I’ve always had the best intentions when it comes to coupons.
Yes, I plan to clip coupons for the brands and items I routinely buy. No, I’m not going to tuck them away and only remember them after they’ve expired.
Definitely not going to do that.
We’ve all been in that spot, right?
You grew up watching your mom faithfully clip coupons and stick to her grocery list. But once you live on your own, it becomes hangry runs to the store and impulse purchases galore.
Honestly, I felt like I needed a backup mom to tag along to the supermarket and keep me from overspending.
And I think I discovered just the right solution: Coupon Mom — Stephanie Nelson!
Here are five reasons I’m a fan of this longstanding blog and savings tool:
1. She Covers Stores I Actually Visit
Coupon Mom’s offers focus on retailers I already frequent.
Hooray for Target, Publix and CVS, not some distant specialty shop I’ll never wander into.
The navigation across the top of the site makes it simple to locate grocery, drugstore and restaurant coupons, and major national chains pop up when you hover over categories — no endless searching required.
2. The Deals Are Simple to Use
I know I should be stacking savings with extra rewards programs, but let’s be real.
Sometimes you’ve already got so much to remember that adding one more loyalty account or rewards login feels impossible.
That’s why I appreciate that Coupon Mom keeps the discounts straightforward. Many of the bargains listed are nearly foolproof.
Sure, I can pair a mail-in rebate with an in-store sale to score an item for free. Easy enough.
And I can flip through the coupon insert in the Sunday paper for product coupons — then add an extra markdown with my CVS ExtraCare card, for instance. (I spend a lot of time at CVS. Now that time is better spent.)
Because Coupon Mom does the arithmetic for me, I know exactly how much I’ll pocket in savings.
No hassle, no headache.
3. She Encourages Giving Back
Nelson explains in her FAQ that CouponMom.com is free to help raise hunger awareness in communities.
She doesn’t dictate which charities to support, but she urges you to connect with a food bank near you.
Coupon Mom’s weekly grocery deal lists include items tagged “charity.” These are sale items like toothbrushes, diapers or canned goods ideal for buying and donating to your neighborhood pantry or shelter.
“You will be able to feed the hungry in your community with some of your own savings!” she says, noting many charity-marked products on the weekly list are free — or nearly free — after coupons.
If you’re trimming costs by combining coupons with store promotions, you can likely afford to pick up an extra item or two to donate.
It’s nice to get a small nudge to do good while you’re saving.
4. She Helps Me Stick to My Shopping List
Forget rifling through piles of discarded coupon clippings.
Coupon Mom’s approach needs only an Internet connection, a printer and the coupon inserts from your Sunday paper.
Yes, you’ll spend a few dollars on the weekly paper, but consider the benefits.
You get the coupons, stay informed on local news, and repurpose newspapers for cleaning or gift wrap.
When you visit CouponMom.com to view your store’s weekly offers, tailor the list and print only the items you truly need.
Then use Coupon Mom’s simple coding to locate the matching coupons in your newspaper inserts.
You’ll want to keep each week’s coupon booklets for a while to maximize the coupons-plus-grocery-list strategy, but it pays off.
Instead of bulky binders of clipped coupons, you can get by with a manila envelope of coupon inserts.
5. I Get Useful Coupon Email Alerts
There’s no junk mail here.
No, seriously!
Since subscribing to Coupon Mom, the emails I receive are genuinely about coupons — not promos to join other sites or strange cross-promotions.
Nelson’s team updates the site with new coupons and sends reminders when brand-specific coupons are restocked.
Click the ones you need, print and head to the store.
I enjoy saving money, but I don’t want to spend hours hunting deals. The grocery aisles are chaotic enough without me standing there sorting through a stack of slips and notes.
Coupon Mom helps me streamline shopping so I leave sooner… and a bit wealthier!
Your Turn: Have you tried Coupon Mom? What do you like best about her site?
Also, if you’re looking for more ways to cut grocery bills, check out this guide on how to save money on groceries craigslist bartering, and for broader tips on digital deals, see save money shopping online.
