Paper Coupons VS Digital Coupons: Why I ALWAYS Choose Paper Coupon 1st.

Paper Coupons VS Digital Coupons

I know many of you know my stance on the use of digital coupons; however I think it's very important that y'all understand why I do not suggest using digital coupons - ESPECIALLY if you are new to using coupons!

While digital coupons can be nice and convenient if you don't have a coupon for something you need, there are some serious downfalls that cause digital coupons to be more of a pain then helpful. There are a few select times I would recommend digital couponing, which I will get to. First, let's take a look at some important downfalls to consider before you start clipping digital coupons!

Once You Clip You Can't Go Back!

You may have found yourself clipping every digital coupon you think you will use. While I encourage the use of stocking up on printable coupons, doing this with digital coupons will often backfire. Most often once you clip a digital coupon to your store account, you usually can't unclip it. 

Why is this a problem?

• If you find a higher value paper coupon you will be forced into using the lower value digital coupon first.
• If you aren't keeping up with what digital coupons you clipped and to which account it's easy to forget you have it clipped. If you forget and are trying to use a paper coupon, the paper coupon wont be accepted.

 Issues At Check Out

Even with paper coupons there's a lot that can go wrong at the register when it's time for you to check out. Those problems are a lot harder to get past with digital coupons. When a paper coupon doesn't scan properly at the register you can always refer back to it to ensure that you are following the coupon's terms and conditions as well as the store's coupon policy. With a digital coupon you can't do that. Thus making it impossible to have the cashier or manager on duty to override it on the register. 

Did The Digital Coupon Go Through?

I ALWAYS pay attention to the cashier as he/she is scanning my coupons. I've witnessed cashiers slyly acting like it went through to avoid dealing with the problem of it not scanning. As you continue to grow your experience with coupons, you'll find yourself watching closely as well. It becomes a natural part of the process. With digital coupons you often have to ask if they went through to be sure or wait till you have your receipt. 

  

Tracking, Stacking, and Organization!

As you learn about using coupons you will find that often different deals require multiples of the same coupon. Digital coupons can only be used once and then they are gone. Because of this, I find it much more difficult to intergrate digital coupons into deals, promotions, and stacking. Also I have found that paper coupons are a hundred times easier to organize. It's important to know what coupons you have. When I speak about printing coupons I will always encourage you to "Print 'em like you need 'em". Looking back at the first point I made (Once You Clip You Can't Go Back), this shows you why I don't suggest anyone to do this with digital coupons. 

You might be wondering about those select times I do suggest using digital coupons at this point!

Yes, despite how much I discourage people to use digital coupons, there are a few times when I might say go for it. For example, when you run out of something you absolutely need (like toilet  paper). You might be waiting to stock up again on products like this and have a digital coupon. 
Here's some tips for the use of digital coupons: 

• Become really experienced with paper coupons before adding in digital coupons to the mix.
• Only clip digital coupons when you know you'll be using them right away. Go about digital coupons "as needed".
• Don't clip everything you "might" use. They wont disappear until they expire. 
• Digital coupons DO NOT double when stores have a double coupon day!
• Don't use digital coupons when planning a large trip.

 Last But Not Least and VERY important..

If you keep up with what's available for printable coupons as well as the Sunday Coupon inserts, 90% of the time you wont need digital coupons. Most of the time there is a printable or insert coupon for each of the available digital coupons! 

 It can be hard to keep up with it all, but I am doing my best to simplify everything through my website and Facebook group! 

• If you are not a member yet, join the "Learning To Coupon with Stretching Our Dollars" Facebook group. I'm always sharing news about new coupons, breaking down deals with available paper coupons, and so much more.
• Check in with the Dollar Stretched website and learn to coupon through the available lessons. I'm continuing to build and expand every day so more people can learn to Stretch Their Dollars.
• I am currently building a page on the website specifically designed to show you all the ways you can find coupons without going digital! By joining the group or following Dollar Stretched on Facebook, you'll stay updated with everything.