This past week the TLC network premiered a new series called Extreme Couponing. It has drawn a great deal of controversy across the internet. As someone who regularly uses coupons I think that the show was not a true reading of how the regular shopper uses coupons. It appears to have been frightening to someone who does not use coupons at all.
Coupons are a good thing in this economy or for anyone who wants a sale when the item of their desire is not on sale. Frequently we will see high value coupons available when a new product is being introduced or when a product is going to undergo a radical change. Sometimes they are widely available after a controversy about a product has settled down and the company wants to rebuild brand loyalty. Some items because they are of a high cost routinely advertise with high value coupons, think about some allergy medications and sometimes diapers. Sometimes there are new introductions of a product to that area which also can bring high value coupons. Whatever the reason these coupons exist it is valid to use them, although it can skew the marketing research for which they were intended.
Most of us see coupons in our newspapers. The Denver Post adds them to Sunday and Wednesday publications most often. They are also included in the Arvada Press, so be sure to pick up that free paper weekly delivered to your driveway. Frequent shopper cards generate coupons both at the cash register and through the mail. These are great as they will have coupons for meat, produce and dairy. These items are often lacking from other coupon sources. There are online sources of printable coupons; Target has a link on their home page. They ask for your zip code to provide ones that match the products in your local Target. Smart Source, Red Plum and Free Coupons are other online sources. Be sure to check out the websites of your favorite products, Pillsbury for instance, often has coupons as do many Facebook pages.
King Soopers will load digital coupons on to your frequent shopper card. Safeway does not do this in the Denver area at this time. The caution is that sometimes your paper coupons may not work as the stores only allow one coupon to be used on an item.
Safeway and Walgreens often have coupons in their advertisements. The great thing about these is that as long as they are store coupon you can stack a manufacturer one with it for greater savings. These stores are also known to stock coupon books in the store. Walgreens often displays the monthly booklet at the entrance to the store whole Safeway’s are tucked within the store or available at the service desk.
The important thing to using coupons is to watch limits and expiration dates on the coupons. Also be friendly and avoid clearing the shelf of the product. We all like a bargain!
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