One way we stretch our budget is using coupons. Other than using them in the grocery store on various and sundry items, I also use them for a specific purpose: getting things free.
Recently, a $1 off 1 Peter Pan coupon came out in newspapers, along with many other coupons I would use on a normal basis (including a $2.25 coupon off of Electrasol). Knowing that Peter Pan would be $1 special promo price at Wal-Marts, and thus free, I purchased a few extra Sunday papers knowing that I would be more than getting my money's worth.
The key to using coupons is to figure out the best deal for you. For example, the $2.25 Electrasol coupons nets me a 12 pack of Electrasol tabs at Dollar General for only a quarter! So, I stocked up on that and moved on to the Peter Pan Peanut butter and stocked up on that also. There was also a Johnson & Johnson's coupon good on their Buddies line, which I was able to use at Dollar General as well to get the Buddies bar soap for free after coupon.
The point being is that using coupons can net you items either very cheap or free. When this is the case, buy extra papers, ask your friends and neighbors, etc. to please save any coupons that they do not plan to use. When there are good sales and good coupons, you save far more in the long run by stocking up so that you do not have to buy items when they are at a higher price.
It is also important to note that unless a coupon specifically states that it cannot be used on a trial sized item, it is perfectly ok to do so. Some stores will give you the overage; others not. It is a YMMV (your mileage may vary) type of thing. But sometimes the best deals are snagged when you use coupons on trial sized items. For a list of Target's trial sized items and prices, please go here.
Some stores will adjust the coupon for you so that they adhere to manufacturers' policies. One such store is CVS. Some great freebies or cheapies I have gotten using coupons on trial items where allowed were Edge Shave Gel, Softsoap shower gel, and Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo.
So clip those coupons!
1 comment:
AARRGGHH!! there's no place to click 'forgot password' - i apparently already have a google account but can't get into it. So using another email addy I signed up again only to be returned to this page and my entire comment was ERASED!!! NOT user-friendly! UGH.
On to the reason for all this frustration...Caren! LOL just kidding. I wanted to let you know that I absolutely LOVE your blog!! great practical tips and real-life examples. YOU GO GIRL!! Can we be notified when there are updates?
Beth C
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