Getting an extra product for free is always fun and some stores use this savings technique from time to time.

There are a few tips to consider when shopping what is called a BOGOF. If you have a free coupon for the same item that is a BOGOF that’s the time to use it. About 2 months ago, Acme Supermarket in Philadelphia (I happened to be there), had a real special deal on Gain detergent. It was a Buy One Get 2 Free. The single price was $6.99 or about $2.33 per 50 oz. bottle. However, I had a ‘free coupon’ for Gain giving me all three for free, for an actual savings of almost $21.00. I also used 2-$1 Gain coupons on 2 more of these specials. For the 9 bottles the cost was about $12, $1.50 per bottle for a total savings of $51.00. I’m still using the detergent.

Next is the coupon that offers BOGOF. Not long ago Pantene had such an offer. In addition, in the same flyer, Pantene had a $2 coupon. With my 2 flyers, I had 2 sets of coupons. The Pantene was on sale for $3.33 each. For $2.66 I got 4 Pantene. I saved about $11 on the sale price or about $17.50 on the regular price.

And last is the manufacturer’s package of BOGOF. Often to promote a product, a manufacturer will package 2 items for the price of one. This happens quite often. I always check for Zoya’s favorite Pupperoni at Petco. The health and beauty sections are a famous for this too as is the household cleaning products.

So keep a sharp eye out for these bonus deals.

Over my years of couponing and refunding, I’ve come to find that some companies are very consumer friendly. They offer loads of coupons, are responsive to questions, and support community types of projects.

This list is by no means complete, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. You may decide you have an entirely different selection. But as a start, here are a few of my top. Most of these have web sites that offer special promotions. You can add .com to any of your favorites and navigate their web sites too.

• Kelloggs/Keebler
• Betty Crocker
• Hersheys
• Unilever
• Kraft Foods
• General Foods
• S.C. Johnson Co.
• Green Giant
• Del Monte
• Vlasic
• Dannon
• General Mills
• Energizer

I’d love to hear your suggestions, drop me a line at: susan@refundlebundle.com

Coupons on the internet are all around us. And with so many consumer friendly sites, we can all share in these savings without much trouble.

First, almost every manufacturer has its own site. Many of these offer coupons and promotions. Often requiring a simple sign up, you’ll receive weekly or monthly e-newsletters with coupon offerings and other promotional updates.

This means you can receive goodies from Kraft, Betty Crocker, General Mills but also from retail outlets like Lord & Taylor, Borders books, TrueValue, and slews of others. The savings are plentiful, and all can be combined with specific store sales. Last year Borders had a 40% coupon on any single item. I was able to get my son Adam the 11 season of Southpark at a good buy.

And just a few weeks ago but old vacuum stopped working. To repair the burnt out motor, the cost was $180 plus tax. I priced out a Hoover Canister vacuum. Every local store was selling it at $299. I took my 20% Bed, Bath and Beyond coupon and paid $239. I saved on the tax too.

To access almost any site, put in the company name and add .com. That should bring you into the world of cyberspace savings.

One last tip, to reduce clutter in your inbox, set up a separate email address for all these individual signups. That way you can view all the savings at once and keep the rest of your emails separate.

Slash your grocery bill in half

Today I was featured in the New York Times. It is a great article by Stephanie Rosenbloom called “A Clip-and-Save Renaissance“.

I recently found I needed some printing paper, and new security software. I had some Staples coupons, so I scoured their weekly flyer to check for good deals. Here’s what I spotted.

Norton Anti-virus software was on sale for $39.99 with a $20 rebate and Hammermill Paper had a Buy One Get One Free on 2-10 ream boxes up to $38.99. I never did the Easy Rebate via the internet because I’m so used to the mail-in type. But I decided to take the plunge. I made my purchases and returned home with my product and cash register receipts.

I sat down at the computer and fulfilled the sign-in procedure. Next I followed the directions to submit my online rebates. About 2 minutes later I was done, and then received an email confirmation. I couldn’t believe how easy and fast the whole procedure was.

I hope this is the wave of the future. It eliminates so much time because my information was pre-filled, no envelope, no postage and even with my limited internet skills I was successful. I have already received a $20 Visa card for my Norton purchase.

Our media tour continues. On a recent stop in Houston, TX we pre-arranged a shopping trip with the NBC affiliate, KPRC at an H.E.B Store. Courtney Gilmore, the reporter called me in New York before I left to let me know that a coupon clipper friend of hers was going to meet us at the H.E.B. in Cypus, TX.

We all arrived at the store around 9 AM, and Clara was armed with 2 organizers. I had the list, the flyer and my coupons. Clara and I could have talked for hours, comparing notes and deals, but with the cameras at our side we limited ourselves to quick conversations.

We did find some great deals along the way. For example French’s had an on-sticker offer for BOGOF. With my $1 coupon, the cost was $.19 each. We continued to Kraft BBQ sauce on sale for $1.04. The coupon stated, Buy 2 Kraft Items for $2 off your poultry purchase which was already in my basket. The BBQ sauce was a great deal at 2 for $.08. Next, we combined a manufacturers Colgate toothpaste coupon with an H.E.B. free Colgate toothbrush. We continued throughout finding more bargains.

After shopping, we headed for the checkout. The total was $136.84 for a total savings of $120.43. Our planning, coupon discounts, store sales really paid off and I made a new friend.

Degree is giving a $1 coupon

http://www.degreewomen.com/Women/Fine-Fragrance-Collection.aspx

Lever $1 coupon

http://www.lever2000.com/

$3 in Dove Coupons

http://content.dove.us/dimensions/coupons.aspx

$3 in Pledge Coupons

http://www.pledge.com/savings/2009-1/

$6 in Coupons from Eat Better America: Yoplait, Wheaties etc.

http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/coupons/?WT.dcsvid=MzQ4NjY4ODU2NQS2&WT.mc_id=Newsletter_EBA_042909

$7 coupon for Crest White Strips

http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/en_US/jsp/EDS_Page.jsp?pageID=SCSCL&edstempseg=BB&utm_source=BB&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=May09Newsletter

Getting coupons for the products you need is not any easy task. As a matter of fact, while shopping in Pittsburgh today for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that was the comment I heard not only from the shoppers but from the checkers. That was the exact reason we began the Select Coupon Program in 1982.

Our goal was to get coupons into the hands of the shoppers. And not any coupons, but coupons of your choice. When I found the Kelloggs Frosted Flakes and a couple of other varieties on sale 4 for $6, I was able to go right to my coupons and choose 4 coupons for the same sale items. This is our ultimate purpose. Get you the coupons you need so you can save too.

Right now we are offering FREE $25 in coupons of choice at (http://selectcouponprogram.com). At a double store, that would be worth $50. A great deal, so give it a shot, and start those savings.

I recently heard from Tom Carney, he does the family preparation for shopping. Here’s what Tom told me. He created a Spreadsheet on Microsoft Excel. He listed all the products his family uses. Next, he checks the stores flyers and decides on the best place to shop. He checks off the sale items that match his family’s favorites.

He found this system very time saving. He has the one master list, makes his choices by the sales and coupon offerings, and prints it off. Each week his purchases change to take advantage of all the great deals.

He never has to make another list. What a time saver, and what an easy way to prepare for your weekly shopping. He does adjust the list on occasion to allow for change in preferences. One last mention from Tom, he also goes to other stores, discount drug chains etc. to take advantage of their specials.