CouponVario Guide to Getting Started

This is the grand-daddy of all coupons since it often comes with very few, if any, restrictions. You simply load up your online shopping cart or bag and enter a coupon code at checkout. When you do, your order total will recalculate and reflect the percent discount. Common percentage-off amounts are 10%, 15%, or even 20%. Higher percentage-off coupons do exist and they're worth searching for!

It doesn't get any easier than this! If you have a $5, $10, or $25 dollar-off coupon for all storewide purchases, this same amount will be deducted from your total at checkout.

This deal is pretty straightforward (and very popular)! When you have a free-shipping coupon and enter the code at the time of checkout, you should see any shipping and handling charges disappear. Because free- shipping coupons are so common, it's not a bad idea to hold off on any nonessential purchases until you find one.

When stores want to promote a particular store section or product line, they sometimes offer a percentage off of purchase as an incentive. Common examples include 15% off all jewelry, 10% off all men's clothing, or 20% off all school supplies. The key to taking advantage of these types of deals is to align your shopping with store offers.

Rather than a percentage, stores will sometimes offer a specific-dollar amount off of certain goods or services. Examples include $10 off all computer accessories, $5 off all hosiery, or $50 off any appliance.

These bonus deals are a great way to try new products or brands. When you redeem a gift with purchase coupon, stores add the gift to your order. It's generally something that would appeal to anyone making a purchase at the store's website. Gift with purchase deals are most common at online stores that sell cosmetics and other personal care items.

Rebate offers can be substantial and merit a search before you purchase personal or home electronics or other high-cost items. $50, $100, or $150 rebate offers oftentimes allow you to purchase a higher quality product or one with more feature enhancements than you otherwise might be able to afford.

Sales aren't new, but today's technology offers a number of different ways to learn about them when they're happening. When you share your email address with your favorite store, they'll send you an email to give you a heads-up when they're having a sale. You can also make a habit of checking store websites; many will feature advance notice of upcoming sales. Because sales are so common, you might do well to follow the advice of seasoned shoppers who say, "If it's not on sale, don't buy it!"

Next to chocolate, clearance is the next best thing! Clearance isn't just for scrappy leftovers anymore. Just about everything cycles through online clearance at some point. To take advantage of clearance deals at your favorite online stores, get familiar with their websites and make sure you check the clearance section first for the item you want. Although you can't compromise when it comes to clothing size, you may find that the items you want are available at clearance prices, but in a different color or slightly different style.

This type of savings is a bit more restrictive, but still a great deal when you find it for a product or service you need. Common examples include 15% off of all GE dishwashers, or 10% off all Levi jeans. When you redeem a coupon or store sale for this type of deal, only the item(s) that qualify will be discounted when you check out.

This deal works just like the percentage off of a specific product, but it's a little easier to calculate and often equates to bigger savings. For example, if you've got your eye on a $40 pair of shoes and find a coupon for $10 off a purchase of that shoe brand, you'll pay only $30 - a 25% savings!