In my younger years, I used to save the “points” that came inside the Mallo Cup and Peanut Butter Cup candy bars. I can remember cashing in the points for all sorts of prizes. Then there were the prizes inside the Cracker Jack boxes. I would drive my mother crazy at the grocery store “whining” for candy just because I needed a few more points so I could send away for the next prize. Now, many years later, we carry on the tradition with coupons.
Since I can remember, each week we clipped coupons from the Sunday papers and looked for the “special sales” advertisements for the upcoming week. We thought we were being quite frugal in our grocery shopping. But now we have “super couponing.” Experts like Jill Cataldo, the “Coupon Queen,” have raised the bar on using coupons. What I once thought was a hobby has now become a science. With a little research on the web, I learned about some money-saving tips that go far beyond clipping the Sunday newspaper. Here are a few:
For clothing and other non-grocery products, try to make your purchases at the end of the product’s season. For example, winter clothing will be a better bargain during “close out” sales in the spring. Shop for wrapping paper, holiday cards, and decorative lighting right after the holidays.
Specific grocery products go through a pricing cycle (from high to low prices) about every 12 weeks. By pinpointing the low price for a given product and using coupons to lower the price even further, you can “stockpile” a 3-month supply of the product and realize huge savings. This makes lots of sense on non-perishable goods and supplies like paper products, dry goods, toiletries, etc. If your “stockpile” gets a little too large, think about donating the extras to your local Food Pantry at church or at the Grafton Township, 12191 B Smith Drive, Huntley. Remember – if you itemize deductions on your tax return, these donations are tax deductible.
In addition to the Sunday paper coupons, go on the web to coupons.com and print out additional coupons to add to your savings.
When you go to the grocery store, pick up more coupons in the aisles from the coupon dispensers located among the shelves. Also, don’t forget the coupons that print out with your cash register receipt. Often those coupons are for products you just purchased, or coupons from competitor brands.
Lastly, don’t forget the Cracker Jacks and cereal boxes and other products that put the coupons inside the package. Odds are that when you find the coupon inside the box, it’s time to buy more.
Keep those letters coming, folks. Send your ideas to: The Frugal Forum, P.O. Box 693, Huntley, IL 60142 or by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com.
