One question I get asked pretty often is “Should I use my coupon now, or wait?” It’s a great question, one that I wanted to know the answer to when I first started couponing. Should I get toothpaste while it’s 25¢, or will it be free soon? Sure enough, I would buy the toothpaste and then it would end up being free after coupon the very next week! Has it happened to you yet?
I wish that I could put together a list for you that tells you how much to pay (or not pay) for certain items. But, really, prices will vary by region and individual. Prices are different all over the U.S. and also vary from big city to small town. Plus, if you are brand loyal to some products, then it may make sense for you to pay a little more for them. So, remember that a good price for one person isn’t always the same for everyone.
After you’ve been couponing for a while you will start to see a trend in sales and coupons. Most of the time you can expect a sale on an item soon after a coupon comes out for it. But, how do you know if it’s the best price you’re going to get? You don’t really. You just have to know how much YOU are willing to spend on an item. If the product’s price is in your target price range, stock-up rather than risk having to pay almost full price soon after.
The fastest way to learn your target price ranges is to start a price book. Just keep track of what you regularly pay for certain items. If you start to realize that you can get toothpaste free at least every 3 weeks, then you know that you probably don’t need to pay for toothpaste at all. After you’ve been couponing for a while, you will have these prices committed to memory, and you will be able to tell immediately if something is a good deal or not.
You see, it’s a tricky game! Knowing when to play your coupons is very hard to judge. Just know that no matter if you get the product 75% off or 90% off, you are still getting a great deal! You are saving your family money either way!
Have some Free Product Coupons? I explain the best time to use those HERE!
Great tips! I so need to figure this couponing thing out, our money is running beyond tight, as with most families. I look forward to reading more here to find some great tips!
.-= Brandy´s last blog ..Inbox Nightmares? Organization Tips =-.
Definitely some great tips here on making the best use of your coupons. I find myself refusing to pay full price for just about everything. Like today I went to Stater Bros because they had Powerade for 15 bottles for $5, breaks down to 34 cents each. They ran out of coupons and wouldn’t give me the sale price so I didn’t buy them. A dollar a piece is not a good deal when I know in a week or so they will be down to 89 cents each or the Gatordes will go on sale.
Happy Stuble’n!
.-= Patty Reiser´s last blog ..{POTD} The Star Flower =-.
I just read everyones post …your questions are so helpful. All I want to say is you are all my new BFF.
looking for some good coupons!