The Wise Use of Coupons, Store Cards and BOGOS at the Grocery
Using Manufacturer's Coupons
I sometimes clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper inserts, put them in my coupon wallet sorted into the proper category and then hopefully remember to use them before they expire. This is not always possible, but that's OK, because clipping coupons, sorting them and throwing away expired coupons is the kind of mindless, relaxing task that is soothing for me.
I don't like to bother with coupons that are worth much less than $1 or require you to buy 2 of the product. Here are the caveats:
hint - A 35 cent coupon is OK if your store will Double or Triple the value of the coupon.
You can buy 2 of an item if you will really use it AND you have a place to put it. I rarely have room in the freezer for 2 gallons of ice cream.
Using Store Cards
If you are like me and most folks these days, you have a store card from at least one grocery chain. These cards get you the weekly store specials without having to clip a coupon from the store circular in the Wednesday paper. They also put you on a relatively safe mailing list to send you even better coupons by mail. For example, I've gotten a few coupons for $10 on my next grocery order.
hint - Many stores allow the shopper to just key in his home phone number at the checkout, avoiding the necessity of carrying a store card or miniature keychain card. This is great for the guy that rarely does the shopping or forgets the card when he does.
Gotta Do This Combo Deal
Use your manufacturer's coupon for a product at the same time that the product is on a store card special, at the store where coupons are doubled or tripled, and the store where you can use that $$-off-on-your-next-order coupon that you have been saving in your wallet.
Buying One of a BOGO
While some grocery stores require you to buy two items that are advertised as a BOGO, many stores will allow you to buy one item at half price, but you have to tell them at the checkout (i.e. the computer at the register will not divide the price in half so don't use the self-check.)
If you are shopping at the latter type of store where they will give you half price for one BOGO item, try these ideas:
hint - Separate your single BOGOS while shopping.
hint - Use the child's seat of the shopping cart to separate out your single BOGOS while you shop.
hint - When you get to the check out, just let the checker know where the single BOGOs have been separated, and the checker can figure what the ½ price is for each of them before handling the remainder of your items.
hint - If you place stuff on the checkout conveyor belt yourself, use the conveyor separator bar and divide out your single BOGOS into one section and put the other groceries in the next section. Let the checker know that the first set is single BOGOS from the same grocery order as in the next section. The checker should be able to work with this.
-- In summary, be careful of the tendency to buy something you don't need just because you have a coupon or it's on sale. While this could push you to try something completely new or to try a competitive brand, you don't want a pantry full of stuff you'll never use.
Related Tags: shopping, deal, discount, save, coupons, grocery, frugal, groceries, couponing, bogo, store card
Copyright 2007 by Mindy Makuta. Mindy and her husband own a small resort in Lyons, Colorado where they host outdoor weddings and family reunions. For frugal gift shopping for your significant other, see Romantic Gifts on her web-site which covers topics of concern for before, during and after the wedding. They also publish a website where you can learn about Family Vacations in Colorado, among other topics for planning Colorado vacations, including referrals for where to stay and what to do when you get there.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- The Secrets to Getting Low Down Payment Car Insurance
Upon purchase of a new car, there is almost always a requirement to buy an auto insurance policy as - The Wisdom Behind Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes
No one in his right mind would not go for a good deal. In fact, everyone is out on their feet and ru - The Benefits of Auto Insurance Comparisons Florida
Insurance can be expensive. This is something everyone knows about especially in the sunny state of - Auto Insurance Florida: The No-Fault Policy
There are different kinds of car insurance offered by a wide range of providers today. Different sta - Finding the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies
Everyone is asking and searching for the cheapest auto insurance companies available today. Consider - How do You Compare Private Health Insurance Cover in Australia?
Deciding what is the best and most affordable private health insurance cover can be easy if you take - How Payment Protection Insurance Was Mis-Sold
For over six years the issue of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) and how it was mis-sold to custom - Finding Quotes For Auto Insurance Online
One of the many concerns when you are shopping for auto insurance is being able to get access to quo - How You Can Find the Best Auto Insurance Online
When it comes to renewing your car insurance you are going to quickly discover that there are a numb - Guidelines For Searching For Auto Insurance Online
The internet can be a great source of discounts and values related to auto insurance. However, many
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Trading Forex With Pivot Points
Forex Pivot Point Trading are used today by Forex Traders and are calculated on the previous days mo - Where To Search For Free Grants
Where do you look for free grants? The search must be thorough or it could be an exercise in futilit - The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Salt
We are a society of Salt Addicts. It cannot be denied. When you look at the things we do and the pla - Tips For Avoiding HYIP Scams
Before knowing about HYIP Scams, refer to the functioning of HYIP or "High Yield Investment Programs - Getting Credit After Bankruptcy
Consumers do not have to live sans credit following a bankruptcy. By following certain steps consume - Tips For Choosing A Credit Card
Are you looking for that perfect credit card? If so, you may be confused about what exactly to look - Cheap Car Insurance For Teens Online
Many elements determine a car insurance policy. Car insurance companies look at the person's age, hi - What Exactly Is Free Grant Money?
You can apply for free grant money from various government agencies. But where exactly does this mon - Small Business Owners Marketing and Customer Service
Marketing can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be hugely expensive now, thanks to the Inter - Apply Online For A Credit Card - How To Choose A Card?
The best type of credit card for you will be dependant on how you intend to use the credit card. Are