Saving money is the priority of most people, and one surefire way to save a buck is using coupons and promo codes. Through these money-saving tools, consumers can buy goods and services at a cheaper price and, in some cases, for free.

You can save a good amount of your total purchases by knowing where to find coupons, using them well, and maximizing the benefit from them on making purchases for day-to-day commodities.

Here's how you can make the most out of coupons and promo codes.

Understanding the Basics of Coupons and Promo Codes
Coupons and promo codes are discounts that retailers offer to encourage purchases. While coupons are usually paper or digital vouchers that can be used in-store or online, promo codes are usually alphanumeric codes entered at checkout for online purchases. Both options offer significant savings on groceries, clothing, electronics, dining, and even travel expenses.

These may come as manufacturer-issued coupons, which are usable at many different retailers, or store-specific coupons usable only at a particular store. Promo codes work similarly to coupons but offer discounts such as a percent off the total purchase, free shipping, or BOGO deals.

Where to Find Coupons and Promo Codes
Most consumers have no idea of the number of discounts available. The best places to find coupons and promo codes include:

Retailer Sites: Many stores publish their promo codes on their websites, especially during special sales events.

Coupon Websites: Websites such as Naughty America discount for 74% off, RetailMeNot.com, and Coupons.com help thousands of retailers with up-to-date promo codes.

Email Newsletters: Signing up for a store's email often rewards you with an exclusive discount and continues to give you savings regularly.

Newspaper Inserts: Yes, those old-school coupon clippings from Sunday newspapers still offer a load of discounts on groceries and household items.

Loyalty Programs: Most retailers and grocery stores have special deals and digital coupons available to their members.

Social Media Pages: Stores often offer promo codes and flash sales on their social media pages.

Mobile Apps: Many apps, like Rakuten and Ibotta, provide cashback opportunities and unique discounts for purchases made through an app.

In-Store Promotions: Some retailers provide printed coupons at checkout or special discounts to return customers.

Maximizing Savings with Coupons and Promo Codes

Stacking Coupons for Bigger Discounts
Some retailers let their customers combine multiple coupons in case of one purchase. That means you can use a manufacturer coupon plus a store coupon and promo code. For instance, if the store has sales on something with 20% off and you add a manufacturer's coupon on that, you will save more.

Combining Coupons with Sales
Save more on items that are already on sale with coupons. Many grocery stores and other retail chains allow you to use coupons on top of their clearance or sale items, which can further lower the overall price.

Cashback and Rewards Programs
Most credit card companies, apps, and store loyalty programs offer some type of cashback rewards. Getting cashback while using an effective promo code or coupon is a great way to save on your purchases while building up your rewards. Some stores will provide cashback in the form of store credit to be used for future purchases.

Timing Purchases Around Sales
Many stores have seasonal sales, Black Friday deals, and holiday sales. If you save your highest-value coupons to use during these times, you will get the most savings possible. Many stores also offer an annual clearance sale in which they drastically reduce prices on items so that they may restock with new items.

Signing Up for Store Memberships
Many retailers also have special coupons and discounts available for loyalty program members. These programs are free to join most often and could dramatically reduce future purchases. Many offer early access to sales, free shipping on purchases, and even birthday discounts.

Digital Coupon Apps
It's never been easier than it is now to use a digital coupon. Apps like Honey and Rakuten apply promo codes automatically to your cart at check-out so you will never miss a discount. Most grocery stores have apps where you can load digital coupons right onto your loyalty card.

Buying in Bulk and Using Coupons
If you know you use a lot of something, buying in bulk can save money. Warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam's Club allow customers to use manufacturer coupons with bulk purchases for considerable savings.

Avoiding Common Couponing Mistakes
Couponing is a great way to save money, but there are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Buying things you don’t need: It is on sale does not mean it has to be in your possession. It also means staying within the shopping list and no impulsive buying.
Forgetting Dates: Remember that coupons and promotion codes also have expiry dates, so ensure you check that.

Not Comparing: Sometimes, even with a coupon, you may get it cheaper somewhere else. Comparing is always a good idea.

Not reading the fine print: Some coupons have restrictions, ranging from minimum quantities of purchase to the exclusion of certain brands.

Missing a free shipping option: Many promotional codes include free shipping and can save quite a bit depending on how much is ordered

Not taking advantage of referral discounts: Most online stores have a referral system whereby you and your friend receive discounts when they open an account and make a purchase.

People have been able to save thousands of dollars by using their coupons and promo codes right. For example, extreme couponers have been known to get entire grocery hauls free because they stacked coupons upon coupons and shopped at the right times. Others have saved hundreds on online shopping by using cashback apps, waiting for the right promo code, and combining discounts with store sales.
For instance, a customer buying a pair of shoes for $200 may get a promotion code for 20% off in addition to getting a $10 store coupon and using a credit card that gives 5% cashback, totaling almost $60 in savings.