Agent Advises: You Can Clip And Save

— Clipping coupons may seem like a chore to some, but the potential savings make it worthwhile, especially with today’s economy, said Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

“Chances are good that if you saw five dollars lying on the ground, you would stop to pick it up,” she said. “Coupons are the same thing - you’re leaving money at the supermarket that could be yours.”

Companies have been using coupons to promote their products for more than 110 years, Haley said. Coupons have evolved from one-cent discounts to newspaper and magazine clippings and online printouts.

All those little savings can add up.

A recent survey from the Promotion Marketing Association’s Coupon Council found that coupon users report an average of 7 percent savings on their grocery bill.

Efficient coupon use requires diligence, but it’s easy to get into a routine.

Haley suggested several pointers for finding and using coupons effectively.

◊ Find them. Newspapers, magazines, mail and online resources are good options. Be cautious of Web sites or mail-order businesses that charge for coupons. There’s likely a free alternative out there.

◊ Be selective. Clip coupons for items that will actually be used. Don’t buy something just because there’s a coupon for it. “It’s not a bargain if it spoils or just sits in your pantry,” said Haley.

◊ Get organized. Use anenvelope or box as a coupon organizer. Separate the coupons into categories - type of food, location in the store, expiration date, etc. Keep the organizer in a convenient place so it’s easily found.

◊ Have a plan. Use coupons and grocery store sales to plan weekly menus and then use the menus to make a grocery list. Mark items on the list that have a coupon so it’s easier to remember to use it.

◊ Combine the savings. Compare before shopping. Some stores may havelower prices than others and some will match competitors’ prices. Take advantage of special discounts, like double coupon days or senior discounts. Use discount cards where available. Sometimes store coupons and manufacturers’ coupons can be used for the same item.

◊ Check unit prices. If a coupon is good for any size, try to find the lowest cost per ounce or unit with the smallest size. If buying in bulk, think about whether the extra food will be used before it spoils.

Remember that coupons aren’t just for grocery store savings anymore. There are plenty of other places where coupons can help save money.

Several stores and manufacturers offer coupons for goods and services - just about anything including carpet cleaning, home landscaping and even tanning. “For maximum savings, combine coupons with sales, rebates or other discounts,” said Haley.

Provided by U of A Division of Agriculture Extension Service

News, Pages 6 on 02/24/2010