As you all know I live in New York. We have a number of major chains. They include A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaums, Shop Rite and Stop & Shop. Some smaller and specialty chains include Trader Joe, Whole Foods, Stu Leonards, Food Emporium, and DeCicco.

All of our major chains accept and double coupons with different limits. Some of them accept internet and competitors coupons as well. Most of these variations are highlighted on the store’s web site or weekly circulars. But I always verify this information before I shop.

For example, if the store is offering a BOGOF sale, I can only use 1 coupon since my stores consider that a single purchase. If the same item is on sale for 2/$6.00 I can use 2 coupons on this particular purchase.

After speaking with lots of good coupon shoppers here in Florida, I found the policies are different. On a BOGOF sale, shoppers here can use 2 coupons.

My point, check the options for your store carefully so you can maximize your savings fully.

Visit us at: Select Coupon Program

I always have more coupons than I can use. Sharing and helping others is a great way to maximize coupon use. Here’s my system.

Discount drug chains generally offer trail sizes. As a matter of fact my local CVS has ½ an aisle devoted to these small packages. It’s a real bonus. Many coupons do not list a specific size of the product. I use my coupons against these $.99 brands. In the case of the $1 coupons, the items are free. My supermarket that doubles coupon value displays trial sizes too, particularly in the health and beauty aid section. With a $.50 or $.75 coupon doubled, I can walk away with quite a lot of free or nearly free stuff. I stock up as much as possible and save them for future use

When my sons participate in the Midnight Run, the distribution of blankets, sandwiches and toiletries to the needy, I can supply most of the toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, shaving crème, shampoo and bandages for the event.

I also donate my extra deals to the local Senior center. I not only supply the products, but I drop off extra coupons to share. You can start an exchange at your local center and encourage the group to bring in their unused coupons too. It’s a engaging activity and money-saving for those on a limited budget.

Helping others this way is a benefit of being a coupon person. I feel I’m sharing a bit of my savings with others and their appreciation is heartfelt. If you have an opportunity to help, give it a shot.

You can watch the video here: Coupon Queen Visits Fresno - $174.29 for only $6.76

Early Monday morning, April 27, we headed over to one of the nicest supermarkets I’ve ever seen and were greeted by a charming manager, Rick Ripada. The store was perfectly arranged for my coupon shopping trip, and we soon met up with Shannon Handy the reporter KFSN. She accompanied us along the way, and we found lots of great bargains and tips.

One of the best was the number of Specially Marked Packages in the aisles. Many packages offered money-off, refunds, or extra product. Keep that in mind when shopping too. The supermarket can be a wealth of savings. Sue

Just recently I did a shopping in Pittsburgh and bought $200 worth of the groceries for only $20! See me in action: Grocery Coupon Shopping.

I have wonderful memories of Pittsburgh. About 18 years ago when our sons were still young they often traveled with us. I was doing a shopping trip for a local Pittsburgh station, and they offered us tickets to a baseball game at Three River Stadium. Two of our sons, Mark and Michael are big sport fans, so we thought this was a great perk for them. As it turned out, the day was perfect, blue skies, comfortable temperatures and the Pittsburgh team was giving out free back packs. What could be better.

As we sat through the game, I admired the view. It was spectacular. I don’t actually remember who won or lost, but imprinted in my memory is a delightful day for all of us at Three River Stadium. Sue

Coupons are very valuable commodities. They are almost as good as cash, because they can save cash at the supermarket. And the more coupon savvy we become, the more we can save.

Most coupons have expiration dates, from the time you cut them out, they have an average life of about 2 ½ months. Does that mean we should use every coupon we have? The answer is no. We use coupons to:

• Save money
• To maximize savings when used in conjunction with store sales
• To try new products when high valued-coupons are issued
• Trade with friends to get other coupons

If a coupon is do to expire, and we don’t really need the item, or if it hasn’t been on sale then the coupon loses its value. It’s important to discriminate between need, savings and losing the coupon to expiration. In almost every case, I’d let the coupon expire.

Plan your meals around store sales and coupon availability. This week chicken cutlets are on sale: 10 lbs. for $1.65 per pound. A really good buy. Since I can’t use 10 lbs at once, I break up the package into 10 smaller ones providing the protein portion for $1.65 per meal. Next, Birds frozen vegetables are on sale 5 for $5. With my $.50/2 coupons doubled my final cost is $2.50 for the 5 boxes. Using 1 per meal, to serve with my chicken, each of these meals will cost $2.15.

So be smart, frugal and coupon conscious when planning your menus. It does work. Send me any ideas you have for sharing menus and coupons.

When I started refunding and couponing in 1973, everything was a hard copy, no internet. But I’ve gotten used to this new phenomenon and I love it. Printable coupon and refund offers are available all of the time offering cash back, free coupons and oh so much more. Be adventurous, try the web site of your favorite manufacturer: a couple of my favorites are: www.colgate.com, and www.kelloggs.com. Go to the Refundle Bundle Bulletin Board, www.refundlebundle.com and check for daily postings of great offers, and list some of your own.

Sharing with others increases our ability to save. And saving is the name of the game. So start today.

My next criteria for choosing a market is overall store sales. The store I prefer, A&P, starts their weekly sales on Friday, and has extra special sales from Friday to Monday. I make up my list according to the sales and the coupons I have. I also get extra coupons from the Sunday insert. The inserts almost always have coupons that match the current sales. And of course I stockpile coupons from www.selectcouponclub.com. Since I try to get to the market during the 4-day sale period, I prepare my list as soon as possible. I keep the list and my coupons together so I’m prepared and don’t have to rush at the last moment.

Using this technique, I’m guaranteed to save 20-40% off my weekly bill.

Everyone has a favorite supermarket. I have a favorite too. But to be a favorite, it has to meet at least some basic criteria. First, I prefer a market that offers DOUBLE COUPONS. Double Coupons began sometime in the 1970’s, and the phenomenon doubled the face value of the coupon. For example, a $.50 coupon would net you a $1.00 off the cost of the product. Its purpose was to encourage more customers and to increase consumer spending. And it worked. People bought more because they saved more. And least that was their hope. The savvy consumer could boast increased savings.

To make sure you really save, use the double coupons:

Not everyone uses the same products. That is evident by the fact that there are over 27,000 different products in the average supermarket. To make grocery items stand-out coupons are used to attract attention. But with over 250 billion coupons issued only a small percentage are ever redeemed.

To maximize coupon use, trading is a wonderful pastime. I traded at work when I was a teacher and also at my local bowling alley when I was in a league. It was great fun, and helps make new friends. This concept has expanded. Libraries have set up trading bins, some supermarkets, worker’s lunchrooms, children’s play groups, and the most famous of all: The Koffee Klatch-be creative, find some people and set up your own bin. You can double your savings with the extra coupons.