Smart Spending moves to WordPress. Come see our new home
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > October > 02
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Food For Thought: Clipping Coupons Can Be Rewarding
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Got home from the supermarket Sunday and, as always, glanced at two figures on my receipt.
Grand Total: $31.74.
Your Savings at [store name]: $37.57.
Yesssss!
‘Tis a warm feeling when you save more than you shell out at the grocery. What’s the least you’ve ever spent for the most? Do you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Here’s my supermarket M.O.:
*Acquire a shopping card for discounted items at stores that offer them.
Clip coupons out of the Sunday AJC. (Shameless plug: You can get the cost of the newspaper returned many times over with the savings.)
Look for buy-one-get-one-free items, the primo money-saving deals. These are overstocked items, usually fresh — though inspect produce and meats before you buy.
Hold onto your coupons to apply to products marked down or to the two-fers. In my book, if a coupon further lowers the cost of a reduced item, that’s hitting the daily double.
When you see an item marked “three for $4.50” or “10 for $10,” the store wants you to buy them in bulk. Nice try. With few exceptions, you can purchase just one at the bargain rate.
Many shoppers prefer to print out coupons on-line. Among the most popular: www.couponsurfer.com, www.couponmom.com, www.grocerycouponmom.com. I tend to avoid them because you never know how much e-mails will rain down on you by signing up to a coupon service.
How do you minimize your grocery bill? Which sites do you hit up? Know any that do not pepper you with spam?
One last piece of advice: While digging into your pocket at the cashier to fetch your coupons, make sure you grab ‘em all. Exiting the store Sunday, I noticed one still crammed in my cargo shorts. Dadgummit, another dollar I could have saved.
There are more tips at Your Money. Check it out!
Services »
