In today's economy it is more important than ever to stretch your dollar. Earlier this week, News five's Amy West introduced us to the world of couponing and showed us how Nebraskans are saving hundreds of dollars cutting coupons. Now we dig deeper with more supermarket secrets.
If a queen's reign is determined by record savings it will be hard to see Linda Stutesman dethroned.
"We went on this vacation with rebate money.
In 2000 she made headlines for taking a grocery bill from nearly $1500 to just over $300.
Her coupon craze started in the early 1980's.
"If it was not for a wonderful checker who showed me what a coupon was because I had no idea, you know, as a young mother, and it just blossomed from there," said Stutesman.
...blossomed into a perpetually full pantry.
"My daughters, I cannot quite get them involved yet but they really love to come shopping at mom's house," Stutesman said.
But Linda did not get there overnight and there are plenty of people to help you on your way to coupon royalty.
Laura Ritterbush teaches a couponing 101 class in Grand Island and tells students to pace themselves.
"Take small steps and do not feel like you have to do everything all at once cause that can get very overwhelming," Ritterbush said.
As part of her course, Laura teaches coupon basics like planning weekly menus by shopping ads, how to use coupon sitesm, stockpiling and not buying something just because there is a coupon.
Coupon prices sometimes differ depending on where you live and coupon trains send an envelope of coupons—allowing participants to take out what they do want, put in what they do not and send the coupons on to the next stop.
And if your coupon expires you can send it to military families overseas where it is good for six months passed its expiration.
For big savers like Laura, learning coupon craft—including the lingo and new techniques is all part of the rush.
"I think it is the hunt. Maybe it is the hunt coming out for the women—just finding that deal," said Ritterbush.
The deal and working up to crown clipping status one coupon at a time.
Send your expired coupons overseas for use by the Military:
Operations: Coupons
9597 Jones Rd
PMB 365
Houston, TX 77065
More coupon info/sources:
http://www.coupons.com
http://www.smartsource.com
http://www.redplum.com
http://www.thecouponclippers.com
http://www.afullcup.com
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