Using Coupons
by Nikki Willhite
www.allthingsfrugal.com
Using Coupons and Rebates to Lower Food Bills
There have been many articles and reports written explaining
ways to cut your grocery bills. Don’t go shopping on an empty stomach, cook from
"scratch", buy generic brands, etc. Another is to shop at discount warehouses.
Then there are coupons. There are some products that just taste
better if you buy the name brand. When we are in a hurry, or perhaps sick, it
still is cheaper to make something at home from a box than to buy fast food.
Many people are very skillful at using coupons. They know where
to get them, and where to use them. I was offered a coupon distributorship, and
as I was thinking it over I decided to "poll" a few people who subscribe to my
e-zine to see if it would be something I should do. The answer was a resounding
"no"- WE GET THEM FREE! Some of my readers even told me they climb into
dumpsters to get discarded newspapers! Now that is dedication!
Here are some ideas for those that aren't so skillful. The first
thing you need to do is to get organized. Use envelopes. Label them with the
different categories of food you buy regularly, such as noodles, canned
vegetables, etc. Every time you see a coupon, clip it, and then file it.
Sunday newspapers are a good source for coupons. So are
magazines. If you know your paperboy, find out what happens to his leftover
papers. There are also coupons you can get off the internet and print. There are
clubs both on the internet and in neighborhoods where people exchange them.
When you see items on sale that you have coupons for, that's the
time to buy. If you use something, and you have 3 coupons for it, buy 3 of them.
This is how you will save the most money in the long run.
Your big savings come when stores offer double coupon days. They
will double the value of your coupon, usually up to 50 cents. Find out which
stores do this with regularity, and be prepared to take advantage of it.
Rebates
This is more work, but if you want to save money, it's worth it.
When you use any canned or boxed item, save the package. Do not just save the
UPC code. Stores are getting trickier and asking for different parts of the
packaging now.
You will need some boxes, and it will take some room, but file
these things away in an orderly fashion. Put them in your garage or somewhere
that isn't a fire hazard. Keep your receipts also, as you will need them for the
rebates.
Always check out the boxes for special offers. Many cereals
offer little toys or other things that can be used for birthday parties or small
gifts. It may be worth sending off for them.
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It's a
lot of work, but if you are organized and skillful, you can save
a lot
of money on food with coupons and rebates.