Cutting coupons isn’t the most exciting Saturday night, even after you’ve admitted to yourself that just nothing is going on. So make it easy on yourself. You’re probably sitting on your couch, watching your latest Netflix DVD with your laptop across your thighs anyway, so why not try something new and beneficial to your wallet (and credit card). Whether you prefer to shop online or in a local store, take a moment to browse some potential savings. Here are three of the many sites to point your cursor for savings:
- Look Ma, No Scissors! www.valpak.com - This isn’t your Mom’s coupons brought monthly by the mailman. Here you can get discounts sorted by zip code, and then by category. Need an oil change? Vitamins? Don’t leave the house before browsing. You can even have coupons mailed to your—yes, inbox. Sorry, Mr. Mailman.
- Clip & Print! www.Coupons.com has the right idea and makes coupon-browsing just as easy as it probably was to create the site’s name. Again, specialized by zip code, this easy-to-navigate site allows you to “clip” then print coupons that appeal to you. The site has a great variety from personal pizzas, to cereals, to diapers, to batteries. Do you realize how much a pack of AA batteries costs? Each coupon may seem mediocre in savings, but pair that with your frequent shopper card at your check-out line of choice and you’ll notice a difference in your receipt. Even their advertisers offer coupons in their banner ads!
- ‘Queen’ of the Coupons. http://shoppingqueen.com. You know something’s good when it has the word ‘queen’ in its name. This site offers coupons and discounts for one and all, including shop-a-holics. From toys to books and clothing (at legit stores like Macy’s, Express, etc.), don’t head to the mall or the website of your favorite retailer before stopping by the ‘Queen. She won’t let you forget as you can also sign up for an e-mail blast filled with savings.
And that’s only the beginning of sites looking out for your bank account’s best interest. Don’t forget those pesky keychain tags that stores give you. They’re more than a decoration. Even with less than frequent trips to CVS, with each visit I’m constantly receiving a long strip of coupons calling my name for products I’d actually buy, or better yet, “extra care bucks” – aka, free money for whatever I want to buy. They think like we think, the more you buy, the more you should save!
Keep an eye out on expiration dates, although, with today’s economy, some stores still view expireds as valid, so it never hurts to ask. Did you know that Linens & Things accepts Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons and vice versa? Expired ones? You bet!
It’s unfortunate that many people think clipping savings is for the frugal. I’d rather spend a few minutes online than extra hours trying to make extra dollars. The Internet really makes it easy. Ladies (& gentlemen) shopping is fun again!
