Coupon Sophistication - How I Save Money Every Month

There really is big money in coupons. I use them each and every month and literally save hundreds of dollars on commonly purchased items. Many stores will print your savings total on the bottom of the receipt for a quick glance at your total annual savings.

I started using coupons as a college student. We all know how poor college students are, at least back then, and any savings was greatly appreciated. I scoured the Sunday paper and clipped coupons for items that I regularly bought and on occasion, for something that looked interesting and was affordable. Back in 1992, they'd triple manufacturer coupons and sometimes I got items for free or mere pennies. I remember being completely ecstatic once when I went to the store and spent $40 on groceries, but after my coupons, the bill was $16! I'd saved $24 - I could hardly believe it, but I was completely delighted and from then on I was an advocate for the use of coupons.

There has been an occasion or two where I was laughed at or ridiculed for using a coupon, however in all honesty it's never bothered me. I think it rather foolish than anyone would pay more than they had to for the exact same item that I would buy at a percentage off. That's more money in my pocket for the purchase of an impulse item like a day at the spa or a new pair of shoes or just more groceries, clothes, games; for whatever I want to buy or how much I want to save.

How do I get my Coupons?

There was a time where I didn't use coupons as regularly as I do now, but the economy and financial climate was drastically different. Unstable economic conditions dictate a certain amount of restraint and frugal caution is required.

Part of the reason I'd stopped using coupons as much was the accumulation of newspapers and coupon booklets that would pile up if my time prevented me from getting to them right away. On more than one occasion, I'd thrown away weeks worth of newspapers and expired coupons (took too long to cut them out and use) because I had not been able to get to them and they were taking up too much room.

That issue has mostly been eliminated with Internet Coupons and Paperless Coupons. I'm in heaven!!! Minutes before I go to the store, I log on to a few of my favorite coupon sites and I can clip coupons right to my customer membership card for a particular store or clip just the ones that I want and print and go. It is so convenient and so fast as opposed to the time-consuming method of sorting through booklets of coupons and using a scissor to cut them out. Now I simply browse a site, put a check mark in the box next to the coupons that I want and print them all at once. I occasionally still get the Sunday paper for the coupons and recommend a subscription for anyone that wants to significantly reduce their household spending.

Where do I use my coupons?

Everywhere that I can. The older that I can, the more financially conscious I become and if there is an opportunity to get a discount for a service or product that I otherwise intended to purchase anyway; I'm getting that discount. Below is just a sampling of places where I regularly use coupons:

· A&P and Pathmark - My 2 local supermarkets. I have the shopper's savings card that automatically discounts sale items in the store when you use it at checkout. Accounts for significant savings. You can also use the savings card in conjunction with manufacturer's coupons and these stores double manufacturer's coupons up to $.99. Imagine how many free items that adds up to.

· BJ's Savings Club - BJ's is a member's only large volume discount club in my area. If you purchase in bulk, this is the kind of club that you'd want to shop at to ensure maximum savings. They mail members a monthly coupon book, offer coupons via their website and also accept manufacturer's coupons, but no doubling.

· Restaurants - Restaurant.com is AMAZING!!!! I enjoy eating out and do it on average at least once a week. I'm talking fine dining, no McDonald's or Burger King. I stumbled across this restaurant site and have used them religiously ever since. They offer a large directory of restaurants, many I'd previously frequently and many I want to try. The website provides all information from menus to prices to reviews and pictures. They allow you to buy a $25 gift certificate for $10, but wait, that's not the best part. You think you're saving $15 - 60% off which is superb, but no; this site regularly and I mean almost every week, sends out newsletters with coupon codes for up to 80%!! I get $25 gift certificates for $2! Seems too good to be true, but for once it isn't. I use them all the time and have never had a problem. Only catch is occasionally there are conditions such as no weekends, not valid on alcohol or no pre-fixe menus; however I've been to a few places that had no restrictions at all. Once such place is 1-2-3 Burger Shot Beer on 50th and 10th in NY. I love this sports bar that has TVs all around and an awesome patio garden and they really do server $1 Burgers, 2 Shots and $3 Beers. I'd bought a $25 restaurant certificate for $2 with a promo code and had a minimum purchase requirement of $35. I ordered 2 Top Shelf Liquors, ribs, wings and sliders, had a few beers and my tab with tip included was $14.55. Can you say win-win? Additionally, if you access it through my ZamZuu site, you can get cashback on your purchases - AWESOME!

• CVS - my local pharmacy - I hear Rite-Aid which is local to me too just not as close to my house; offers lot of the same kind of deals. CVS is absolutely one of my favorites with their Cash Back program. Every week in the weekly circular they feature products where in addition to being on-sale, they will issue a cash back coupon that is printed on the bottom of your receipt when you checkout. And yes, you can use manufacturer coupons. I love this store. Last week I bought saline solution for $7.99, had a $1 coupon and received the full purchase price of $7.99 as a CVS cash back coupon offer. I only paid $7 but I was given an additional $8 which I promptly used to buy two cases of Nestle water that they had on sale for $3.98 a case. I didn't have to spend an extra cent. My sister bought the saline solution as well and 2 bottles of Listerine mouthwash that was on sale for $3.98. She had 2 $1 coupons for the Listerine and she had enough left over to get 2 Gallon bottles of Poland Spring Water. She got all that for $7!!

As you can see I'm serious about coupons and the potential savings benefit they offer. Stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Sears and Macys all accept either manufacturer's coupons or issue their own store department coupon. You're going to buy that toaster anyway, why forfeit a 20% savings on what could easily be a $30 - $40 item. Multiple that by all the things you buy monthly and realize just how much you can keep in your pockets.