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Use grocery store coupons to help save on your grocery bills

Any coupon tricks and tips to help save on bills?
Probably the most effective trick is to always do your research. You can save significant money on your grocery bills by doing this. You need to compare items at multiple stores and sites and stores to find out where you can combine a sales price with your coupons for the best deals. Also, find one of the many grocery stores that offer to double your coupons and also online sites that allow you to “stack” coupons. For example, 10% off with Free Shipping.

Are people who use coupons frowned upon?
Entertainment Publications, which publishes community-based coupon books as well as Web sites, has said that the company's site has seen a 199 percent increase in consumers use of coupons for their day-to-day necessities. This shows that consumers need help with all bills. They have also seen a 63 percent increase in the use of coupons for “quick-serve" or casual meals since last year. Coupon redemption at mass merchandising stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are up 11 percent since 2007. This is according to Charles Brown, who is co-chair of the Association for Integrated Marketing's Coupon Council.

You need to combine coupons with in store-sales and two-for-ones.
One consumer recently acquired two boxes of Cheerios cereal with a coupon. They were on sale at the grocery store for 2 for $3. The person then used two $1 off coupons, saving an additional $2. The total cost per box: only 50 cents. Cool, huh? Many grocery stores also offer "in store" grocery coupons. You can use your own coupons in addition to these in store deals to save even more on your bills.

Buy the smallest size.
Most consumers are under the impression that you will save more on your bills by buying in bulk. However, when using a coupon, this often times isn't true. What you need to consider before paying is the price per ounce. Here is an example:

• Without Coupon:
• Diapers 28 count package: Price is $7.00 Cost per unit: $0.25
• Diapers 56 count package: Price is $13.00 Cost per unit: $0.23

• With Coupon:
• Diapers 28 count package: Price is $7.00 - $1.50 coupon = $5.50 Cost per unit: $0.20
• Diapers 56 count package: Price is  $13.00 - $1.50 coupon = $11.50 Cost per unit: $0.21

While the price you pay per ounce of the larger size maybe more economical without the coupon, it is better to buy the smaller size with the grocery coupon. You need to keep a small calculator in your coupon caddy or purse to help you calculate the best deal.

Find your coupons online.
When many think of coupons, they often think of the kind of coupons that come as inserts in your Sunday paper. However, with the invent of the internet all sorts of other kinds of deals, help saving, and coupons are now available that can help you with paying bills. You can quickly download all coupons, including grocery store coupons, from your computer and also print them out.