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Hi!
We are Buck and Jo and we are
COUPONAHOLICS! We are both retired and love to shop. And we
especially love bargains. We got started more years ago than
we can remember while we were both still working. We didn't
have much time then to devote to the coupons but we still did
very well. Since retiring, we consider ourselves
"professional shoppers." During our working years we
would shop coupons for the necessity and the fun of it. But
now we shop coupons for the fun of it and to help those who
are less fortunate. We are not sure just how much money we
have saved over the years but we would certainly estimate it
to be well into the thousands of dollars.
Shopping with coupons is very easy.
The things you must have to successfully use coupons are
shopping time, concentration, a good filing system, knowledge
of prices and access to coupons. We concentrate on shopping at
stores that give double coupons up to and including one
dollar. For example, one local store had Turkey Hill ice cream
on sale for $1.99 and we had several $1.00 coupons. The store
doubles the coupon and therefore enabled us to get the ice
cream for nothing. We had enough ice cream to supply our
children and we were definitely a hit with the grandchildren.
We enjoy getting groceries and other items for little or
nothing and giving most of them to our children, grandchildren
and anyone who is in need of a helping hand. They always seem
to appreciate our help because some of them work and do not
have the time to shop as we do.
At one time when we first started
Buck was embarrassed to carry coupons into the stores because
he thought that was a female thing. Now he pays no attention
to having his coupons right out in view of everyone. When our
family visit it is always fun to show them the recent bargains
we have gotten. They never fail to let us know what they want
for themselves. One of our best deals was last winter when if
you purchased $250.00 over a specified period of time the
store would give you a holiday ham or turkey. This $250.00 was
deducted before coupons therefore enabling us to acquire a
$250.00 credit very quickly. In fact, we acquired more than
one $250.00 credit to receive a couple hams and turkeys for
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. What we didn't use for our
own dinner, we gave away to those in need over the holidays.
We have also gotten into using
rebates. Whenever we go into a store we always check the
rebate counter to see what new rebates have been offered and
we always keep a supply of the most recent ones. There is a
possibility that eventually you will use the rebates for
specified items before the expiration dates. Will write more
about rebates later.
Another tip is to pay attention to
after-holiday or seasonal sales. After Easter I took advantage
of the special sale of candy. The candy had been marked down
half price and in all instances we got it for nothing.
One of the most important things is
to remember to go through your coupons at the end of every
month and weed out the expired ones. Periodically during the
month you should try to spot check the expiration dates on the
coupons as they all don 't expire at the same time. Some
expire on other dates during the month. Always check the
dates, as well as any small print, before getting to the
register. Two recent coupon clips were Cottonelle, double
roll, four pack for $1.39 at Giant. By using a 50 cent doubled
coupon we only paid 39 cents per pack. Super Fresh advertised
Freeman shampoo on sale for $1.99. We had $1.00 coupons that
doubled thereby giving it to us free. Another item they
offered was Tostitos at $1.99 and we had a doubled $1.00
coupon thereby giving us another free item. We have so many
more tips, suggestions and shopping experiences to share with
you.
Keep
in touch and we will periodically fill you in.
Jo
and Buck
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