There is no way around it. Part of being thrifty is using coupons. There is just so much money to be saved! The trick is to find coupons on items you would buy anyway, with minimal effort on your part. That way the reward really is worth your time.
Part of being thrifty is also knowing your prices on items you buy all the time. You would be surprised at how many items you purchase on a regular, continual basis. I am talking about shampoo, toothpaste, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, coffee filters, soup, pasta, etc. Pay attention to sale prices at different stores for these items and get to know what is your “buy” price. For example, my “buy” price for a box of Kleenex is $1. Once you know the best price available, your “buy” price, you only purchase these items only when you can get them for that price. I will always stock up on non-perishables when I see them offered at my “buy” prices, and then if I also have a coupon for that item and so I get an even better price, all the better.
Since I don’t have a lot of time to invest in looking for coupons, I will usually search for coupons online shortly before I will shop. I keep an eye on the grocery store circulars delivered to my house also, along with browsing the weekly sales on store websites while eating breakfast or while eating lunch. Once you become aware of your best or “buy” price on an item you buy repetitively you will also start to notice that stores will actually advertise those same items at a much higher price, and even say they are “sale” prices! You will know better, and you will start to realize how much money you are saving by knowing your prices.
Online coupons are great money savers also. Check in on Yelp at a restaurant or business, and you might just get an offer for a free item or some other type of discount. Googling a product you are about to buy can also produce coupons or other discounts in the search results. By using coupons, and even more importantly, being aware of what are the best or “buy” prices on products you always purchase, you can save hundreds of dollars a year, with minimal time invested. Until next week, happy savings!