Gift certificates deliver real savings, bargains

Want to save money? Gift certificates can offer real savings if those certs are saved until department stores put their winter stock on sale in late January and early February.
I've seen instances where store coupons being used with gift certificates, and it's almost like they are giving extra discounts, to the point where you get fantastic deals! Almost like getting free stuff. Feels like you're getting giveaways!
(Dillards is a great place to stock up on gifts for birthdays and next year's holiday gift giving -- they slash prices of top-quality coats and sweaters up to 90% in some cases.)
So, take those free gifts you got from Santa, sock them away until the end of the month, and let your savings multiply by finding cupons and in-store bargains to go with them.

Are savings guaranteed with promotion codes?

Do you always save money when you use a discount coupon or a promotion code?

Well, nothing's "guaranteed" when it comes to online printable coupons -- except that there are millions of choices to make! But according to TheInternetPatrol.com website, your odds of saving money is much higher when you learn how to seek out and use discount coupons and promo codes. As they note on their website:

The Internet isn’t just for work or play - it can actually save you money - a lot of money - by providing you with deep discount online shopping options for your purchase! By spending just a few minutes online before you make a purchase, you can often find online discount codes, online promotion codes, online coupon codes, online coupons, and even printable coupons such as printable grocery coupons and printable restaurant coupons to shave dollars off your purchase!

Good info at their site. Be sure to pay them a visit. They offer actual screenshots to help you navigate the different options. If you're a newbie to online coupons and promotion codes, you'll save a fortune following their advice.

To read more, visit TheInternetPatrol.com and read this page:


http://www.theinternetpatrol.com

Where to find Promo Codes, Coupon Codes, and Online Discounts

Where to find Promo Codes, Coupon Codes, and Online Discounts

www.currentcodes.com

CurrentCodes.comFind Promotional Codes, Discount Codes, Coupon Codes, and more for your favorite online stores.


www.promocode.com

Promo Codes and Online Coupon Codes from PromoCode.comPromocode.com offers thousands of promo codes and online coupons which save you money on Christmas gifts, office parties, and holiday gifts.


www.promo-code.com

Promo Code & Coupons for your favorite merchants here. Find Promo Codes, Coupons and Discount Links for your favorite merchants.


www.couponcabin.com

Free Coupons, coupon codes, online coupons and promotional codes ...www.couponcabin.com has free coupons, promotional codes, printable coupons and deals to over 700 online stores that can instantly save you up to 20% or more.


www.coupons-coupon-codes.com

Coupons and Coupon Codes - Best Buy, Dell, Circuit City, Office ...Coupons and Coupon Codes is your source for online coupons, promotion codes, ... 1-800-flowers.com Coupons, 1800Contacts Coupons, and Amazon Coupons.

Most visited printable coupons websites

The Most Visited Printable Coupons Websites
http://www.smartsource.com/ - Save money with their free coupons, printable grocery coupons and food coupons! Right now, you can find up to 85 coupons for savings up to $75 or more!
http://www.coupons.com/ - Featuring: Grocery Coupons. Recipe Coupons. Internet Coupons.
http://www.pizzahut.com/Deals.aspx - Find deals, coupons, and promotions for a Pizza Hut location near you at PizzaHut.com.
http://www.target.com/ - Target offers grocery coupons, specials coupons, allows you to create individual shopping lists, features a unique Recipe Box, plus gives you the option to print coupon clippings.
http://www.couponsurfer.com/ - Free online and printable coupons for groceries, gifts, baby, electronics, and more.
http://www.coolsavings.com/ - Save big money with their wide selection of grocery, baby and travel coupons aimed at helping you save money. They claim to be the #1 coupon site on the Internet. They offer coupons you can print from your computer every time you go shopping. Get promotional codes & save here.

"It's easier to save money with coupons than to earn extra money to buy things as inflation is costing consumers more and more money. Now is the time to start clipping coupons and reducing monthly bills!" -- Steve Johnson, www.Money-Saving-Coupons.net

CouponMom offers free money-saving e-books

Free Electronic Books !!!



Their site promises...

Become an expert saver overnight by reading our free ebooks! Print all five of the books from the Coupon Mom, Stephanie Nelson to save thousands of dollars this year!

They kept their promise! Very cool free e-books that you can download right away to your home computer and start saving money in the area where people waste the most of their household budget: in the grocery store!

The website CouponMom.com is a great resource to find a variety of printable grocery coupons, online coupon codes, restaurant and travel coupons -- plus, what's cool about this site, it's easy to navigate, it loads fast, and there are true savings to be had here!

Check out their website today!

Cashing in on mail-in rebates

Rebates are great... so long as you remember to mail in the rebate forms. It's often a sinking feeling in the gut when you realize that you've passed up on $10, $25, or even $50 rebates simply because you forgot to get them in the mail on time!

Well, Richard Iglar gives us tips on how to make the process simple -- and more profitable! -- the article below:




"How to Deal With Mail-In Rebates - Tips to Make Your Life Easier!"


By Richard Iglar

Rebates are a wonderful thing, if and when you receive your rebate check. The most common mistake made when sending in a rebate is failure to comply to all the rebate requirements and failure to keep a copy of all materials sent to the rebate processor. When dealing with rebates; please be sure to follow our guidelines, it will save you a hassle in the future and ensure that you receive your rebate promptly.

• Price compare before you buy anything with a rebate. Rebates are usually promotions that are offered to deal with price cuts or competitive pricing. Sometimes you may find that you can purchase the same product from another store at a lower cost without having to fill out any rebate! The less hassle, the better off you are.




• Before purchasing any item with a rebate; read the rebate requirements in detail. Be sure that you can meet all the requirements before you make the purchase. If you purchase a product, and then return it because you don't qualify for the rebate you will end up losing on shipping costs. The requirements you should pay attention to are the: product/purchase requirements, quantity, expiration date; post-mark date, location requirements, stipulations, etc.




• Some rebates will only be honored for specific stores; don't expect to have a rebate honored if you did not purchase it from an authorized retailer listed on the rebate form.




• If the company sponsoring the rebate is not well known, beware. Many rebates are never honored by their sponsoring companies and you could be the one to lose out. If in doubt, check the Better Business Bureau to get information on a company. If there are any open complaints against them, they will most likely be listed there.




• If you're dealing with an upgrade rebate; be sure that you have the proper proof-of-purchase to be eligible for that rebate.




• Once you receive the product, fill out the rebate form CLEARLY so that your handwriting is easy to read. If I was a rebate processor and I received chicken scratch all over a rebate form, I would most likely ignore it as well. Many companies will not accept typed-in responses, one good practice is to write in all the details with a non-smearing pen. Then place a sticker with your name & address on the rebate form in a blank space. It doesn't hurt to have a second opinion.




• Most rebates require the original UPC (Universal Product Code) to be cut from the package as proof of purchase. The UPC is the white/black barcode on the outside of the box that is scanned by price scanners. Remember; if the rebate requires the "original' UPC they most likely will not honor a photocopy.




• Photocopy or scan all the materials you are sending to the rebate company. This includes the rebate form, receipt, UPC and any other required paperwork. It's kind of hard to prove that you sent in a rebate if you don't have a copy. The rebate forms will also have the numbers you need to call to verify that a rebate has been received and is being processed.




• Many rebates can be submitted online, usually requiring you to send the printed form out along with the required proof-of-purchase. This method is extremely convenient and you will receive email confirmations on the status of your rebate. Save these emails as well.




• When checking the status of a rebate; you can save time by first checking online. Most rebate companies have a website where you can track the status of your rebate. If you fail to find your submission, call them directly to find the status.




• Before you call for the status of your rebate; please wait the required amount of time for your rebate to be processed. This time period is always listed on the requirements of the rebate; the typical time period is 8 to 12 weeks. If after this amount of time you haven't received your rebate, you should follow up by checking the status online, or calling the rebate company directly. Be prepared to be placed on hold as some companies are overwhelmed with calls, and you'll have to deal with an "automated attendant" for a good portion of the call.




• Track all your rebates using spreadsheet or database software. If you are waiting for multiple rebates; you can easily forget about ones you should have received. After a the rebate period expires, you may not be eligible to resubmit it.




• The post-mark date determines if your rebate will be accepted due to time restraints. If you are dealing with a large rebate (> $50.00) you may want to take your envelope directly to the post office and ask for a dated stamp and a receipt. This is your proof that your submission was mailed on time, and that you dropped it off at the post office. Rebate companies are not responsible for late mailings and have no problem rejecting your rebate if it is not postmarked on time. Certified mail also works, but will cost you more then $2.00 per envelope.




• This is totally opinionated, although any rebate under $4.99 may not be worth the time. If there's a problem with the rebate; you will most likely lose 30 minutes of your life while you check to see if it was received, place phone calls, etc. Remember, most every rebate you send in will cost you a stamp, envelope, and time to do the work (purchase, cut UPC, photocopy, envelope, stamp). Time is money, and sometimes you'll find that your time is more valuable then $1.00 back. You'll most likely earn this amount of money in your savings account by the time you get your check!

Keep in mind that most companies offering rebates hope that you as a buyer forget to send in the rebate. Up to 40% of consumers never claim their rebates which just leads to more cash in the hands of the suppliers. It's up to you to make sure you do your due diligence and follow all requirements properly and have your rebate sent in on time.

Richard Iglar is a writer and contributor for
AntiCost.com; an online
shopping resource website.

Article courtesy of Richard Iglar

Is coupon-clipping worth your time?

Clipping coupons can be time-consuming for sure, but there's no doubt about it: you can save a bundle using discount coupons you find in your Sunday paper and online. Daniel Pereira writes on this topic below, and it will give you a good overview on how to organize your coupon-clipping to maximize savings:


"Coupon Savings Are Real... But Is it Worth Your Time?"


By Daniel Pereira

O.K. let's face it; few people want to sit around clipping coupons in order to save a few bucks at the grocery store. I mean, if I manage to save $5 this week through my efforts, is this worth my time? The true answer should be no!

But if by going through those coupons you could save $100 a month or more, then would it be worth your time? The purpose of this article is to show you how taking the effort of using coupons can be worth your time.

I will show you this through vital time saving techniques. You will also learn how to avoid the number one mistake almost all people make when using coupons.

Try Not to do This!

The mistake that most grocery shoppers make when it comes to coupons is a very common 3 step process:

* Step 1: You receive your new coupons on Sunday and clip all the ones you think you will want to use.

* Step 2: You go shopping, and then you purchase the items with the coupons you clipped.

* Step 3: You throw out the other 50 or 60 coupons that you did not clip because you don't think you will want or need them anytime soon.

Why is this the Biggest Mistake?

Some people wonder how this can be the biggest couponing mistake. The truth is that there are many reasons why this couponing "norm" is the absolute biggest mistake you can make while using coupons.

Reason number 1

The first reason this is the biggest mistake is because of the concept of bad timing. Don't get me wrong, the grocery stores that carry these products will think that your timing is perfect.

Why is this? This is because the stores want you to use these coupons as soon as you get them. The grocery stores plan on you using your coupons within the first 10 days of receiving them. The store may even plan part of their weekly ad according to which coupons have come out.

A lot of work goes in to the weekly ads that the grocery stores create. They are constantly changing prices and thinking of new ways to catch your attention and get you in the door. Once they get you in the door, then there goal is to make as much money as they can.

The Items not on Sale

The grocery stores will rarely offer really great sales on the coupons that you just received on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, occasionally you will find a sale on for an item that just had a coupon come out, but it is usually just an average sale. Maybe this is what got you into the door!

As a power shopper, you will want to wait until an even better sale. I believe that many stores make sure that they do not offer great sales on certain items because they know you are probably going to use your coupon anyway.

They know that the average shopper uses their coupons within 10 days of receiving them in the local newspaper, and they will use this information to try to make as much money as possible.

So, you are drawn in to a store on let's say Thursday or Friday, maybe even Saturday because these are big grocery shopping days. Maybe you chose your store because of a few great deals they had in their ad.

You buy the good deals and then you go to use your coupons. You have a coupon for $1.00 off 2 boxes of Quaker granola bars for example. There doesn't happen to be a sale, but you still think that $2.99 a box is a reasonable price for granola bars. So you then buy them and with your coupon you buy 2 for $2.49 each. At the end of this transaction, the grocery store is making a very nice profit for two reasons.

* The first reason is because they sold you 2 boxes of granola bars that usually sell for only $2.50 per box at many stores

* The second reason is that they will be reimbursed from Quaker the $1.00 for the coupon plus a handling fee for accepting that coupon. In the end, the grocery store has received more than $3.00 for each box of those granola bars that usually only sell of $2.50 each.

Learn Timing

About once in every 12 weeks period is when you will find one of the lowest prices you can get for any given grocery item. When this happens you will be able to combine the coupons you receive with the absolute lowest prices for items that you normally buy.

How can I easily find the best deals? Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough. That is what we are here for, to teach you these almost "unfair" shopping techniques, techniques that many stores probably wish you didn't know about! These are the technique that you will be able to use in order to at times almost effortlessly save more than 70% off of your grocery bill!

For right now, just remember that timing is everything with coupons. Almost everyone uses their coupons immediately, and you will very rarely see a great sale for an item the week that the coupon comes out.

Reason number 2

The second reason why the couponing "norm" is the biggest mistake you can make is because when you throw out any coupons that you do not think you will need anytime soon, you are basically throwing away money.

An example of this throwing away of money is when you throw out, for example, that $1.00 off Aquafresh toothpaste. You may easily think "I have 2 tubes of toothpaste, which is plenty to last me a while". But, with many items, like toothpaste, you will begin to learn as a power shopper that you can get these items absolutely free, but only when you decide to save your coupons.

The Time for Door Busters

It is usually about 1 month after the coupon comes out that a grocery store may decide to have a "door buster" sale on that item. Last time I used my $1.00 of Aquafresh toothpaste I was able to purchase about 8 tubes of the expensive type (the "teeth whitening" type that usually sells for $3.49) all for free! Why would you ever want to pay for certain items ever again if you could constantly get them for free?

If you want the freebies, do not throw away your coupons! I would hold on to your newest coupons for 8 months. I've seen coupons that have been good for that long. I was able to purchase yogurt for free for almost a whole year because the coupons did not expire for many months after they were issued.

Reason Number 3

There is a third reason why using the normal method of couponing is not a good idea. The reason is that you will consistently find yourself using coupons right away for brand-new items that have just hit the stores.

At times, the manufactures will offer a coupon to try the item absolutely free, and in this case, you are obviously good to go. My favorite is when Hershey's came out with the Hershey's Cacao Reserve chocolate and they gave coupons to receive this item absolutely free!

This rarely happens; the truth of the matter is that most companies will not let you try the item absolutely free at first. They will usually send out a really great coupon just when a new product hits the market. They trust that with a good coupon and a new product to try, that there is a high probability of you purchasing that product.

The Patterns with New Products

The companies usually follow a set pattern and this is where most people make a couponing mistake:

First: The company releases the new item simultaneously with a coupon. They request that the grocery stores keep the new item at retail pricing for a while, then after a couple of months, they will let the grocery stores put the new item on sale.

They request that the item is kept at retail price because of the simple fact that most people are willing to pay a slightly higher price with the introduction of an intriguing new product.

Second: After the "wave" of people that are willing to pay the introductory price has passed, the manufacturer then lowers the price or has it put on sale to allow for a second "wave" of people to try the new product. This second wave of people is the type of people that are willing to try the new product if the price is right. Almost nobody at this point still has the coupon that was issued months ago, almost everyone except you: the power shopper!

The manufacturers will continue to follow this same pattern so that they can get as many people to try their new product as possible. All you need to do is be patient and use your coupons when the price is low. The beauty of this whole system is that you will probably be able to try the new product for 1/4th of the cost or, at times, absolutely free!

Multiple Newspaper Subscriptions

Having multiple newspaper subscriptions is the easiest way of getting lots of free items from the grocery stores. When I receive free items, I do not get really excited if I only receive one of that item for free. When was the last time you jumped up and down for joy because you received a free can of soda at a community party? Exactly, you didn't.

But, if at the end of the party there are cases of sodas left over and you learn that they are free for the taking, then you get a lot more excited because you just scored $10 worth of free sodas!

That is the same idea when it comes to getting free items at your local grocery store: you should try to get as many as you can!

Every newspaper subscription you have gives you access to tons of grocery savings. We suggest having access to at least 3 sets of coupons every week. The easiest way to obtain 3 sets of coupons every week is through purchasing multiple newspaper subscriptions. These newspaper subscriptions are relatively cheap and are well worth the investment.

In our eBook we give you access to two great websites that will let you subscribe to almost all newspapers across the United States at 50% to 75% off, costing you usually around $1 per Sunday paper delivered to your door. We suggest purchasing the Sunday only editions of the newspaper because this is the day of the week where you will receive your coupons. Through comparing the prices on these two websites, you will be able to get the best deal on newspaper subscriptions!

Also in our eBook, "Saving Money through Power Shopping" we show you have to receive free access to a website that will show you where all of the current coupons are located, by category! This valuable resource perfectly implements the concept of timing. As an example, if you find a good deal on shampoo at a local store, all you need to do is type in shampoo and it shows you all of the current coupons to match that sale!

This valuable resource makes it so that you never again have to spend hours clipping and organizing your coupons! This program will always tell you which date, page, and publication to find the right coupon! This information along with other resources in our eBook make it so that you can start power shopping today!

Until next time!

Daniel Pereira

http://www.CouponstoFreeGroceries.com

Daniel Pereira is author of the book "Saving Money through Power Shopping: How to Immediately Save 40-70% on Your Grocery Bill." To learn about more grocery savings tools and techniques, visit his website at: http://www.CouponsToFreeGroceries.com

Article Courtesy of Daniel Pereira

How to save money with money-saving coupons!

Welcome to 'Money Saving Coupons' and we hope you will bookmark this site and return often as we post new sources for the best online coupons and coupon codes!
We are developing a new website to host local business coupons, and we welcome your input on how to deliver the best value for your time. Please post your comments and suggestions here, or email them to me at:

stevejohnson@findhow2.com

Thanks for visiting, and stay tuned for great online money-saving coupon!

Steve