Shopping, especially grocery shopping can be no fun. Getting your list ready can be a hazel in and of itself let alone the coupon cutting, line waiting, child screening, spill on aisle 7 avoiding craziness the supermarkets can be. It was high time fellow shoppers took action to help each other out and brighten the mood at these haunts.
There is a very simple way that you could do this: as you go through the torture of cutting out your own coupons take the chance to cut out additional coupons of those products that you always see people buying that you never happen to buy. This could be the female razor that is simply too feminine for your chiseled chin. Or it could be that Axe body spray that you simply don't want females all over because you don't play for the other team. The product itself doesn't matter. What matters is that you don't buy it but others do.
You take these coupons with you to the store in your messy pile of coupons that you have to dig through. Better yet you put them in their own specially marked envelop so that you don't complicate your own situation. Having them handy is the key.
Then as you walk through the store you place the coupons near the products that they are for like a human, coupon-laying Easter bunny. Then, as some person who actually wants the item walks up they will have a pleasant surprise as they realize that not only do they get a delicious cup-o-noodles but they also get a nice $0.50 discount on said noodles. This will increase their happiness to the max. You will also benefit in know that your actions had a direct and positive affect on another human being. The satisfaction will tingle for hours on end.
For those particularly brave and very interested in being strict utilitarians you might want to consider handing the coupons out to individuals rather than leaving them blindly on store aisle and end caps. That way you get that extra boost of happiness by witnessing first hand the joy you bestow on these lucky individuals. This will increase your happiness significantly.
It also might increase the beneficiary's happiness as well, since humans are very social by nature. You might even start up a conversation and become grocery store friends. Who doesn't want grocery store friends?
If you are of the opposite sex and find each other attractive for physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual reasons you could even start up a romantic relationship after first establishing a solid friendship. Then you could tell your children that they should be frugal too since you met your spouse by being frugal and employing a coupon sharing shopping tip.
Remember, the quality of life of those around can be directly impacted by your actions. If you are loving and kind around them they will benefit and so you will - both in the deep inward satisfaction that will result in you as well as the benefit you will receive in kind from someone looking toward your benefit in the future. Being kind is always rewarding.
Smile With This Frugal Shopping Tip
The Poor College Girls' Guide To Getting The Best Deals
College is hard. You've left the security of home to settle for a very small room in the college dormitory or an apartment, doing chores like cooking and doing the laundry by yourself, and living on very meager budget. All the while struggling to balance time with classes and research papers on top of everything else.
What's a harder challenge than that? College students will never be able to sustain a full time job, since they even have very little hours for a part-time job to at least get some cash flow, so its harder to find income while you're studying.
Though we'd like to think that as we go to college, we gain a greater kind of independence. But because of a lot of constraints, mostly of it is financial, we sometimes we resort to getting help from everyone and anyone willing to dole out a bit of support. Parents become emergency cash lenders, A friend's room turns into a place to sleep and eat, and the monthly college budget just tightens and tightens.
There are a lot of ways that you can throw all that good money. There's that very frequent tendency to order a latte at the nearest coffee shop, eating out for lunch everyday, shopping when it's really not at all necessary, and going out with your friends at every chance you get. But at the same time, there is a way to overcome that and stick close with your money without feeling that you've sold yourself short. You can simply be aware of the ideas behind spending within your means.
For a poor college girl, it's even more pressing and every month the budget tightens like nobody's business... What's a poor college girl to do then?
One of the ways to save is to be always on the lookout for good discount coupons. Sticking to the budget gets more difficult and we have to simply start relying on a lot of money saving ideas like this. There's a lot of discount coupon offers there and one site I recommend is CouponSaver.org
Because saving money can be as difficult as nothing else, and anybody can attest to that. Before you go ahead with grocery or shopping purchases, go to the site and check if there's any coupons of interest or of use to you. You’ll be able to find a whole lot of special deals and discount coupons for a lot of stores, and take a good look at the expiration dates of those coupon codes, because even if you might not need them now, a lot can be set aside and used sometime later.
Review your grocery list and coupons so you will be able to resist the evils of “Impulse Buying” because that's a serious budget-killer!
Finally, as much as possible take note on shops that have promo areas or supermarkets that have discount days, this is a sure winner for your grocery items. It's astounding how you double your savings by doing this.
I am always interested in ingenious money-saving ideas, you can stop by at my blog Discount Coupons and Deals for more blogs and articles!
Be a Food Shopping Organizer
Copyright (c) 2007 Pat Brill
Have you ever gone shopping and then at home you realized that you forgot something. This happens ever day by thousands of people so you are not alone. Did you forget to take your coupons or didn't give them to the cashier at checkout?
It's now time to focus your organizational skills on your grocery shopping and keep the money in your pocket. Here are ideas to support you on this road.
Planning your food shopping trips
-Start by collecting the flyers from the supermarkets you normally shop at. By checking your flyers first you see what is on sale and then you can create your weekly meals to include the sale items. For example, if chicken is on sale, chicken will be on the menu this week. If you love salmon and it's on sale...then treat yourself without breaking the bank.
-Coupons - start collecting them from newspapers or even download them from the internet and add more savings to your grocery budget.
-Create a system to keep your coupons organized. Purchase a coupon organizer to house all those great deals. Though only keep coupons for those products that you actually use. Sometimes even with a brand name product coupon it's still cheaper to purchase the store brand. If you are going to buy the brand name anyway, then definitely take the savings.
-On the day you are organizing your shopping list, check the expiration date of your coupons. In my coupon organizer, I have a section that says, "expiring soon." Depending on how often you shop, this can be within a week, two weeks or a month. You go there first to stock up on your favorite foods or household products...don't want to lose those savings.
Get into the habit of planning your meals out each week. Choose a day of the week to do your shopping and stick to it. The day before is when you organize your menus.
-Once you've completed your menu, you can create your shopping list.
-It's also important to take a current inventory of your pantry and add any staples that are running low.
-Keep a shopping list posted to your bulletin board or refrigerator where each family member can let you know what food or product is out or almost empty.
-Create a shopping list that is similar to the layout of your store. If there are several stores that you go to, then you will need to organize your list by store.
-The internet has free shopping lists, though I find creating on the computer your own customized list works fine. Create three columns: one for the product, one for whether it's on sale and the last column to indicate if you have a coupon.
-Attached your coupons and any ads to your shopping list....in case there are discrepancies in the store.
-Bring a calculator to keep track of your bill...don't want to be surprised at the register.
Hint: Stores are set up that your milk and bread are in the back...so you have to pass many other products before getting there. How many times have you gone in for just milk and impulsively bought something else and you paid the full price. Weekly planning will keep you focused on the sales and savings.
You are now organized: flyers, coupons, menus and shopping list. If you are just starting the "organized" path of food shopping, it will seem like a lot of work. After a few weeks, you will become more efficient and the process will not take as long.
If you really want to motivate yourself, keep a log of the amount you saved each week. If your budget allows, treat yourself to something special with your savings.
Have fun shopping!
Save a Bunch by Cooking at Home
Cheap fast food isn't always the least expensive option. Truth is, you can save tons of money cooking your own food at home. Sometimes, cooking it at home can be just as quick and convenient also.
Our society puts a lot of emphasis on rushing through a meal, and along with that rushing, one can expect for most to have a disregard for the pricing of this food. For those who are more cost conscious, spending $6 on one waffle or paying $2 for one bowl of cereal may not be feasible. When you have a family, you are probably even more mindful of the expense associated with eating out. Having a small basic meal at McDonald's for a family of 4 could cost you as much as $20. On occasion, that is alright for some. But for many, $20 is enough for that same family of four to eat for several days.
Here are some money saving tips for ways to save money by preparing your own food:
1. Plan your meals well in advance. This will allow you to incorporate more variety in your meals while continuing to monitor the expense of your choices. Planning your meals can be a lot of fun for a family also. It will give you all something to look forward to and can be very exciting.
2. Buy foods when they are on sale and store them properly. That way, after you plan your meals, you will be able to get all of the things that you need at the best prices.
3. Search online for recipes for some of your favorite eateries. Then, buy the ingredients using coupons or by catching items at the best possible prices.
4. Use a farmers market or produce stands for your fresh fruits and vegetables. Often, these smaller operations offer better prices than supermarkets. There are, generally, no transportation costs to be factored in, thus, allowing you to save more as a consumer.
5. Substitute and experiment. Cooking at home can very rewarding, but if you find that items, such as certain cuts of beef, are extremely expense, you may want to try another less expensive cut or another meat alternative. Trying different foods can also be a great way to explore a myriad of flavors. You may actually find a better tasting choice for your recipe.
6. Don't cook too much. Cook just enough so that everyone gets his or her fill. Often when we cook large portions, we end up with leftovers. These leftovers can often get thrown away, forgotten, and wasted.
7. Use coupons, store rebates, and specials whenever possible. Each time you shop, if you use some type of saving tool, you will quickly realize how much you are really saving. Knowing that you paid little or nothing (yes, sometimes, you can get free stuff from the supermarket using coupons), can really cause your money to add up over time.
Cooking at home can be a lot of fun and a very cost-effective alternative for families that want to save money. Planning, portion control, and finding great deals on food make cooking at home a fantastic money saving option for people all over.
Why Free Stuffs and Freebie Sites Are Popular on Industrialized Countries
Once I've read a book the millionaire next door that mentioned about the attitude of rich people who were frugal and financially fit. They were compared to those who were physically fit and exercise regularly. People from rich nations like the United States and Japan where, despite all their wealth, They would still keep every penny and yen they get. In the US, It is not unusual for a man to have a coin purse so they would be able to pay the exact amount most of the time. The Americans and Japanese, despite their affluence, would not pay one penny or yen more than the actual price of any merchandise and would similarly demand that they get no less than their exact change.
And why do you think many Americans spend time clipping discount coupons out of newspapers? For them any discount, even if it is just 10 cents, still means they will be paying a little less for an item. If all discounts are added up, that can mean a pretty respectable saving. They would go to supermarket with the coupons they clipped and use them when paying for their purchases.
Sad to say this will not happen to my country. No one will go to the supermarket with a bag full of coupons. I myself won't bother to go to the store with those coupons. We even have a calendar from popular drug store with discount coupons. Maybe because the value of our currency is too low to give attention to or is it amor propio? (pride?) Culture? Whatever! No wonder we are still a third world country. A discount is a discount, even 1 centavo, 2 centavo, 3 centavos and so forth. And how much more if it is a freebie? Free stuffs or corporate give away. That doesn't mean that people who patronize them can't afford those items. It only shows that they value their money. Getting free samples so just in case they don't like the product, no one will be blamed for not buying a better one.
Food Shopping Tips
These days, maybe more than ever, we are all looking for ways to stretch our hard-earned dollars. One of the largest expenditures for most families is the weekly food budget. With careful planning and common sense, you can come out ahead in the "Supermarket Sweepstakes."
Our focus is on the regular, weekly shopping trips in which you will buy the major portion of your family's groceries, cleaning and household supplies, etc. If you run short, or think of a special item you want, this is another story. The obvious place to start is, what do you want to eat? That begins with Menu Planning.
Most families I know start their day with the basics: Cereal (hot or cold), juice, and perhaps toast. Toss in some milk and additional fruit, and you are ready to face the day. On a slower-paced weekend morning, you may have the time and inspiration to cook a full, hot breakfast. If so, throw caution to the winds and heat up the waffle iron/hotcake griddle.
Let's focus on dinner (supper). I learned long ago that the easiest, first step to creating your shopping list is to plan your dinner menus for the week. Think of a main dish for each day. We all crave variety?you could survive on a hamburger and fries every day, but please! Add vegetables or a salad, perhaps a starch (rice , potato, legume). The options are endless?try an ethnic menu! Go vegetarian for the day! Is there a special occasion coming up?
When you have the week's menu and have checked your recipe box for those needed items, load up your recyclable grocery bags and begin shopping. As you roll along, watch for these "mileposts."
Advertised (shelf-tag) specials: Often you can find just the item you need, at a reduced price. One caveat: Watch out for multiple-unit pricing. An example would be 3/$2.00. Ask an associate?If I buy a single item, do I receive a comparable discount? Many stores will allow this, others will not.
Store brands: Store brands are often the equal or better of the "name" brands; and usually carry a money-back guarantee. Most markets also offer a money-back guarantee on their products.
Bulk or raw items: Many markets group their organic/raw/bulk items in a separate aisle. These may include dried beans, peas, nuts, rice, as well as trail mixes. Bulk items can be money savers, since you decide how much or how little to purchase. Since many of the items are dried, they will keep well in your cupboard/pantry, as well.
New items- samples-promos-closeouts: Keep an eye out for specials (especially in the meat section), promotional items, and clearance items. Many markets introduce new items at a reduced price, to entice shoppers to try them. Another attraction is the in-store coupon, usually a peel-off sticker on the label of an item.
Coupons: Check your weekly mailings and the Sunday paper inserts for good deals. But remember?only clip coupons for things you actually need! The best deal is no deal, if it goes to waste. Keep your clipped coupons with your shopping list, so as not to forget them. Check the coupons for expiration dates, since some chains will not honor expired coupons!
One final topic: Store membership cards/club cards. These are cards issued by supermarkets, in exchange for submission of some personal information. The cards entitle the holder to special prices on some items, or possibly some other type of rewards. In my experience, opinions are mixed regarding these cards. Although it is possible to save money using them, bear in mind that each time the clerk scans your card, the store is also tracking your purchases. This is a privacy issue for many people.
Beat Those Gas Prices by Trimming Back on Other Areas of Your Budget
With gas prices going up nearly every single day, almost everyone is beginning to feel the pinch. Although looking for the lowest gas price before filling up is our best solution to saving incrementally, we will ultimately need to buy a fuel efficient vehicle and/or come up with creative ways to trim back on other areas of our budgets. One great solution to this problem is taking advantage of coupons, online promotions, free samples, grocery sales, coupon codes and clearance sales. Even in these economic hard times and with ad budgets being cut, brand name companies are still desperate for you to use their products. More often now than ever you will see these promotions for Free Samples, Online Only Sales, Double Up on Coupons, Online Coupon Codes and Clearance Sales. These promotions are your free ride ticket to saving bundles of cash on all of your purchases. And if clipping coupons isn't your thing, well think of it this way. Just like most of us shop for the lowest gas price before filling up our SUV's to save pennies on the dollar or save incrementally. We should also apply this same method and effort to grocery shopping, clothes shopping, vacations, gifts, household items, home improvement, sporting goods and health products. By taking a little extra time to clip, click, print or submit for these promotions, we can all save a tremendous amount and probably much more than what we save at the pump.
With that in mind, here are a few ways and sources to save more money:
1. Clip and Print those coupons! Gone are the days when coupons were synonymous with your dear old aunt or the little group of spinsters down the road. Today, coupons have great universal appeal and are offered on a large variety of products. Some people think of their coupons as just instant rebates or instant deals. And a lot of times these coupons can be used for everything from everyday groceries, with values exceeding $3-4 on some items, to discounts on your car's brakes. Plus, there are also a multitude of FREE things that can be acquired through using coupons. You can find normally coupons in your Sunday newspaper, but you can also find them and sometime double up your coupons with promotions from www.TheCouponDad.com. The CouponDad site operates by continuously searching and researching the internet for great deals and these online promotions. In addition to this, you can also find coupons / promotions in the mail, on the shelves in the supermarket, town gazettes, Penny Pitcher magazines and even on EBay.
2. Try those samples! Sample=FREE. Buy nothing, but get something. It's actually a very nice concept. You can find free samples all over the place, whether in your local big box stores, at the supermarket, online, like TheCouponDad.com site and/or even in the mall. Like I mention before, companies are always trying to get you "hooked" on their stuff. Big brand name companies like Procter & Gamble (which own Tide, Old Spice, Pampers, Folgers and many others), SC Johnson (Windex, Glade, Ziploc), Johnson & Johnson will run a promotion and give away a free sample of their products for you to try. The easiest way to receive free samples is to sign up for them online and wait for them to come through the mail. Most times, these samples also come with some type of coupon as an extra bonus and incentive to continue to use their products. However, don't feel "obligated" to become a loyal customer. Just enjoy the "free" ride.
3. Research and take advantage of online sales, coupon codes and clearance sales! Many companies are now offering "Online Only" sales. These sales can range from instant savings to companies providing promotional codes for future use. And they are no longer reserved for just accessories, clothing and shoes. Online sales can be for sporting equipment, automotive parts, appliances, furniture, and can also range from Free Shipping to 20-30% off or even Clearance Sales. These online sales are also very easy to find and typically take very little effort to use. They can normally be found on your favorite store's website or on sites like TheCouponDad.com. Online sales can easily translate to a substantial amount of time and money saved and its all done from the comfort of your home.
Saving money during these tight times has become very popular amongst many families, so have fun, talk with your friends about where they are saving and what has worked for them. Who knows you may find that they are also saving with coupons, free samples and online promotion. And if they aren't, tell them about it and beat those gas prices.
For other articles on ways to save money, go to www.TheCouponDad.com and look for Saving Tips
Slash Your Grocery Bill
Become a coupon queen and save a bundle every week
-Susan Samtur, Select Coupon Program
Step 1: Set up a coupon folder. I use a sturdy 4" x 8" accordion-style coupon folder that is actually manufactured to hold monthly checks. Each tab in the folder represents a different category, and all of the categories are in alphabetical order.
For example, this week I found Sobe Vitamin Water on sale for $.99 per bottle. I had a $.50 per bottle coupon that was doubled by the supermarket. My final cost: eight bottles for $0!
Step 2: Organize your coupons. There are a number of well-known methods for organizing your coupons. I like the category method. The category method involves matching the aisles in the supermarket with the categories in your organizer.
I have about 20 categories in my organizer, such as Baking Goods, Beverages, Cereals, Condiments, Dairy, and so on.
Step 3: Compare your coupon categories with the store flyer. Go through the flyer and match up as many store sales as possible with your coupons. This should go by quickly, since each section in the flyer is devoted to a different category, which makes matching the two easier and more time efficient.
I keep all of the store flyers in one location in my house. This way, when I am preparing to go shopping, I can easily find the flyer I am looking for.
Step 4: Shop at stores that double. This is one of the best ways to save really big. I always keep track of which stores are doubling and try to stick to these stores. You can find out which stores are doubling by checking the store circular.
So that's it. Use these four simple steps, and I promise you will save at the checkout. At first, this might seem a little time-consuming, but once you set up your folder and categories, shopping and saving become a seamless process.
Printable Coupons of the Day:
Purchasing Groceries Online Has Been Easier for the Philadelphia, Delaware County, New Jersery and Delaware Areas
Waiting in high volumes of traffic! Mostly everyone dislikes sitting in smoke fumes from cars, hearing honking noises, and listening to angry motorist that are shouting mean statements. Traffic in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware areas have increased significantly because of the everyday traveling. To prevent the annoyance of traffic, the internet is a convenient luxury of getting your everyday errands completed. If you live in the high traffic Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware areas, you should consider shopping online for your groceries.
By shopping on the internet, you save time. Time is wasted by going through the process of grocery shopping because of the amount and length of steps involved. First, you must get the kids into a car. This task my be difficult because sometimes kids may be in a bad mood or tired or hungry and may not want to go for a car ride. If you mention that you are shopping for groceries, most kids would prefer not to come along. Once you have your kids situated in your care, you can finally drive to the supermarket but could encounter a few traffic problems on the way there. After sitting through that one light that rarely turns green, attempting to learn the back roads to avoid recent jams, stopping your car because of a recent collision between more that one vehicle, you finally arrive at the supermarket.
Once you are there, you are able to stroll through the isle to browse to determine your meals for the week or types of food to purchase for family gatherings, cookouts, tailgate parties, or holidays. After you make your choices, you would wait in line to purchase your food and then, put all of the bags into your car. On the way home, you sometimes may encounter the same amount of traffic traveling to the grocery store or experience even worst traffic situations that could even have your food spoil or melt. To prevent sitting in traffic or discarding spoiled food, consider shopping for groceries online.
When you shop for groceries online, you will still have an experience of browsing for food in the isle and finding out what is on sale by sitting at your computer. Genuardis grocery stores and Genuardis supermarkets have special online features that allow you to virtually shop through the isles and create a shopping list. If you are cooking for a small family or a large family gathering, you can use the recipe center at Genuardis, so you wouldn't forget any ingredients. In addition, you will get the latest specials and deals with Genuardis coupons, so you will no longer have to clip coupons the old fashion way. To get Genuardis coupons, click on this link below.
http://www.onlinestorecoupon.com/ShopbyStore/genuardis-coupons.htm
Genuardis grocery stores have been in business since 1920 by giving its customers value in the Philadelphia area. Many people from
Philadelphia , Delaware county, surrounding Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey , and Delaware shop at Genuardis to save money.
45 Tips to Protecting Your Money During & After an Economic Crisis
The current economic crisis is making everyone think about how to protect their money and the financial security of their family. Here are 45 tips to protect your money during and after an economic crisis. These tips have been taken from Surviving the Debt Crisis.
- If you wish to achieve real wealth, focus on acquiring assets that are valued by other people. Concentrate on allocating you money across different types of assets, including some whose value might rise where others that you have face a fall in their value.
- Decide whether you might be better off making extra mortgage payments or putting that money into investments.
- Be careful with investments; do not fall for flattery or let yourself be convinced by claims that their past performance is necessarily a true indicator of future prospects.
- If you get plenty of money, it is advisable that you invest the entire amount at once and not with intervals between. Diversify your investments as suggested in Point 1.
- Making big investments just to avoid taxes is a decision that requires careful consideration and access to premium, probably high-cost professional advice.
- If you plan to studying in college, compare the college saving plans to find those which give you the best options.
- Coins are "little savings", so do not spend them. Try saving coins and use the paper currency; you will see that you have effortlessly saved more by the end of the month.
- Buy a house only when you are willing to move into it immediately and live for at least a minimum of five years.
- Instead of hiring young members of your own family or giving them a portion of your money when they are young, place your inheritance into a trust until your minors are sensible enough to handle the money.
- Supermarket coupons can be a great help, provided you know the right way of using them.
- Do not run after high returns without considering that 'A great reward may have a greater risk'.
- Have you noticed people who buy lottery tickets each day? Buying more tickets does not significantly increase your chance of a major prize but inflates your risky investment significantly.
- Both parents working may seem to be necessary at the moment, but you may not think so if you calculate the extra expenses involved such as lunch, commuting, wardrobe, childcare, etc.
- Be careful which pension plan you opt for. Check that the agent is not selling you insurance instead of a pension.
- Check out your life insurance policy and whether it is a good investment. Remember, an insurance policy is to protect you and not just for the company and their agent to profit from you.
- Maintaining your investments through all cycles is the key to being invested in the right time. This may make your success rate higher rather than investing and then withdrawing from time to time because of the fees and other costs at each change.
- Avoid using a credit card as much as possible, because you end up spending extra with it. Instead, you can go for a charge card, which makes you pay what you spend each month.
- When you plan to buy a home, go for a buyer-broker. Realtors are the ones who represent the seller, unless you are hiring a buyer-broker who is the one who represents you.
- Investing the same amount regularly is said to be the best way of using dollar cost averaging.
- Instead of a fifteen-year mortgage plan, go for a thirty-year mortgage if the longer mortgage means lower monthly payments and a higher tax deduction.
- Consider applying for a systematic withdrawal plan rather than applying for bonds if this will provide a steady flow of income even after your retirement.
- Check that your bank accounts are insured federally. The FDIC, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protects deposits up to around two hundred fifty thousand dollars per person. If you have, more than the secured amount, you may spread it through various banks.
- If you want annuities, consider sticking to the variable and not the fixed type. A fixed annuity has a fixed return but a variable annuity gives you a chance to earn the full return.
- Grandparents often plan college funds for their grandchildren but, I believe that this requires very careful thought beforehand.
- Do not purchase a mutual fund just because it is highly rated. Different funds, even a mutual fund that has just a single star may do exceptionally well in certain periods.
- The money that you may need in the next two years must be cash or fairly easy to convert to cash. The stock market is not a place to store the money that you might need immediately.
- You can invest globally, not just in the U.S.A. exchanges.
- Keep a careful eye on your family budget; try to reduce your expenses, curtail your restaurant meals and other un-necessary expenses that may cause a future burden.
- When you want financial advice, only accept it from a registered investment advisor. A stockbroker is not the right person to advise you on your general finances.
- Write a check for yourself and save it first. This is an efficient, almost painless, way of saving.
- Do not include your child's name is investments or bank accounts; this may mean that your other children might be disinherited and might cause tax problems.
- When you sell a home, go to a qualified realtor and get referrals from people you trust.
- Do not buy real estate investments with borrowed funds.
- Stopping your PMI when you have around 20% of the equity on your home left might save many hundreds of dollars.
- Buying mortgage life insurance should be considered carefully. Separate insurance might be a better option.
- If you contribute to a nondeductible IRA account is not a great idea, maintain a proper record or you may suffer serious losses.
- If you are 62 years of age now, you may be able to take a social security instead of waiting until you are 65.
- Money handling processes have changed, so do not stick to how your parents handled their money.
- While getting a pension, consider choosing a lump sum option where you can take control of your money and your future.
- While leasing the car, consider not paying for the cap cost reduction and perhaps get gap insurance instead.
- Saving money in your child's name may not be a good idea. You will have to part with the money once your child turns 18 or 21.
- Instead of saving for your children's college costs, consider starting to save for your own retirement first.
- Investing in a QTIP trust might be a good way of protecting your kids and spouse.
- Consider taking a policy that provides five or six years benefits instead of investing in long-term care insurance.
- Do not panic or worry; this will take you nowhere. It is not necessary that you take in all the gloom that the media throw at you.
Learn how to better protect you and your family in the current crisis, with this informative and easy to understand e-guide to Surviving the Debt Crisis.
Do You Have Any Saving Graces?
Think savings - think bank. I remember being given lollipops at the bank when I was a little girl. That's when banks gave toasters for opening new accounts and gave calendars for Christmas. Banks have changed. Now some give free checking accounts, some give free use of ATM's and some give free safety deposit boxes. Some banks have high-yield money market accounts and others have super-high-yield accounts. Getting everything you want in one place isn't something you can bank on anymore.
The Money Book, How To Save Money Every Day, Half-Price Living - hundreds of books have been written about how to save. These books say to make a budget, set goals and have money automatically withdrawn from your paycheck. What it comes down to is that saving is like dieting. Spend less and exercise more - good judgment.
I exercise good judgment by shopping at Costco. Costco is the biggest membership warehouse club in the world and the fourth biggest general retailer in the U.S. - but there's a problem. I'm not spending less at Costco. Although I spend less for a giant box of laundry detergent and a box of eight cans of tomato paste and a package of twelve rolls of paper towels, I don't stop there. I spend less for flowers and books and clothes and more. Because I buy more than I need, I'm not saving money. The "co" in Costco must stand for customers overbuying.
Twenty cents off dish detergent, forty cents off a dozen eggs if I buy a pound of bacon, sixty cents off three cans of soup - I used to go through the Sunday paper cutting out coupons; but not anymore. In spite of supermarket coupons, things are cheaper at Costco. I thought coupons were part of the past - along with S&H Green Stamps and free glasses when I bought gas. Then I got a book of Costco coupons in the mail. These coupons have perforated borders. No more cutting - except corners.
Every year I keep track of how much money I save with coupons, discounts and sales. At the end of the year the money is mine to spend on something for the house. One year I spent it on a fountain. Another year I spent it on an antique lamp. I think of this as saving for a reigny day because when it comes to deciding what to buy, I rule.
8 Practical Ways to Save Money on Your Next RC Camping Trip
Do you like saving money as much as you like camping with your RV? Today, it seems as though nearly everyone is looking for more value in goods and services, such as in handy Retractable Card Holders . From supermarket coupons to free e-mail, we are constantly finding ways to save a penny here and there. Saving money on unnecessary spending frees up bucks for other things. While an RV is one of the biggest investments we can make, the ways we can save when camping with our RVs, are almost limitless. Here are some tips to free up some extra cash on your next RV camping trip:
1. Get a thrifty RV. While an RV is an outstanding investment, it becomes useless when you have no leftover funds for essential RV camping gear, including stoves, coolers, chairs and tables, lanterns, and Plastic Badge Reels. You could go camping in a huge, luxurious RV, but can you also have a ball with a used or new inexpensive RV? Yes, and this will free up more funds for RV camping gear.
2. Reason for the region. Certain regions throughout the U.S. and Canada have deals that you can enjoy while camping in your RV.
3. Cut campground costs. When camping with your RV, commercial campgrounds can take a big bite out of your wallet. You can find better deals at RV campgrounds in campgrounds that cities, counties, states, and national governments support. You can even find some locations to park for one night or several nights, for free!
4. Supermarkets can be super expensive. Not only can you save money by shopping at places other than supermarkets, but sometimes the food is fresher as well. Try the following places for great deals on meal ingredients:
• Canning plants
• Charity bazaars
• Discount stores
• Dollar stores
• Flea markets
• Roadside fruit and vegetable stands
• Self-serve orchards
• Thrift bakeries
5. Never eat yourself out of house or RV. You can use several ways to save money on meals, when dining out during your RV camping trip. You can eat out for lunch instead of for dinner. Also, consume meals at diners instead of at huge chain restaurants. You can furthermore avail of early-bird specials and use 2-for-1 coupons.
Probably the most economical way of saving money on food is by preparing your own meals. Buying the ingredients directly and then preparing them on your Coleman camping stove or grill, can save you tons of money. And you never have to settle for canned pork and beans every meal! Several outstanding cookbooks for camping are available.
6. Beat the crowds. You can usually enjoy huge savings at RV parks, campgrounds, theme parks, etc. before and after the peak season. While the weather conditions may not be perfect during these times of the year, they are endurable-allowing RV camping trips to remain as practical year-round, as using Plastic Badge Reels . Plus, camping during off-season can help you to avoid huge crowds and long lines at various attractions.
7. Fix-it-yourself. Several books and website can provide excellent advice about basic repairs for your RV.
8. Save more when you stay more. Some RV parks and campgrounds give enormous discounts when you stay there longer.
If you want to enjoy an RV camping trip on a budget, you can do it. Following some basic guidelines can make the trip easy on our wallet, yet still be as enjoyable as using Heavy Duty Badge Reels. Being thrifty on your RV camping trip does not mean that you are "cheap." It means that you will have leftover funds for your next RV camping trip!
$162 worth of Groceries for .42 cents
Tips and Tricks to save at the supermarket by the Coupon Queen
Last month I paid 42 cents for $162 worth of groceries at an ACME supermarket in Philadelphia. This shopping experience was one of my better performances; normally I save between 50-65% off of my bill when I shop for my family.
Today, grocery costs are a significant monthly expense, which is why saving at the supermarket has become so important. When most people think about supermarket savings, the first thing that comes to mind are grocery coupons. Grocery coupons are great, but in order to save 50% or more off of your grocery bill you will need to use every tool at your disposal. Here are some simple tricks and tips to help you save as much as possible at the supermarket.
1. Create a shopping list, this simple task can shave 20% or more off of your bill by helping you stick to your essential items.
2. Whenever possible, shop at stores that double coupons. This might seem like I am pointing out the obvious, but if you ask the average shopper if their store doubles, they don't know.
3. Know your prices, just because a product is on sale doesn't mean it is good deal. If you frequently buy the same product(s), get familiarized with the products price range at different stores. When you see your favorite product at or near its lowest price, make a mental note and always try to buy extra at that price (especially if they are non-perishable items).
4. Make sure you are signed up for store loyalty programs; you would be surprised how many people never get around to doing this.
5. Get Supermarket Coupons Online - My favorite places are selectcouponprogram.com, coupons.com and manufacturers web sites.
6. Avoid gourmet grocery stores for basic products like juices and dairy, these can sometimes cost double what your low cost supermarket charges.
7. Try to find a Target or Walmart that carries groceries, I always find great prices at these stores. Silk Soymilk was only $2.49 a gallon at Target, normally $4 at the local Gristedes.
8. Don't be afraid to switch stores or brands, most of the products are made by the same manufacturer anyway.
9. Bring all of your coupons to the store each time you shop in case a product is on sale that wasn't in the flyer.
10. Keep track of the stores sales cycles, normally they run sales every few weeks or months on the same products.
By following these simple tips and tricks you will be surprised how much money you save. Remember, saving at the supermarket is easy when you know what to look for!
Mobile Phones - Corner Shop Coupon's
Although commonplace in other parts of the world, namely Asia, mobile phone coupons and money-off vouchers have not found their place in the UK market.
The only real examples of mobile phones being used this way within the UK is by phone operators such as Orange and O2, who have trialled a few schemes with their customers that involved cinema tickets, and entry to music events etc.
This however, could change this summer – when 17,000 small retailers and corner shops across Britain will participate in a new scheme.
The scheme aims to replicate the success major supermarket chains have seen with their loyalty cards.
Dubbed "Shop Scan Save", customers will be able to receive special offer coupons straight to their phones, which can be scanned straight from the phones display at the shops checkout.
A number of major companies are participating in the scheme, which had helped increase the number of products that coupons can be released for, with everything from nappies to confectionary now included.
One of the keys to success for any new idea is that it is easy to implement into the current market. Shop Scan Save is being rolled out by PayPoint, the company that supply the POS terminals to over 9,000 retailers across the country. This combined with the scheme making use of current barcode and mobile technologies will greatly aid its implementation.
All consumers will have to do to opt into the scheme is text "join" to a certain number and from then on in, they will start to receive coupons. Over time a unique database will be compiled for each customer, based on which coupons they redeem, companies will be able to better target future promotions.
It is hoped that Shop Scan Save will help reach out to new demographics, who do not tend to pay much attention to paper coupons.
Delivering coupons via mobile phones should prove considerably more popular than paper coupons; this is no surprise, considering how central mobile phones are to peoples lives.
All that you will require to be part of the scheme is a phone able to receive images; if you do not have one then the internet is an excellent place to compare mobile phones.
How to become supermarket savvy
The country is in a recession and as a result, most of us have had to change our spending habits. While many of us are cutting back on the luxuries in life, even more of us are making small changes in our supermarket spending that can actually have a massive impact.
Have you ever noticed that your local supermarket's own brand product is significantly cheaper than your favourite branded product? Three out of four Brits are now opting to buy supermarket own brand labels, a figure that has tripled since August 2008. Supermarkets have long been catering for a range of different customers, from those who are happy to forgo their favourite brands for value, to those who will pay premium prices for the highest quality food and products.
You might be wondering if the quality of the products in the own-brand packaging is significantly worse than those made by a branded company. Overall, this will depend on your preference, but it has been said by many that the difference is so minimal that they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. So if you're not willing to sacrifice quality for price, bear in mind that you may be able to get the best of both worlds.
Customers are also keeping a keen eye out for vouchers they can use at the checkouts. 74% of shoppers are now regularly using money off coupons during their weekly shop, compared with only 26% in 2008. Vouchers can really make a difference, as you can often collect them just by buying your favourite product or by cutting them out of a magazine or local newspaper.
Don't miss the opportunity to collect reward points from your favourite supermarkets either. Most supermarkets run their own loyalty point schemes that you can join for free. If you want to be extra savvy, try applying for the supermarket's own credit cards
You can often earn extra loyalty points for spending as well as gaining other financial benefits that are specific to each card.
An excellent way to avoid over-spending is to plan and buy your shopping online. Making a list and only buying what you need can help you avoid the well placed temptations you'll find on the shop floor of most big supermarkets. 15% of us have turned to online shopping up from just 5% in 2008, which goes to show that it can be a popular and helpful budgeting tool.
Last but not least, it seems that over 8 million of us have turned to growing our own fruit and vegetables to save money on our shopping. Tesco are currently planning to set up their own allotments, selling starter kits to those who are new to growing their own food.
So if you're feeling the pinch during the recession, why not follow some of these simple tips to saving money on your everyday spending? You could find it makes a bigger difference than you expected.
Getting And Using Organic Food Coupons
Are you interested in eating organic foods? If you are, it is a great way to improve your health, but it isn't always so great for your wallet. It is no secret that organic foods cost more money. Although the cost is more than worth it, you may be interested in saving money whenever possible. One way that you can do so is with the use of organic food coupons.
As nice as it is to hear that organic food coupons can help you save money, you may be curious as to why you should use them. For starters, organic food coupons are just like regular coupons, but they are for organic foods. Depending on what you find, you may be able to buy one product and get another free or you may receive up to a dollar off a particular item. Organic food coupons can save you a considerable amount of money, especially if you are able to find a great sale. Also, many coupons are free or cheap to acquire.
If you are looking for free organic food coupons, turn to the internet. There are a number of options that you have when doing so. For starters, you can find the online websites for the makers of organic food. You can do this with a standard internet search. To help get you started, Amy's Kitchen and Cascadian Farms make and sell organic food. Some manufacturers offer coupons on their websites. These coupons may be printable or you may be able to fill out a form and have the coupons mailed to you.
Organic food coupons can also be found by examining online coupon websites. These websites can also easily be found with a standard internet search. You will want to find websites that give you access to free coupons. Although you will find a large selection of coupons, you may also find some for organic foods. This is because more individuals are becoming concerned with their health, thus eating organic foods.
Grocery stores are another way to find free organic food coupons. There are many grocery stores that place coupon dispensers next to products in their stores. Some grocery stores have as many as five coupon dispensers in each aisle. Although it will be hit or miss to see if you can find coupons for organic foods, you may. Due to the increase in organic food consumption, many supermarkets are expanding their organic food sections. Many choose to draw attention to their expansions by offering great deals on organic foods, which come in the formats of sales or coupons.
When using newspapers, as with online coupon websites, you will find a large selection of coupons. As previously stated, however, organic food consumption is increasing in popularity, as more individuals are becoming concerned with their health and exactly what it is they are putting into their bodies. For that reason, more newspapers and manufacturers are making the decision to work together to provide better and more affordable access to organic foods. Although not free, most newspapers can be purchased for around a dollar.
In addition to using organic food coupons to help you save money, you can also search for sales or discounts. Many supermarkets send out weekly fliers advertising their sales. Look for any great deals on organic foods. Also, be sure to examine stores that specialize in the selling of organic foods and other organic products. These stores also typically offer great sales, but you already know that the sales in question will be for organic foods.
As highlighted above, there are a number of ways that you can go about finding organic food coupons. It may take a little bit of hard work and research to find these coupons, but the money that you may be able to save, especially overtime, can significantly add up. As a reminder, don't discount traditional store sales on organic foods, as they are also a great way to eat organically, but on a budget.
Save on Restaurant Bills With Attractive Discount Coupons
Dining out with family members and friends is always fun. But at times an enjoyable occasion can be very expensive for your pocket. But now a dinner at the restaurant can be fun and at the same time affordable. Get the special offers and discounts on your food bill by collecting your discount coupons and treat cards now.
There are a number of ways by which you can curtail your restaurant bills. You can collect your discount coupons both online and offline. A little bit of planning can save a lot of money and you can still enjoy some good time with your loved ones.
There are a number of restaurants in London, UK that accepts treat card. By using this card you can actually save on your food bill each time you go out for a lunch or dinner. Once you apply for a treat card, you will keep enjoying the facilities for the whole year. You can use your treat card to take out your friends, family members and even colleagues.
If you are one of those who regularly go out for a dinner, then do not forget to collect the discount coupons from your Sunday newspapers. Here you will get many restaurants that publish their ads. And if you are lucky enough you can get more than one discount coupon per ad. But make sure to use the coupons for special offers before they expire.
Also check with your supermarket bills for coupons. You will find the coupons for special offers at the restaurants printed at the back of your super market receipts. So don't forget to check with them before you throw away the bills!
You can also sign up for the mailing lists of the different restaurants. Many restaurants give discount coupons to the subscribers, which you can use for a certain period of time. There are certain restaurants that gives out discount coupons, incentives and discount codes to people who takes customer satisfaction surveys.
To save on your restaurant bills, you can also look for some of the cheap restaurants in London. At the local restaurants you can have a great time yet you do not have to worry about expenses.
Coupons on Cigarettes
Cigarette market is a very competitive domain. There are hundreds of brands in the fray, competing against each other, to woo the customers from around the globe. Even if you take any domestic market, there'll be cut throat competition amongst the players. So, it is natural that the cigarette makers try out all tricks in the marketing and promotion trade to catch the eye of hard core smokers. Cigarette coupons are one such marketing gimmick, a freebee, given to smokers as a compliment when they make a sizeable purchase from an online cigarette store or even a cigarette shop. It is like any other discount coupon. It entitles the buyer to avail a discount on the market rate of the cigarette packets he/she purchases by exchanging these coupons. The only limitation, the cigarette coupons may not be exchangeable in all cigarette stores; but only in selected outlets where they sell the particular cigarette brand(s). Also, you can't encash it for an equivalent sum of money.
The percentage of discount a cigarette coupon offers generally varies with the cigarette brand and the particular offer. But, according to reports, in certain online cigarette stores, cheap Marlboro cigarette cartons' selling price was as low as $11 after redeeming cigarette coupons. So you could calculate how far cigarette coupons could lower the original prices. The same is the case with other top cigarette brands such as Marlboro cigarettes, Camel, Winston, Montclair, Salem, Virginia Slims, Misty, Capri or Parliament, to name a few.
Cigarette coupons are usually distributed by marketing executives employed by the cigarette companies through shops or in person, or it is given as a freebee alongside bulk online purchases made from online cigarette stores. The cigarette coupons you receive in the former way will be like any other discount coupon in appearance and feel, while the cigarette coupons that are available online may require the customers to print it or if making online purchases, type in a verification code in order to check the authenticity of the buyer as fraudulent coupons are also rampant these days. Either way, from the cigarette maker's perspective, they'll make sure that the cigarette coupons are indeed given to ardent smokers so that they'll be tempted to comeback to the specific brand more than usual. After all, for most of the smokers, the major deterrent or hindrance in fulfilling their wishes is the lack of money they can spend on cigarettes, and nothing else.
The other places where you could commonly find cheap cigarette coupons are in supermarket flyers and inside weekend newspapers. Also, it is a viable option to get it directly from the cigarette companies. Many cigarette makers keep a mailing list of their customers in that regard. If your name figures there, such offers reach your mail directly and promptly when the cigarette company announces such a discount scheme.
There is a limit to what words could convey. See the World Wide Web, and there you could find more resources on cigarette coupons and the popular brands that offer it.
Grocery Coupons – When are They Not a Good Deal?
Last Sunday I was scanning the weekly ads hunting for grocery coupons that I could use on our family's weekly grocery shopping trip when a thought crossed my mind. When is couponing not a good deal? Could unsuspecting frugal shoppers get carried away with the current "Coupon Craze" and end up spending more money than they actually need to?
It seems like everyone these days are clipping grocery coupons and searching out printable coupons on the internet which can save you substantial money on your grocery bill each month. But I believe that clipping coupons isn't the only answer and, in a worst case scenario, could cause you to spend more money than you need to.
How many of you have actually stopped to consider the prices you are paying at your local grocery store? Are you loyal to a specific supermarket? Do you look down at stores like Wal-Mart or discount grocery stores with some contemptuous smirk? (Don't laugh… I read a forum post from one coupon mom that refused to step a foot inside a Wal-Mart store due to her political morality!) The message I am trying to get across is that it pays to shop around.
Kimberly, on her Addicted to Costco blog, recently did a great price comparison between three stores. HEB, Wal-Mart and Randall's (which is the same as Safeway). She picked 39 frequently purchased items and stuck to leading brands. Not surprising, the prices from each store differed extremely depending on the product with Costco having the best prices on 30 out of the 39 items and Randall's (Safeway) being the most expensive.
While I was surprised at the difference my wife wasn't at all. She says Safeway has always been the most expensive chain grocery store in our area and that only when you start using the Safeway rewards card coupled with manufacturer coupons do their prices start to come down to prices more in line with less expensive grocery stores.
So, what's my advice? Don't be loyal to just one grocery store. Do what Kimberly did and do a price comparison of the grocery stores in your neighborhood. Once you are armed with this data you will be better equipped to save money with or without coupons! You might find that the non-sale prices at your discount grocer are better than the sale prices with coupons at the chain grocery stores. Use your manufacturer coupons at your less expensive grocery stores instead of the more expensive grocers like Safeway. Also, ask the manager of your discount grocery store if they accept competitor's coupons. It never hurts to ask!
Improve Customer Numbers – Advertise Coupons for Your Business
Standard marketing techniques that have been used for many years by many businesses are no longer relevant or as effective as they previously were. Therefore, all business should look for new and inspiring marketing techniques. One of the ideas that have proved successful for many businesses is the advertising of coupons to enable customers to find discounts. Businesses not only print local coupons, or post coupons to their prospective customers, but companies can also advertise coupons for online use. Local businesses not only compete with each other, but also with the multitude of online businesses, so the need to improve marketing strategies has become more and more evident. Whether you have been in business for years or are just planning to start a business, you need to be aware that there is now so much competition in every field, whether it is offering a product or a service. With the wide use of the internet by consumers, business owners need to take stock of their marketing programs and come up with new and exciting ways to attract more customers. Previously, if you placed an advertisement in the local news paper or made a radio or television advertisement, you may have been able to attract all the customers you needed. However, consumers today have a number of tools and tips at their disposal to find bargains for the items they are searching for. You see large chain supermarkets that advertise coupons offering discount products that require you to produce the coupons at their stores. You may also get coupons in the mails that offer percentages off certain items. Again, this usually will require that you take those coupons to the specified store to buy the product. With the increasing use of the internet, however, consumers often have the option to purchase items from home instead of heading to the store. Online companies also advertise coupons and many consumers find discounts this way. There are large chain stores that offer consumers discounts for various items. But to do this, consumers must print local coupons and take those with them to their local store to obtain the discount. Other online businesses will post coupons online that only require the consumer to enter a code and therefore obtain the discount while purchasing online. The products then are sent to the consumer; in this instance, customers never have to leave home. All consumers are searching for ways to save money and find bargains, and the use of coupons is becoming a big marketing tool in reaching those consumers. In some cases the consumers themselves, after seeing coupon offers online, will request local coupon discounts from neighborhood stores. If you are that store, and you are not able to offer the discount to your potential customers, you will probably find that you will lose that customer. Some major chain stores offer the facility to print local coupons at the store themselves, and this is proving to be a great marketing strategy for them. Previously these types of stores had no problem obtaining customers and increasing turnover. However, they have also seen the move towards online coupons and the abilities of their customers to purchase online and have adapted to these changes. If you are a business owner and you have not yet considered the use of either online or local coupons as a marketing strategy, then perhaps it is time you made this consideration. Consumers are always finding bargains and if they can find these bargain prices from your competition, and you are not offering them the same or better, then you need to get in the fight and get those customers back to you. Often when a consumer does find discounts, the discounts are not huge discount offers, but at least they give the consumer the emotional state of feeling they have received something not normally available. This is how, if you advertise coupons, the marketing strategy succeeds. Coupons work and perhaps you need to consider how you can work them into your marketing plan.
Improve Customer Numbers - Advertise Coupons For Your Business
Standard marketing techniques that have been used for many years by many businesses are no longer relevant or as effective as they previously were. Therefore, all business should look for new and inspiring marketing techniques. One of the ideas that have proved successful for many businesses is the advertising of coupons to enable customers to find discounts. Businesses not only print local coupons, or post coupons to their prospective customers, but companies can also advertise coupons for online use.
Local businesses not only compete with each other, but also with the multitude of online businesses, so the need to improve marketing strategies has become more and more evident. Whether you have been in business for years or are just planning to start a business, you need to be aware that there is now so much competition in every field, whether it is offering a product or a service. With the wide use of the internet by consumers, business owners need to take stock of their marketing programs and come up with new and exciting ways to attract more customers.
Previously, if you placed an advertisement in the local news paper or made a radio or television advertisement, you may have been able to attract all the customers you needed. However, consumers today have a number of tools and tips at their disposal to find bargains for the items they are searching for. You see large chain supermarkets that advertise coupons offering discount products that require you to produce the coupons at their stores. You may also get coupons in the mails that offer percentages off certain items. Again, this usually will require that you take those coupons to the specified store to buy the product.
With the increasing use of the internet, however, consumers often have the option to purchase items from home instead of heading to the store. Online companies also advertise coupons and many consumers find discounts this way. There are large chain stores that offer consumers discounts for various items. But to do this, consumers must print local coupons and take those with them to their local store to obtain the discount. Other online businesses will post coupons online that only require the consumer to enter a code and therefore obtain the discount while purchasing online. The products then are sent to the consumer; in this instance, customers never have to leave home.
All consumers are searching for ways to save money and find bargains, and the use of coupons is becoming a big marketing tool in reaching those consumers. In some cases the consumers themselves, after seeing coupon offers online, will request local coupon discounts from neighborhood stores. If you are that store, and you are not able to offer the discount to your potential customers, you will probably find that you will lose that customer. Some major chain stores offer the facility to print local coupons at the store themselves, and this is proving to be a great marketing strategy for them. Previously these types of stores had no problem obtaining customers and increasing turnover. However, they have also seen the move towards online coupons and the abilities of their customers to purchase online and have adapted to these changes.
If you are a business owner and you have not yet considered the use of either online or local coupons as a marketing strategy, then perhaps it is time you made this consideration. Consumers are always finding bargains and if they can find these bargain prices from your competition, and you are not offering them the same or better, then you need to get in the fight and get those customers back to you.
Often when a consumer does find discounts, the discounts are not huge discount offers, but at least they give the consumer the emotional state of feeling they have received something not normally available. This is how, if you advertise coupons, the marketing strategy succeeds. Coupons work and perhaps you need to consider how you can work them into your marketing plan.