Savings Saturday: Is couponing actually a savings tool?

​Most of us know a person that lives by couponing. They have a whole book, with different sections, labeled with different colors, with so many different coupons… almost another part time job to keep it together! They swear by these coupons and have proven savings each and every time they pull out their coupon book at the store. So now it has you wondering, is it really worth it? Here are some things to think about as you decide if becoming a couponer is worth the savings for you.

​Do I have the time? Most extreme couponers spend an average of 10-20 hours per week checking different circulars, websites and apps to find coupons. They treat couponing like a part time job. Only this part time job has no benefits and limited pay. If you have the time to spare, it may be a good fit.
How organized are you? To be a couponer, a person needs to be extremely organized. You need to keep up with expiration dates, dates circulars come out for particular stores, when websites and apps update their coupons, and constantly be on the lookout for specials, in addition to coupons. You also need to make sure you bring the right coupons to the right store and they are the ones you can use during that time. Whew, see what I mean about being organized?

Do I have enough space? Many times, when couponing you will find yourself with multiples of items. When couponing, you need to ask yourself do you have the space for 15 boxes of toothpaste, 20 boxes of cereal or multiple large packs of toilet tissue? If you find that you don’t have the space for large, bulk items but you want to get the most out of your couponing, consider purchasing smaller bulk items that won’t take up so much space in your home.
Do you actually use things that need or have a coupon? Many items that some people use on a day to day basis don’t have coupons or using a coupon may not be worth it. If you cook every day and use fresh produce and fruit daily, couponing may not save you money like it would for those that buy things that can be frozen or canned and used days or weeks later.
Are you prepared to travel to different stores? Coupons may come in handy but sometimes a story doesn’t have the item from the coupon or the coupon can only be used a certain store. Be prepared to travel to different stores to use your coupons, which takes time and gas.
All in all, couponing can be a savings tool if you have it planned out and have the time to commit to it. If not, find other ways to save while shopping like purchasing generic brands instead of name brands, or shopping at stores that have lower prices. Then take the money you’ve saved and put it in your savings account or pay down a credit card!