During the Month of March we will be talking a lot about Extreme Couponing Strategies. I know that extreme couponing gets a bad rap from the TV Show where people are hoarding loads and loads of Mustard, but the strategies used can mean BIG Savings at the Grocery Store and I want to go over some of my favorite strategies and tips for saving this month! I don’t really believe in buying Massive Amounts of the same item but I do think the same strategies used on smaller quantities can mean having more of the items you want and need for less!
Strategy #2 – Wait For Clearance Sales
We started off this series by talking about waiting for Sales to use Coupons, but one of my FAVORITE times to use a coupon is when a Product is on Clearance.
There are a few specific times when stores put items on Clearance, you can Download the Buying Guide to see all the best clearance deals to expect each month during the year, Also most clearance sales happen for one of the following reasons:
– End of the Season
A great example of End of the Season Sales would be after a holiday like Christmas, you might be able to find Red Hefty Plates marked down, and use a coupon for Hefty Plates or Bowls, because there are full price items and marked down items your chance of finding a valid coupon is more likely.– Changes in Packaging
It’s hard to predict changes in packaging, but I find if I start to see new packaging at one store (For example Walmart) Then other stores like Target or Walgreens will probably be changing those items out soon as well, so pay attention because those changes in packaging can mean Big Savings for you!
– To Get Ready for New Products
Stores have a limited amount of shelf space, so if a product isn’t selling very well they are likely to replace it with a new or more profitable item. Coupons are also frequently issued on items to move them off store shelves and make room for new items so watch for new product displays in the middle of the aisle or on end caps. There’s a good chance they will have to make room for those new products on the store shelves.
– Clearing Out Holiday Items
Most stores start to mark down Holiday Items the day following the holiday (The Day after Christmas, The day after Halloween, The Day after Easter, etc.). By paying attention to the expiration dates on your coupons and hitting these clearance sales early you can get some Awesome Deals! Also, remember to check back Frequently, Target typically starts the clearance items at 15-30% the day after a holiday but marks them down to 70-90% within just a week or two. This is also a great time to buy ahead for the next year!
– Expiration Dates
Typically Food Items are clearanced out prior to their expiration dates, If you see food items on closeout remember to check the expiration date before purchasing. Some food items like Orange Juice, Butter, Bread, Fresh Meat, etc. can be frozen to make it last past the expiration date. By grabbing items when they get marked down you can save a lot of money and stock up on items your family uses.
Don’t forget that you can almost always stack a coupon with a Clearance Item! This is one of the best ways to save money! By combing the already low Clearance Prices with Coupons you’re maximizing your savings and getting the most for your coupons!!!
Tomorrow we will be talking about another strategy for getting the most out of your coupons!
Make sure you check out our Saving Money Blog and also our How to Coupon Page for more tips, tricks and videos on saving money and using coupons.
View all the posts in the Extreme Couponing Strategies series.
