Are printable coupons worth the money in paper and ink?

Some people wonder whether the savings of printable coupons out-value the cost of printing them. I say yes, but in moderation. It is very easy, especially in the beginning of the month when coupons.com unleashes a new batch of coupon fury, to get caught up in printing everything you see. Maybe these tips I use will help you with moderation.

#1: If the normal price of any item at say Market Basket, makes the additional value of the coupon just that much better, by all means, print it. Worst case scenario, if the item does not go on sale in the allotted time, you can still use it if it is something that is always in you cabinets. I feel this way about Hormel chili. Love the stuff, so any online coupon for this product is going to get printed in my house.

#2: Think Seasonally. Many types of coupons only come out once a year. For example, pens and office supply coupons are hot in August, sunscreen and bug repellant usually come out in June and July, many produce coupons actually come out in December and January (New Year’s resolution ;) You see where I am going with this. It may behoove you to stock up on the pricier items like sunscreen or make-up (if you use it every day) if you see a high value coupon. These are the “just in casers”.

You see, the drug stores and department stores know these coupons exist. In fact, often times they work in conjunction with the manufacturers. The stores KNOW they are getting the redemption, so it makes sense to plan their sales around these coupons. If you see a coupon for a product that you feel you will likely use, for approximately 25% retail or higher, PRINT IT!!!

#3: Online coupons are typically higher in value to begin with, and you can usually print two. This is great when you want to try something that is on sale that you otherwise would not have purchased. You won’t break the bank if you are not in love, or you might just discover your new ‘FAVE’. This is what couponing has done for me is a HUGE way. We get to try things that I never would have considered putting on the grocery list.

#4: New products are a BIG reason to look online. Many times a company will come out with an enticing high value coupon so that you can try the product with little or no cost to you. For example, Tylenol came out with a product called “Precise” a few months ago. It is a pain patch. The coupon was $5/1. The sale at Rite Aid was $5/1. Yup!! Free!! Cost me a big fat zero. Again, another example of the store working in conjunction with the manufacturer.

#5: Sometimes you just forget to get the paper. I will tell you at least half of my coupon redemption is from online sites. I am not saying the paper is obsolete by any means. But, if you forget the paper one week, it is not the end of the coupon world.