Dollar Stretchers
By Daphne | January 15, 2008
I have mentioned this before, but you can really stretch your dollar with COUPONS.
I clipped some coupons from the Sunday paper and searched the circulars for things I needed staples like orange juice and toilet paper.
I looked at the circulars first then I looked at the coupons and realized that about half of the coupons that I clipped I could apply to the purchases I was going to make.
Coupons are great to use especially when items that you use or prefer to use is currently on sale. If you shop at a store that has their own coupons or offers special pricing to those who are “members” then use the coupons to get the deals.
For example I need to buy orange juice and the brand that are on sale for a half gallon at Target is two for $6. In addition I have a coupon for $1 off the purchase of two. Orange juice lasts in the refrigerator and getting two for $5 is an even better deal. If there are items that are nonperishable like bar soap, wait until it is on sale and use the coupon. It doesn’t pay to stock up on perishable items unless you can freeze them. They may go to waste, just because you got a really great deal.
Some places let you stack coupons, you can use a store coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon which helps you earn greater discounts. If you shop at a store that offers double coupons up to a certain amount that is a great deal too.
Coupons are not only great for food. I went to a shoe store and had a coupon for my birthday for $5 and a rewards certificate for $10 from previous purchases. The coupon for my birthday said that I could use up to two additional coupons as long as the purchase was over $19.95. I was able to get a $50 pair of shoes for $35. Since I needed shoes this was an awesome deal.
Scour the papers for deals and use coupons too. If you now someone who uses a certain item that you don’t maybe you could even swap some coupons with a friend to help you save even more money.
The expiration dates on coupons are shorter so the week you get them is probably the best time to use them. There are very few no expiration date coupons anymore. Pair your coupons with the sales that are offered and your shopping dollars will go much further.
(There are coupons available online for offline grocery purchases but I have yet to find anything that I could use. The best online coupons are those for online purchases or ones you receive in your email box because you have joined an mailing list. It is hit or miss when you try manufacturer’s main sites. Some companies offer coupons and others don’t.)
Topics: January 2008 |