Coupons

Clipping coupons is a great way to save money, but you may have to invest a bit of time and effort into it.

If you're ready to invest a little time in coupon savings, you can get started with these tips -

1. Look for coupons in the Sunday newspaper, in magazines, in your mailbox, at the grocery store shelf, on the internet and with your cash register receipts.

2. Call manufacturers' 800 numbers (often found on the packages of your favorite products) to request coupons. Nearly 40% of manufacturers only send coupons upon request.

3. Use double or triple coupons along with the manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.

4. Check your local library for store coupons. Many save the coupons from Sunday papers they subscribe to and make them available to the public.

5. Visit the manufacturer's website to see if they have any coupons available before going to the store.

6. By writing a short letter or postcard to various companies, you can often receive free samples, cents-off coupons, free coupons, promotional items, and much more. At the least, they will put you on their mailing list of potential customers. Tell the company in your note exactly what you like/dislike about their product, or ask specific questions that interest you. They will be eager to "sell" you on their product! Be sure to request coupons or a free sample.

Here is a sample letter:

Dear Sir or Madam,
I enjoy (or did not enjoy) your ____________ (Name of product) because ___________________(reason). I would appreciate receiving a coupon or sample of your products. Also if you have a mailing list, I would enjoy being placed on it.
Thanks.
(Name, address, and e-mail address)

7. Keep your coupons organized. Everyone seems to have a slightly different approach to how to accomplish such a task. The best approach is to come up with your own than stick to it. Being consistent in how you file your coupons is the most important piece of the coupon organizational puzzle.

8. The internet offers a number of websites you can visit to get printable coupons. This means that you are no longer limited to the coupons that arrive in your Sunday newspaper. You can find a great variety of printable coupons at the following site printable cereal coupons.

9. Check if your local grocery store offers a coupon card (ex. Safeway / Winn Dixie). You get automatic coupon prices without clipping.

10. Compare prices ounce per ounce. Just because it's in the big box, doesn't mean it's cheaper!  Sometimes two smaller packages are cheaper than the big box.