By: Amy Hannold
247Moms Frugal Living Editor
Where Can I Find Coupons?
Technology has increased the availability and convenience ofcoupons. Where once we werelimited to coupons distributed in weekend papers and store circulars, there arenow many places to find coupons.
Here are some of the newest sources of coupons:
Catalina Marketing Corporation offers you printable grocerycoupons and notifications of available “Catalina YourBucks” offers which rewardyou following your purchase of participating items.
Choose from a wide variety of “clipless” coupons and addthem to a participating retailer’s loyalty card. When you purchase the correct items that correspond to thecoupon, your savings will be added to your online SavingStar.com account. A printable or “email to you” list ofyour coupons is available. Whenyour savings total $5, you can select the way you wish to redeem (PayPal,direct deposit, or other choices). On the go, you can use SavingStar’s iPhone or Android apps.
Companies are using Facebook to market their product and tooffer savings to their customers. Free samples, instant-win games, and printable coupons are plentiful –so search for your favorite retailers and products. Once you’re “liking” them on Facebook, you’ll be aware ofunadvertised deals as well.
Like Facebook, Twitter is a deal-seeker’s delight. Search, follow and tweet your favoritecompanies. Money-saving alerts can also be found when youfollow bloggers and websites which find the good deals for you.
Telephone or Postal Mail:
When you’re not finding coupons on particular products, it’sa great way to save on what you will use. I make it a goal of contacting two companies a week. Agree to join a list of theirs and yourmailboxes will surprise you once in a while with unexpected goodies.
Websites and Blogs:
Directly contacting and/or complimenting a company online isa great way to find some savings. Look for “Tell a Friend” or referral programs which reward not only yourloyalty but also your sharing them with others.
Foursquare.com and “Facebook Places”
When you’re out and about, you may be able to find couponsor discounts, just by “Checking In” to your current location (stores, dining,etc.) using Foursquare or Facebook Places.
Cellfire searches for deals available to you by your zipcode. Loyalty card offers orcoupons viewed on your smartphone will be listed and are easy to apply. Cellfire is also a shopping and savingsapp for smartphones.
Groceries aren’t the only savings you’ll find onCoupons.com. Printable coupons forall sorts of shopping are available, as are “Savings Card” offers which you canload onto store loyalty cards.
AllYou, the magazine, is well worth the price (found only atWalMart stores or by subscription). Online at AllYou.com, printable grocery coupons are available, as arecoupon code for shopping, freebies, etc.
Printable coupons are offered each month and can be printedtwice per computer. If you’re aSwagbucks.com user, first go to Swagbucks.com, then select coupons from thereto receive Swagbucks for the coupons you print and redeem. MyPoints.com also rewards you foraccessing grocery coupons when you start at their site.
Apps for Your Smartphone:
When you’re in the store, or as you plan your shopping trip,here are a few apps to consider:
Pushpins (iPhone): This free app scans what you’re about to buy and informs you of loadableloyalty card discounts.
GroceryIQ: Powered by Coupons.com, this app offers you many “list solutions” foryour shopping convenience. Coupons are also available. An online, “at-home” version is also available.
Store-Specific Apps: To keep you loyal to them, many stores are developing their ownapps. Look for your favorites,before you shop. Addingstore-specific apps can also help you to reign-in your spending, when you’renot receiving multiple deals from a variety of stores.