We’re in a major cost of living crisis right now and we’re all feeling the pinch. So it makes sense that everybody would want to be making every dollar count. Leveraging cash back offers and coupons is just the best way to do that because no matter where you look, you’ll be able to find those deals.
Whether you’re shopping online or you’re going in store for your groceries, understanding how to use your coupons and cashback offers effectively can help you to save some money. Taking the pressure off of your wallet and taking the pressure off of your outgoings by making sure you can supplement it somewhere is going to help you to manage your budget better. Let’s take a look at how you can make the most of coupons and cashback offers.
Understanding Coupons and Cashback Offers
Did you ever see your mum or your grandma cutting coupons from the back of magazines or newspapers when you were growing up? Coupons or promotional codes or vouchers that give you a chance to have a discount on specific products or even your entire purchase depending on where you’re shopping. You can get these digitally via email, you can get them in a printable form that you can do at home, or you can find them in the packs of newspapers under coupon codes.
Cash back offers differ. These provide you with a percentage of your total purchase amount back as a rebate once you’ve completed a transaction. Either way, both of these can be used independently and sometimes in combination to be able to save you some money.
Where to Find Coupons
There are so many different places you can find coupons that relate to the shops that you are going to. Some of the places you can find them are below:
Coupon websites
There are whole websites out there like coupons.com or retailmenot.com that can aggregate coupons from various brands and retailers.
Usually these are featured digitally, so you’ll shop online with these and they can be applied during your online checkout process. In some cases they can also be printed for use in stores.
Retailer websites
Some retailers have a dedicated coupon section on their website. For example, in the UK, Domino’s has a Domino’s Vouchers section where you can use codes that allow you to have money off of your dinner.
Checking their website or signing up for certain retailer website newsletters can provide you access to these discounts, and you can receive these via email.
Mobile apps
Apps out there on your phone right now can be used to offer you coupon opportunities. Usually these are apps that feature exclusive details and promotions that you can only access by using a dedicated app and not just the website or going in store.
It’s important that you check which stores you can actually use vouchers or coupons though, because not every voucher will be available for each store.
Newspapers and magazines
Traditional print media still often have coupons in their weekly inserts within their special editions. You should always keep an eye on these sources because you can clip these coupons to take with you to your next grocery store trip.
Types of Coupons to Look For
There are so many different coupons out there, it can be difficult to know which type you should be looking for. Some of the best ones include:
- Percentage-off coupons. These offer a specific percentage discount on your purchase or on individual items.
- Dollar off coupons. These will subtract a fixed amount of dollars from your total bill, which makes them great for larger bulk purchases in places like Costco.
- Free Delivery coupons. There are plenty of retailers out there that offer coupons that waive shipping fees, which can especially be advantageous when shopping online or going for heavy items.
- Buy one get one coupon. These coupons allow you to get a second item for free or at a discounted price when you purchase one item at full price. These are great if you’re looking to stock up.
Tips for Using Coupons Effectively
There are some retailers out there that allow you to stack multiple coupons for additional savings. For example, if you’re combining a percentage off coupon with the free shipping coupon, you’ll be able to maximize your discount and pay less overall.
You should be careful about policies and procedures when it comes to using coupons, so familiarize yourself with each retailer’s coupon policy. The last thing you want to do is to input a coupon code only to find that you are restricted or limited to how often or how well you can use it.
Maximizing Cashback Offers
You can get cash back offers from websites and apps, so sign up for cash back websites such as topcashback.com and befrugal.com so that you can earn cash back on all your purchases when you make them through their affiliate links. When you choose platforms that offer varying cash back percentages, you’ll be able to find bonuses for new users.
Another good way to maximize cash back offers is to see what your credit card can offer. If you use a credit card that offers high cash back rates on everyday purchases like groceries or gas, you’ll be able to maximize your rewards.
Safety and Security Considerations
Whether you are using coupons or cash back items, you should be very aware of the safety and security considerations. You need to only use coupons and cashback offers from legitimate, reputable sources so that you avoid scams, e-mail bombing or fraudulent activity.
Always verify the authenticity of a coupon code before you use it, and always read the terms and conditions. You should also be very cautious in providing personal information to cash back websites because the last thing you need is a million sales emails.
Tracking Savings and Budgeting
Making the most of coupons and cashback offers means tracking your savings and your budgeting. Keep records to see how much money you’re actually saving or if you’re spending more because you’re buying things you don’t need with the promise of money off. You should also budget wisely and allocate the money saved through coupons and cash back offers to other financial goals, such as building an emergency fund.investing in your future or paying off debt.
