How to Save on Groceries

Just as you advise your children to do their homework, so must you before you step into that supermarket. Here are a few tricks of the trade:

-Read that weekly food section and check the Sunday paper to see what's on sale and devise a plan and don't forget the fine print in those offers.

-At some stores "buy one, get one free" items ring up at half price, which means you can use a coupon on each one and double your savings. However, other stores mark one item full-price and give you the other for free, allowing you to use only one coupon.

-Call the toll-free numbers on your favorite products' labels and tell the customer-service rep how much you enjoy them. Some reps will offer cents-off (or even free) coupons for the product itself; if not, ask.

-Clip coupons from magazines, newspapers, check in-store machines/displays, even libraries.

-Start a coupon exchange with friends/family.

-Check out the wealth of national-brands coupon-offering services on the Web. They can save you money -- even the ones that charge nominal fees. Try: keycode.com or mycoupons.com

-Walgreens offers many products for free in their coupon book (in store) the first of the month-stock up.

-Seek out supermarkets that will double -- some super stores even triple -- the face value of manufacturers' coupons.

-Request price matching. Find a store in your area that will honor all competitors' ads. You'll save money, time and gas.

-Check your receipts. No matter how careful you or the store staff might be, mistakes happen.

-Always send in for the rebate on a purchase whether it's $2 or $50. It all adds up!

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