Whether you are a family of one or twelve, groceries and other household items can get very expensive. From basic necessities to the fun foods that children like, these purchases can take a large portion of the family budget and can leave those who are trying to stay within a budget struggling to make it.
As the cost of groceries increases at a rate higher than the average family budget, more and more individuals are turning toward couponing as a way to save.
Couponing has become an economic-friendly phenomenon. There are television shows and websites devoted solely to explaining the savings of extreme couponers.
These individuals have taken thousands off of their annual bills simply by using coupons and other savings mechanisms.
For those that are new to couponing, however, the tasks that these impressive experts seem to have mastered seem a bit more complicated and out of reach from reality.
But, there are simple, foundational attributes that each of these couponers possess that make them successful.
In order to help you get started on your savings journey, the aforementioned habits of the extreme couponer are revealed. The list below focuses on explaining nine habits of effective couponers to get you started.
Not only are these habits easily applicable to everyday life, they are extremely effective in making sure that you are saving money. Use this as your guide to begin that financially savvy journey and see how much you can save!
1. Make It a Habit
The term “habit” often has a negative connotation. People are always talking about the bad habits that they want to break and ways that they want to improve their lives.
But, in the world of savings, the word habit is anything but a bad word.
It is something to be revered, envied, and emulated! When it comes to couponing, the most successful of couponers are those individuals who make saving a part of their routine.
This may sound easy enough but, as with anything, it takes time for saving to become second nature.
Getting in the habit and making yourself coupon can be a great way to make it work nearly automatically.
Take the time, especially in the beginning, to really make sure that you are putting in energy and effort and later on, it will be as natural as any other part of your daily routine.
2. Make It a Priority
More than just making couponing a habit, those that are the most successful make it a priority. Life can get crazy and it can get hectic.
This is understandable and very expected. It is also understandable. But, saving an immense amount of monies on the products that are needed to live daily life requires energy, effort, and time.
As such, those that want to make sure that they are successful need to also makes sure that they are making a serious effort to make saving a priority.
One of the ways that this can be accomplished is by writing a reminder in a highly visible spot.
A word as simple as “couponing” written on the kitchen notepad can serve as a reminder that saving money through the use of these cost-effective mechanisms is a priority. It can also serve as a motivator as well!
3. Schedule Your Couponing
The most successful of couponers make sure that they do more than just talk about couponing. They schedule their activities so that couponing is a part of the weekly or monthly routine.
Making notes in calendars, reminders in an app, or setting an alarm on their phones, couponers know that they are going to have to stick to a schedule and put the energy into couponing on a regular basis in order to be successful.
Scheduling, then, is a must in making sure that you are successful and one of the best tips from those that are saving their families thousands each year.
4. Research and Compare
Another of the best habits of couponers who are successful is the inclusion of researching and comparing in their savings plan. Taking the first coupon that comes up or doing a quick search of the local newspapers is not enough.
Instead, those that want to save money and really make couponing work, take the time to delve deeper and compare the savings that they can have on their shopping.
For instance, by doing regular research. Research is going to be key in maximizing the benefits of couponing and that is why those that are successful spend their time ensuring that they do.
5. Coupon on the Go
Many think that in order to save money, an immense amount of time must be put into couponing. Yes, couponing takes time but many of the activities that are necessary to be successful can be done while multitasking.
Whether you are watching the television or surfing the web, taking a few moments a day to look for deals can be a great way to save immense amounts of money in the long run.
The most successful and effective couponers know this and will incorporate savings activities into other parts of their days. These small tasks can add up to really big savings.
6. Work with Others
One of the most important things that a couponer can do is to work smart, not hard. There is no doubt that saving money does take effort and energy, but the best couponers do not spend what isn’t necessary.
In today’s world where technology has increased interconnectedness and accessibility, couponers are coming together to help each other spend money.
There are numerous different coupon sites that are devoted to helping those in the world who want to save money to do just that.
Those that are the most successful check these sites often and utilize their work to bolster their own efforts.
If you are ambitious, starting your own local group is a great way to ensure that you get the best couponing deals. By making it a fun social thing, you and your local friends can save money at the stores and locations where you are used to shopping.
Plus, it helps to build a network of friends and support that often extends far beyond the couponing world and who doesn’t love that?
7. Be Strategic
Couponing is so much more than just clipping the local advertisements from a newspaper. It is all about being strategic.
Not only are there timelines associated with couponing but there are also limits to the ways in which coupons can be used.
Those that are the most effective in their couponing efforts know how to embrace these confines and really allow the rules to work to their advantage.
For instance, those that are the most effective, know when they need to buy their products and are amenable to shopping at different times.
A few minutes here and there in picking up an item on sale and using coupons to do so can be well worth the untypical grocery trip.
The worst thing that a successful couponer can do is to confine themselves to one shopping trip. Instead, they allow the timeline of the coupons to help dictate their schedule, and save money while doing it!
8. Set a Goal
One of the greatest motivators in anything is to set a goal. Couponing is no different. Setting a goal when you start to coupon gives you something to strive for and is also one of the common activities of the best couponers.
For some, the best way to calculate their goal is in relation to their grocery bill.
For instance, you may want to strive for a ten percent reduction in your overall cost of monthly groceries.
When that goal is met, you can set another one! The great thing about couponing is there is always a goal that you can achieve and something to keep you constantly motivated.
Another way to look at goals is through rewards. For instance, if you do meet your monthly reduction in expenses over six months, reward yourself with a gift. It may be that awesome new outfit that you wanted or something for your home and family.
By setting goals and rewarding yourself, you are in a better position to motivate yourself when things get tough.
It can also be a great way to see your savings work for you! Just like couponing goals, there are an infinite number of rewards as well. Have fun setting and meeting them!
9. Make It Fun
Though couponing can be an intimidating activity when you are starting out, there is a level of fun and excitement to this activity.
After all, saving money is a beautiful and empowering thing. Not to mention that it helps to lessen the financial burden you place on yourself.
Make it a game and make it fun for your whole family by getting them involved in the savings game. Look for deals wherever you are and embrace your new financially responsible lifestyle.
Your family and your bank account will thank you for it!