Smart Money Management

Saving Money With Coupons:

If you are looking to cut weekly costs and stick to a budget, then coupon clipping is for you. Now I know some of you may be thinking that this is either embarassing a waste of time or won't actually work; however there are a few ways to clip coupons and save up to 25% of your supermarket bill. Now I am no expert but that's not chump change.

Helpfull Tips:

• Set up a system: Spend some time each week looking over local paper inserts and other sources of coupons. Cut out the coupons you think you might use on a grocery trip and throw out the wrest. Seperate the coupons into various categories of your choosing and store them in a shoe box or any other system of your choice. When you are getting ready to go to the store, look at your grocery list and pick the coupons that you want to use. Store these coupons into an envelope for easy access.
• Be Choosy: You don't have to be loyal to any specific brand. Buy the product that you can use the coupon on.
• Accumulate as many coupons as you can from every possible source
• Save unused coupons: Some supermarkets maintain informal exchange bins where you can exchange coupons you don't want for ones you do.
• Join a Coupon-exchange club: There are a few large clubs to choose from all offering discounts, coupons, and rebates. Upon Joining, members fill out a form specifiying what products they use. Periodically, members mail in coupons they don't want that you can use.
• Shop at "Coupon Friendly" Grocery stores
• Use Coupons in conjunction with other savings offers: You can use coupons on sale items in the grocery store !
• Bank your savings: It can be tempting to spend the money you save from coupons. Resist this urge; put the money aside and save it for something you want or need.