If you’re a responsible adult, then you must know the toll shopping has on your weekly budget, so saving money effectively while shopping is something you shouldn’t do without. You probably opened your mail thousands of times only to see those pesky weekly ads that shopping centers send, and those ads have met their demise in the garbage bin. We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t throw away the ads, ever! This article will explain how to use the weekly ads to your advantage, saving money in the process.
How to find weekly ads
Although some of us receive weekly ads in our mail, usually every week, other people are not so lucky, and they miss out on this wonderful, yet somewhat annoying experience. If you’re one of those people that don’t get the ads in your mail, you can change that by taking a trip to your local Post Office. Ask them why you’re not receiving those ads, and they will fix your problem. Although sometimes the problem does not lie with the Post Office, and you’ll have to find the weekly ads in a different place. Worry not, you’ve got plenty of options left!
Your next step is heading to the local grocery store of your choice. Once you reach the shopping clerks, you’ll notice stacks of what appears to be newspapers piled next to them. These papers are exactly what you’re looking for – grab some the next time you go shopping, and you’ll save your money the easy way.
Finally, if none of these options are helpful, you can always see whether your favorite store has a website you can use. Once you’re there, you’ll probably see an online version of their weekly ads. This way, you won’t accumulate any unnecessary garbage, you’ll have everything you need in one place, plus you’ll be able to open it up on your phone for a quick reminder. Of course, if the store is a small local one, chances are that they don’t have a website at all. If this is the case, simply ask the manager whether they even have weekly sales and discounts. They are your last chance, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
You’ve got your copy of weekly ads – now what?
Your quest is finally over, and in your hands, you hold the treasure you were seeking for – weekly ads. But what are you supposed to do now? Believe it or not, it’s not as easy as just reading which items are on promotion or sale. You have to do some careful planning, choosing the items you need, making sure you don’t spend more money just because you’re buying products and clothes on sale. For starters, you should know that weekly ads are not the same thing as coupons. Coupons are decorated with a neat little barcode that the clerks scan once you’re ready to pay your bill, saving a few dollars in the process. Ads will just show you which items are on sale, on promotions, extra deals, etc.
Next to showing you which items are on sale, weekly ads will show you more useful information. You’ll know where the store is, what are its working hours, and what kind of payment methods they accept. Also, you’ll know how long the deals last for, which is probably the most important bit of information.
Some weekly ads come with a present, like coupons, useful recipes that help you plan your meals according to the items on sale, and of course, BOGO items, or buy one get one free. Be careful not to buy items that are faulty or just about to expire. BOGO products can trick you, thinking you’ve saved up buying multiple packs, when in reality, you’ve got more products than you can handle, and you’ll end up with spoiled food or unnecessary clothing.
The best way to track the ads is to only look up the products that are important to you. Make those items pop by circling them, write them down in your trusty notebooks, or use one of the grocery apps that suit your needs the most. You’ll be able to track special items and your expenses all at once!
