Saving the Most Money & Getting Items for FREE

When I tell people that I haven't paid for deodorant, toothpaste, razors, shampoo, pasta, etc. in a long time, I am sure they are thinking I'm a shoplifter. Although sometimes I feel that I am "robbing" the store (legally, I assure you), it is such a rush to know that I have paid 95% less than what I would have without my savvy coupon-sense.

Why would I pay full price if I don't have to?

The best part is that anyone can do it and everyone should. When you are able to get free items, it makes creating your stockpile that much easier.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Shop the sale items at your store - If grapes are really cheap at your store this week, then grapes you get. Strawberries may sound de-lish but, at 4x the price of the grapes, they aren't a real bargain. Wait until the strawberries are on sale to get those. Plan your weekly menu around what is on sale at your store. For example, when Wild Salmon goes on sale for $4.99lb. I usually get a few pounds (freeze 2lbs.) and serve 1lb. for dinner that week. If it's not on sale, I don't get it - unless it is something we really need like milk. Once you get your weekly grocery ad, circle all the good deals, then check your coupon folder for matching coupons....

Clip Coupons - It's easy to do and will truly save you a TON of money. While you won't find many coupons out there for produce, you will for almost everything else you are going to buy (particularly household items). Get pass the Coupon Myths and get on board to savings! Look for coupons that match the sale items and paper clip them altogether so you won't forget them. Let's say you need pasta sauce (reg. $3.99). This week it is on sale for $2.00 and you have a coupon for $1.50 off... now you are only paying .49-cents for the sauce. If you have a couple of those coupons, stock up on a couple jars of the sauce.

Double Your Savings - We are blessed that the two stores closest to us double coupons. Check out your store's coupon policies... If your store doubles coupons (most likely up to $1.00), then you are in for even sweeter savings. Basically, any coupon under $1.00 will be doubled. So, for every 50-cent coupon you have -- that's as good as $1.00 off (assuming it's barcode begins with a '5'). For example, Crest toothpaste is on sale for $1.00 and you have a .50-cent off/1 coupon. Use the sale, matched with the coupon that doubles to $1.00 to get FREE toothpaste! This works on many, many items so keep your eyes peeled.

Check out the Clearance Section - Usually on the end-caps of store aisles, clearance items are a great place to match coupons to get free items. I know throughout our store there are many unadvertised sale items and even clearance tags. If you spot one for something you'd like, check to see if you have a coupon.

Use Rebates and Catalina Coupons - Shopping at places like CVS and Walgreens is a great way to get free items because of their fantastic rebate programs. Both places, as well as most grocery stores, will print off catalina coupons (register tape) for money-off your next purchase or they'll even print coupons for specific items. Stack these for great savings! Occasionally, CVS or Walgreens will have an item on sale and will offer a full rebate back on the item making it free after rebate. For example, both stores had Nivea body wash on sale last month for $4.49. CVS offered $4.49 Extra Care bucks back, and Walgreens offered an Easy rebate for $4.49. I had a couple Nivea coupons for $1.00 off, so I purchased the body wash for $3.49 and got $4.49 back on each! I made $1.00 on each body wash! I, then, used the rebates to apply almost $9.00 to my next purchase (giving me more free stuff!).

Stack Them and Save - Many stores offer their own coupons; they will specifically say "Walgreens Coupon" or "Target Coupon", etc. Not only can you sometimes use these at other stores (if they accept competitor's coupons), you can "stack" manufacturer coupons on top of these store coupons. For example, Walgreens has Secret deodorant coupons in their weekly ad for .89 each (reg. $3.29 each). You can use Walgreens coupon and a matching manufacturer $1.00 off coupon to actually earn a profit of .11-cents! To make the deal even better, some places have monthly coupon booklets... these can be stacked with weekly ad coupons plus manufacturer coupons. Here's an example: There is a coupon in Walgreens weekly ad for 2/1.39 for Dove chocolate bars (reg. $2.79 each) . There is a matching coupon in their monthly Easy Saver booklet for $1.00 off/2, plus you have $1.00/1 man. coupon. You buy 2 bars and come ahead by .61 cents!