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.

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

This is a topic that deserves some more in depth discussions.

I’ve told you about my organizer with about 20 categories, and separate sections for
• Rainchecks,
• Miscellaneous items like batteries and bulbs,
• Retail coupons i.e. TrueValue, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Old Navy
• Coupons waiting to be filed

This has worked very well for me for the last 35+ years.

But I have seen a few other styles that work well too. In Clermont, FL I met up with Diane. Diane’s organizer was a looseleaf book divided into categories. Her coupons were placed in clear plastic pages, good for baseball cards. Each pocket contained similar coupons. For example in her cereal category I could see her internet, store and manufacturer coupons for Kellogg’s cereal. Upon flipping to toothpaste, I could see all the coupons from various brands saved as well.

Diane flips through the pages as she shops the aisles by categories, and pulls out the matching coupon. She loves her system.

Gina was another attendee. She had a small organizer, about 3” x 7” that she made herself from yellow colored poster board. She stapled the ends together and placed her coupons inside in alphabetical order. Hers fit perfectly inside her handbag so no matter when or where her coupons accompanied her.

The point of all this, is whatever system works for you, that’s the best system. So get your coupons ready and head off to the supermarket and your savings.

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.

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.

Everyone has jumped on the savings bandwagon. The Sunday newspaper today is chocked full of sales brochures, coupons and refund opportunities. Pet items, stationery, hardware shops have all found the benefit of offering coupons, rebates and loyalty programs. Here’s how it works.

I needed a few office supplies so I checked out the Staples flyer, also found online.
Not only were many of the products on sale, but there were rebates offering 100% of the cost or substantial discounts. I just got back a full refund on a new electric pencil sharpener on sale for only $10. I returned 3 used ink cartridges and got a $9 credit toward future purchases, and in a couple of weeks, when I need a new security program from Norton, I’ll look for the $20 rebate.

Next stop, Petco, where they were offering a $5 coupon on a $25 purchase. I picked up the Iams dog food, and with a purchase of 10 bags over the year, I’ll get one free.

It’s easy to rack up the savings. Think of your favorite stores, check the Sunday papers, and of course the internet. You’ll find a wealth of deals.

Over the years super shoppers have managed to create their own underground network in the world of shopping. People are creative, and as the old saying goes ‘Necessity is the Mother of Invention’. Thus super-shopping was generally the result of tough economic times, either individually or for the country as a whole. Super-shopping and Smart-Shopping can almost be interchanged.

Shoppers armed with coupons and knowledge of store sales headed for the stores and concentrated on ways to save. They compared prices, product sizes, found introductory specials and manufacturers specially marked packages and started to save money and gain recognition. Today about 85% of all consumers use coupons to help reduce.

To get the coupons you need to super-shop go to www.selectcouponprogram.com and begin those savings today.

Saving at the checkout is fun and easy. Almost immediately, you can expect a 20% savings and build that savings up to 50% regularly on your grocery shopping bill. Use these 5 TOP TIPS to get started:

• Organize coupons: Put coupons into categories i.e. baking, condiments, dairy
• Get the coupons you need from www.selectcouponprogram.com
• Sign up for Supermarket loyalty cards
• Gather store flyers to check for weekly sales
• Combine coupons with store sales to maximize savings

Using just these 5 tips you’ll be impressed with your savings. And like everything in life, the more you follow these tips, the better you’ll get at it. Happy Savings.

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.

Finding Coupons. Coupons are a way of life for 89% of Americans. They are available in many sources. Some of the most common places to locate already printed coupons are: Sunday inserts that are part of most newspapers. Home mailers that not only contain coupons but also local specials at various retailers. Magazine are another source of coupons. Printable Web coupons are a newer phenomenon. Many manufacturers offer coupons on their web sites, and there are sites devoted to printable coupons. Check sites often and bookmark your favorites. Some of my favorites are: coupons.com, and selectcouponprogram.com.

Printable coupons require a computer and printer. If you don’t own a computer, most libraries have them for public use. My father learned all about computers from our local library, and you can print your coupons at the library’s facility. Happy coupon hunting.