Sunday, September 6, 2009

Discount Coupons Food

Years back, we used to wait for the Sunday Newspaper for the coupon pile that was stuffed into the middle of the paper. Times have changed as we now can search and print coupons whenever our heart desires or needs require.

I was never a believer in finding relevant coupons and savings for my immediate needs. I was too impatient to save up coupons and organize them. However, with printable coupons online, being able to search through hundreds of coupons that are categorized, makes it easy for anyone to check for coupons right before leaving for the supermarket.

The next time you go shopping, simply visit one of the coupon sites below, select your favorite name-brand coupons, and print. Be sure to scroll through all our coupon pages so you don't miss a deal.

Compared to the time it takes to find a coupon, the savings are well worth it. Every time you use a local coupons for groceries it is money back into your pocket. When looking at a coupons savings, I see the equivalent of money. If you don't use them, you lose them. Many online and grocery coupons expire so make sure to check and keep up with the dates.


Best Coupon websites
(Free - trust me there are sites that actually make you pay)


http://www.coupons.com/
As described above, this site offers coupons from contact lens solutions to Kellogs cereal. You can go through their coupon list and you'll be suprised how many you add to your basket to print.

http://www.valpak.com/coupons/
Valpak sends out coupons to your home mail from time to time featuring local business. You can type in your zip code to find coupons available in your area.

Types of Free Grocery Coupons

Whether you’re shopping for dog food, baby formula, orange juice, detergent, chocolate chips, hot dogs, or salad dressing, you can find coupons to lower the bill. Once you add in coupon savings for multiple products, you will find you’ve saved far more than just a little – it is possible to spend only pennies on name-brand products by using coupons to their full extent. But free grocery coupons come in several varieties, and savvy consumers educate themselves on what types of coupons are available before hitting the aisles.

* Manufacturer’s Coupons: These are printed and distributed by the product manufacturer to entice shoppers to try their products, or to encourage continued use of classic favorite items.
* Store-Specific Coupons: These discount coupons are only valid at specific grocery stores and typically apply to local or regional products rather than nationally distributed items.
* Combination Coupons: These deals are valid only if more than one product is purchased from an approved list.
* Rebate Coupons: These discounts must be mailed in with a receipt and proof of purchase in order to redeem the value, usually a specified dollar amount or a free item.

All of these types of coupons can be found for free if shoppers know where to look for the best deals.
Where to Find Free Grocery Coupons

The easiest place to find grocery coupons is in the local newspaper; Sunday supplement sections frequently have one or two inserts of more than a dozen different coupons, which can more than compensate for the cost of the paper itself. Shoppers who prefer to find their coupons without the hassle of a newspaper subscription or purchasing a paper, however, can still find great deals in a number of different free locations:

* Store-specific coupons are often printed directly in a store’s weekly sales flyer.
* Some grocery stores have dispensers with manufacturer’s coupons conveniently located next to the specified product.
* Store-sponsored programs such as classes, family events, or open houses may offer free coupons.
* Magazine advertisements frequently include coupons, particularly for food, baby, or cosmetic items.
* Promotional products may have coupons printed directly on the label or packaging.
* Stores offering double coupon days are essentially providing each shopper with duplicate free coupons with no extra clipping or effort.
* Mail-in surveys frequently offer coupons for popular products as incentives for participants.
* Store and manufacturer websites may offer printable coupons for interested consumers.
* Specialized websites feature categorized listings of hundreds of coupons for registered users to print for free.

Beware of Fraudulent Coupons

Photoshop and other graphic editing programs have made it simple for scam artists to generate fake printable online coupons. This costs retailers millions of dollars each year, since they can’t receive reimbursement from the product manufacturer after accepting a fraudulent coupon. Because of this, some stores are now refusing to accept any type of printable online coupon.

Although it can sometimes be difficult to tell if a coupon is fake, there are a few warning signs you should look for. For example:

  • The coupon seems blurry or hard to read.
  • There are spelling or grammar errors in the coupon text.
  • The coupon doesn’t have a scannable bar code.
  • The coupon offers a free item or an unbelievable savings, such as $9 off an item that costs $10.
  • The coupon is for McDonald's or another fast food restaurant. Scam artists typically target these businesses most often.

If you knowingly use a fraudulent coupon to purchase an item, the retailer may decide to press charges. This is legally considered the same as stealing.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Saving Money with Online Coupons

To make the most of your printable online coupons, remember the following money saving tips:

  • Stay organized! Develop a filing system for your coupons so you can quickly find the coupons you need and keep track of coupon expiration dates.
  • Check coupon sites before you go shopping to catch last minute offers.
  • Pay attention to product size limitations and other coupon criteria. You’ll need to purchase the correct item to receive the discount.
  • Look for stores that offer “double coupon” days to maximize your savings.
  • Try to use your coupons when an item is already on sale.
  • If the item is non-perishable and something your family uses on a regular basis, buy as many as the coupon will allow.
  • Don’t use a printable online coupon to purchase an item you don’t really need. You’re not saving money if the product will go to waste.