Coupons have come a long way from the years I began. My coupons were all from the newspapers, magazines, home mailers, doctor’s offices and other places. These options still all exist today but are supplemented by a whole vast new type of coupon: internet and electronic versions.

Internet coupons can be found on many sites including individual manufacturers, specific sites such as shortcut.com or coupons.com and supermarket sites. Each store has different rules regarding internet coupons, so before you print any out check with your local market.

Next are the electronic coupons that can be downloaded directly onto your store loyalty card. Individual stores use this as an alternative and sometimes in conjunction with the printable ones. My local A&P doesn’t accept printable coupons but I can chose electronic coupons from their site, and as I buy the item and checkout, the coupons are automatically deducted.

It’s a great convenience, the only problem is the limited number of both printable and electronic coupons. The selection is small and the coupons don’t often match the sale item. For a larger selection you can try our www.selectcouponprogram.com

Place your earliest expiration dates to the front of each category and alphabetize the coupons in each category to insure the most efficient coupon use. Match up coupons to store sales to insure your best savings. However, never buy a product just because you have a coupon. I often let a coupon expire if the item is not on sale. I place all my coupons in a 3” x 8” coupon file (with my name, address and phone number in case of lose). Included in my file is a small scissors and all my store loyalty cards. Store Loyalty Cards allow us to take advantage of store sales and in some cases reward the shopper with other benefits.

Store Loyalty Cards are a great bonus. In some cases combined purchases around the holidays get us a free turkey. But these loyalty cards have expanded well beyond the supermarket. At office supply stores (i.e. Staples), hardware (Ace and TruValue) and major drug chains (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) we can earn store credit toward future purchases. These loyalty cards also track our purchases and help the participating chains keep inventory. So these cards have multiple benefits for all concerned. Many cards also come with a key chain counterpart for ease of use.