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If you’re looking to save some money on your supermarket spend, you might have wondered whether couponing in the UK is possible.
I track our supermarket spend every week and recently checked what we spent on our groceries last year. It averaged a little under £90 per month.
This is in contrast to when we were able to cut our supermarket bill in half, where we were spending about £100 per week and were able to cut this down to £50.
Times change and we are now the proud parents of two children, so as well as supermarket price increases, we also have to buy those things associated with having two young children, such as nappies, wipes and of course enough food to feed us all.
The idea of cutting this back is always on my mind and by doing our weekly shop online we can take things off and on our list as and when we need to.
With this increase in our supermarket shop, this got me thinking, if we were to go in-store instead would we be able to save a lot more by collecting coupons and using them to decrease our shop.
What is couponing?
Couponing, in simple terms, is the art of using coupons to obtain discounts or deals on products. Although it has been popularized by extreme couponing TV shows, its roots go back decades. In the UK, couponing has evolved to become a valuable strategy for families looking to save money on their weekly supermarket shopping.
To do couponing properly, like comping, you might have to spend a lot of time on it and even by doing this, there are no guarantees that you’ll find enough coupons to make it worth your while.
Is couponing in the UK possible?
Yes, couponing in the UK is possible and can help you save money on your weekly supermarket shop.
While couponing may not be as extreme in the UK as it is in some other countries like the US, there are opportunities to find and use the coupons you find to reduce your grocery expenses. Here are a few reasons why couponing is possible and worthwhile in the UK:
Online Platforms and Apps
When I was growing up coupons were readily available in the newspapers and magazines that my mum had, but the internet has opened up new avenues for couponing in the UK.
There are several online platforms and smartphone apps dedicated to providing coupons, discounts, and cashback opportunities, such as GreenJinn and Shopmium.
These platforms make it convenient to find and utilize coupons from a variety of retailers, allowing you to save money without the need for physical coupons.
How do you use Green Jinn and Shopmium?
Both of these apps are on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
So once you’ve downloaded the free app and created an account, you are good to go.
These apps will feature products that they are promoting and are discounted and all you have to do is buy that item and then take a picture of your receipt.
Once your receipt is validated you can then claim your cashback.
To cash out of Shopmium you have to have reached a minimum of £10 in your account and this can be paid into your PayPal account or directly to your bank account.
With Green Jinn you only have to have reached £1.50 before you can cash out and have your payment made to a PayPal account or your bank account.
Something to note with these apps is that not all of the products that feature on them are necessarily ones that you would buy in a normal weekly shop, but if you’re open to trying new things, are worth a go.
Loyalty Programs
Supermarket loyalty schemes can play a significant role in your couponing success.
By signing up for these schemes, you can unlock exclusive deals, personalized offers, and additional discounts on your regular shopping. Combining loyalty scheme benefits with coupons can lead to substantial savings.
The supermarket apps
There isn’t a supermarket now that doesn’t have its own app or loyalty scheme and if you’ve signed up to them, you will find that they offer vouchers and discounts on your supermarket shop regularly.
Often the discounts are featured on a tab within the app, or your vouchers are collected depending on how much you spend.
What points are on offer at your supermarket?
- Asda Rewards – Earn Asda points when you shop
- Tesco Clubcard – 1 point for every £1 spent
- Sainsbury’s Nectar – 1 point for every £1 spent
- My Morrisons – Money off based on items that you buy
- Lidl, rewards plus – coupons off selected ranges
- Iceland bonus card – product discounts and £1 back when you save £20
Manufacturers
Sometimes manufacturers will offer discounts directly to try and entice you to try their products in the hope that you like them so much that you continue to buy their products.
They will offer discounts either by having you sign up for their newsletter, offering money off vouchers with free samples or through their social media channels.
There are several reasons why couponing has changed,
The supermarket magazine
With many supermarkets now looking to reduce costs and not have such a negative impact on the environment, many are not continuing to print their magazine and if they do this is a slimmed-down version of what it might have been.
The reason for this is that they are now seeing that there is a shift to online and app-based ordering and so have moved their offerings to this format.
If you can pick up a free magazine, they are often a great way to pick up coupons, but they are unlikely to be that much different to those that you would find online.
Junk mail
No one ever enjoys receiving junk mail but on the rare occasion, you might receive something actually useful in the form of coupons.
In fact, as I was writing this post, some junk mail came through the letterbox and in it were some coupons for Waitrose.
We don’t shop at Waitrose, but it goes to show that even supermarkets that are probably considered to be high-end will sometimes offer money off coupons to their customers.
Overcoming Challenges and Limitations to couponing
While there can be significant savings to couponing in the UK, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges and limitations that may arise:
- Product Availability and Restrictions: Some coupons may be limited to specific products or brands, reducing their applicability. Additionally, certain products may not be available in all stores, limiting your ability to use specific coupons.
- Geographical Variations: Coupons and deals can vary regionally, depending on where you live. Keep this in mind when searching for coupons and be open to alternative money-saving strategies.
- Alternative Money-Saving Strategies: If couponing proves challenging, consider alternative strategies such as bulk buying, exploring clearance sections in supermarkets, or using cashback apps that offer refunds on specific purchases.
Conclusion
While couponing to the extent we see in the US might not be possible, couponing in the UK is certainly worthwhile if you’re looking to save money on your weekly shop. By using available coupons, supermarket apps and understanding store policies, there is no reason why you can’t benefit from savings on everyday items.
Remember to stay organized, be mindful of limitations, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities to maximize your savings.
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