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Want to save on your grocery bills every week? Here are some tips gleaned from The Sacramento Bee's extreme couponing classes. The list comes courtesy of Maria Ravera, The Bee's director of audience development.
1. Combine store sales with coupons. Don't use coupons on full-price items. -
2. Buy multiple items when the product you want goes on sale. -
3. Holiday sales are a great time to stock up. Take advantage of party items and specialty items such as Fourth of July specials to last for all your summer barbecues, or enough cranberries at Thanksgiving to last you all year. -
4. Couponing isn't just about pantry items. It's a lifestyle of frugal living and best deals. Use your freezer for meats and fruits. Freeze peaches when they go on sale to use in the off-season. -
5. Coupons are in more than the Sunday paper. Many grocers advertise their sales and coupons Wednesdays in The Sacramento Bee or other days of the week. Plus, you'll find post-it notes on the newspaper and electronic communication with good deals, too. -
6. Some coupons save more than the item costs. If a coupon takes $3 off an item that is on sale for $2, you can use the $1 to buy other items that don't have coupons. -
7. The less brand loyal you are, the more you'll save. Try new items. -
8. Don't plan your menu and then go shopping. Eat the fruits, vegetables and meats that are on sale. -
9. Save your coupons whole - don't cut them out. Use websites like www.grocerysmarts.com to help you match up sales with coupons. -
10. Get multiple coupons with a newspaper subscription for each member of the household. No more fighting over the Sports section or the funnies. Peaceful Sunday mornings.
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