Find Coupons and Save Beaucoup Bucks

You didn't imagine it: Food prices have steadily risen through the first half of 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So have prices for just about everything else.

What's a consumer to do? Find coupons and use them everywhere, say the experts.

Stephanie Nelson, creator of CouponMom.com, says you can find coupons everywhere you turn now, but you have to be open to using them.

"Brands and retailers are spending more money than ever to show you how to save money at their stores, so take advantage," she says.

"If you don't use the savings and coupons that are literally all around you, you're simply paying more than those who do," says Andrea Woroch, consumer savings expert for Kinoli Inc. and creator of CouponSherpa.com. Woroch says coupons save consumers an average of 12 percent per transaction at the grocery store.

Just 10 percent of all coupons are redeemed, according to the NCH 2011 Coupon Trends Report. Yet it's been estimated that every hour spent couponing is worth $100, according to the 2010 Free Standing Insert Distribution Trends booklet by Kantar Media. Who wouldn't like a return on investment like that?

To learn how to find coupons, read on.

Collect coupons from every place they are offered because no matter where you shop, you want to use coupons to save more money.

"We're not just talking about grocery store manufacturer coupons," says Woroch. She says you can save even more than that average 12 percent at just about every other type of national retailer.

For example, many retailers, including Sears, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters and Payless ShoeSource all recently offered 20 percent-off coupons. Macy's, Kohl's, Sports Authority, Lowe's and Office Depot offered $10 off of a $50 purchase. Even grocery stores regularly offer "dollars-off" coupons such as a recent $5 off of a $35 purchase at Winn-Dixie and $10 off of a $75 grocery purchase at Target. When coupled with the use of the manufacturer coupons, you can save even more.

Open your eyes to less-common places to find coupons.

* Online bank statements: In a partnership with BillShrink, more than 2,000 banks monitor customer spending and provide clickable coupons within your online bank statements based on how you shop, says Woroch. "If you're already shopping and eating there, click on them to save even more money."

* Paper receipts: Look for coupons that come on or with your receipt, called "catalinas," which are based on your purchases. Also, check your receipt for an offer to fill out a satisfaction survey to receive an average of 15 percent to 20 percent off your next purchase. "Spend just five minutes to get those survey savings," says Woroch. "Why leave that money in the retailer's pocket?"

* Ticket stubs: Check the back of your ticket stubs, especially at sporting events (even high school events). Fans often leave these in the seats, so pick up discarded ones for more savings.

Take a proactive approach to use coupons and save money with your smartphone.

* Free apps: Use free mobile apps to find coupons, savings and deals you can download to your phone and scan right from the screen. No clipping required. Apps such as Shopkick, Coupon Sherpa, The Coupons App and Foursquare are GPS enabled, so they know where you are and offer relevant deals. "Check these apps before you check out," says Woroch.

* Text coupons: "Opt in on the retailer's website or in (the) store when asked to allow coupons and savings to be sent directly to your phone via text," says Woroch.

Next >

Bankrate.com is the Web's leading aggregator of information on financial products including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Visit Bankrate.com to get the tools and information that can help you make the best financial decisions.