7 Ways to Take Advantage of National Coupon Month

September is National Coupon Month, the perfect opportunity to hone your healthy savings habits in preparation for the holiday shopping season. Believe it or not, 39 percent of consumers have already begun their holiday shopping, according to a recent RetailMeNot survey conducted with the Omnibus Company.

If you follow these simple rules for smarter shopping, you'll be able to buy more, regret less and feel richer:

Educate yourself: Luckily, you no longer have to shop blindly and rely on the sole testimony of an overeager salesperson. Thanks to the billions of people on the Internet, you can learn nearly every pro and con of any given item before you check out. Prior you buying anything, be sure to read the product reviews on the manufacturer's site or related review sites. Some good ones are CNET.com, Engadget or Wired for electronics. For just about everything else, check out the reviews on Amazon.com. If you're already in-store, it's not too late. Just scan the item's barcode with the ShopSavvy app for lots of user reviews. While you're at it, you'll also be able to see if you're getting the best price.

Time it well: If you're buying a big-ticket item, consider waiting until dealers are trying to clear out their old inventory to make way for the new stuff. For instance, try shopping now for summer-related merchandise, like grills and lawn mowers. Summer is over, and retailers are keen to clear floor space for more timely merchandise. Need a flat screen TV or a recliner? Try right before the Super Bowl. These items typically go on sale right before the big game.

Find the hottest seller: Finding the cheapest price doesn't mean you've got to hop in your car and waste hours driving all over town from store to store. If you're shopping online, just use a quickie price-comparison site like Google Shopping to find the e-tailers with the lowest prices. (Just type the product name into Google and hit the shopping tab above the search field.) Remember, when you're comparing prices at online retailers, be sure to factor in any shipping fees and any taxes the retailers might charge. Also, consider each seller's rating, and make sure you're buying from a reputable place. If you're on the go, try using price-comparison app Red Laser, or the aforementioned ShopSavvy, both of which allow you to scan the bar code on the spot to search for a better deal elsewhere.

Find the right seller: Wouldn't it be nice if you could do all of your shopping in one place? Sure, it would be convenient, but you won't always get the best price that way. For instance, pharmacies have groceries and gift wrap, but you'll find better deals on groceries at the supermarket and gift wrap at the dollar store (or Costco, if you have a lot of gifts to buy). You'll have to hit more than one store, but your wallet will thank you.

Nab a coupon: According to the survey referenced above, nearly all Americans (96 percent) are coupon users. If you're in that lonely 4 percent, get with the program! Before you buy online, visit a coupon site to get a free promo code, redeemable immediately for things like free shipping or a percentage off.

Negotiate: The thought of asking for a deal on something might make you cringe, but there's absolutely no shame in trying to get a better price. Remember this: Asking if there are discounts available doesn't mean you're cheap; it means you're smart. Besides, if the salesperson says no, you're no worse off than you were before, and if he or she says yes, well then, you win!

Protect your purchase: After you buy something expensive, save your receipt and check the store's price-adjustment policy. Many retailers like Sears, Macy's, Nordstrom and Staples will offer a refund if your item happens to go on sale within a couple of weeks of your purchase. If you've recently purchased something at Walmart, you can enter the receipt number and date of sale online or in the Walmart app. If their new "Savings Catcher" finds a lower advertised price (at select retailers), you'll receive an eGift card for the price difference. And if a store doesn't do right by you, your credit card company might. For example, if your item goes on sale within 90 days of your purchase and you used your Discover card to buy it, Discover will refund you the difference up to $500.

Trae Bodge is the senior lifestyle editor for The Real Deal, an online magazine that offers smart shopping tips, curated gift guides and other money-saving solutions, published by digital coupon destination RetailMeNot.