finding the sales

[julsandtrish]

Start reading the grocery ads in your local newspaper. It is helpful to have a marking pen handy. When you see a good sale, circle it with the marking pen. Read the ads for the 3 or 4 stores that are closest to your home or work. After circling the best sales, make a list of the stores and the sale items that you are interested in and decide if it is worth the time and gas to go to each store. (I never go to more than 2 stores in a week, and I only go once a week). When you make an effort to stop at a store because of a special great sale, stock up on that item (as much as you can afford, have coupons for, and have room to store). I buy as many of a good sale item as my family can use so that I won't have to buy that item again until it is on sale again. Many items go on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. You should never pay full price for: paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, breakfast cereals, pet food, shampoo, deodorant, cleaning aids, detergent, canned goods, and bottled products. ONLY BUY THESE ITEMS IF THEY ARE ON SALE! The worst time to buy anything is when you've run out of it. Why? Because you'll pay full price. Learn to stock up, and only buy when it is to YOUR advantage to buy. It's as good as a savings account and if done properly earns a better rate of return than any bank.

If you will take the time to read the grocery ads, then you can plan some of your best double plays before you even get to the store. For example, let's say you're reading the ads and spot Kellogg's Corn Flakes on sale for 99¢ a box. You look through your coupon file, under "Cereals", and find 5 Kellogg's Corn Flake 50¢ coupons. Bingo! A great double play and you'll only pay 49¢ a box for cereal. Make a short note on your shopping list: "Kellogg's Corn Flakes--5 coupons".

If double coupons are popular in your area, then you live in Coupon Heaven. Not only can you get a sale price, but you also get a double value deduction of your coupon. Lucky you! The sky's the limit on your savings.

Think of reading the grocery ads as a game. You're looking for ways to beat the system. Two different entities are each offering you a discounted price: the store with its sale, and the manufacturer with his coupon. By combining the two, you have outwitted the system and gotten an item for a fraction of its normal price. And it's all perfectly legal!

[SewCrafty]