Couponing Tip: Coupon-Clipping Myths That Cost You Money

Article and photo courtesy of AllYou.com

Couponing Tip: Coupon-Clipping Myths That Cost You Money

Myth: 25 cent and 50 cent Coupons Aren't Worth It:

• Reality:  Maybe not on their own, but if you buy an item on sale from a store that doubles coupons, you could turn a 25-cent coupon into a dollar or more of savings. And there are fewer of those bitty coupons out there than you think.

Myth: Collecting and Sorting Coupons Is Too Time-Consuming:

• Reality: True, reaping the savings does take some effort. But one survey showed that people who spend 10 minutes or less per week clipping coupons save an average of $7 off their weekly grocery bill. That’s like earning $42 per hour.

Myth 3: Joining an E-mail List Means Spam:

• Reality: Not always. Read the privacy policy when you sign up. Be wary of sites that say they’ll share your data with “affiliates” or “partners.” Most sites allow you to opt out of having your information shared; in most cases, you simply uncheck a box before signing up. If no opt-out exists, think twice about handing over your e-mail address.

Myth: Downloaded Programs and Online Coupons Contain Spyware:

• Reality: The coupon printing programs used by most major sites, including Coupons.com, SmartSource.com and RedPlum.com, don’t contain spyware, which can record your keystrokes to find out your passwords. But these programs do restrict how many coupons you can print (the limit is usually two).

Myth: Coupons Are Mostly for Processed, Packaged Foods:

• Reality: If processed foods aren't your thing, you can still find coupons for items such as eggs, cheese, and organic food. And everyone needs paper products and health and beauty aids, for which coupons are plentiful.

Myth: Coupons Promote Overbuying:

• Reality: While many coupons may read "40¢ off 6 Yogurts", you're still saving on each individual item. But if you don't want to get tied into buying multiple products just to save a nickel or dime, just scan over those deals. When you're browsing our printable coupons, the vast majority of coupons are for one product instead of buying several.

Myth: There Aren't Coupons For the Brands I Like:

• Reality: If you do a little searching, you can find coupons for just about everything. But if you find a coupon for a brand of, say, salad dressing you don't normally buy, why would you turn down the chance to try it at a lower price? Switching brands to save money is a great saving strategy, and you may find that you like the coupon-clipping brand more!