Using Coupons Can Save 50% on Groceries

Savvy shoppers tap into the money-saving power of coupons

After being laid off from her job, Darrelyn Carte of Lafayette started to use coupons more often. She also made an effort to learn the art of being coupon savvy and even attended coupon classes at a local church last year.

"It's fun," the 55-year-old said. "It's a challenge to make your money go as far as it possibly can."

It's no wonder that coupon use is on the rise for the first time since 1992 and coupon distribution hit the highest level recorded since 1988, according to Inmar, a business process improvement company. The rise in coupon use started in the fall of 2008, coinciding with the country's economic crisis, according to Inmar.

With the economy continuing its state of flux, people are still trying to be frugal and find ways to save money. Following the national trend, some local residents have turned to coupons as a major way cut back on costs. Some veteran couponers have used coupons for years and even perfected the art behind the craft.

Doug Alexander of Brookston said he started using coupons about a year and a half ago to save money on his grocery bills. He also went to a coupon class in order to learn more about getting discounts.

Although a novice coupon user, Alexander has learned how to really trim the fat off his grocery bill. He said his family used to spend $150 a week on groceries and now he spends about $75 a week on groceries buying about the same amount of food.
He said the trick is to stockpile or purchase sale items in bulk that you normally use and use lots of coupons to reduce the cost even further.

Alexander finds coupons on the Internet, searching manufacturer Web sites and Facebook manufacturer pages for good discounts.

"A lot of people don't use coupons so get your neighbors' and families' extra inserts," the 43-year-old said. "Keep the ones you are going to use and pass the rest along to people who might use it."

Lillian Phillips of Lafayette cannot remember when she started using coupons. "It's just in my blood," the 65-year-old said. "My mom grew up in the Depression."
Phillips said she is "really big on the coupons," adding, "I think it's really important because it's a way of controlling your money and how you spend it."
One trick that Phillips uses is to coordinate the coupons with the sales that are going on at the local grocery stores.

"I always try to coordinate the coupons to go with the sale that way you get a better deal," she said.

Phillips also keeps the coupons at her finger tips for easy access.
"I even travel with them," said Phillips, who keeps coupons in her purse.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524