Grocery Coupon Guide

The Fundamentals of Great Grocery Savings

If you’ve tried using coupons and found little to no savings on your grocery costs, it’s time to do some research.

1. What Stores Are In Your Area?

Make a list of all the grocery stores in your area. Think outside the box of your usual shopping. Even if a store seems too expensive, too big, or not as convenient, you just might be surprised. Once you learn more about the stores policies, and a few tips for maximizing your savings, you may find those “over priced” stores offer the best deals in town!

2. Do The Stores Offer Loyalty (Club) Cards?

Most stores offer a savings, loyalty, or club card. These membership cards are generally required to receive the sale or advertised prices.

Sign up for every one that is offered. In addition to the sales prices, the electronic tracking often leads to additional check-out coupons, promotional coupons, store specific coupons, and even coupons and special offers delivered to your mailbox. There are frequently special offers and incentives to increase your purchases, such as the free turkey with $50 purchases, or a special 10% off coupon once you have spent a certain amount.

For example, Safeway is currently running (5/06)a promotion that if you buy $30 of xxx products, you get a $10 coupon good on your next visit. They also offer 3% discount on Safeway gasoline with your loyalty card, and 6% after you spend a certain amount.

There are also partnership arrangements. If you register your loyalty card with United Airlines, you can receive Grocery Miles. If you register your card with Upromise, you can receive cash back for your child’s college education. If you register your grocery cards with ClubMom you receive points for every purchase and these points can be used to receive a gift card for use at the grocery store.

Even if you never plan to shop at a store, it can be worthwhile signing up for their loyalty card because not using it may provide you additional incentive savings. An example is the 10% off first purchase, or the “we noticed you haven’t been shopping with us lately, please accept this coupon…” You will never know what you’ve been missing until you are on the list, so sign up.

3. What Are The Coupon Policies For Each Store?

Not all stores are created equally when it comes to coupons. Some stores that you thought won’t accept manufacturer coupons actually will. Dollar General and BJ’s Warehouse do accept coupons, and have current promotions to increase your savings when you shop there with coupons. Major pharmacy chains, such as Rite-Aide and CVS, not only accept them, but offer manufacturers coupon in their stores. Some stores offer to match the value of the coupon (doubling). Many offer electronic manufacturer rebates, which can be combined with additional mail-in rebates to increase your savings.

Even within the same chain, each store generally sets its own rules, so take the time to ask at the customer service desk for more information on common grocery store coupon policies.

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