Five Tips from the Coupon Contessa

1). The first key to saving money is to get multiple inserts of the Sunday Paper and lots of them. The coupons are usually with the magazine section that is wrapped in the funny paper.

There are three kinds of inserts: the Redplum, the SmartSource and the once a month General Mills and Procter & Gamble Brand Saver. There are usually not coupons on Holiday weekends.

2). Once you have your coupon inserts, now it is time to get to know the stores in your area.

Does your store double or triple coupons? Double means two times the amount of the coupon and triple means three times the amount of the coupon

At most stores, your coupon will be accepted at face value. BUT some stores double or even triple coupons. So a .50 cent coupon that is doubled will be worth $1.00. and a .35 cent coupon that is tripled will now be worth $1.05.

This saving can quickly add up and you may even be getting the product for free.

What are the maximum value to double or triple coupons?

In other words what is the highest amount of a coupon that will triple? Usually up to and including 35 cents.

And what is the highest amount of a coupon that will double? Usually it is up to an including 50 cents.
How many like coupons will double/ triple? If I am buying three toothpastes and I have three coupons for 35 cents each. Will they triple only the first coupon only or all three. This depends on the store policy.
3). Take advantage of store loyalty cards. They will help you save more money. But make sure you always give your card to the cashier first, or at least before any coupons. Sometimes it is the only way that you will be able to get sale prices or the double / triple coupons.

Make sure the company has your correct mailing address. They may send you valuable coupons in the mail.

4). Price Book: Very simply, it is a book, spiral notebook, spreadsheet or piece of paper that you record a list of the items that you buy most often and the best prices that you find in the grocery store.

In my opinion, this is one of the most helpful things you can do if want to save money at the grocery store and using coupons. It will not take too much of your time and it will be a great source for you to track the prices of the items that you buy regularly. Start with the top ten items. You will even start to see the sales cycle forming.

Prices should be recorded in price per unit (ounce, roll, pound), so that you can compare larger sized packaging to smaller sizes and store to store. Some stores have this price per unit listed on the shelf tag, for the other stores, you will need to bring a small calculator along. To figure out the cost per unit, take the cost of the item then divide by the number of units that will give you the cost per unit.

Example: 4 roll Toilet paper is $1.19

1.19 / 4 = 29.75 cents per roll

Example of a Price Book:
Date         Store                  Item / Brand          Size         Cost           Price Per Unit

10-1      Sun Grocery        Bar Soap / Flwr       3 bars      1.65           .55 cents / bar

11-1      Moon Grocery     Bar Soap / Bug        4 bars      1.89          .47 cents / bar

11-4      Star Grocery        Bar Soap / Bee         3 bars     1.78          .59 cents / bar

With the knowledge of how to start and use your price book, you will never have to wonder if a sale price is the best possible price that you can get. Then add your coupon savings in the mix, and you will soon be willing to pay less and less for the everyday items that you purchase.

5). Take the coupons with you to the store! I know this sounds silly, but this is the biggest complaint I hear. I spend my time to organize and cut the coupons but I am never able to get hem to the store so that I can use them. Find a system that works for you and stick them in your bag.