10 Coupon Strategies to Save Money

I found this today over at the Wisdom Journal.....  and I couldn't have said it better.  I do try to match the sales to the coupons...because that is really good savings, and when you can get groceries for cheap and free, that is just fabulous.  Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

10 Coupon Strategies To Save Big Bucks
Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:00 PM PDT

Do you have a coupon strategy? If you’re using all of my 101 Ways To Take A Bite Out Of Your Food Budget, coupons can be a great way to save some serious additional cash. But to save even more, try one or all of these strategies:

Coupon strategies that work:

Only use coupons to buy products you really use

Layer your coupons with sales and store specials

Find your favorite coupon websites and visit them regularly

Visit those sites early in the month for the best deals

Don’t neglect the manufacturer’s sites

Set up a different email address for couponing

Give the grocery store’s website a visit too

Grocery stores aren’t the only place to buy food or use coupons

Inquire about double coupons

Join the loyalty program

1. Only use coupons to buy products you really use

If you don’t use it or wind up throwing it out, it really doesn’t matter how much money you save. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Americans throw out over 25% of all the food they buy. If you suspect you won’t eat, consume or use it, don’t buy it … regardless of the savings.


2. Layer your coupons with sales and store specials

Make every attempt to combine your savings opportunities. If you run across a 10 for $10 deal and you have a coupon for $1.00 off … that’s layering.

3. Find your favorite coupon websites and visit them regularly

Coupon issuers will offer many more coupons on these sites than those offered on the manufacturer’s sites, but make sure you check with them on a frequent basis. Many coupons are offered for only a short period of time.

but NEVER pay for coupons. Any site that wants you to pay for a coupon is most likely a scam.

4. Visit those sites early in the month for the best deals

When manufacturers do limit the total number of coupons offered, it usually happens early in the month. Be there first and you’ll get your choice of the offerings.

5. Don’t neglect the manufacturer’s sites

Visiting a manufacturer’s site (such as Kraft) may take a little longer but it’s a great way to find coupons on the specific items you want and use.

6. Set up a different email address for couponing

If you provide an e-mail and/or regular mail address, you can often receive additional coupons direct from the manufacturer. Just do this one thing: set up an entirely different email for receiving coupon offers. Trust me.

7. Give the grocery store’s website a visit too

Your supermarket probably has its own website. It may not offer coupons BUT it probably does have the store’s current ad and store specials. Use it with your coupons to layer your savings and save your gasoline.

8. Grocery stores aren’t the only place to buy food or use coupons

Drug stores and other big box retailers also carry food items and other household goods and most accept coupons. Use the information on those websites to match your coupons with the store’s specials.

9. Inquire about double coupons

Just call and ask — it’s only a few buttons on a phone! Some stores double them as a matter of policy while others may double them only on certain days. Ask about double coupon limits, say up 50 or 99 cents. Of course some stores don’t double ANY coupons but you never know until you ask. That 99 cent coupon may be worth a lot more than you think.

10. Join the loyalty program

Usually you’ll get a card and with that card comes benefits – usually a discount on certain products at the register. The downside is that the store tracks your every purchase but it may mail or email coupons to you based on your previous purchases. Some stores will even mail you coupons on things you don’t normally get coupons for such as milk, vegetables, or fresh fruit.

Couponing is hard work

But it’s worth it. My family has saved 25 – 40 percent using coupons on many occasions and when you have 5 mouths to feed, that’s a welcome relief!

Rite Aid Coupon Policy

I regularly shop at Rite Aid because I happen to have one in my town.  Awhile back I signed up for the wellness card and program that was offered.  I just wanted some clarification on those +up rewards, and to make sure that I was using it and saving money to my full potential.

http://content.riteaid.com/stores/CustomerCouponAcceptancePolicyAugust2010.pdf

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Couponing

I do believe that couponing has become all the rage.....  I recently picked up an expandable file folder for my coupons...  it was about 7 dollars and it is nice because it is alphabetized A-Z, so organizing my coupons has been fun, and they are easier to find now...which I think also makes them easier to use.  I have been picking up my Sunday paper just for the coupons, I use the rest for fire starter.  By the way when I clean out my fire place I use those ashes in my garden.  The other place that I have been getting coupons is in the mail.  I signed up for some stuff on line at different sites, such as Proctor and Gamble, and Dove.... they are regularly sending me coupons.  I have noticed lots of places on line to download coupons and print them off so...this week I am going to get my printer up and running.  By the way, last week I bought 78 dollars worth of groceries for 42.  I know that is pretty good....but I want to do better.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Extreme Couponing

Extreme Couponing has aired on TLC twice now, for the last 2 weeks.  The first week, I was so fascinated by the actual clipping of the coupons and planning of the shopping trips, you have to admit it is rather intriguing.  Then showing the people at the store and then at the checkout counter... Then they show the stock piles of supplies and groceries that the extreme couponers  have in their home, and that is interesting as well.  They are hoarders!!!!!!  I figure in a couple of months the extreme couponers are going to be featured on the TLC show of Hoarders.  My gawd...who needs all that crap in their houses?  Let alone the one gal who had an entire shower stall loaded to the ceiling with toilet paper and paper towels.  Another lady had shelves all over her house including in her children's bedrooms, and stashes of supplies under her kid's beds. 
I do think it is great that the people can save 91 to 98 percent on their grocery bills.  I also think that saving money like that is truly a talent, these people are totally gifted, and should be giving back to their communities.  I am thinking that the local food banks, homeless shelters and various charities could really benefit from the efforts of the extreme couponers.  Seriously why do you need 150 boxes of cereal in your pantry?  And, especially when you are going to go shopping again next week?  Not to mention while there are starving people in the United States.
My hat is off to Nathan, the guy featured this week, who is donating over 50 thousand dollars worth of various products to charity.  He is making care packages for our military men and women who are currently  over seas.  He is working on 1000 care packages, to send over to the troops who are away from home and their families.  I know they will love and appreciate Nathan's efforts to show support to and for them (our troops). 
I personally would love to see more of this on TLC.  Show the extreme couponers, but show them giving back to their communities as well.... that is a much better show.

Frugal Dieting

Ah, yes it is that time of year for me to think about slimming down, after this bitter cold, and full of snow winter that we had.  I wintered well....  gained 13 pounds.  I know it will be easier to drop some of it too as soon as the weather is nicer. I like to be outside, gardening, and working in the yard and going for walks.  In the meantime, I have cut back on my calories and upped my fiber intake.  I have been eating a lot of the Progresso Light Soup, my favorite is the Italian Garden Vegetable, Zero Points on Weight Watchers.  Ok, also I have been eating the Laughing Cow Cheese and the Extra Fiber Wheat Thins.  Then, the rest of the time I have been eating apples, bananas, oranges, carrots, and those snap pea pods.  I guess I am sort of rambling here....  but where I wanted to go was to the Websites of National Brands that I have been consuming, I was under the impression that if you visit their websites you can get coupons.  Well I could not find any place on sites to get coupons....so I am perplexed.  I check out the Sunday paper coupons, and will definitely keep any eye out for coupons for my favorite diet foods. 
I have also discovered that reading labels and checking the fiber, calories and fat in each item has really been an eye opener. 
I have only lost 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks, but I just know that Spring is coming and it will be much easier for me to eat healthier and lighter....  and hopefully keep dropping pounds.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day !!!! 

Coupons Save Money

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/72e5Ih/moneyning.com/video/coupon-lady-money-saving-madness/

My Niece sent me this info, and it is absolutely amazing.  I have never saved as much as the the coupon lady, but I usually can save 50% if not more.  This lady is a genius, and I think we all have something to learn, and some money to save.  Clip those coupons....  this is your motivation.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Sunday Paper Coupons

I got the Sunday paper today and was disappointed that there was only one circular for coupons but it is suppose to be worth more than 130 dollars. Now I will be visiting http://couponmom.com to figure out my grocery and shopping lists for Walmart and Walgreens for my payday. I personally think that using coupons is very smart for saving money as well as being able to have additional funds for my savings account or paying off debt. If you are unsure about coupons you should totally check out couponmom.com she has e-books that teach you everything you need to know and how to get started and the best part of the entire process is that it is free. Once you get all the basics down it really is not that time consuming either. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day........