 TITLE: How to Use Coupons to Save Money CONTENT: Using Coupons Can Save You Money\n--------------------------------\n###### Written by: Kristy Welsh\nCoupons are a great way to save money at the grocery store, for buying everyday household items, to use when eating out, fixing your car, or swapping them out with friends. Finding and using coupons is easy once you master all the ins and outs. You can find coupons in the local Sunday paper and on mobile phone apps. With more ways to locate and organize coupons, coupon hunting has never been easier. It is so easy, even a caveman can do it!\nThe average American family spends between $500 and $1,100 every month on groceries, toiletries, cleaning products, pet items, clothes, and simple entertainment costs. You know you can make some sacrifices to get from the high-end of that range to the low-end. But can you really reduce or even eliminate some of these costs without giving up on good nutrition and hygiene? You absolutely can!\nStatistics for Using Coupons\n----------------------------\nIf you think coupon clipping is just for the over 60 crowd, you are in for a surprise. The fastest growing age market are those in their 20's and 30's and this age group is looking to use mobile or digital coupons. Here are some other interesting coupon statistics:\n*   142 million Americans used coupons in 2020.\n*   In 2020, 88 percent of survey respondents in the United States stated that they had used coupons for shopping, a decrease of six percent compared to the previous year.\n*   Over 90% of all consumers have used coupons in some way.\n*   Over half of all consumers use a coupon in at least one of every four purchases\n*   Approximately **31 billion** **digital coupons** were redeemed worldwide in 2019.\n*   321.3 billion manufacturer-funded coupons were distributed in 2015\n*   85% of American adults used coupons in 2014, and this figure grew to 93.75% in 2019. \nHow to Find the Best Coupons\n----------------------------\nFinding and using coupons to save money does not have to be complicated, but it may take some planning, patience, and perseverance. With prices on everything from produce to meat on the rise and increasing prices for dining out, shoppers are expected to clip even more this year.\nAlong with finding coupons in the local Sunday paper, be sure to check out these online coupon sites:\n*   Coupons.com\n*   eclip.com\n*   ValPak.com\n*   The Krazy Coupon Lady\n*   P&G site (get coupons from one of the world’s largest manufacturer of house hold products)\nCoupon apps:\n*   **Honey** – A pretty slick way to get discounts is Honey.  This app can be installed using a browser extension where the app searches for coupons every time you make a purchase online.  If you go gold, you can earn cash back.  Honey is 100% free.\n*   **iBotta** – similar to Honey, iBotta installs as a browser extension and automatically saves you money during online purchases. \n*   **Rakuten**–  Another app you can install on your browser that automatically finds coupons at checkout.\n*   **Retail Me Not** – They have an app and also a browser extension that operates like the other three above.\nUsing Coupons at the Grocery Store\n----------------------------------\nThis is the most obvious place to save money with coupons. The biggest secret of people who save the most at the store are those who match coupons with loss leaders — those heavily discounted items they feature in their ads in order to get you through their door. \nHere are four money-saving grocery apps that you can download to your mobile phone:\n1.  Coupon Sherpa — The Coupon Sherpa app lets you sort through categories to find online coupons that can be scanned straight from your phone. This free app also lets you create favorites lists where you can tag your favorite stores and email coupons to friends and family.\n2.  Your Grocery Store apps.  Kroger, Albertson’s, etc.\n3.  Shopper Pro — The Shopper iPhone app is a basic application that draws up a grocery shopping list on your phone. To add a little more functionality, it also calculates sales tax and tracks coupons.\nSave Money When Dining Out\n--------------------------\nArticles about the frugal lifestyle usually recommend always cooking at home. This is an obvious way to save money, but sometimes you need a treat or a break from the kitchen. You can save money eating out by purchasing an Entertainment Book, clipping coupons from your local paper, or going to Groupon.com. Also, some of the apps that we mentioned above have coupons to the major restaurant chains, most notably Retail Me Not.\nWhile saving is good, what about eating for free? If you sign up for the mailing list on the website of your favorite restaurant, many offer free food for your birthday. Also, keep an eye out for restaurants that offer \"kids eat free\" during some weekday nights.\nDiscount Coupons for Car Maintenance\n------------------------------------\nYou may never have to pay full price for an oil change or any other routine service on your car again. Look for coupons in the mail from the local franchises and dealerships, where you can save $10 or more off the normal cost of an oil change. If you're going in for warranty work on your vehicle, some dealers will change the oil — and wash your car — free of charge.\nSwap Coupons with Friends\n-------------------------\nDo you often find coupons for things you just don't use — such as diapers, frozen meals or a certain brand of shampoo? Consider starting a local coupon exchange club. Get together with a few friends once a month, clip all the coupons you can find and swap the coupons you don't need for the ones you want. You can also find coupon exchanges online, such as Flyertalk.com.\nOrganizing Coupons\n------------------\nIf you aren't using your smart phone to store and organize your coupons, here are some ideas to keep your coupons in order and easy to get to:\n*   Buy or make a coupon organizer; use envelopes, folders with labels, or a virtual coupon organizer.\n*   File and store them in your coupon organizer by expiration date, product, or alphabetical order.\n*   Keep your coupons with you in your purse or car so that they are available during those \"unplanned\" errands.\n*   Make an effort to use those with shorter expirations periods more quickly.\n*   Try coupon apps that automatically save and categorize your coupons.\nOf course, doing all these things sounds great in theory, but the efficient use of coupons and finding the best bargains on food\/staples each week takes time. And, for each of us, the \"time value of money\" is different. If you have to go to 5 different stores to get the best deals, you have to factor in your time and gas costs, which without a doubt can make or break a good deal. So it is up to you to find your happy balance. Good luck and happy clipping! END