Coupons have been around for years. Some of you may remember green stamps. They were like reverse coupons. When you checked out at the grocery, they gave you a certain amount of green stamps and a stamp book. When you collected enough stamps, you could purchase items from the stamp catalogue-one booklet full for a bauble of some sort. Just another marketing method that has gone the way of the dodo bird.
Low tech coupons remain, in news papers and ad inserts, that you cut out, and take to the retailer, and high tech-those you find online and use when you shop online. There is also a hybrid-websites that allow you to find your grocery or pharmacy coupons online, print them out and shop locally.
Are coupons worth the effort? Yes and no, is the straightforward answer.
If you use coupons to buy brand-name products, that are more expensive than store brand, then no, they are not worth it. If you are able to use them to truly save money on your purchases and lower your overall grocery bill, then go for it. Many folks view the coupon thing as a competition to see how much they knock off their grocery bill.
Now, the high tech version of couponing is more my style. When you have made the choice to purchase an item online, then it is well worth a few minutes to check through the various websites that will allow you search for a coupon discount on that item. You use the code to plug into those coupon code boxes you see right before check-out. You know those boxes that always make you think,” hmm, someone is buying this for less than me, what’s up with that?”
I have visited a few of those coupon sites online to share with you:
These are all good sites. I like the layout of the Coupon Album, coupon site best. It is just easier on the eyes, and easier to use. The biggest danger with these sites is seeing something you want-then busting your budget. Rather than helping you to purchase something you need, cheaper and easier. Remember, only buy things that are in your spending plan, or budget. Study those items, checking all available sources until you are sure you are getting the best price. Try pricegrabber and bizrate to compare prices.
For an article from PC Mag on its opinion of the top ten coupon pages check out this site.
My coupon story: I need a new video camera to add video to my websites. The one I currently use is 12 plus years old, and it is very difficult to transfer video to my computer. I am looking for a Flip video camera-I have done my due diligence and it is time to execute. My budget was $200 bucks as that seemed to be the standard price. I was really excited to see a coupon for 10 % off from the Flip manufacturer. Before I executed, I saw a post on CNET about Flips on Amazon. The check out price was almost 40 bucks less from Amazon, without a coupon.
So remember, when you decide to buy something online, then take a few minutes to look at these coupon sites and see if you can save a few bucks. But always check around and make sure the price with coupon is really the cheapest price.
Please share with me if you have found a site you enjoy using for coupon shopping. Also share with us your coupon successes-it ain’t braggin if you did it….
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