By: Amy Hannold
24/7 MOMS Frugal Living Editor
We can think of printing coupons at home as “printing money”, but it costs us money to print them.
Here are some money-saving tips:
Don’t pay full price for printing supplies. Utilize coupons, sales, and rewards promotions (which could include the recycling of your used cartridges) to offset the price of buying paper and ink. When it’s time to upgrade your printer, get a great deal. You may even be able to get credit towards your new printer (which would be more efficient than your older model), by trading in the one you’re currently using.
Use your erroneously printed pages, flyers, or other usable printer paper to print coupons. You’ll save on reams of paper, one print at a time. Flip the page of a single-printed coupon and print a second on the reverse side, at the opposite end.
Print your coupons three to a page when using Redplum.com, Coupons.com and SmartSource.com. Choose only the coupons you have the most likelihood of using, and select them in groups of 3, 6, 9, etc.
“Cancel” the printing of single coupons (coupons you’ve found from Facebook or manufacturer sites, which direct you to a “Bricks.com” page) once the coupon has printed. You’ll save ink wasted on the promotional image that follows. Sometimes, a print of the whole page the first time is the only way to know in what order the promotional image appears. Most coupons can be printed twice by hitting the “back” button on your browser page.
Refer to your printer operating instructions for the most economical print settings. Set your printer quality and speed modes at “economy, draft, “quick “or fast” defaults. Save color ink by printing your coupons in black in white if the stores in your area will accept them. Ask at customer service counters and/or refer to each store’s coupon policy – you may even find more money-saving opportunities!
Can the coupons you’re about to print be found in coupon inserts? Utilize an online coupon database to locate it from a recent coupon insert. Acquiring multiples of coupons you don’t have to print saves your own paper and ink.
Utilize coupon apps or coupons emailed to you on your smartphone to save on printing costs. Research your local grocery stores, dining and retailers to find those that have mobile coupon options.
At the end of the month, as you’re cleaning out your coupon organizer, don’t toss those unused printed coupons. Military commissaries overseas can use those coupons for up to 6 months after their expiration date. CouponsToTroops.com can match you with a family you can help, in a simple but valuable way.
