Coupons aren't just for groceries

**geniebird** · 10-27-2005, 08:56 AM

We live in an area where non of the grocery stores double or triple coupons. Put that together with the fact that I don't buy much processed food anyway and I don't use many grocery coupons.

But we never go out to eat without a coupon. We get them from the newspaper (coupon section and other parts of the paper) and from advertising fliers and coupon books everyone receives free in the mail in our area. The coupons we have had range from free fries with a burger, to free appetizers, to 10% off, to buy one meal, get one free. And they aren't all fast food. We have been to some very nice restaraunts with coupons.

We also never get the oil changed in the without a coupon. DH always has a coupon when he gets his hair cut and I've used massage coupons, but they are few and far between.

But I think the best coupon we have ever had was for $100 off for a new rear windshield for the car when a rock went through ours and it shattered. And the bonus is that they had the lowest price to begin with -- without the coupon. The work was good and we were very happy.

Many people use coupons for eyeglasses, but there are some things to watch out for there. I'm going to do a separate post on that.

I know this may not work for the people who live in very small towns and rural areas, but many of these are national coupons, so if you have the businesses in your area they will work.

**Telephus44** · 10-27-2005, 09:50 PM

Probably the highest dollar value coupon I ever used was 10% off any car repair up to $50 - and needless to say I got $50 off!

Around here we have been getting coupons for gas ($.10 per gallon) lately at a certain gas station.

And most of the time we eat out, we use a coupon.

Thanks for reminding me that coupons are everywhere!

**SHOPGIRL** · 10-27-2005, 10:58 PM

The Entertainment Book is another good resource for coupons. I like to use it to buy discount movie tickets.

**tnmimzie** · 10-27-2005, 11:26 PM

The coupon books that schools sell for fundraisers are also a good source for coupons. We had one last year with coupons for all the area thrift stores

Most were for 25% off and could be used once every month. You can be sure we took advantage of that.

**geniebird** · 10-27-2005, 11:50 PM

Thanks for mentioning The Entertainment Book SHOPGIRL. How could I forget that one? We just bought our new one a couple of weeks ago. Several years ago we used the card to go to a really nice restaurant for our anniversay. We had a very nice meal for around $20 -- we couldn't have afforded the $40 without the card. For those who aren't familiar with the Entertainment Book there is a card in the back of the book (looks like a credit card) that you use in finer establishments where a coupon would be considered tacky. Most of the discounts are paper coupons you tear out though.

You do have to buy The Entertainment Book, but many of the coupons are 2 for 1 so it pays for itself quickly if you go out much at all. There are many other coupons out there you don't have to pay for though.

In fact thanks to all of you for mentioning things I had forgotten. Several of our local chain grocery stores also own gas stations. You earn "points" for dollars spent at the grocery store that turn into a discount on gas. It never amounts to very much, but I guess every little bit helps.

The post about the school fundraisers reminded me our church youth group used to sell gift certificates for pies from a restaurant for the holidays. There was a discount on the certificates.

Yep, coupons are everywhere. I have to remind myself too.