casual couponer, if I accidentally come across a coupon for something I need, then I’ll use it.
Answer:
What is Casual Couponing?
I would say a casual couponer is someone who will use a coupon if they come across it, but don’t necessarily make a plan to find them. According to CommissaryDeals.com, casual couponers save 25-40% on their grocery shopping trips. Typically, when one first starts clipping coupons, he/she would just grab a few here and there from the Sunday Paper, using a few coupons per visit.
Are you a Casual Couponer?
- Do you clip coupons for “items you buy” from one weekly newspaper and/or magazines?
- Do you hunt for printable coupons once in a while for a hot sale or a need based purchase?
- Do you typically save 15%, 25%, 40% or less off your grocery bill?
How Coupons Come to You
Many casual coupon users have trouble finding enough coupons to capitalize on good deals. Here are some ways coupons can come to you:
- as you are walking through the grocery store, you may see “tear pad” coupons
- as you are reading through magazines, you may see coupons inside
- you may find coupons on products
- someone may leave a coupon on top of the product you are getting ready to buy
- if you purchase the required number of products in a store’s promotion and receive $ off today’s purchase (like Kroger $5 off when you purchase 10 items in their “Mega” promotion)
- if you purchase the required number of products in a store’s promotion and receive a coupon off your next purchase (like Food Lion’s buy X number of store brand products and receive $ off coupon toward next order)
- if you purchase the required number of products in a manufacturer’s promotion and receive a coupon off your next purchase (often called “catalina’s,” named after the marketing company who issues the coupons)
Any Saving is a Good Savings
There is nothing wrong with being a casual couponer. Even saving 15% off your grocery bill can be like saving $15 off every $100 you spend. Once you decide your goal is a greater savings, you can begin to research ways of getting more coupons and shopping differently.
Submit your questions and challenges in the comments and they will be addressed in future posts.
–Sign up to receive my new FREE e-book on Saving Money with Coupons. Find quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions for moms at Outside The Box Mom.
If you missed any posts in this series:
- Goals when using coupons
- Common reasons why people don’t use coupons
- #1 obstacle in using coupons
- Types of coupons available and where you can get them
- Ways you can organize your coupon stash
- How to make a grocery list
- Shop at different stores to stretch your buck
- Know the sales cycle
- Start small
- I have no luck in couponing
- No coupons on products I buy
- Remembering to use your coupons
I guess I’m a casual couponer. I’ll print it or clip it if it’s for an item we always buy or I know we are going to be purchasing. I don’t stock pile coupons though
Thats fine Crystal. A dollar saved is a dollar saved!
i want to use them like the people on tv do!
You don’t really want to spend 20 or 40 or 60 hours a week finding coupons, clipping coupons, shopping, and finding somewhere to store all that stuff, do you? 🙂
I mostly use coupons at the drugstore (vs. the grocery story), but that’s only because the majority of my shopping is done at the farmers market, but even casual couponing can save you money. I remember when I’d put every $ I saved by using coupons (not the sale price at the store, but the amount of the coupon) in my savings account. In just a month I’d have between $5-30. Not bad.
I wish I was that disciplined!
I started out couponing very slowly and causally so I didn’t get burnt out. I’m still a causal couponer but it works for me.
That’s great Grace. In order to keep anything up, it has to work for your life.
I use a lot of coupons but because of my husband’s diet there are lots of items (fresh fruit, etc.) I can’t find coupons for.
Yes, fresh fruit coupons are hard to come by. Better to buy seasonal produce and take advantage of sales and farmers markets.