Anyone interested in saving money on groceries can easily find free grocery coupons, but knowing the best tips and tricks for locating dynamite deals not only saves money, but also saves time and effort in the long run, making the savings even more substantial.
Types of Free Grocery Coupons
Whether you're shopping for dog food, baby formula, orange juice, detergent, chocolate chips, hot dogs, or salad dressing, you can find coupons to lower the bill. Once you add in coupon savings for multiple products, you will find you've saved far more than just a little - it is possible to spend only pennies on name-brand products by using coupons to their full extent. But free grocery coupons come in several varieties, and savvy consumers educate themselves on what types of coupons are available before hitting the aisles.
- Manufacturer's Coupons: These are printed and distributed by the product manufacturer to entice shoppers to try their products, or to encourage continued use of classic favorite items.
- Store-Specific Coupons: These discount coupons are only valid at specific grocery stores and typically apply to local or regional products rather than nationally distributed items.
- Combination Coupons: These deals are valid only if more than one product is purchased from an approved list.
- Rebate Coupons: These discounts must be mailed in with a receipt and proof of purchase in order to redeem the value, usually a specified dollar amount or a free item.
All of these types of coupons can be found for free if shoppers know where to look for the best deals.
Where to Find Free Grocery Coupons
The easiest place to find grocery coupons is in the local newspaper; Sunday supplement sections frequently have one or two inserts of more than a dozen different coupons, which can more than compensate for the cost of the paper itself. Shoppers who prefer to find their coupons without the hassle of a newspaper subscription or purchasing a paper, however, can still find great deals in a number of different free locations:
- Store-specific coupons are often printed directly in a store's weekly sales flyer.
- Some grocery stores have dispensers with manufacturer's coupons conveniently located next to the specified product.
- Store-sponsored programs such as classes, family events, or open houses may offer free coupons.
- Magazine advertisements frequently include coupons, particularly for food, baby, or cosmetic items.
- Promotional products may have coupons printed directly on the label or packaging.
- Stores offering double coupon days are essentially providing each shopper with duplicate free coupons with no extra clipping or effort.
- Mail-in surveys frequently offer coupons for popular products as incentives for participants.
- Store and manufacturer websites may offer printable coupons for interested consumers.
- Specialized websites feature categorized listings of hundreds of coupons for registered users to print for free.
Notes about Websites
There are numerous coupon websites available online, but before signing up, users need to be aware of what these sites offer and how they operate.
The pros:
- The websites are usually free to use after registering (there is no charge to register).
- Listings are categorized (pets, grocery, travel, automotive, etc.) to make finding coupons for specific products quick and easy.
- Search features help shoppers in a rush save both money and time.
- Additional savings features are often available, including free sample offers, reward programs, sweepstakes, and budgeting tips.
The cons:
- Registration requires an e-mail address and users may become swamped with spam e-mails or unrelated offers.
- While the site may offer hundreds of coupons, many may be local or regional offers not available to all users.
- Sites are frequently heavy on advertisements and graphics and may be difficult to navigate quickly.
Despite a few setbacks, however, coupon-related websites are a tremendous resource for consumers interested in free grocery coupons.
Resources
Recommended websites for free grocery coupons include:
Using Coupons
Once shoppers have found their free grocery coupons, the only step left is to use them and save. Be sure to always check the expiration date as well as any qualifications (specific product size, quantity, etc.), and take care to plan menus around current coupon deals to maximize savings.
