couponing website on laptop

Hunt Those Bargains, Baby! A Guide To The Best Couponing Websites For Beginners In 2019

Over 69% of Americans say they have purchased an item online, although, with recent trends in shopping( for not only products but food items), it’s estimated that by 2020, over 20% of global grocery sales will take place online, too!

With those numbers steadily increasing, learning how to save money while online shopping is a must.

Couponing is one of the easiest ways to save some cash, but not everyone knows how to do it. That’s why couponing websites for beginners are so helpful, as they do the dirty work for you!

Whether you’re just dabbling with couponing, or wanting to learn the tricks of the trade, here is your guide to hunting for those bargains.

1. Learn Where, Exactly, You Can Find the Coupons

Finding coupons in print is easy: just check the back of the Sunday paper or the physical coupon inserts! If you’re looking online, however, the possibilities are endless.

You can find coupons directly from the manufacturer (a tip for this is to sign up for the company’s newsletters or on their website!). You can also find coupons through online promotions or specific coupon websites, like this one here.

2. Understand the Couponing Lingo and Slang

Coupons, although simple in nature, can sometimes have complicated jargon. For example, what does one coupon per purchase mean? And does that always apply?

Yes, there are some stores that only allow one coupon per purchase. For these locations/websites it’s important to use the highest percentage off, while making sure the discount actually applies to the product(s) you’re buying.

Understanding the couponing lingo is super important. If you don’t understand what the coupon is saying, you might not get the best deal. For example, BOGO means Buy One, Get One. This is entirely different than BOGO 50% which means Buy One, Get One 50% Off.

3. Research to Find the Best and Most Reliable Couponing Websites for Beginners

Couponing isn’t necessarily difficult but if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might waste time searching through unreliable sites or trying coupon codes that don’t actually work.

One way to avoid this is to do your research. High-ranking coupon sites will explain things like expiration dates, loyalty codes, and terms/restrictions of the coupons themselves. As you learn more about the couponing website, you’ll also want to look into the return/exchange policies, too.

If you have to return something you used a coupon for, you’ll want to make sure returns are possible (and not too much of a hassle). It might also be beneficial to carry (or take a screenshot) of the company’s coupon policy to have on hand.

4.  Use the Internet to Guide You

If you’re not sure what makes a good couponing website, rely on simple internet searches to lead you in the right direction. There are thousands of people who coupon (and are passionate about it!). Rather than trying to learn everything on your own, trust people who have shared advice online.

They know more than you do and can help point you in the right direction.

5. Consolidate Your Coupons

If you’re someone who prefers printed coupons, then cut, print, rip, and store all your printed coupons in one place. Perhaps this can be a file folder, notebook, or even a small plastic bag.

If you prefer to go digital, creating an online folder, Drive, DropBox, or even virtual notebook may benefit you. You may even consider creating a ‘secret board’ on Pinterest or other social media/networking site.

Either way, the most important thing is to have your coupons in one place and on hand when you’re shopping. You never know when you might need them!

6. Keep Your Budget in Mind

When navigating different couponing websites for beginners you might have the urge to overspend, simply because you’re excited about the deals. While this is totally natural, it’s important to keep your budget in the forefront of your mind.

Even though you may be saving, if you overspend, you’ll create a deficit which defeats the purpose.

7. Learn From Social Media

Social media can be an excellent couponing tool. Not only do companies and brands advertise their products on these pages directly, but they often share coupons, discounts/discount codes, and other freebies or giveaways.

Because social media is naturally more personal, too, companies will often share coupons that they don’t share anywhere else.

8. Give Yourself Time

One of the biggest misconceptions about couponing is that it’s a quick process. Although the process itself is easy, the research and time that’s put into couponing can be daunting (especially at first).

One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that you have to be patient. You’ll oftentimes spend several hours looking for coupons, saving/printing them, and making sure you’re getting discounts that actually relate to items you’re looking to buy.

9. Stay As Organized As Possible

If you’re looking to become a master at couponing, you have to stay organized. Whether this is sifting through expired coupons or separating coupons by stores or locations, keeping on top of your collection will ensure you save the most time and money on your next shopping trip.

Ready to Start Couponing?

Whether you’re just beginning or have been wading in the couponing waters for some time, the process of saving money with coupons doesn’t have to be as hard as you think.

The first step is finding the best couponing websites for beginners, which begins with a simple internet search.

For more couponing and money-saving tips, be sure to check out our website.