Think coupons aren’t worth it? Not if you’re doing them right – and it doesn’t have to eat up hours of your life. A new book from the authors of the Living On The Cheap website shows why.
“The Ultimate Guide to Coupons: How to Save More Money in Less Time and Get The Best Deals” shares what authors Teresa Mears and Laura Daily call the “secrets of super savers.”
Specifically, “the smart way to use coupons, investing just minutes to save dollars.” They’ve produced a book that stays true to the LOTC mission: to help people live their best lives without breaking the bank.
“The Ultimate Guide to Coupons” also dispels some myths:
- Clipping coupons is not worth the effort. (These days it may no longer be necessary.)
- Coupons are only for junk/processed food. (You couldn’t be more mistaken.)
- Rebates are too much trouble. (New apps make earning as easy as pointing and clicking.)
To celebrate the book’s release, the authors have put out a $2-off coupon on the e-version (more on that in a minute). You can also buy the book on Amazon.
The habits of super savers
Coupons are no longer those fiddly scraps of paper from the Sunday inserts (which are getting thinner and thinner, alas). You can still clip – I do – but apps and downloadable coupons are big business these days.
Not just for groceries and toiletries, either: You can get Qs for meals out, entertainment, health care, auto service, home repair and remodeling, sporting events and just about anything else you need or want. The trick is knowing where to find them and how to use them (e.g., habits like “stacking” and reading the fine print vs. just looking at the picture on the Q).
The book demystifies apps like Ibotta, Target Cartwheel, Favado and Shopkick, to name a few. If you’ve got a smartphone, you’re all set. (Note: I still use a flip phone but am able to download digital coupons at Walgreens and Fred Meyer on my laptop. Fellow flippers: Don’t write off e-coupons!)
“The Ultimate Guide to Coupons” is a clearly written, incredibly useful guide that shows consumers how to get the most bang for their bucks. It would make a great gift for a new college grad, a newlywed couple or, frankly, anyone who believes in the frugal credo that only amateurs pay retail.
The downloadable version of “The Ultimate Guide to Coupons” costs $10 – and yep, there’s a coupon for it. Or rather a coupon code: Visit the authors’ website and enter the coupon code LOTC2OFF at checkout. The print version is $14.95 on Amazon.
Related reading:
I’m a grocery Q devotee but never really got into the other types you mention… until my recent home renovation. I saved on carpet using a Q from a local business mailer, saved on building supplies by downloading a home center Q for new contractor accounts (for price bidding purposes, not credit card), got a manufacturer rebate for paint, got a regional water authority rebate for low flow toilets, plus more. It really helped stretch the reno budget. I LOVE saving and I love my new house.
If you’re doing yard/garden stuff, sign up for Home Depot’s garden club. You’ll get coupons e-mailed regularly.
And congratulations on your updated digs.