Family Circle Magazine
When it comes to saving at the supermarket, nobody does it better than our contributing editor Susan Samtur. Coupons and rebates have been helping Samtur save at the checkout for almost 30 years. Here, she answers your questions and offers great hints, tips and tricks for getting the most for your shopping dollar.
Q: When a coupon allows you to buy two different sizes of a product, the smaller size is usually free, and the larger size is usually reduced but still costs about half its original price. Which is the better buy? --- Michelle Cooke. Germantown, Maryland
A: When a coupon allows me to buy two different sizes of the same product. I buy two of the smaller ones. I'm getting the same quantity, but the cost is usually next to nothing. In my opinion, “free” is always better!
Q: A coupon will often say, “one per purchase.” If I have five coupons for spaghetti sauce and each coupon is good for one jar, can I buy five jars? Len Loev, Keizer, Oregon
A: Coupon “fine print” can be con¬fusing. In this case I would agree that if you have five coupons for sauce, you can purchase five jars. Here are some other terms you might find hid¬den in coupon fine print: handling fee — that money which goes to the supermarket for processing the coupon; cash value 1/20 cent — this means the coupon has no monetary value except for redemption on the product; void where prohibited — refers to areas that do not accept coupons.
Q: Why do they put two coupons — usually back-to-back — for the same product in one cutout, both with the same expiration date? --- Sharon Oliver, Arroyo Grande, California
A: These coupons have a single UPC code, so you can use only one side. Each side offers a different type of savings: One side could be 50˘ off the purchase of one item; the other might offer $1 off the purchase of two.
Q: I’ve seen single-check rebates at my health and beauty aides chain. Some rebate amounts are over $100. How do these work? Can I use coupons toward these purchases? --- Bobbie J. Gifford, York, Pennsylvania
A: Single-check rebates are now offered by many drug, office supply and hardware chains. Each store pro¬motes a variety of rebates each month. As you purchase items, keep the cash register receipts and the proofs-of-purchase, and each month submit every¬thing in an envelope along with the store's single-check rebate form. Some companies allow you to register on the Web. Just input the information from the register receipt and, through an interface with the main computer, the in formation is recorded and confirmed, and your rebate is automatic. And yes, you can still use coupons toward the purchase of these rebate items.
Q: Do specials, refunds, etc. come at Specific times of the year? --- Virginia Ann Senyk, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A: Holiday and school seasons often determine store sales, coupon distribution and corresponding refunds and rebates. For example: a large percentage of stationery supplies are purchased in August and early September, which is back-to-school season. During Christmas re¬bates on toys, batteries and small appliances abound. Thanksgiving means “free” turkeys. Memorial Day and the Fourth of July boast sales on barbecue grills and supplies, meats and all the accompanying condiments.
Q: How can I best utilize my store's bonus card? --- Debbte Robertson, North Charleston, South Carolina
A: Many stores have bonus cards that offer a percentage off your bill, free groceries and clipless coupons. The great thing about the cards is that the register automatically tallies up your savings and issues additional bonuses, like those savings coupons printed from the register. The bonus card also allows the store to keep track of your purchases and offer you specials based on what you buy. Inquire about bonus cards at your local grocery store, drugstore, stationery supplier and pet store.
Q: I've heard about an “under¬ground network” of people who meet to swap coupons. Can you give me more information about this? --- Maria Berger. Huntington Beach, California
A: First, you have refund groups, people who meet in their homes and at the local library to swap coupons for items they all use. Second, you have long-distance traders, people involved in coupon trading by mail. This allows them to receive coupons from different regions of the country. For more information on both kinds of groups, e-mail me at coupons50@aol.com.
Q: I've heard about a college saving program that's connected to purchases you make at the supermarket. How does this work? --- Stella Cohen, New Canaan, Connecttcut
A: The program, called the Upromise College Fund (www.upromise.com), is a free service in which companies give you money back for college as a way to earn your loyalty. Log on to the Web site to set up an account and register the credit and grocery cards you use every day. Each time you use a card at a partici¬pating company, a percentage of what you spend is automatically placed into your Upromise College account. You can set up an account for just about any child — your own, a grandchild, a friend’s child — even a child you're planning to have. Check with your tax adviser.
Q: I'm an avid couponer and I've recently begun using the Internet to access additional supermarket savings. Is there specific information on this that would be helpful to me? --- Lilly Petronka, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
A: Lots of companies heavily pro¬mote products through their company Web site, (The address can usually be found on the backs of product labels.) These Bites will link you to forms for special promotions. Coupons and freebies, many of which can be printed off your computer.
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