Clippin’ Coupons

When you’re trying to stretch your dollars, every penny adds up. Coupons are an excellent way to save money, and there are dozens of ways to find them. Here are a few resources to gain extra savings on your retail and grocery store purchases.

Here’s the tip of the day:

If you’ve got coupons at your fingertips, then you should definitely use them. Check out these publications and Web sites for extra savings at the store.

• Newspapers – Your weekend issue of The Augusta Chronicle has tons of coupons for savings on grocery items and other merchandise.

Clip both printable and electronic coupons at the following Web sites:

• CouponMom.com – This popular site offers grocery store coupons, restaurant savings, and free Internet items.
• Coupons.com – Find coupons on a variety of grocery store and every day products at this Web site.
• Kroger.com – Go to the “In Store” section on Kroger’s Web site and click on “Save on Groceries” or P&G eSaver to find coupons.

At Kroger.com, you can choose your coupons and then enter your Kroger Plus Card number. They are downloaded directly onto your card and are applied to your total when the cashier scans your card in the checkout line.

• GroceryGuide.com – This online resource allows you to compare prices at local stores and has printable coupons available. The site also enables customers to sign up for sale alerts from grocery stores.
• Cellfire.com – This mobile technology allows you to download coupons to your cell phone. Visitors can download savings for shopping, restaurants and entertainment. The service is free for most cellular phone carriers, but data fees could apply.

The discount savings are sponsored and offered by Cellfire’s retail partners at no cost or obligation to consumers, according to the Web site. Cellfire.com also provides savings alerts.

• Restaurant.com – If you want to eat out, this site helps you to save money on your meal. A gift certificate worth $25 is $10 on Restaurant.com.

Need to get organized?

If you have problems keeping up with coupons, here are some ways to get them in order:

• Keep coupons in your car. You’ll always have them with you during shopping trips.
• Have a designated holder for coupons. You could simply use a small file box or purchase a fancy coupon holder – whatever gets the job done.
• Clip coupons only for products that you plan to buy. Then, you won’t be overwhelmed by your coupon stash.
• Keep gift cards, department store coupons and store credit slips in the same file with your coupons. All of your savings will be in one place and you won’t have to search for them.
• Sort through your coupon file to eliminate expired coupons.
• Mark the date on your calendar that clothing and department store coupons expire.

Source: USA Weekend and Shop Smart magazine, September 2008 issue

How do you find and organize your coupons? Write in to The Pinch to let me know.