Coupons, Deals and More

Do you just run out of the house like a loon when you leave to shop? Or do you meticulously check the ad for sales, match to coupons, write a list, load your binder into the car “just in case” there is a clearance sale, and plot your route on your GPS before you leave the house?

It isn’t difficult to figure out which tactic will get you better saving and a smoother check-up. In general, the more prepared you are when you leave the house, the more likely you will hand over all the coupons that matched what you are purchasing. Better preparation prior to getting into the check-out line usually leads to a smoother check-up transaction.

These are the steps I do when I shop:

• Check the ads – I write down everything I may want to purchase along with the coupons that match the sale

• Decide which stores have the best deals, and plot my course accordingly.

• Pull all the coupons I might use on the trip. I no longer sport a binder, but when I did I not only put it in my car but I faithfully carried it into the store and clipped it to the cart (so no one would walk off with it) every shopping trip.

• Check my list in the store. It really does not do me any good to write everything up that I want to buy if I am not going to refer to the list.

• Go through my coupon envelope before I get in line. That way, I can not only make certain I have the coupons for the products I am buying, but it is a double-check to make certain I actually got everything I went shopping to purchase! For me, this step is essential. You have no idea how many times I slip coupons into my envelope “just to check the price” and completely forget while I am in the store.

• And finally, make certain I give all my coupons to the cashier and check to see that not only do they scan off, but that the register is giving me the correct credit for my coupons.

What else do you do when you prep to shop?