The Secret to Grocery Print-Out Coupons

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

20 Jan 2007 05:17 PM

When you are handed your receipt at the grocery store do you notice the strip of coupons that is often given to you at the same time? You should because it is filled with coupons and offers that can really increase your grocery savings.

I used to ignore the print out coupons because they were never usually what I wanted, and they don't double. This was a big mistake. I have since learned certain strategies that have really made these coupons pay off.

Here are some of my secrets to maximize the savings potential from the grocery print out coupons that come out of the check out (register) machine.

First, always use your bonus or savings card. This is how the stores keep track of your purchases and reward or entice you with new offers. Yes, it is scary that the store knows exactly how often I buy a jar of mushrooms, but that is the topic for someone else's blog.

Switch brands often. Today I made our very first purchase of jarred baby food for Henry, who is now six months old. The Beechnut brand was on sale and I had coupons, so that is what I purchased. At the checkout, my grocery print-out coupons included $1.50 off of a package of Gerber baby food. The next time I need baby food, I'll combine that $1.50 off with a manufacturer's coupon and get the Gerber brand. Chances are pretty good that during that check out I will receive coupons for Beechnut.

Manufacturers make deals with the grocery store to have the machines print out coupons whenever a competitor brand is purchased by a consumer, hoping that the coupon will entice that consumer to be loyal to their own brand.

When you pay attention to this fact, you can time your purchases to obtain coupons for upcoming sales, making your savings even greater.

Do you like Kellogg's Corn Flakes? You will probably get a coupon for General Mills Cherrios. Is Pampers your main brand of diapers? Watch out for those Huggies coupons.

Switch brands often to rack up the savings.

How do you save money on groceries? Was this article helpful?

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Erika Lutz (309) 20 Jan 2007 08:39 PM

I didn't realize you could use the grocery print out coupon along with a regular coupon. You can use them both on one item? I will definitely be using my store print out coupons from now on then if this is what you are saying!

noname (5) 20 Jan 2007 09:32 PM

You can definitely combine manufacturer and store coupon together! Also, FYI, you can use coupons on buy one get one free. For example, save $1 on 2 jars of Ragu, but Ragu is buy one get one free, you can still get the $1 off.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 21 Jan 2007 05:23 AM

Erika, yes you can definitely combine those coupons, at least in the stores that I shop at here in PA.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 21 Jan 2007 05:25 AM

No name, that is a great point! BTW Ragu is currently having a rebate where you can get a free jar of sauce! Check out the deals blog or click on the "more from this blogger" to see the blog I wrote about it.