5 Tips For Using Coupons On The Weekly Shop
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When getting started with using coupons it can be a bit overwhelming.
There are so many different coupons and each come with there own set of rules and regulations about when and where they can be used.
It’s definitely worth starting with one or two vouchers and gradually getting used to how everything works. Here are my tips for using coupons on the weekly shop.
Coupons and vouchers are one of the main ways I save on my weekly shop, the others being buying reduced food and being strict about meal planning.
Whatever you usually purchase in your weekly shop – whether you buy waffle mix to whip up a tasty weekend breakfast for the family or you always grab a whole chicken for the Sunday roast, there is always a way to save money on the things you buy week in, week out.
5 Tips For Using Coupons On The Weekly Shop
There are two main types of vouchers/coupons when it comes to saving money in the supermarket.
The first is the conditional spend voucher.
This means a minimum amount needs to spent before you get the discount, such as £5 off a £30 spend.
If it’s for somewhere you usually shop then it’s a great way to bag a quick and easy discount.
The second is general coupons – these can be found in magazines, online or may be sent to you in the post. Usually, they can be used in any supermarket that stock the brand, however, it is worth double-checking before using the coupon.
As an example, I’ve had a voucher posted through my door before for a free Rustlers Burger that had to be used at Morrisons.
Tips For Using Coupons and Vouchers
1. Be sure to check all of your coupons and vouchers are in date before shopping. This can save a lot of embarrassment at the till for both you and the cashier and will also avoid the need to put any items back if it’s not something you would have usually bought.
2. If I’m using a lot of vouchers or coupons in one shop, I always make sure to make a note of what size and flavour products I need to buy on my shopping list. Having to hunt through a pile of coupons to read the small print in the middle of the supermarket isn’t fun!
3. There are occasions where I seem to have a glut of coupons and vouchers to use up in one go.
When this happens, I do like to a separate coupon shop to use them all up in one go, without having to think about my usual weekly shop too. I have written a full post on doing a targeted coupon shop, which you can read here.
4. Cashiers aren’t always up on which coupons are accepted.
If you have a coupon that’s being refused but you think is valid, it may be worth asking to see a manager for a second opinion and some couponers go as far having a copy of the supermarkets T&C for coupons on them, although I think this is a little extreme.
The biggest issue here seems to be with vouchers that are printed off at home, as of course, they don’t look the same as a voucher or coupon that has been cut out of a magazine.
Remember to always remain friendly and polite, often they will be worried about doing something wrong that could them in trouble, rather than being difficult for the sake of it.
5. Make sure any terms and conditions from the voucher have been met, such as a minimum spend. Remember that there are products that don’t count towards this minimum spend so it’s worth taking a good look at these before shopping and making notes if needed.
As well as using physical vouchers, you can also use digital vouchers, which can be found on various apps such as Shopmium.
While thes apps will save you more money on your groceries, it is a case of spending the money and then getting reimbursed, after uploading a picture of your receipt.
The whole process is a little more time-consuming and the money can take a few days to get back to you.
If you’re looking to get into couponing you might enjoy these posts:
Where To Find Coupons and Vouchers
Saving Money On your Online Grocery Shop
These couponing tips are absolutely spot on! From stacking offers to being mindful of expiry dates, every suggestion is practical and easy to apply for weekly savings. A must-read for smart shoppers!