Savinly assistant editor Marcus Hale and his wife, Liza, spend roughly an hour and a half preparing for most grocery runs.
I could spend that time watching a few episodes of “Broad City.” But after sitting beside Hale in our office for a short while, I began to suspect he could teach me a thing or two. This guy truly enjoys cutting costs.
Over recent years, the pair have sharpened their couponing techniques. Together, they’ve trimmed their grocery spending to $300 each month for their family of four — and they don’t subsist on processed, additive-heavy foods.
I asked Hale for his top extreme-couponing pointers for newcomers. It turns out they aren’t as over-the-top as reality TV would have you believe, so set aside visions of walking out with $2,000 of groceries for a penny.
How to Start Extreme Couponing
True extreme couponing simply takes a mix of common sense, shopping smarts and good organization. And getting going is straightforward.
1. Gather Your Supplies
If you only want to use coupons occasionally, skip this section.
But if you plan to take your couponing to the extreme level, don’t rely on a basic inkjet. Hale recommends buying a laser printer so you can take advantage of the many online coupons you can print at home.
Toner cartridges last much longer than inkjet cartridges, and remanufactured toner can cut printing costs by up to 75%. Laser printers can be found starting near $75, and you’ll recoup that investment in grocery savings sooner than you think.
Next, be strategic about paper. “A laser printer reduces paper costs because it feeds smaller scraps more reliably,” Hale said. With careful cutting, you can print three to four coupons per sheet.
But don’t grab the first ream at the office-store checkout. Hunt for promotions and rebates on cases of copy paper that typically retail for $25 to $50.
Hale looks for “buy one, get one for a penny” offers on paper cases — a good move if you can pay upfront and wait for a rebate.
Not ready to bulk buy? Search for store-brand rebates that drop the cost of one case to about $15. Those 5,000 sheets will last quite a while.
Hale offered another paper trick that impressed me and delighted my eco-minded side: print coupons on your junk mail. Instead of tossing circulars, pull out pages printed only on one side.
“Grocery stores don’t mind writing on the back of a coupon,” Hale said, “so long as the barcode scans.”
2. Grab Competitor Coupons
Evaluating competitor coupons used to mean combing through newspaper flyers; thankfully, the internet has simplified that chore.
Some retailers openly accept competitor coupons; others don’t advertise it because it varies by region. Finding out your local stores’ rules is as easy as asking at customer service.
“Always search online first for competitor coupons,” Hale advised. Some stores limit which coupons they post, but you may be surprised to find even upscale chains sometimes provide them.
Finding coupons online is pretty straightforward, though the volume can be overwhelming. Hale favors Couponaholic and Krazy Coupon Lady; I prefer Coupon Mom; other Savinly staffers might recommend Coupons.com or Red Plum.
Once you settle on a few go-to sites, stick with them and avoid chasing every single deal. If coupon-hunting consumes too much time, the value of your savings will decline.
Think about what your time is worth before you begin clipping (either digitally or on paper).
3. Stack Your Deals
Deal stacking boosts your savings by layering discounts from manufacturers, stores, competitors and rebate apps. It’s the most effective way to cut costs, though it carries some risk.
“Don’t shy away from trying a coupon you’re not certain will work,” Hale said. He remembered being pleasantly surprised when a grocery chain accepted a drugstore catalina coupon.
“If it fails, you learn something,” he added. If you really want the item, you’ll simply save less. Or you can tell the cashier you don’t want to purchase that item.
New products often offer the most opportunities for stacking, so be open to experimenting with new items.
“You can’t cling to brand loyalty” and expect couponing success, Hale cautioned, when trying to maximize stacked discounts. “Be willing to change brands, but stay within the quality you prefer.”
4. Do the Math
Clipping the occasional coupon feels satisfying, but making a list and running some numbers before you shop will help you estimate your savings — and whether your shopping list aligns with your grocery budget.
Doing your homework will better position you to judge your results. Hale suggests taking a few minutes to review your shopping trip after you get home. Did you make errors or gain insights? Did your total match what you expected?
“If you’re off by more than a dollar, something’s wrong,” Hale said. Match your receipt to your initial calculations to learn how to improve future trips.
If your total is significantly different, confirm the cashier didn’t miss any coupons. Cashiers are human and sometimes overlook one or two.
Many stores will add a missed coupon after the purchase and refund the difference. Just stop by customer service and request assistance.
5. Get Organized (and Be Polite)
Some practical tips before you head into the store:
- Don’t prepare for your shopping trip by watching Extreme Couponing. That show isn’t an accurate representation, Hale says.
- Read and understand each store’s coupon policy. “Print it and carry a copy,” Hale advised. Policies are usually plainly written and can help ensure you maximize savings if you encounter a new or grumpy cashier.
- Get organized before you reach the register. Find a quiet aisle to sort coupons and double-check your list. Every cashier scans coupons differently, so stay observant and ask questions if something doesn’t ring up properly.
- Don’t chase the shortest checkout line. Instead, find a friendly cashier — someone who seems to enjoy helping customers.
- Be courteous to other shoppers. “If someone only has a few items, let them go ahead,” Hale suggested. “You don’t want the person behind you scowling.”
6. Don’t Sweat Mistakes Too Much
Mastering extreme couponing won’t typically leave you with a two-cent grocery bill on your first try (or maybe ever).
“When we began, we had four newspaper subscriptions” to collect all the coupon inserts, Hale recalled. “Then we realized we could get everything online.”
Ready to give it a go?
“Start small and make mistakes,” he suggested. Even after years of couponing, he still slips up.
“Don’t be scared to try something and mess up and learn from it. Begin with four or five items, run the numbers and see how it works.”
Your Turn: Are you an extreme couponer? What tactics do you use to find the best bargains?
