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Coupons! Buy the Sunday newspaper with the inserts. The big city papers have the most coupons. I live in Olympia, but I buy the Seattle Times. Also, buy multiple copies so you have multiple coupons. If an item goes on sale and there is a coupon to go with it you want to get enough of the item to stock up until it goes on sale again. Try not to pay full price for an item, shop from your pantry!

Don't throw away any coupons until they are expired! You never know what might go on sale. Even if you think you won't buy it, it may end up being free or nearly free and you can always give it to charity!

Be brand flexible! To buy only your favorite brand may cost more. Follow the ads to the stores and use the coupons on the item that is on sale. For example Irish Spring may be your favorite bar soap at $3.50 a pack. Then Zest goes on sale for $2.50 a pack plus you have a dollar off coupon. It's only a $1.50 for a pack of soap!

Don't use all your coupons the week you get them. The key is to USE THE COUPON WHEN THE ITEM IS ON SALE in order to get the maximum savings.

Be organized. Either cut out every coupon and put into a coupon binder or keep each insert (Red Plum, Proctor & Gamble, SmartSource) in tact and label the front of the page with the date it came out. Then refer to my home page with this weeks deals. All you do is look at the date it was issued and the insert it is located in.

Learn to stack your coupons. Only one manufacturer's coupon is allowed per item, but many stores will accept a manufactuer coupon AND an in-ad store coupon together. Check your store coupon policy, but most accept it.

Remember: a coupon is like cash. The store gets that money from the manufacturer.

Abbreviations & Coupon Lingo

SS - SmartSource (located in the Sunday newspaper)

RP - Redplum (located in the Sunday newspaper & in mailbox)

PG - Proctor & Gamble (located in Sunday newspaper, normally once a month)

SCR - Single Check Rebate from Rite Aid. Go to www.riteaid.com/scr to find out more.

BOGO - Buy One Get One Free

IN-AD - The coupon is located in the specific store's ad

Catalina- The coupon that you receive after you have made a purchase. It prints out with your receipt.

$1/2 - This is an example: a coupon for $1 off of 2 items. It could also be $2/1 which mean it's $2 off of one item or $1.5/3 meaning $1.50 off of 3 items. There are many different combinations.