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6.0 SUPERMARKET AND GROCERY STORE COUPONS AND REBATES FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

Spending hours on coupons and rebates may not be worthwhile for a busy family. However, they might be a good deal for those with lots of time or seniors on a fixed income or persons who simply prefer name brand products.

To get the most out of coupons you've got to be organized. You'll need to get several Sunday newspaper inserts each week, clip the coupons you want, organize them and discard the ones that have expired. At the store you must remember which coupons you've got and which are about to expire. In addition the store may be out of the particular product specified. Rebates will give you the most savings. You will pay tax on the full price of the product BEFORE the coupon or rebate.

I use coupons for some products. However, in general I feel buying store brands can save just as much without all the work. Busy families today could spend this time better together doing things they enjoy.

6.0.1 HOW TO USE SUPERMARKET AND GROCERY COUPONS AND REBATES

== If you want to get the most out of coupons, you must be organized as described above. You'll also need to ask your friends and family to save coupon inserts, magazines with coupons, and coupons that come in the mail. The more coupons you file, the more flexibility you'll have to get the best deal at the store, such as combining a coupon with a sale price and/or a rebate.

== Don't be brand loyal. Learn to switch brands depending on the coupons you've got.

== Generally buy the SMALLEST size with a coupon. Why? Because then the unit price should be the lowest. Use your calculator to check.

== New products frequently offer a hefty coupon and rebate when introduced.

== Rebates will save you even more. Generally you'll need the following: an original rebate form (no copies!), an original cash register receipt, and the UPC code from the package. Be sure to mail these with your address (plus pay for a $.32 stamp) before the rebate expires or your child throws out the box with the UPC code. When you get the rebate check as much as six weeks later, cash it before it expires.

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