Couponing- It’s all about the sales!

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The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:

The natural inclination is to make a list of the things you’re out of, then go to the grocery store to buy them. WRONG! If you do that, you have just agreed to purchase them at whatever price they are selling for. How do you pay a lower price? I introduce to you, the sales cycle.

What is a sales cycle?
The period of time between the best sale price and the regular price.

How long does it usually last?
12 weeks (3 months).

How much do I need to buy?
Enough to get you through to the next low sale price.

How do I know the best price?
Most shoppers keep a mental list of the best prices. You may also want to keep a price book, which is just a list of items you buy, brand names available, store name, price, and the date the price was noted. After reviewing this, you may decide on only a few stores to shop at, a preferred brand for each item, or the best time of year to purchase certain items.

What do I buy when?
Learn when to buy soup, cereal, turkey, fruit, packaged foods, and more. See comprehensive lists at the Krazy Coupon Lady and The Coupon Project.

What is the advantage of all of this?
If you only buy when the prices are at their lowest, you will always save the most money. Add a coupon, and you are really winning. Be prepared to have a weird combination of items in your shopping cart each week. However, over the course of a few weeks, your savings will really add up and you will have the makings of many meals.

Stay tuned for next week’s post on Stockpiling: How to do it the right way.

This is an interactive series, which will feature answers to your questions. So, ask away!

Photo Credit

– Outside The Box Mom features quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions to help busy, working moms find balance, easy meals, deals, and time for moms. Follow her on Twitter.

Other posts in this series:

• Goals when using coupons
• Common reasons why people don’t use coupons
• #1 obstacle in using coupons
• Types of coupons available and where you can get them
• Ways you can organize your coupon stash
• How to make a grocery list
• Shopping at different stores to stretch your buck