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If you thought clipping coupons was a waste of time, you might to rethink your strategy. By scouring newspapers, circulars and Web sites, this Massachusetts mother of four feeds her family on about $4 a week.
She wowed us when her $267 grocery bill came to just a penny after all of her coupons had been scanned. (That makes our college ramen days look downright decadent and wasteful in comparison.)
What's her secret? She only buys things that are free or nearly free thanks to double coupons or by creating her own deal by combining store coupons with a manufacturer's coupon whenever store policy allows it.
Some stores take competitors' coupons, so that can save a trip to another store. Of course, sometimes buying store brands can be even cheaper than buying a name-brand product with a coupon, so comparison shopping is key.
We wonder, though -- is this really worth the effort? When does the amount of time it takes to clip coupons and comparison shop become too much work for too little reward?
Tell us: Do you have any money-saving tips? Is there anything you wouldn't do to save a buck or two?
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Thursday 29 October
By chris
so do they eat any VEGETABLES OR FRUIT? i've never seen a banana that comes with a half off coupon.
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Thursday 29 October
By stephanie parker
i save on average 35-75% off every bill. i don't buy junk food, tho, and i won't buy stuff that's just free. i will splurge on certain things like meat/seafood/juices/veggies. i typically get all my sauces for free or next to free (condiments/marinades) and most pasta/rices/helpers. i posted my methodology on my blog, as well as links to websites to print coupons. http://sp115.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/coupon-fiend/
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Friday 30 October
By RL
I do the coupons and store card thing - but also, there is a lot to be said by planning out what you are making by using the sales paper as your inspiration. There are five people in my house and when you combine all of that together with minimal time you can buy everything you need for under 80 dollars. No where near as impressive as four dollars a week - but 20 minutes of coupon clipping and some time on the coupon.com type sites a week - it isn't bad.
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