| We've all seen the Coupon Queens on various | | | | BRAND LOYALTY! I know there are occasional |
| television shows and been amazed at how little | | | | exceptions where some products suffer in quality |
| they paid for a ton of grocery items. Sometimes | | | | between brands but this is not the rule. One brand |
| you may even wonder how on earth she can | | | | of tissues will wipe your nose as well as another, |
| care for her family when it seems she bought | | | | and if you can get one for less than $1, and the |
| thirty packages of pasta and nothing to go with it. | | | | other is over $2 a box, then by purchasing the |
| The truth is, she didn't need the pasta sauce, she | | | | one you're getting cheapest, you're putting that |
| picked up thirty jars of that last week, when it | | | | money back into your wallet for something else. |
| was on sale, and she was getting it for free or | | | | If you are like me, disabled with no disposable |
| pennies with her coupons. | | | | income, then every little bit you save can mean |
| The trick to saving the most money on groceries | | | | another meal that comes home for your family. |
| is to be a stockpiler. To do this, you need to | | | | The best place to find coupons is in your local |
| gather as many coupons as you can for items | | | | Sunday newspaper. Generally, there are two |
| you know you will use, match them up with a | | | | inserts each week, except for holidays, and some |
| store sale, and then buy as many as possible | | | | weeks there are manufacturer specific coupon |
| while you are getting the items cheap or free. | | | | inserts. If you find your local paper doesn't have |
| Using this tip, you can make sure you have | | | | them, then try looking around to find an out of |
| enough of the needed items without having to | | | | town paper for the coupon inserts. Each week, I |
| pay full price. | | | | buy at least one early paper, which is available in |
| Coupons and sales tend to cycle and once you | | | | my town Saturday evening. I browse through the |
| try it for awhile, you will learn the cycles for your | | | | coupons, and if there are good coupons, and I |
| area and know when it is time to stock up. By | | | | know I will save more than what I am paying for |
| doing this you will have enough supplies on hand, | | | | the paper, I will go out the next day and buy |
| so you can wait to pick up more when the item | | | | another stack. You are not limited to only one |
| is on sale again, and you have a coupon to go | | | | paper and one copy of each coupon. |
| with the sale. | | | | Another great place to find inserts is your local |
| And there we come to another issue that some | | | | newspaper recycling center. Many people do not |
| people don't understand, you can use a coupon in | | | | use coupons, millions of dollars worth are thrown |
| conjuction with a store sale. They are two totally | | | | away each year, so with a little digging you can |
| different promotions, so you aren't doing anything | | | | find a real treasure trove. By searching online or |
| fraudulent. You simply cannot combine more than | | | | visiting message boards, you can also find links to |
| one manufacturers coupon on a single item, but if | | | | printables, or people who are willing to trade the |
| you put ten items on the conveyor belt and have | | | | ones they can't use for other coupons, or for a |
| ten coupons, then that is fine as long as your | | | | small postage and handling fee. |
| store permits it. Some stores do set limits on | | | | When you first get into couponing, you will spend |
| how many like coupons they will accept on one | | | | the same, or maybe even a little more than you |
| order so always check before doing your | | | | did before on groceries, but once you build a little |
| shopping. You can also combine a store specific | | | | stockpile you will suddenly see the savings add up. |
| coupon with a manufacturers coupon to realize | | | | It makes a big difference when you run out of |
| even more savings. | | | | shampoo and can just run to the closet and grab |
| If you have a store in your area that doubles | | | | another bottle that you got for free, instead of |
| coupons you can really save some money. Some | | | | running to the store and spending almost $3 for a |
| stores double up to 50cents and some to | | | | replacement bottle. |
| 99cents, thus giving you $1 or $1.98 off. This is | | | | Yes, it does take some time and effort, you |
| another store policy you will have to inquire about | | | | have to organize your coupons, be willing to store |
| before shopping, as it varies from retailer to | | | | hop, and spend a few minutes to review the |
| retailer. | | | | sales flyer, and match it with your coupons, but |
| One of the most important tips that I tell | | | | you can quickly turn couponing into a great hobby |
| everyone who asks me about my couponing and | | | | as well as money saver. |
| how I save so much money is to FORGET | | | | |