How To Match Coupons To Sale Prices

Now that you have multiple coupons for items your families loves, do you run off to the store and use them right away? Only if they are on sale! I already posted about when to use a coupon, and the answer to that is “when the item is on sale!” When it is on sale, you want to get as many as your family needs at the lowered price.

How do you know when an item is on sale? You look at your grocery ads! Don’t just glance at them, either. Truly study them. I never see all of the good deals the first time I look through a sale ad. Sometimes I’m still catching things I didn’t notice before the 4th time I look at it.

Once you see an item that is on sale, the next step is to see if you have a coupon for it. Now this step delves deep into your system of coupon organization, and I promise to discuss that a bit more at a later time.

For right now, let’s just say that there is the clipping method, and the non-clipping method of organization. If you are a clipper, look through your clipped coupons to see if you have one for the item on sale.

If you are a non-clipper, then you probably already have a favorite internet coupon database.  A coupon database is an online listing of every coupon that is available (hasn't expired).  You put in a search term, and if a coupon exists for that item, it will tell you the date the coupon was issued and which insert it was in. If there is a printable coupon available, the database will link you right to it!  I prefer to use www.afullcup.com, although if I don’t find what I’m looking for there, I will take my search elsewhere. Once the database tells you where the coupon is, find it and clip it. The clippers out there might also opt to search a coupon database so they do not miss any printable coupons that may be available.

Many blogs post extensive coupon match-ups as well, and even scour the stores for unadvertised sale items. I suggest you do a google search for “Your store name & coupon match ups” and see if you can find a site near you that offers this for any of the stores you shop at. Follow those blogs or stop by when a new ad comes out.

Once I have gathered up the coupons I need to use for my sale items, I make a list for each store, and keep those coupons I plan to use with it so I have them handy when I head out to shop. I keep the coupons I plan to use separated by store so there is no confusion when I check out.


How do you find out if there is a coupon for an item you want to buy?  What's your favorite coupon database?  Let us know below so we can check them all out and pick a favorite!

Check back tomorrow when I talk about shopping at drug stores!  Subscribe to my emails so you don't miss it!