The new way of couponing is all online. Sure, paper coupons still are useful and are not on their way out, but to maximize your savings, it’s important to not discount the mobile deals and coupons that are out there. Here are some ways to make them work for you.
Tips for Getting the Most from Mobile Coupons
Pair mobile coupons with paper ones when you can. Often, mobile coupons are not manufacturer’s coupons, but rather store coupons and many stores that offer them allow you to use both on a single item to get the lowest possible price.
Mobile Coupon Apps:
Sign up for email lists to your favorite companies and brands and get coupons that can be used at the register with no need to print. Michaels and Bath & Body Works often send coupons to their email recipients and although they are not true mobile coupons, they do allow you to use the code in-store just as you would a mobile coupon by simply showing the associate your email from your phone.
Look for apps that help you organize your coupons. While many of these apps do not have actual coupons you can use directly from your phone, they do have lists of coupons that are available and where to get them. The Favado app helps you find coupons to match items on sale at the grocery stores and drug stores. You can then email yourself a list of coupons to print.
Upload store coupons to your loyalty cards. Visit the websites for your favorite stores. Many will allow you to upload their coupons to your loyalty cards. Use the King Ring App to keep track of all of your loyalty cards. Then all you have to do is show the cashier the King Ring App instead of carrying around all those loyalty cards.
Sign up for text alerts from your favorite brands, stores and restaurants to get the best deals. Sometimes, you will get a coupon that is high value and for a free product just for signing up and opting in.
Look at the store’s app and see if there are coupons you may not be alerted about. Often, individual stores have their own apps in addition to coupon text messages that won’t send alerts. Periodically check your favorite store’s app for special deals.
Store Apps
Make sure to pay attention to promotion dates for your mobile coupons. Often they are only good for a very short amount of time such as a single day or days. Be prepared to use coupons almost immediately when you get them, especially if they are high value, as getting in on them late in the period of promotion will often leave you with empty shelves and missing out of the deal.
One way to make sure you are able to use your coupon is to pull it up as you stand in line at the register and leave it up. It can happen where you could access it at home, but for some reason the coupon won’t come up inside the store. If this happens, not only will it be embarrassing, but you won’t be able to take advantage of it.
Use apps that give you coupons and gift cards just for shopping at certain stores. These usually work by “checking in” or scanning certain products in-store. One great one is ShopKick.
Don’t assume that you can only get mobile coupons if you have a smart phone. Most mobile coupon services like those from stores like Target, will send you a text message when coupons are available along with a URL to access them. Simply type that URL into your computer’s browser and print off the coupons. Most stores will still take them as long as they scan.
Leave a Reply