your grocery bill. Many stores offer membership rewards programs that give additional savings on purchases. By combining in-store promotions with coupons, you may get an even better deal. However, Cliett encourages shoppers who use these programs to make sure they really are getting a good deal. “Not all advertised sales are good deals,” she warns.

Jones also cautions about using coupons wisely. “Common mistakes shoppers make are buying things they don’t need and stockpiling groceries in order to use up their coupons. Just buy what you need,” she advises.

 

Internet deals

Newspapers aren’t the only place to look for coupons. Visit the Web sites of your favorite brands to search for coupons and to sign up for special offers. Don’t have a lot of time to visit individual Web sites? Some sites do the work for you.

Restaurants, entertainment venues, and retailers — online and off — offer coupons to draw in customers. Encourage your kids to make a game of finding these coupons as well as those for dental services, automotive repair, and cleaning services.

The reality is that using coupons wisely is simply another way to be a good steward of God’s money. 

© Brand X

the cash Quiz

Which of the following is worth the most to you?  A $100 monthly pay increase  Saving $ 0 a month by using coupons  The monthly interest earned on $100

Answer: Saving $ 0 a month by using coupons. The savings you receive by using coupons are savings with after-tax dollars. Even if you are in the lowest tax bracket of 15 percent, a $100 raise is only worth $85 after taxes. For more fast cash advice, check out savingsadvice.com.

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to get your hands on lots of money, you don’t need the secret combination to a bank vault, just a computer to access these lucrative Web sites:

Boodle.com CoolSavings.com CouponCat.net CouponMom.com SmartSource.com Valpak.com