Get Frugal and Smart: 4 Steps to Efficient Couponing

The phrase ‘Every Little Helps’ is key when you’re a bargain hunter and a keen user of coupons. The codes tend to give you a discount which is a small fraction of the overall price, but if you remain frugal and use them in the right way then your savings over an entire year will be mammoth.

We’ve put together four steps, which should ensure you get those savings from coupon codes and reap the benefits…

Step One: Find your favorite coupon code directories…

The Internet is littered with coupon code websites, some fantastic, and others not so much. Luckily you’ll find more than your fair share of the good ones, but keeping track of every single one will take up too much time. The answer? You need to identify a few favorites (perhaps two to four) so that you’re not overloaded.

Consider factors like user navigation and simplicity of the interface when you choose, how regularly it is updated, whether it lists coupons for items that you are interested in, and whether you can sign up to its RSS feed, or get email updates on the latest deals.

Our personal favorite is FreeShipping.org for the simplicity of the site, and its broad range of coupon niches.

Step Two: Find a site with buyer opinions…

Finding tons of coupon codes is wonderful, but they’re not always all useful. The best coupon sites are the ones that allow members to comment on (or even just rate) the codes, so that you can tell instantly which ones are worth the bother.

You can ensure this way that you’re only using coupons from trusted sources, and you’ll get to know where the best ones come from too. Take Coupon Sherpa for example: this site features deals and coupons selected and voted by members (take a look at a sample page for example: Sears coupon code). This is definitely my favorite site when it comes to bargain hunting and coupon collecting.

Step Three: Set up a system to keep you updated…

There are tons of tools on the web to keep you updated on the latest coupon deals, and they go beyond the realms of email newsletters and automation too. Try the RSS feeds offered by your favorite bargain hunting websites (Wizz RSS is a great one that comes in the form of a FireFox plugin). Also, you can use Twitter, and twitter tools like Seesmic, so you get short 140 character updates as soon as they’re tweeted.

If you look, most coupon code blogs and sites will have a twitter account. You can even have them sent right to your cell phone. Lastly, there are also some sites that offer their own specialized subscription options (Freeshipping.org, for example where you can choose your “Favorite Coupons” and they will show you the possible buying options).

Step Four: Do the math…!

It’s all too easy to see a coupon and automatically think you’re getting a good deal with it, but the truth isn’t always so! Make sure you use your calculator and compare prices on products before you use a coupon with them. Make sure the site you found it on hasn’t just put up the price, and then offered ‘money off’. Do the math and check other people’s opinions and you’ll be golden!