Reader Question: Since I started couponing, I have received several coupons for free products. I am always afraid I will forget to use them before they expire, so I use them right away. Is there any benefit to holding on to these coupons or is it ok to just use them as they arrive?
Answer: When we get coupons for free items it is easy to be tempted to use them right away so they aren’t lost or forgotten, but to make of the most of these coupons it is often better to save them. I save mine in hopes that the item will go Buy One, Get One Free. When you use a free item coupon in combination with a Buy One, Get One Free sale, you will two free items!
If the item doesn’t go Buy One, Get One Free, then I try to use it to raise my total before coupons when I am using a $/$$ coupon. For example, if I have a $5 off $25 coupon at CVS, I can add one of my free items to my transaction to help bring my total up to $25 before coupons. As a result, I lower my out of pocket expense.
I keep all of my free item coupons in the front section of my binder so that I can keep an eye on those expiration dates. If I am not able to use my free item coupon in one of the above scenarios, then I use it during my regular shopping trips the week it is going to expire.
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Never thought of it this way thank you for the advise!