Because of the economy slowing down during the recent years, more and more families start to collect and use coupons to cut down their shopping expenses.  If you do this on a regular basis, the saving can be significant over the years.  Loretta Rieman had her dreamed trip to Italy in 2010 which was paid for by her coupon savings.  Loretta shared her experience in her article “How coupon savings paid for a trip to Italy“.  In the article, she shares the following practical coupon tips.

Gather and organize.
Every Sunday, I gather the newspaper coupon fliers, write the date on the top left corner of each flier and place them in a dated file folder. I also purchase entertainment books late in the year when they are less expensive but still have grocery store coupons that are useful. Stacking manufacturer and store coupons leads to big savings, especially on BOGOs. Company websites often have coupons.

Focus and prepare.
I invest about two (sometimes three) hours preparing for my shopping trips. I use websites that dissect the weekly ad from the grocery stores and list where to find the coupons by the date of the Sunday paper. SouthernSavers.com is my favorite.

Set up a supply closet or pantry area.
My supply closet allows us to purchase items when they are on sale rather than just when we need them. Be aware of the shelf life of items and of your space limitations. Be sure you don’t get too carried away with the “thrill of the bargain” and end up with more stuff than your family can use or tolerate.

Get to know your store manager and know their policies.
Jen and I are on a first-name basis at Publix, and she is more than helpful when I need assistance finding an item or even getting a rain check for me if the item is not available.

Track your savings.
A simple spreadsheet and the discipline to enter the savings after shopping is all you need to watch the savings add up.

Shop when the store is less crowded.
I try to shop early in the morning or later in the evening. It makes the experience of shopping more enjoyable, and I am less concerned about holding people up as the cashier rings up my coupons.

Be organized when you go to the register.
I have a pretty elaborate coupon folder by category, and I pull the coupons into a separate envelope as I put the item in the basket. You will see me in the aisle getting my coupons ready before I get in line. Bring a calculator and scissors.

Think coupons in all your purchases.
Whenever I am preparing to make a purchase, I look for a coupon online, on company websites or in the paper. Department stores, pet stores, fast food, etc.

Reward yourself with something special.
A trip to Italy? Maybe. Let’s face it, sometimes just staying out of debt and within your budget is a reward worth celebrating.

So go ahead and try these practical coupon tips.  Remember, you’ve got to be persistent.  Welcome to share your coupon tips or money saving tips in below.