Are you making any of these couponing mistakes?
We live in a time when you can go to the grocery store, and by using a few perks and tricks, you can buy all that you need without paying the full price. Yes, we are talking about loyalty programs, discount codes, and other various promos, including coupons.
Right now, using coupons is one of the best things you can do for your wallet, and not taking advantage of them is one of the worst couponing mistakes. According to CouponFollow, this strategy can help you save up to $1,400 a year, but there is a catch. When you prepare for this type of savings, it’s a good idea to be aware of the most common couponing mistakes and learn how to avoid them.
So you better prepare and find out how to get your game up!
1. Not using loyalty apps
As we live in a digital age, it is no surprise that every merchant has a loyalty app. From grocery stores to clothing retailers, businesses are promising customers the best offers if they choose to use the loyalty app.
Unfortunately, there is a little problem here. There are too many such apps, and it can become quite overwhelming for almost any shopper to use all of them. Downloading the apps, installing them, and creating accounts for each of them is not the most enjoyable thing to do, and because of this, many people refuse to use these apps altogether.
The only thing we want to say is that not using loyalty apps is one of the biggest couponing mistakes, and there are too many people affected by it. We know that there is an initial effort that might scare you, but all the points, cashback, or unlocking exclusive deals are totally worth the hassle.
Also, you are not alone in this. If there’s any app that seems complicated to use for you, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. Most stores have customer service representatives who can guide you through the process and ensure you’re maximizing your benefits.
2. The paranoia about sharing personal information
Ok, ok, we can absolutely understand this one, and maybe you don’t get why this is on a list of couponing mistakes, but please hear us out. Scams and identity theft are everywhere, and because of this, most people avoid sharing personal info. This is amazing, and it means that people finally learned about the risks involved.
On the other hand, not anything that asks you for personal info will steal it and use it in malicious ways. We are trying to say that this excessive fear can lead to missed opportunities for significant savings, and this is why it’s one of the worst couponing mistakes.
If we are speaking of a loyalty app from a trusted store, be sure nothing bad is going to happen. Signing up for store email newsletters, text alerts, or loyalty programs can often give you the chance to take advantage of incredible discounts. However, these programs typically require basic information such as name, address, date of birth, phone number, and email. These are basic details, but if the store asks you more than this, then it’s time to be wary.
Also, remember that if you no longer want to use a service, you can simply delete your account or unsubscribe.
3. Never use digital coupons
Maybe you are used to the old-school paper and pen coupons, but we live in a digital era, and you should never forget that. The couponing game has evolved, and if you want to keep up, you should avoid this one of the couponing mistakes and try to keep up.
This is especially true for older adults. They are the number one demographic that has an aversion to digital coupons. But if you want to wave big, this is the future of coupons, and the most effective strategy is to embrace it.
Hopefully, retailers observed this trend and are actively trying to make it easy to access digital deals. For example, many stores offer in-app coupon clipping, allowing customers to save offers directly to their phones.
Don’t let the digital aspect discourage you because this is one of the couponing mistakes you want to avoid and it can cost you a lot of money in the long run.
4. Not seeking help
Sometimes you just need a little bit of extra help, and this is completely all right. There are a lot of people out there who are eager to help you, and all you need to do is reach out. Nobody can be there and assist you if you don’t let anyone know you need a hand.
So, let’s say that you can’t figure out how to use a digital coupon. No worries! There is no shame in asking a friend, family member, or even someone at the grocery store.
Depending on your age and income level, there is a chance you are eligible to get coupons for fresh fruits, veggies, and other goodies you can use at the farmers market. All of this is possible through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, but if you don’t tell anyone you need help, you may miss such an opportunity.
Or maybe you are in the store and you suddenly notice an incredible deal. Too bad that it seems that it’s out of stock. But it really is? You can’t know for sure if you don’t ask.
So, the next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to ask for help. You might be surprised at how many people are happy to lend a hand. This is one of the best ways to avoid making couponing mistakes, and you can take advantage of this information.
5. Not stacking coupons
Doing this will never be a smart idea. Maybe it seems like it, but in reality, it is one of the biggest couponing mistakes.
There are many people who just use one coupon at a time because they think they will save the other ones for later, but stacking coupons is an amazing strategy to maximize your savings.
If you ever watched those reality shows about extreme couponing, you’ve probably noticed that those people, who are the pros of couponing, never go with just one coupon. No, they skillfully master them and manage to purchase goods worth thousands of dollars for just a few hundred!
So, you can try to become a couponing champion and learn how to stack them. Try using different coupons before you check out, both in stores and online. For this, you can try to search for coupons online. Do some research because there are websites that collect all the best coupons in one place, making it super easy to find amazing deals.
Ready to become a savvy shopper? Great, as this will now be easier than ever when you are aware of all of these couponing mistakes. Remember, every dollar saved is a dollar earned! It might seem hard in the beginning, but after a while, when you start to get the rewards, you’ll realize that it was all worth it.
If you want to organize all of your coupons, this might be a life-saving product: Small Receipt Coupon Organizer, A6 Size 12 Pockets Accordion File Organizer, 8X5.3 Inches, Zipper Closure
You should also read: 8 Eco-Friendly Money-Saving Tips for a Greener Life
