Couponing In College

You are going to college, or maybe you are already there. They tell you these will be the best days of your life, and they will be. You have seen the movies: Late night parties, hanging out on the quad, and the older frat guys that graduated but just cannot seem to leave. College is going to be great, and you are ready to take it by storm. Boundless freedom and a brand new bank account that you are just itching to blow. If college could be summed up in two words, they would be expensive and reckless.

Now, I know what you are thinking. Me? Reckless? No! I’m an adult now! The law says so! Would a “reckless” person have been trusted with a credit card?

The answer is yes, but you are not alone. If we are all being honest with ourselves, college is the time that we can be almost certain we will look back on and face-palm.

It’s all because of the little word I mentioned before… freedom. College is quite possibly the first time we will be free from the “oppressive reign” of our parents. Even though, we did our best to listen (I promise, I did, mom!), we are still going to make mistakes because, for the very first time, we are responsible for buying “needs” and no one is there to stop us from buying “wants.” Furthermore, we probably helped clip a coupon or two, but we still have no clue how save money.

That’s where I come in.

Dealspotr.com is awarding a scholarship to the college student that can bestow sage couponing wisdom on fellow classmates. You can access that scholarship application here https://dealspotr.com/scholarship-giveaway. However, as a student that learned the hard way, I am here to be your guide from scrapping-by to saving-high. 

From entering college students that want to avoid the mistakes of freshman year to the senior who just hasn’t quite figured it out, this list of helpful savings tips will help you afford what you need and save up for what you want.

               1. Social media can be used for more than    
                keeping up with the Kardashians

Following your favorite brand, store, or spokesperson is a great way to get inside deals. Social media is the future, and marketers realize that. Following a chain store account can save you a ton of money and even give you heads up on merchandise. Following brands and the people who promote them opens you up to receiving exclusive deals and coupon codes.

 Take away: Hit “follow” and save.

               2. Remember newspapers

Even though many of us don’t frequent the morning paper, newspapers have unmatched opportunity to save. Picking up a newspaper can save you hours searching online for where the lowest prices because newspapers contain coupon pages from most stores located near you.

Take away: Black, white, and savings all over.

               3. Savings start online

Being tech savvy helps you save on every trip to the store. Using websites like dealspotr.com, can help you search numerous deals and come out on top. The advantage to online coupon searches are that they enable you to be specific and find deals on the stuff you really want. Many websites allow you to print off coupons, as well as simply scan your phone at the register. Saving online also opens you up to shop online and save more that way as well.

Take away: Bookmark savings websites and become coupon king.

               4. Students get everything

A tip I didn’t even know until someone told me is that many local and national stores give discounts to students (they know we don’t yet have the skills – or degree – to pay the bills). All you have to do to receive these discounts is show your student ID or type in your .edu email address. Student discounts can help you save on things from clothes to travel. Even your cell phone plan may have a discount available. If you are curious where you can get student discounts, your answers are but a Google search away.

Take away: You’ve paid enough to be a student, so use it while you can!

               5. If you have a keychain, use it

Next time your cashier asks if you would like to register for a rewards card, say yes! Rewards cards are an excellent way to save on gas, clothes, and groceries. Many rewards cards give percentage discounts off your entire purchase and award you points as well. These points add up, and you can receive an even bigger discount on items. Not too shabby!

Take away: Get the rewards card, and you won’t regret it.

               6. What’s on the box?!

One excellent saving opportunity that usually goes unnoticed is the one on the box. After you buy something, don’t throw the box away without checking for coupons. Many brands attach sticker coupons that can save you money. Whether it’s buy-one-get-one-free or 3-for-$5, coupons on the box are great ways to save. These coupons also encourage bulk buys and that can save you not only money but also trips to the store.

Take away: Don’t waste the savings! Check the box!

               7. Don’t just brush off the greeters

Now, I know that when you are going shopping the last thing you want to do is stop on the way in and talk to the greeter. Their smile and friendly “Welcome to Walmart!” seems to be our kryptonite. However, these greeters are our wise savings sensei. They hold the keys to unlock great savings: the in-store deals catalog. If you stop and take one from them, these catalogs have the best deals in the store listed. From canned ham (uhg) to Ramen Noodles (a college staple), these catalogs are sure to hold some deals that didn’t hit mark, but others that you shouldn’t live without.

Take away: Bow to your savings sensei and take the catalog!

               8. Get it for the right price

Hopefully, you have done your homework and found all the local deals, but just like me you probably can’t drive to every store just for the best price. That’s where price match comes in. Many major retailers have a price match system. The most notable is Walmart. At Walmart if you can show a local advertisement where the items you are buying are on sale for a lower price, they will let you buy the items at Walmart for the lower price. It is part of their lower price guaranteed initiative. Price matching is a great way to save time and money.

Take away: Do your savings homework and match that price!

               9. Barcodes are meant to be scanned

Another great way to save money is by scanning barcodes. There are apps, such as ShopSavvy, that all you have to do is scan a barcode. The app will then compare local and online prices and show you the lowest price. These apps help you get the best price. If the lowest price is online, you can also order directly from the app.

Take away: Scanning barcodes = saving money.

             10. Catch your savings

Finally, my personal favorite money saver is the savings catcher. Walmart has the most well-known savings catcher, and as a regular in my local Walmart, this is a big money saver. To use the savings catcher, all you have to do is download the app and scan the barcode that is printed out at the bottom of your receipt. For a few days after your purchase, the app searches local advertisements to find the lowest price for each of your items. If the app finds a lower price, the difference is put into a Walmart savings account that you can cash out on a gift card to use in-store anytime.

Take away: Catching savings has never been easier!

Now, before you head off to the store or buy something online, you can be sure that you are getting it for the best price. You can be confident as you eat well while your roommate eats Ramen Noodles every night. You can reign victorious as the coupon king. I’m sorry that I could not give more advice on college like how to avoid failing your classes or how to decide which of your 11 majors you should pursue. But just remember, college is a time to make mistakes and if you aren’t perfect then you’re just human. But after reading this, a human with unnatural savings sensei qualities and the ability to save on the things you “need” to get the things you “want.”

Feel free to comment below on how this list helped you, as well as other couponing tips that should have been added. If you have any questions for me, preferably regarding couponing, post those below as well, and I will respond as quickly as I can. Thanks for being awesome! May the force be with you, and may the odds be ever in your favor!