Couponing in the UK: How to Save Money on Your Shopping in 2025
Are you looking to cut down your shopping bills? Couponing in the UK is a brilliant way to save money on your weekly shop.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about finding and using coupons to reduce your spending on groceries, household items, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Finding UK Coupons: Learn where to find the best coupons and discount codes both online and in physical locations like supermarket magazines and newspapers.
- Digital vs Physical Coupons: Understand the difference between digital coupons and paper coupons, and how to use each type effectively.
- Maximising Your Savings: Get tips on combining coupons with cashback apps and loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard to multiply your savings.
What is Couponing in the UK?
Couponing in the UK might not be as extreme as what you’ve seen on American TV shows, but it’s certainly a thing! UK couponing involves collecting and using vouchers, codes, and special offers to reduce the price of your shopping. While extreme couponing isn’t as common in Britain as it is in the US, there are still plenty of ways to save money through coupons.
Many people wonder “is couponing a thing in the UK?” and the answer is absolutely yes! The approach might be a bit different, but UK shoppers can still make significant savings by knowing where to look for deals and how to use them effectively.
We’ve been using coupons for years to cut our shopping bills, and we’re excited to share our tips with you. With a bit of planning and organisation, we’ve managed to save hundreds of pounds on our groceries and household essentials.
Where to Find Coupons in the UK
There are loads of places to find coupons in the UK. Here are some of the best sources we regularly use:
Supermarket Magazines
Most major supermarkets publish free magazines that often contain supermarket coupons. The Tesco Magazine regularly features Tesco coupons for their own products. Sainsbury’s Magazine and Waitrose Food Magazine also include valuable vouchers.
These publications are typically available near the entrance of the store or at the checkout, and they’re completely free to pick up during your supermarket shop.
Newspapers and Magazines
Sunday newspapers often include coupon inserts for various products. Women’s magazines like Woman’s Own and Good Housekeeping frequently feature discount coupons for beauty products and household essentials.
The Money Saving Expert website, founded by Martin Lewis, reports that Sunday papers can provide up to £10 worth of coupons each week for just a few pounds investment.
Online Sources
The internet is a goldmine for finding great coupons and discount codes:
HotUKDeals is one of the UK’s largest deal-sharing communities where users post deals they’ve found. VoucherCodes and MoneySavingExpert also list current promotions and codes.
Many brand websites offer vouchers when you sign up to their newsletter. Facebook groups dedicated to couponing in the UK are also fantastic resources for learning about the latest offers.
Cashback and Reward Apps
Cashback apps have become increasingly popular in the UK:
Shopmium, CheckoutSmart, GreenJinn, and Airtime Rewards give you cash back on specific items, essentially working like digital coupons. Simply download the app, buy the qualifying products, and upload your receipt to claim your cashback.
According to Which?, the consumer rights organisation, UK shoppers can save an average of £120 per year by using cashback apps regularly.
Types of Coupons in the UK
Physical Coupons
Paper coupons remain popular in the UK. These include cut-out coupons from newspapers and magazines, vouchers printed on receipts, coupons sent in the post, and free samples that come with vouchers for future purchases.
When using physical coupons, always check the expiry date and terms before heading to the checkout. We like to keep ours in a small accordion folder sorted by expiry date so we don’t miss out on any savings.
Digital Coupons
As online shopping grows, so does the use of digital vouchers. These include discount codes for online retailers, e-vouchers sent via email, offers loaded directly onto loyalty cards, and QR codes that can be scanned in store.
Digital coupon apps make it easier than ever to save without the hassle of cutting and organising paper coupons. The UK Coupon Association notes that digital coupon use has increased by over 40% in the last three years.
Best UK Supermarkets for Couponing
Different supermarkets have different policies when it comes to accepting and offering coupons and loyalty schemes:
| Supermarket | Coupon Policy | Loyalty Scheme | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | Accepts manufacturer coupons and offers their own Tesco coupons | Tesco Clubcard | Clubcard Prices, exclusive discounts, 1 point per £1 (worth 1p in-store) |
| Sainsbury’s | Accepts manufacturer coupons | Nectar card | 1 point per £1, weekly Nectar Prices on selected items |
| Asda | Accepts manufacturer coupons plus price guarantee | Asda Rewards | Cashpot rewards for milestones, “Star Products” that earn rewards |
| Morrisons | Accepts manufacturer coupons | More Card | More Prices discounts, “Morrisons Fiver” after earning 5,000 points |
| Lidl | Limited coupon acceptance | Lidl Plus app | Digital coupons, rewards at monthly spending milestones |
| Waitrose | Accepts manufacturer coupons | MyWaitrose | Personalised offers and item-specific discounts |
| M&S | Limited coupon acceptance | Sparks | 10 sparks per £1, charity donations, exclusive offers |
| Co-op | Accepts manufacturer coupons | Co-op Membership | 2p back per £1 on Co-op brands, 2p to local causes |
| Iceland | Accepts manufacturer coupons | Iceland Bonus Card | Exclusive savings and special offers |
| Boots | Accepts manufacturer coupons | Advantage Card | 4 points per £1 (worth 4p), personalised offers |
| Superdrug | Accepts manufacturer coupons | Health & Beautycard | Member-only pricing, points on purchases |
We’ve found Tesco to be particularly good for couponing as they frequently offer Clubcard exclusive prices alongside their regular coupons.
UK Couponing Community
The UK has a thriving community of couponing enthusiasts who share tips and strategies online. Many experienced couponers post their savings successes on social media and run blogs dedicated to helping others learn the art of couponing in the UK.
We’ve learned a lot from following experienced couponers through Facebook groups and online forums. Their tips have helped us avoid common mistakes and maximise our savings on groceries and household essentials.
The Money Advice Service highlights that following expert couponers can help beginners learn valuable strategies for reducing their shopping bills. Many of these experts share their knowledge freely on platforms like MoneySavingExpert, founded by Martin Lewis, which regularly features couponing advice.
How to Start Couponing in the UK
If you want to start saving with coupons, here’s our simple guide:
Set up a dedicated email address for signing up to newsletters to avoid cluttering your main inbox. Join couponing groups on Facebook to learn about the latest offers. Get a small folder to organise your physical coupons and download the major cashback apps.
Don’t forget to sign up for loyalty cards at your favourite supermarkets and always check for offers before you make a purchase.
We started small by focusing on items we buy regularly and gradually expanded our couponing efforts. This approach helped us avoid feeling overwhelmed while still seeing worthwhile savings from the beginning.
Combining Coupons with Other Money-Saving Methods
To maximise your savings, combine couponing with other money-saving strategies:
Loyalty Cards
Loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard let you earn points when you shop, which can be converted into vouchers. Often, you can use these vouchers alongside coupons for even bigger discounts.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority reports that loyalty programs are used by over 77% of UK consumers, making them an important part of the shopping experience.
Cashback Credit Cards
Using a cashback credit card for your shopping can earn you a percentage back on your spending. This works well with coupons as you’re effectively getting two discounts on one purchase.
Just make sure to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that would wipe out your savings.
Yellow Sticker Shopping
Keep an eye out for reduced items (often with yellow stickers) in supermarkets. These reductions typically happen in the evening as stores clear stock approaching its sell-by date. Combining these reductions with coupons can lead to massive savings or even free products.
We’ve sometimes managed to get items for pennies by combining yellow sticker reductions with manufacturers’ coupons.
Digital Tools for UK Couponers
Mobile Apps
Several mobile apps have made couponing much easier. LatestDeals shows special offers across major retailers, vouchercloud uses your location to find nearby deals, and Honey automatically applies discount codes at checkout when shopping online.
The UK Mobile Phone Consumer Survey found that 78% of UK adults now use shopping-related apps, making digital tools an essential part of modern couponing.
Browser Extensions
When shopping online, browser extensions can automatically find and apply discount codes. Pouch, Honey, and VoucherCodes save you the time and effort of searching for codes manually, ensuring you never miss a deal.
We’ve saved hundreds of pounds on online shopping using these extensions, particularly when buying gifts and electronics.
Common Couponing Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced couponers sometimes make mistakes that reduce their potential savings:
Buying items you don’t need just because you have a coupon is a false economy. We also recommend checking the terms and conditions for minimum spend requirements and exclusions.
Don’t forget to download or print vouchers before shopping, and try not to let coupons expire before using them.
The Financial Conduct Authority advises consumers to only use discounts for planned purchases to avoid unnecessary spending.
Seasonal Couponing Tips
Certain times of year offer better couponing opportunities:
January Sales
Post-Christmas is a great time to find discount codes as retailers try to boost sales in the quiet period. Many brands offer deeper discounts and more generous coupons.
We always stock up on gift sets and seasonal items in the January sales, using coupons to get even better prices.
Back to School
In August and September, look out for vouchers on stationery, uniforms, and lunchbox items. Supermarket magazines often feature relevant coupons during this period.
The UK spending on back-to-school items exceeds £1.5 billion annually according to the Office for National Statistics, so savings here can be substantial.
Christmas
From October onwards, stores compete for your festive shopping with various offers. Look for coupons on groceries, gifts, and cards including birthday cards and festive cards.
We start collecting Christmas-related coupons from early autumn to spread the cost and maximise savings during this expensive time of year.
Expert Tips from Seasoned UK Couponers
Those who have mastered couponing in the UK share these tips:
Create a separate email account just for coupon newsletters and follow your favourite brands on social media where they often share exclusive codes.
Check your receipts carefully as they sometimes have vouchers for your next shop. Be polite to cashiers when using multiple coupons – a smile goes a long way!
The Consumer Association suggests building relationships with local store managers who might give you a heads-up about upcoming promotions.
Is There Extreme Couponing in the UK?
While the American style of extreme couponing doesn’t quite exist in the UK due to different coupon policies, dedicated couponers can still make significant savings.
The UK doesn’t generally allow coupon doubling (where the value of a coupon is doubled) and there are usually stricter limits on the number of identical coupons you can use in one transaction.
However, clever combination of vouchers, cashback, and loyalty points can still lead to impressive discounts. The UK Coupon Association states that savvy UK couponers can reduce their grocery bills by up to 30% with consistent effort.
Overall
Couponing in the UK is a practical way to reduce our shopping bills. While it might take some time and organisation to get started, the savings can be substantial. By combining physical coupons, digital vouchers, cashback apps, and loyalty schemes, we can significantly cut our spending on groceries and household essentials.
We’ve found that successful couponing is about more than just collecting vouchers – it’s about shopping smarter and making our money work harder for us. Whether you’re just looking to save a few pounds on your weekly shop or aiming to slash your shopping bills dramatically, couponing offers something for everyone.
So next time you’re about to make a purchase, take a moment to check if there’s a coupon that could save you some money. Those small savings add up over time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is couponing worth it in the UK?
Yes, couponing in the UK is definitely worth it. While the savings per coupon might seem small at first, they add up quickly. The Money Advice Service reports that dedicated couponers save £20-£50 on their weekly shop, which equals hundreds of pounds over a year.
Do UK supermarkets accept manufacturer coupons?
Most major UK supermarkets do accept manufacturer coupons. However, each store has its own policy regarding how many identical coupons you can use in one transaction and whether they accept photocopies or digital versions.
Can I use expired coupons in the UK?
Generally, no. Most stores will not accept expired coupons. Always check the expiry date before heading to the shop, and try to organise your coupons so you use them before they expire.
How can I find the best coupons for groceries?
For groceries, the best places to look are supermarket magazines like the Tesco Magazine, food brand websites, and cashback apps like Shopmium and CheckoutSmart. Also check the packaging of products you already buy, as they sometimes have coupons for your next purchase.
What’s the difference between couponing in the UK and the US?
The main differences are that the UK doesn’t typically allow coupon doubling, has stricter limits on the number of identical coupons you can use, and rarely allows vouchers to exceed the value of the item (preventing items from being free or generating overage). However, the UK has a stronger cashback app culture and better integration with loyalty cards.
How do I organise my coupons?
Many successful couponers use a small folder with dividers sorted by product category or expiry date. Some use business card holders or small photo albums. The key is having a system that lets you quickly find what you need and spot coupons before they expire.
Can I use a coupon and a cashback app on the same product?
Yes! This practice, known as “stacking,” is perfectly legitimate. You can often use a manufacturer coupon, a store coupon, a loyalty discount, and a cashback app all on the same item for maximum savings.
What’s the best time to go couponing in supermarkets?
Mid-week mornings tend to be quieter, giving you more time to organise your coupons at the checkout without feeling rushed. Evening shopping can combine couponing with yellow sticker reductions for extra savings.
Do online shops accept coupons?
Yes, most online retailers accept discount codes which work just like digital coupons. These can usually be entered at the checkout stage. Browser extensions like Honey and Pouch can automatically find and apply these codes for you.
