Free Grocery Coupons

Free grocery coupons, are like free money, but they're only valuable if you use them wisely and don't end up spending a lot of your time finding and clipping coupons that you ultimately won't use.

They trade online; use coupon circles, and even purchase coupons in bulk.

Then they devote huge amounts of time clipping, filing, trading and rotating their collection of coupons. Don't get me wrong, I admire these hardcore couponers, but most of us just don't have that kind of time or coupon clipping savvy.

But that doesn't mean you can't make a serious dent in your grocery bills and even score a few freebies in the process with a few simple couponing tips.

• Make a Shopping List: I've said this before, but in order to make the best of any coupons you have, you have to know what you actually need. So take a quick glance in your fridge, freezer and pantry and make up a weekly shopping list.



• Collect Your Coupons:The easiest place to find coupons is in your Sunday paper. A lot of these are manufacturer coupons good anywhere you shop.

Store circulars sometimes include coupons for items purchased just in that store. Don't trash the circulars before you review what's on sale. Find the bargains then match them up with any coupons you may have for even more savings.

• Find Free Online Coupons: There are some online sources for free grocery coupons that won't take much time but will get you additional savings. Use the link below to print off some quick coupons right now.




Search for Your Grocery Store Online: Most National and Regional chains have a web presence. Using your zip code they can identify the sales you'll find in the store nearest you and email that sale circular right to your inbox.



• Visit Manufacturers Websites: Chances are you can find a printable $ off coupon, and/or an opportunity for a free sample or two. Huggies, Betty Crocker, Lysol, and Olay (just add dot com) are just a few of the companies that I know off the top of my head that offer online coupons for their products.
  


• Check Your Receipts: Lots of stores now print free grocery coupons for you right at the check out, and if you are a member of the stores discount club they will track your purchases and give you coupons for products you buy regularly. How handy is THAT?!? :)

  Some will even offer $$ off your next shopping order!



• Clip Everything at Once: Once a week I sit down with my shopping list and a cup of coffee, and I look through all the fliers, sale papers, and pages I've printed and clip all my free grocery coupons at once. This way I'm focused on just what I need.

  I usually do this a day or two before I go shopping. Make sure you do it weekly because most coupons don't have long before they expire.

• Organize, Organize, Organize: This is important. Find a way to organize your coupons that works for you. Anything from a simple envelope to a categorized three ring binder will work. Just find something that works for you and keep it simple. I use a small plastic coupon organizer I got from Wal-mart for coupons I plan on using that week.

  Anything I clip for future use just goes into a manila envelope. I quickly go through those every week; pull what I need, then trash any that have expired. I just use paper clips to keep similar products bundled together. Remember, the more elaborate you get with your filing, the more time it will take. The key is not to waste time while you try to save money.




• Trade: You can trade coupons online, but you don't need to join an online group to take advantage of coupon trading. I trade with my sister who lives two states away. If I come across a coupon I know she can use I clip it and put it in an envelope for her. She does the same for me. Once a week we mail the envelopes to each other.