Retail Coupons

One of my favorite types of shopping is using retail coupons. Today nearly every type of store offer some form of discount. These coupons are found everywhere.

Check your Sunday newspaper, at least 20 outlets offer savings: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Staples, Office Max, Walgreens, CVS, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Michaels, Mavis, Midas, Kohl’s, Old Navy, many restaurant chains, local outlets and the list goes on.

Lots of coupons are even mailed to your home, especially if you’re an individual credit or frequent shopper card holder. My mailbox is like Christmas every day. Today I received a 20% coupon for Lord & Taylor in addition to $15 off any purchase. It’s hard to resist.

The internet is an excellent source of discounts. First, sign up for individual store’s e-newsletters. Daily I receive discounts from restaurants, clothing, book, and hardware stores. I recently received $10 in rewards from TruValue hardware and $8 from Staples for recycling rewards.

The internet also provides various coupon codes that save money for online purchases. Go to www.couponqueen.com for codes to use at checkout. These discounts vary from a percent off the purchase to free shipping. Never make that online purchase before looking for a checkout code.

Various mobile phones have applications that allow you to download the coupon for a current purchase. There’s a bar code that is scanned at the register and the discount is applied immediately. It’s hard to believe how far coupons have come.

Coupons have become a way of life. The economy is slumping and coupons at the retail level, like the supermarket, still prove to be one of the best forms of promotion. Everyone loves a bargain, and few can resist their lure.

The most important concept to remember is to use those coupons wisely. With store purchases, I always look for the reduced rack, and then apply the coupon. It’s the same basic philosophy as supermarket shopping. Buy the item on sale and then use the coupon.

Brand flexibility is necessary here too. Don’t shop with a specific item in mind. Need new shoes, keep an open mind and pick a sale item. It’s fun too since you never know what you’ll find.

A few last notes to keep in mind.

• Never buy something you don’t need just because you have a coupon.
  
• Keep the retail coupons handy for quick shopping trips.
  
• Sign up for retail e-newsletters for e-coupons and printable coupons.
  
• Have a separate email for all retail correspondence.

Happy Savings.

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