13 Couponing Habits You Learned from Your Parents
Old-school couponing tricks your parents swore by — some still work today and help stretch your money even more.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Your parents were serious about saving money, and couponing was a big part of it. From clipping coupons every Sunday to building a stockpile at home, these habits stuck with you. This list looks back at those familiar tricks that still make a lot of sense today.
1. The Sunday Coupon Clipping Ritual
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Remember when Sunday mornings were filled with the rustle of newspapers and the snip of scissors? Our parents turned coupon clipping into a weekly family event, teaching us the value of patience and the rewards of diligence.
2. Organizing Coupons by Category
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Our parents often had meticulously organized coupon binders, sorted by categories like dairy, snacks, and household items. This methodical approach ensured they could quickly find the right coupon at the right time.
3. Studying Store Circulars
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Before digital deals, our parents pored over store circulars, planning shopping trips around weekly sales. This habit taught us the importance of preparation and strategic shopping.
4. Taking Advantage of Double Coupon Days
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Double coupon days were like holidays for our parents. They timed their shopping to coincide with these events, maximizing savings and teaching us to seize opportunities.
5. Building a Stockpile
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Our parents often bought in bulk when items were on sale, creating stockpiles of essentials. This practice ensured our households were always prepared and taught us the value of foresight.
6. Shopping with a List
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Our parents rarely shopped without a list, ensuring they stayed on budget and avoided impulse purchases. This disciplined approach is a cornerstone of effective couponing.
7. Mail-In Rebates
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Before digital cashback, our parents diligently filled out mail-in rebates, tracking purchases, and waiting weeks for a check. This taught us patience and the payoff of persistence.
8. Participating in Coupon Exchanges
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Our parents often swapped coupons with friends and neighbors to get the best deals. It was a smart way to share savings and ensure no unused coupons expired. These simple exchanges also built a sense of community and trust among families.
9. Scouting Clearance Sections
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Our parents had a knack for finding deals in clearance sections, combining markdowns with coupons for maximum savings. This taught us to look beyond the obvious deals.
10. Creating Personalized Coupon Systems
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Our parents had their own way of keeping coupons organized. Some used binders, while others sorted them into labeled envelopes. It showed us how being organized can lead to real savings.
11. Involving the Whole Family
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Couponing was often a family affair, with everyone participating in clipping, organizing, and shopping. This collective effort instilled a shared sense of responsibility and teamwork.
12. Keeping a Price Book
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Our parents often maintained price books, tracking the cost of items across stores to identify the best deals. This practice emphasized the importance of informed shopping.
13. Donating Excess Purchases
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Our parents often gave away extra items they got through couponing. They shared with neighbors, charities, or anyone who needed help. It taught us to be generous and to find joy in helping others.