Build coupon 'library' by saving weekly inserts

www.azstarnet.com ® 

Click on Coupon to Enlarge and Print

In previous columns, I've stressed the need to hold on to all of the coupon inserts we receive each week in the newspaper.

The biggest mistake casual coupon users make is to cut out the coupons for the items they think they'll buy and then toss the rest of the insert into the recycle bin. In tossing the insert, you throw away coupons for items that will be free later.

I know the skeptics in the crowd are thinking, "Free? Come on. . . ." Yes. Absolutely free.

Think about this. During the past few months, in my coupon inserts I've seen $1 coupons for toothpaste, $1 coupons for dish detergent and $1 coupons for frozen vegetables. If I didn't save my inserts each week, I might have thrown away those coupons — and guess what? All of those items have gone on sale for a dollar. When an item goes on sale for a dollar and I use a dollar coupon, the item is free.

If your grocery stores double coupons it's even easier to get things for free, provided that you've saved all of your coupons. During double-coupon days, your 50-cent coupons are worth $1 toward those dollar sales.

One of the most important reasons to hold on to all of your coupon inserts is this: Rarely do the coupons that we receive on Sunday line up with the best sales in the same week. Their real value comes as they get closer to their expiration dates.

That's because stores know which coupons are coming out in the newspaper each week, long before we actually get them. This is not secret information. In fact, many coupon Web sites print preview lists of the coupons that are coming soon.

Armed with this knowledge, stores typically leave the items that will be featured in the coupons at a higher price, because they know the habits of most people that use coupons.

Casual coupon users flip through the paper and cut the coupons for the things they plan to buy that week. And many people think, "I'd better use this coupon this week before I forget." If this sounds like you, you may be saving a little money, but you're not using your coupons in the most effective way.

Here's a great example: My grocery store recently had a full-page ad in the coupon inserts. The ad contained a $3 coupon for dog food. At the top of the page, the ad proudly proclaimed that the dog food was on sale for $8.99 at my store this week. It said "Use this $3 coupon, and you'll pay just $5.99 a bag."

Now, I know from experience that $8.99 is not a very good sale price for that dog food. While it may be on sale, it's not the rock-bottom, lowest price that I've seen the dog food sell for in past sales.  So instead of falling for this common advertising tactic, I held onto that $3 coupon and didn't use it the week that the store wanted me to.

Four weeks later, guess what? The dog food went on sale for $3.99 a bag! That's when I went in with my $3 coupon. I got my dog food for just 99 cents. If I'd purchased it the week I received the coupon, even with the coupon savings I would have paid $5.99 a bag. By waiting a few weeks, I saved $5.

When you start to think about shopping this way for almost everything we buy, the savings start to really add up. And that's why we save all of our coupon inserts.

So build a library of your coupon inserts. Keeping them all allows us to have many coupons on hand when those good sales come around.

The Internet Drug Coupons.com

About This Site, Our Mission Statement

Drug Coupon Information Center; Hip Pocket Information
What is this site all about?

When I got involved in the day-to-day care of my parents, I discovered they were spending almost $250.00 per month on deductibles for their medications - even though they have insurance!

The cost of their deductibles was taking a huge chunk out of their modest income.

I became aware that many prescription drugs and non prescription drugs offer money saving coupons and rebates.

Looking for drug coupons can be a time consuming scavenger hunt for people who are not familiar with the internet.

I assembled this database of drug coupons to make it easy for people like my elderly parents to save money on their medications.

This is a free service - we do not charge you anything.The small amount of money we make from the ads is used to pay for our expenses.

Mission Statement:

"This site shall efficiently connect people looking for drug coupons with the companies that offer drug coupons.

This web site should be easy to use so that people who are unfamiliar with the internet can quickly find the coupons they are looking for."

Sincerely,

Webmaster,
Internet Drug Coupons


Join The Internet Drug Coupons.com Buying Group!!
It's free and you can save alot of money

Click here to download a reusable coupon that you can use for prescription drugs at big chains such as ·CVS, ·Wallgreens, ·K-mart, ·Wall-Mart, ·Target, ·Rite-aid, ·Costco, ·Duane Reade, ·Pubspanx, ·Stop & Shop, ·Winn Dixie, ·Shaws, · Longs and most privately owned pharmacies

Totally Free; no cost or obligation or paperwork; the only re-useable universal prescription drugcoupon recommended by this site:(Internet Drug Coupons)


Drug Coupons Arranged by Category
Antibiotics
Altabax - Save $15 Instantly

Levaquin Coupon Save $15

Zmax Coupon Copay Reduction Offer
Factive Coupon Save $50
Antihistamine - Hay Fever
Alavert $1 coupon

Claritin D Save $2

Omnaris Coupon; Save Up To $50
Allegra D Coupon - $24 rebate

Claritin Liquid For Children

Pantanase Coupon $10 Rebate
Allegra Rebate (Allegra D Only)

Claritin Save $2.00

Veramyst $25 coupon
Astelin Coupon Save $20

Nasacort AQ Coupon Save $20

Xyzal Coupon 5-Free Pills
Astepro Reusable Copay Reduction Coupon

Nasonex Coupon Save $15

Zyrtec Save $2.00
Clarinex Instant Coupon - Save $25
Asthma
Asmanex Coupon $10 off

Maxair Coupon Save $25

Singulair Coupon Save $20
Advair Coupon FREE inhaler & $10 off

Primatene Coupon Save $2

Symbicort Coupon Save $20 Per Month
Coupon For Alvesco: Save Up To $75

ProAir HFA Reusable $20 Coupon

Ventolin Coupon Save $15
Foradil Coupon Save $20

Proventil Instant Savings Coupon
Baby Care
A + D Ointment Save $1

Desitin coupon Save $1

Pedialyte Coupon Save $1.50
Balmex Ointment Save $1

Pedia Lax Save $1
Baldness Remedies
Propecia Coupon Save $260 Per Year

Rogaine Foam Save 42%

Woman's Rogaine Save Up Tp 40%
Blood Pressure
Bystolic Coupon Save Up To $20

Coreg CR Coupon Save $120

Diovan HCT Save Up To $240/ Year
Caduet Coupon Save $20

Cozaar Coupon 30 Days Free

Exforge Coupon Save Up To $75
Cardura XL Coupon Save $20

Diovan Coupon Save Up To $240/Year

Tekturna Coupon Save Up to $75
Buying Group Specials
Adderall Save 30%

Oxycodone Save 30%

Viagra Coupon
Hydrocodone Save 30%

Plavix Save 30%

Zoloft Coupon Save 30%
Cancer
Aromasin Coupon; Free Trial Offer

Femara Coupon 30 Days FREE

Tarceva Save Up To $4,000 / Year
Cholesterol
Crestor Coupon 15 Days Free

Lipofen Coupon Save $25

Vytorin Free Trial Coupon
Lipitor 1 Month Free + $180 Off

Trilipix® Coupon; Save $15

Zetia Coupon Free Trial Offer
Cough and Cold
Contac Coupon Save $1

Robitussin Save $2.00

Sudafed Coupon Save $1
Coricidin Coupon Save $2.00

Sinucleanse Save $2.00

Theraflu coupon save $2
Dimetapp Save $1.5
Diabetes
Actoplus Met rebate save $50

Glucagen Coupon $25 Rebate

Novofine Insulin Needles $25 Rebate
Actos coupon save $50

Humalog Insulin Pen Coupon FREE Trial

Novolog 70/30 Coupon Save $25
Apidra Insulin Coupon Save $20

Januvia Coupon 30 Days FREE

Novolog Insulin $25 Rebate
Avandia coupon 30 Days Free + $25 Off On Next 3 Prescrip

Levemir Insulin Coupon $25 Rebate

Onglyza Coupon Save Up To $50
Duetact coupon save $50
Epilepsy
Keppra XR Coupon; Copay Reduction Voucher

Vimpat Coupon SAVE $30
Erectile Dysfunction
Cialis Coupon Free Trial Offer

Levitra Coupon 3 FREE Pills

Viagra Coupon
Eye Care
Alaway $4

OptiFree Coupon Save $1

Renu Multi Plus Save Up To $4
Alphagan Coupon $20 Rebate

Optivar Coupon $25 Rebate

Restasis Coupon $20 Rebate
Claritin Eye Save $2

Optive Coupon Save $3

Systane Coupon Save $1
Combigan Coupon $25 Rebate

Pataday Coupon $10 Rebate

Travatan Z $20 Rebate
Coupon For Zyrtec Eye Drops Save $4

Patanol Coupon $10 Rebate

Xalatan Coupon $100 Rebate
Lumigan Coupon $20 Rebate

PureVision Coupon Free Trial Offer

Zadator Coupon Save $2
Heartburn - Laxatives - Digestive Aids
Aciphex Coupon Save $35

Imodium Coupon Save $2

Peri-Colace $5 Rebate
Amitiza Coupon Save $35

Kapidex Coupon Save $55

Prilosec Coupon Free Sample Offer
Apriso Coupon Save $50

Lactaid Coupon Free Sample

Senokot Coupon $5 Rebate
Asacol Coupon 60 Free Pills Or $25 Off

Lialda Coupon 30-Days FREE

Tagamet Coupon Save $2
Beano Coupon Save $1

Metamucil Coupon Free Sample

Tums Coupon Save $3 On Tums Dual Action
Citrucel Save $2

Miralax Coupon Save $1

Tums Quick Pak Save $2.25
Colace Rebate Save $5

Mylanta Coupon Save $2

Ultrase Coupon $20 Rebate
Fibercon Coupon Save $1

Nexium Coupon Save $50

Zegarid Coupon Save $30
Gas-X Coupon Save $1.50

Pepcid Coupon Save $2
Hemophilia
Helixate Coupon 6 FREE Doses

Kogenate Coupon Free Trial Offer
Herpes - Cold Sores - Genital Warts
Abreva Coupon Save $2

Campo-Phenique Coupon; $1.00 Off

Valtrex Coupon Save $10
Aldara Coupon $25 Rebate
HIV AIDS
Combivir Coupon Save $100

Lexiva Coupon Save $100

Trizavir Coupon Save $100
Epivir Coupon Save $100

Retrovir Coupon Save $100

Ziagen Coupon Save $100
Epzicom Coupon Save $100
Injectables
Advate Coupon Free Trial Offer

Enbrel Coupon; 5 Weeks Free

Orencia Coupon; Copay Elimination Program
BETASERON Coupon; Save Up To $1,100

Helixate Coupon 6 FREE Doses

Twinject Coupon Save $20
Cimzia Coupon Save Up To $500

Humira Coupon Copay Reduction Offer
Lice and Crabs
LiceMD Coupon Save $1

Pronto Plus Lice Killer Coupon

RID Coupon Save $2
Ovide Coupon $50 Rebate
Mental Health
Adderall Save 30%

Lamictal Coupon Save $150

Vyvanse Coupon Save $50
Concerta Coupon 30 Days FREE

Pexeva Coupon Save $50

Zelapar Save$40
Cymbalta Coupon 14 Pills FREE

Pristiq Coupon 50% Off Co-Pay

Zoloft Coupon Save 30%
Daytrana Coupon 30 FREE Patches

Stavzor Coupon $50
Migraine
Axert Coupon Save $25

Migranal Coupon Save $20

Treximet Coupon Free Trial Offer
Frova Coupon; Cash Rebate

Relpax Coupon Save $10

Treximet Refill Offer Save $25
Maxalt Coupon 3 Tablets FREE

Topamax Co-Pay Reduction Offer

Zomig Coupon Save $35
Miscellaneous
Aggrenox CVoupon: 15 Days FREE

Coupon For Prograf: Save $100 Per Perescription

Myfortic Coupon 30 Day Supply FREE
Breathe Right Coupon Save $2

Hepsera Reimbursement Assistance Program

Rilutek Coupon Save Uo To $100
Cell Cept Coupon Save $100

Mirapex Coupon Free Trial + Save $45

Zemaira Coupon 2 Weeks FREE
Multiple Sclerosis
BETASERON Coupon; Save Up To $1,100

Rebif Copay Assistance Program
Non-Prescription Drugs
A + D Ointment Save $1

Claritin Eye Save $2

Imodium Coupon Save $2
Abreva Coupon Save $2

Claritin Liquid For Children

Mederma Coupon Save $2
Adora Coupon Save $3 - $12

Claritin Save $2.00

Metamucil Coupon Free Sample
Advil Coupon $1 Off

Colace Rebate Save $5

Motrin Coupon Save $1
Afrin Save $1

Contac Coupon Save $1

Mylanta Coupon Save $2
Alavert $1 coupon

Coricidin Coupon Save $2.00

One-A-Day $2 Off
Alaway $4

Cortizone-10 Save $1

Pedia Lax Save $1
Aleve Coupon Save $1

Cosamin DS Save $3.00

Peri-Colace $5 Rebate
Alli Save $10

Coupon For Zyrtec Eye Drops Save $4

Preparation H Save $2
Anbesol Save $1

Debrox Save $1.00

Prilosec Coupon Free Sample Offer
Animi-3 Save $10

Dexatrim Coupon Save $3

Robitussin Save $2.00
Bayer Aspirin Save $1

Ecotrin Coupon Save 75 Cents

Sudafed Coupon Save $1
Beano Coupon Save $1

Ensure Save $1.85

Tagamet Coupon Save $2
Breathe Right Coupon Save $2

Eucerin $1 Coupon

Tums Coupon Save $3 On Tums Dual Action
Caltrate Save $1

Excedrin Coupon Save $1

Tylenol Coupon Save $1
Campo-Phenique Coupon; $1.00 Off

Geritol Save$1

Vivarin Save $1
Centrum $1

Goodys Powder (Orange) Save $1

Zadator Coupon Save $2
Citracal® Coupon; $1 Off

Head And Shoulders

Zicam Save $1
Claritin D Save $2

I-Caps Save $2

Zyrtec Save $2.00
Oral Hygiene
Anbesol Save $1

Orajel®; $1.00 Off any Orajel product; Manufacturer Offer

Poligrip coupon save $1
Closys Coupon; Misc Special Offers

Polident Save $1 (any variety)

Sensodyne Coupon Save 75 Cents
Osteoporosis
Actonel Coupon Free Trial Offer

Actonel Coupon; Save Up To $30

Boniva Coupon 1 Month FREE
Pain - Fever - Headache
Advil Coupon $1 Off

Excedrin Coupon Save $1

Soma Coupon Pay $0 C0-Pay
Aleve Coupon Save $1

Goodys Powder (Orange) Save $1

Soma Coupon: FREE Trial Offer
Amrix Coupon; Save Up To $30

Kadian Coupon Save $50

Tylenol Coupon Save $1
Bayer Aspirin Save $1

Lyrica Co-pay

Ultram Coupon FREE Trial Offer
Celebrex Coupon 7 Free Capsules

Motrin Coupon Save $1

Voltaren Gel Save $30
Duragesic Coupon Save $50

Skelaxin Coupon Save $30

Zanaflex Save $25
Ecotrin Coupon Save 75 Cents
Pet Medicines
Adequan $20 Rebate

Dusuquin Coupon; $3 Rebate

Inteceptor Save $5
Cosequin Coupon Save $1.50

Frontline

Rimadyl Save $10
Deramaxx $10 Rebate

Heartgard $5 Rebate

Tri-Heart Plus Save $5
Shampoos (Medicated)
Capex Coupon $5.00 Rebate
Skin Care - Wrinkle Fillers

Epiquin Coupon $35 Rebate

Olux E Copay Reduction Offer
Acanya Gel Copay Reduction Offer

Ertaczo Coupon $50 Rebate

Olux Foam Coupon ; Copay Reduction Offer
Aczone Free Sample Offer

Eucerin $1 Coupon

Oracea Copay Reduction Coupon
AmLactin Save $2

Evoclin Coupon Save $25

Oxistat Coupon Save $30
Benzaclin Save $25

Evolence Coupon; $150 Rebate

Restylane Coupon $475 Cash Back
Brevoxyl Coupon Save $25

Extina Coupon $35 Rebate

Solaraze Rebate $35
Clenia Coupon $15 Rebate

Fiancea® Coupon Save $10

Solodyn Coupon $35 Rebate
Clinda reach Coupon $30 Rebate

Locoid Lipocream Coupon $35 Rebate

Taclonex Coupon $50 Rebate
Clindagel Coupon $15 Rebate

Loprox Coupon $25 Rebate

Tazorac Coupon $35 Rebate
Clobex Coupon $45 Rebate

Lustra Rebate Coupon $25- $50

Tetrix Cream $20 Rebate
Cutivate Coupon Save $20

Mederma Coupon Save $2

Trentin X Coupon Save $35
Desonate Coupon Save Up To $125

Metrogel 1% Kit Coupon ; Save $50

Triaz Coupon $35 Rebate
Differin Coupon $ 35 Rebate

Minocin Coupon Save $55

Vaniqa Coupon Save Up To $60
Duac Coupon Save $25

Neobenz Coupon $35 Rebate

Vanos Coupon $25 Rebate
Epiduo Coupon: Co-Pay Reduction Offer

Neutrogena Hair Care Save $2

Ziana Coupon $35 Rebate
Sleep
Rozerem Coupon: Free Trial Offer

Lunesta Coupon Save $25 On Your Next 4 Prescriptions

Nuvigil Free Trial Offer AND $50 Savings Card
Ambien CR Coupon Save $20 + 7 Free Pills
Smoking Cessation
Chantix Coupon Save $30

Commit Coupon Save $5

Nicoderm Coupon Save $7
Testosterone
Androgel Coupon Save $240

Testim Coupon Save $40
Urinary Disorders - Bladder Control

Enablex Coupon 30 Free Pills

Uroxatal Coupon 2 Weeks FREE
Detrol LA Coupon $20 Rebate

Flomax Save $10

VESIcare Save $25
Vitamins and Supplements
Adora Coupon Save $3 - $12

FiberChoice Save $3

I-Caps Save $2
Caltrate Save $1

Geritol Save$1

One-A-Day $2 Off
Weight Loss
Dexatrim Coupon Save $3
Women's Health
Clindesse Coupon Save $15

Femara Coupon 30 Days FREE

Premarin Coupon Save $15
Divigel Coupon Save $20

Femcon FE save $35

Prenexa Coupon Save $5
Enjuvia Coupon 30 pills FREE

Gynazole Coupon $15 Rebate

Seasonique Coupon Save $75
Estrogel Coupon Save $20

Loestrin Coupon Save $35

Tri-Cyclen Lo Coupon Save $5
Estroven Coupon Save $3

NuvaRing Coupon- Free Trial Offer

Vivelle Coupon; 1st Month FREE
Evamist Coupon Save $10

NuvaRing Instant Coupon Save $15

Yaz Coupon Save $10

Tons of Coupons in the October 6th Woman's Day Magazine!

www.coupondad.net

Tons of Coupons in the October 6th, 2009 issue of Woman’s Day Magazine!

I just received my latest issue of Woman’s Day magazine (yes it is mine…..what can I say it has coupons man!)

This issue is packed with with coupons thanks to an extra insert / booklet in the middle of the magazine with a bunch of great ones.

Here is a list for this issue with page numbers:

Coupon Insert – mine was between pages 96 and 97.

- $.50 off French’s Fried Onions

- $4.00 off Glade Sense and Spray Starter kits

- $1.00 off any 2 Glade Sense and Spray refills

- $.50 off on New York Brand Frozen Bread

- $.75 off on Marzetti Caramel Apple Dip 12oz or larger

- $1.00 on any two Ziploc Brand Bags

- $1.50 on any two Ziploc Brand Containers

- $.75 on any 32oz Dannon All Natural yogurt

- $3.00 off Windex Outdoor starter kits

- $1.00 off Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair

- $1.50 off any two Pledge furniture care products

- $1.00 off any Pledge Multi Surface product

- $1.50 off Skintimate Shave Cream

- $1.50 off Tena pads 36-72ct / overnight

- $2.00 off any Tena underwear

- $1.00 off any Marcal Small Steps paper products

- $5.00 off Disney nature – “Earth” Blu-Ray DVD when you buy any two Marcal Small Steps

Page 187

- $.50 off any Eggland’s Best Eggs

Page 192

- $1.00 off one MidNite or MidNite PM (sleep aid)

Can You Copy Internet Coupons? Why Do Stores Take Expired Coupons?

tdn.com

Q: My question is about Internet coupons. I know that you can usually print two copies of each one. We would all like to have more coupons. My friend said it is OK to make a copy of the coupons that print from the computer but I don’t think this is right. Is it?

A: Many new coupon users wrongfully assume it is OK to make a photocopy of Internet-printed coupons. Since they printed it out from their computer, they conclude it must be OK to make more. But making photocopies of coupons is illegal. It’s coupon fraud. I’ve often equated this to photocopying a dollar bill. We all know that’s illegal! And it’s illegal to copy coupons, too.

Internet coupons have unique identifiers and barcodes. When a store submits their coupons to be redeemed, a coupon clearing house scans the barcodes and the store receives reimbursement for each unique barcode. If you make a photocopy of a $1 Internet coupon, each copy will be identical to the one before it. If you make 20 copies and use them all at the same store, your store will only be reimbursed for one of those coupons. You will essentially be stealing $19 from your store since the store won’t be paid for the bogus coupons.

Truthfully, we all pay the price when shoppers copy coupons and submit them for savings. In many areas, stores have become increasingly wary of Internet coupons. Some refuse to accept them at all, a big frustration for shoppers. Finding and printing out coupons using the Internet is a great way to supplement the coupons we receive in the newspaper each week, allowing us to obtain a larger number of coupons for the items we buy the most. Companies that offer printable coupons on the Internet usually set the coupons’ print limit at two copies, so always go back and try to print the coupon again until you’ve received the message that the coupon is at its print limit. Remember, there are also times that a printable coupon will have higher print limits, too. Recently, a major cereal manufacturer had a $1 coupon on its Web site with a print limit of 14! That was a great opportunity to get a lot of coupons at one time. But it’s never worth committing coupon fraud and risking prosecution over photocopying coupons.

Q: “My question is about expired coupons. One of the stores in my area will take them. But will the store get reimbursed for these, too, or are they just eating the loss when they accept expired coupons?”

A: When a store gets ready to redeem coupons, it gathers all of the coupons that customer have submitted, packages them up and submits them to a coupon clearinghouse. The clearinghouse weeds out expired coupons and fraudulent, copied coupons. After that, the clearinghouse invoices to the manufacturer for the value of all of the coupons received during that period. At that point, the manufacturer pays the store back for the coupons that have been redeemed.

Depending on when the store submits its coupons to the clearinghouse, some expired coupons may still be valid for reimbursement. But if you’re using coupons that are several years old, the store is definitely “eating” the loss on those coupons.

So why do some stores do it? It gives shoppers an incentive to choose that store over its competition. Accepting expired coupons may give them an edge over a store in the same market that does not accept them.

Seven days and seven ways to save

Consumers » Simple steps can lead to big ways to cuts costs.

By Lesley Mitchell

The Salt Lake Tribune

For many people trying to save money, cutting back in a number of areas at once often can be overwhelming.

But making one small change at a time is much easier. That's the philosophy behind this seven days to savings guide, which details a week's worth of actions you can take and places you can go that can help save money.

Let's start with the ever-changing world of coupons.

Go online for grocery savings » The Sunday newspaper is a great source of discount coupons. But so are sites such as Coupons.com, SmartSource.com and RedPlum.com.

Another great online source is databases, or "generators," such as AFullCup.com or HotCouponWorld.com. These sites include links to scores of coupons from a variety of sources that can be printed at home. All of the big grocery chains accept these coupons.

Some consumers don't use coupons because they don't want to spend time clipping and stuffing coupons in a binder. The beauty of these online sites is that users can print only what will be used on the next shopping trip.

And for those who do like coupons from the newspaper or direct mail, don't clip them until you need them. Simply throw them into a folder and clip specific

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ones only after you have reviewed the weekly sale ads and know what you want to buy.

"It's tempting to just go crazy printing each and every coupon, but if you do this you'll find you spend more on ink and paper than you end up saving in the grocery store," said Jessica Williams, author of the UtahDealDiva blog. "Certainly print the high-value coupons, especially if you use the product frequently. As for the others, wait for a great sale, then go online and print your coupons."

Stick with store brands » Still not interested in coupons? OK, forget all that and consider buying more store brands from the grocery. Most chains provide these alternatives in almost every area of the store, and they are nearly always less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. During the economic downturn, as shoppers have become more cost conscious, many stores have expanded their lines of store brands and improved them.

At Target, for example, all of the retailer's store-brand baby-care items -- which feature new and surprisingly stylish labeling -- are less expensive than the Johnson & Johnson's brand. In fact some of Target's branded items are less expensive than when a brand-name equivalent is purchased with a discount coupon.

Stop by a dollar store » Sure, there's a lot of junky stuff in the Dollar Trees and Honk's stores of the world, and not all deals are good deals. But shoppers can save money at these stores, especially on items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, kitchen gadgets and sponges. The savings can add up on things you use regularly, so make it a once-a-month stop.

Don't forget the library » Today's libraries, of course, are more than just about printed books. They offer cost-saving ideas in audio books, DVDs, and in Utah, through a host of other measures, such as state park passes. Try hitting a different library within the same system every two weeks, as each library provides different selections. If you have small children, get into the library habit early.

Buy secondhand» This weekend, hit at least one garage sale. Or stop by a thrift store on your way home from work or while you're running errands. The Wasatch Front benefits from having not only Savers and Salvation Army stores, but the LDS Church-owned Deseret Industries chain, as well. Buying secondhand items, from clothes for the kids to things for your home, can yield huge savings. Check out Craigslist.com and other classified ad sites. Even better, check out Freecycle.org, which lists items people are trying to give away for free.

Check your credit report (for free) » Go to Annualcreditreport.com. Under federal law, consumers may order one report from each bureau -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- annually through this site. That means you could get one free report every four months.

Just how is this going to save you money?

It's not unusual for credit reports to have errors. Ordering a free report gives you an opportunity to find and fix them, which could keep your credit rating from taking a dip. This is important because your credit has an impact on what you pay for such expenses as auto insurance. Right or wrong, most insurance companies consider people with good credit better risks than those with bad credit.

Also, those with better credit ratings get lower mortgage rates. In other words, your credit report can either save you or cost you thousands of dollars each year.

Have fun with freebies » For quality free stuff, troll Web sites such as Freebies4Mom.com, CouponCravings.com, MoneySavingMom.com and TheFreebieBlogger.com. Amid the worst recession since the Great Depression, companies are giving away all kinds of good free stuff. These sites don't miss many of the best deals.

Work a few freebies into your life, and you could save even more money. This summer, companies have given away free restaurant meals, grocery items and a host of other goods. There's also free entertainment in the form of concerts, museum visits and other activities throughout the state on a regular basis. Each time you enjoy a freebie, that's a bit more money you don't have to take out of your wallet. And in times like these, that's priceless

Coupons move into high tech world

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Frugal is going high tech! Whether it's coupons loaded on your cell phone or deals on Facebook and Twitter, all that money-saving information is now available in the palm of your hand.

Get rid of your scissors, because no coupon clipping is required. You'll need a computer and/or a cell phone to get wired in for all the sales, coupons and free stuff.

Coupon websites, social networking sites, Twitter, even texting -- Super Saver Erin Libranda says the real secret to saving money these days is at your finger tips.

"I will get a text message like, for instance, this weekend they are having 10 % off just for college students, so they texted me directly to my phone," Erin explained.
When it comes to stretching your dollar at the grocery store, Erin prefers the website Cellfire.com. She shows me how easy it is to upload coupons to my savings card. You can even do this on your cell phone.

Cellfire.com also highlights several deals from retailers. For example, we added a free Hollywood Video coupon and within seconds, it was uploaded on my cell phone. All I have to do is show my phone coupon to the cashier to get my free movie.

"If you have a regular phone without internet access, it's not going to work," Erin reminded.

If you're on Facebook or Twitter, there are even more ways to save. Erin says the key is to sign up as a fan of some of your favorite businesses. For example, if you become a fan of Pei Wei restaurants, you gain access to special offers. Right now the Asian diner is offering a free meal for fans who sign up. You'll get your free meal coupon in the mail. The Pei Wei Facebook fan site even suggests you send the offer to your other Facebook friends.

"That's the reason why the companies are doing this," Erin explained. "It doesn't cost them anything for this advertising and it spreads like wildfire."

If you're on Twitter, you can gain access to a wealth of savings and giveaways. Right now Kroger is holding a contest to give away six months of free ice cream. If you follow them on Twitter and tweet about the contest, you are entered for a chance to win.

You can also follow money savings sites like Brads Deals. That company posts great bargains on Twitter. For example, a pair of Oakley Sunglasses that normally sell for $175, are on sale for $70. Another great bargain recently posted on Brads Deals is a Dell mini notebook for $199 at Best Buy. It normally retails for $299.

Keep in mind you will have to download applications on to your cell phone to gain access to these sites. The applications are free.