However we are always hesitant to sign up for free products since it could be used as a scam. Eventually, our emails will be congested with spam from companies that we haven’t heard of. From free PlayStation 3 and email from a Nigerian millionaire, our email could easily get us frustrated and our expected email can’t be read since our inbox could get easily clogged with hundreds of email.

On the other hand singing up for free stuff and coupons in the mail will eventually solicit telemarketers. Even though they promise not to share information, it will eventually be leaked out and you will have unsolicited phone calls. We can register to the DNC (do not call) website but we’ll have a hard time telling them not to call us back.

The only source of discount that we could have is the coupons. Sure it will mean savings, but think about the free stuff that you could get when you sign up for coupons online that arrives in your email.

Combating Email Related Problems

Getting a coupon and free stuff online shouldn’t get you trouble if you know how to deal with it. The reason that you don’t want to sign up for free things online is that it will eventually clog your inbox. So if you don’t want to clog your inbox, just create another email dedicated to that free stuff and coupons you just want to receive.

You don’t even have to write your name in email to get your free stuff. Your address is ok since all they have to do is just send mail and the free stuff. The only worst thing you have to go through by signing up free things is your physical mailbox will be full. The paper that comes with the free things could be recycled. Eventually you won’t have to spend on anything.

The good thing about this is that the capacity of email today is more than 1GB which could practically hold any email offers. You’ll also have the ability to sort your email according to the things you want. Yahoo, Google Mail and other free email providers can give you this capability.

Combating Physical Mail Problems

The only concern that many people have with free things that could be mailed to your home is identity theft. Instead of giving up too many information, you can give them a dummy name. Phone number is usually required but that doesn’t mean you can give them the right phone number.

If you really wanted to give them a valid phone number, give them your mobile phone number. That way, you don’t have to run back and forth to your home phone. Your mobile phone could also be silenced and configured to accept only phone calls of the people that you know. That way, yourhome phone should never be clogged with telemarketers.

Never pass on free information. If you are concerned with security, there are so many things you could do while enjoying things for free. Your coupon should mean a lot to you as it could give you savings and the free things that you’ll receive will always be there and will never cost you even in shipping. If you really want to save money, you should grab every opportunity – especially on free things.

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1. Use sales flyers and shop for the best bargains. You can plan your menus around the bargains, or use your shopping list. Always use coupons.

2. Shop loss-leaders. These are the items the store loses money on but they draw customers. They are usually placed on the ends of the aisles. Again, you can plan your weekly menu around these items.

3. Shop at Wal-Mart. They will match the prices in the sales flyers and it is one stop shopping. Keep a notebook with prices of items you buy most often to help keep track of bargains and to compare prices.

4. If you shop in bulk, know prices. Just because it is bigger, doesn’t mean it is a bargain. And they don’t let you use coupons at Sams and Costco.

5. Know which stores use Rainchecks and use them for sales items. If they run out of the item during their sale, they may let you have that same item later when it is in stock.

6. I will repeat it. Use coupons, but use them effectively. Take a calculator with you if needed, but always work out if you are getting a better deal with the coupon or another brand without the coupon. Don’t use coupons just because you have them. If it is an item you don’t normally use, don’t bother with the coupon.

7. If you find refund/rebate coupons, these are also good. You can use them to get free items or free coupons.

8. Use a shopping list and stick to it. Plan a menu and take stock of what items you need. Clean out freezer and refrigerator before you shop so you will have room and see what items you have on hand. You might not need another chicken or package of hamburger.

9. Write a list on an old envelope and keep the coupons that go with it inside the envelope.

10. Don’t shop for groceries while you are hungry. You will buy more and most of it will be junk.

11. Shop with a notebook, listing clothing sizes. Carry swatches of color samples and measurements for decorating projects. This would be handy for when you come across unexpected sales or go out to yard sales.

12. When shopping for a large item such as a house or car, take Polaroid’s of your options to review at home, when you’re not under pressure.

13. When shopping for pre-bagged produce, always weigh and choose the heaviest ones. The weight marked is the minimum weight required, so always try to get the most for your money. If you are buying a head of lettuce or broccoli, for an example, for a set price, weigh to find the largest one.

14. Buy pasta sauce in cans rather than in glass jars. They weigh the same and the cans are cheaper than the glass.

15. Buy bags of frozen vegetables instead of boxes. You will get more for the money.

16. Avoid high prices for small containers of spices and herbs. Buy large containers and share with your friends.

17. Buy large turkeys when the prices are low. Ask the butcher to cut them in half for easier storage and less waste for non-holiday meals.

18. Contact manufacturers with complaints or compliments. You may be rewarded with coupons for free or discounted products.

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2. Always use coupons or discount voucher codes if you know where to check online. There are many websites out there that offer thousands of coupons to almost every online store.

3. Always keep an eye for online rebates given by retailers that can help to save a huge percentage on the selling price. Simple fill out a little form and cut out the UPC code. Use these rebates and save big.

4. Always look out for sites or items that come with free shipping. As mentioned above, shipping fee is normally 20% more than the item price itself. Saving on your shipping can be tremendous if your item costs a lot.

5. Do not miss out those state retailers that do not charge sales tax for your items for your state. The money saving here could be significant too.

With money saving tips above and if you have practiced them well, you can add up and see how much you have easily saved for yourself. The best part is, you don’t even have to walk into a store to save a bundle. Spend some time to search online and I am sure you can find more money saving offers and tips out there. Start saving and enjoy living debt free today!

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What if you can’t find a trick for the specific thing you’re shopping for? Does that mean you can’t get a good deal? Of course it doesn’t! There are many ways to make sure you get a good deal on any time of purchase. Today, I’ve put together a few of my favorite “generic” tips to help you get the most out of every shopping venture.

Be patient. Impulsive shopping is the enemy of getting a good deal. I can’t count how many times I’ve been shopping the clearance racks of a store and fallen in love with something that wasn’t on sale. Did I cave and pay full price for it? No, I waited until it was on sale later and bought it.

Shop around. Prices vary a lot from store to store. You might see a sweater at a department store like Macy’s $50. On the other hand, you might see the same sweater at a discount store like TJ Maxx for $30. It’s always worth your time to check out a few other stores to see if you’re getting the best deal you could. The only cost will be a little of your time.

Negotiate. Don’t assume that the price you see on the sign at the store is necessarily the price you have to pay. The seller might accept competitor coupons. You might be able to purchase a floor model for a reduced price. I’ve even gotten local stores to match internet pricing a time, or too. Just explain to the salesperson that you need a little better price and see if there’s anything he can do to help him.

Consider buying used. There is almost nothing that can’t be purchased in a re-sale environment. You can buy clothes at a thrift store or on eBay. You can buy furniture or a car through Craig’s list. Odds are that if you can find a slightly used version of the item you’re shopping for you will also find a better price for your item.

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21. Re-use plastic shopping bags as trash bags.

Every time I go off to Wally World I get tons of those little plastic shopping bags. While I have a tall trash can in the kitchen I have the normal medium sized ones in the other rooms. I use the Walmart shopping bags as my trash bags instead of buying bags. This saves me money and makes use of the bags that I get from shopping.

22. Use a water filter.

I drink tap water to save money instead of buying bottled water. I did invest in a filter because the ordinary tap water tastes a bit funny to me. The cost of the filter is absorbed over the time period it is used and I have great tasting water all the time.

23. No Cable.

I do not pay for cable (although sometimes I do miss the shows I do not regularly get to watch) because right now that is an unnecessary expense. I watch the television shows online, for free usually at hulu.com I also spend time on this blog and I use the internet at school a lot so that I do not miss the cable too much.

24. Use Paypal for purchases.

I use my paypal card to purchase things so that I am operating on a cash-like basis. The card will only work if I have the money in my account so I am using it like a debit card and not racking up any more charges on my credit cards. However I do get 1% cash back if I hit credit when I use the card. Getting a 1% cash back might not seem like much but when you operate on a cash basis you do not get anything back so I am winning here. Another way I look at it is that I get a 1% discount every time I make a purchase. Way to go PayPal!

25. Make lists…and stick to them.

I have found that one of the best ways for me to save money is to make lists and stick to them. When I go shopping I only buy what is on the list and nothing else. That way I can stick to my budget and not end up overspending on anything. I also make lists of my chores for the day and rearrange items so that I have minimal walking or driving to do. I combine trips when possible so that I can also save on gas and time.

Send your tips to tips@beattherecession.com and look for them in an upcoming article!

Go through your cupboards and write down the names of the producer of your favorite brands. Sometimes it’s obvious and on other items its not. So look carefully.

Make Your List
Once you have your list of your favorite brands ready at the computer. Using a search engine type in the name of the manufacturer of your favorite brand

Send an Email
After you locate the customer service email on the website or using their own web form here is a sample letter ( feel free to copy and paste).

Dear So and So,

I have been a customer and fan of your product ( insert item name here) for many years.
My family is currently experiencing difficulties like many of our fellow citizens and we are tightening our belts in the grocery aisles.
While we use the printed coupons and discount card, I was hoping I could request a coupon direct from your organization. Your product is always a treat and I would love the opportunity to brag to all my friends that I received a response and a coupon from this email.

Thank you
Your Name
Your State

Will it Work?
Surprisingly YES! It does work. The companies are responding with an astounding reply, FREE COUPONS!

Does it Always Work?

No. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep trying, just think if you have two coupons for the same item and walk away from the store knowing you are getting a great product at a HUGE savings!

Any Other Ideas?
Yes! Did you know that the majority of companies will send you a coupon as well for sending a compliment? I have actually done this with Snapple. I loved the new design of the bottles and let them know. They sent me a coupon for not only a discount, but a FREE bottle of their Iced Tea.

So, get to the cupboards, get online and start asking for discounts!

Mystery Shopper
Sign up to be a mystery shopper in your area and you’ll be able to dine at a number of local restaurants. You pay up front for the meal, and then submit for reimbursement once you’ve submitted a review. It’s a free meal out – can’t beat that! Just remember to follow the instructions for the assignment or you may end up not being reimbursed fully.

Forage
Although not necessarily applicable to city-dwellers, a great option for those who live in more rural locales is to learn how to identify edible foods in the wild. You should do your research well, as some plants are harmful to eat.

Coupons
Keep your eyes open for coupons that offer you 100% discounts on specific products. Follow specific blogs that track these types of offers daily or weekly for the best deals.

Request Freebies
Sign up for every promotional offer you can find – cereal, snack bars, etc. Spending an hour or so online may pay for itself – in food!

Barter
Do you have a special skill that is useful to others? Try exchanging some labor for food and your special skill may turn into your next meal!

Buddy up to Gardeners
Know any gardeners that have a surplus of fruits, grains or vegetables? Ask them if they have leftovers – and you may end up with some free and delicious ingredients for dinner.

Free Meals
Keep your eyes peeled for local events that offer food – such as church functions, grand openings, meetings, receptions, etc. You’ll be able to eat for free and you may meet some new people to share frugal tips with!

Grocery Leftovers
Large grocery stores often toss food that doesn’t look appealing enough to sell but is otherwise completely edible. If you aren’t too picky about what your food looks like, try hitting up your local grocery chains and finding a great deal!

Whether you prefer shopping online or in the stores depends a lot on what you are shopping for, your time frame needing the item and if requires your hands-on approach. More often than not we online shoppers may be paying for the convenience of shopping online.

A growing trend over the last few years has been merchants using online coupons in order will entice shoppers to the website hinting that their order will be less expensive than at the actual store. Some of the most popular codes, “Free shipping” and “25% off” may look like a big savings, but beware of the fine print and the requirements with these savings, if it is a code for 25% off a $150 order, than we really aren’t saving that much with that coupon.

How does shopping online at a local store website differ from the physical stores, in regards to price?

It’s simple really. Online stores usually ship from a main warehouse, no faceless mannequins’, storefront costs, mall leasing or even the teenaged employees who bounce around to the very loud music through the expensive sound system in the brick and mortar stores. This saves them money because a warehouse doesn’t require the overhead costs, can store more products and ship regularly usually at a discount with an agreement through the shipping companies.

Additionally, prices are influenced by logistics. Have you even noticed why prices are more expensive on a store’s website, and they are less expensive in the physical store? This is especially true with clearance items and end-of-season merchandise. Department stores receive new seasonal merchandise ahead of time which needs to be on display as soon as possible. The turn over requirement for stores is a seasonal and ongoing issue, with merchandise that is current or from a previous season needs to be sold quickly and at a deep discount within the stores due to storage issues. Warehouses, on the other hand, have a great amount of space, so merchandise has the ability to be stored for a greater amount of time. This is why online discount coupons or clearance sales may not always get you the best deal.

So when to shop in the physical store?

Weekend in-store shopping also offers additional discounts on clearance items by allowing shoppers to take as much as an additional 50-75% the current clearance price.

When to shop online?

If regular, in-season merchandise or merchandise that is a store staple year-round, online shopping will probably save a shopper the most money. By using an online coupon, the shopper can save more by purchasing from the store’s website as opposed to shopping at the store’s physical site.

In the end, we are back at the beginning. If you are shopping for convenience and the joy of shopping in the comfort of your home, than online shopping with discount codes is a great option. When shoppers base their purchases on price alone, than researching the weekend sales, browsing the clearance racks in the stores are the most cost effective option for you. It all depends on type of item(s) needed, cost of the item, and whether or not the item is seasonal or not. With proper research and comparison shopping, and weekend flexibility, shoppers’ dollars can go further; be it online or in-store.

There are numerous ways to go on vacation while also on a budget. One option is to go somewhere local to you, and have a camp out.

Do you live in an area accessible to a lake, forest or ocean? A great place is simply away from your home and general responsibilities. Gather the whole family and discuss your plans for camping, some members of your family might not think that camping will be fun, but it can be as long as you plan ahead.

• Step One: Getting There

Where are you going, how long will it take to get there and where will you stay?
Tent camping is the most inexpensive and can be fun for the whole family, even the teenagers! Pack small and remember the warm clothes as well as the swimwear, it gets colder in the evenings and you might need to bundle up around the fire. Plan ahead for travel time and cost of gas for your camping adventure, pack accordingly and service your vehicle before taking off.

• Step Two: Food

There are no McDonalds in the woods, or lakeside. Pack your food with two meals day in mind. A hearty ‘camp’ breakfast and a dinner, snacking throughout the day is often the best part of the trip! Snack foods that don’t require refrigeration, such as trail mix, chips, power bars and plenty of bottled juices and water.

• Step Three: Activities

Planning a successful camping vacation for all family members is the easiest part! If you are at a ‘campground’ they supply a lot of entertainment, with playgrounds, water parks, and many other activities around the campground. If you are more adventurous and your campsite is located out in nature- fishing, hiking and bird watching will pass the hours away. Bring a deck of cards and a good book, get ready to relax and have fun.

Not an Outdoorsy Family? No Problem

If vacationing locally doesn’t appeal to you or isn’t a viable option for your family, then go online and begin your search for a shoestring spring break. Look for package deals with online travel sites, check restrictions and limitations prior to booking. When you bundle a travel package, you combine airfare, rental car and hotel rooms in one low rate and is sometimes not only the cheapest option but stress free as well.

• Step One: Getting There

Airline restrictions and costs are confusing as well as time consuming, being prepared ahead of time will make air travel less of a hassle and actually fun! Pack a ‘carry-on’ instead of checked baggage. Check with your particular airlines requirements as far as size of acceptable carryon luggage. Pack your children’s bags as well as your own; make sure there is nothing in their bag that might hold you or them up at the airport. The guidelines for prohibited items are published online as well as in the airport itself.

• Step Two: Food

Probably the most expensive portion of your trip, especially with small children while travelling. When you arrive at your destination look for a supermarket, you can buy snack packs of healthy snacks for the kids and keep them in your hotel room. Buying small packages of snackable foods can also keep children quiet while waiting in lines and traffic!

• Step Three: Activities

Choosing your destination will dictate your activities, if you are going to a beach town, head to the beach! Kids love to play in the sand, surf and parents can safely watch from a distance while relaxing as well. If you are going for a resort vacation, look online for deals or coupons prior to going, buying entrance tickets in advance is a great way to cut costs. Also, check with your hotel, do they offer a package discount to the local area attractions, most do.

Not interested in Air Travel? Ride the Rails!

If you’re not crazy about the idea of flying find your local train station and search for a bargain departure. Trains are almost an obsolete form of travel in our ‘go-go’ society. The magic of a train ride is in the kids face when they watch the landscape go speeding by, the windows on the trains are there for sight seeing and it is an experience that will not be forgotten. Also, a good book or a simple deck of cards will make the trip memorable and enjoyable for the whole family.

• Step One: Getting There

Train travel is more comfortable, and many times more economical, than travel by air. You can find a round trip fare for less than you would spend flying, always be on the lookout for deals and coupons with the train retailer and online resources. Discounts are out there you just need to look!

• Step Two: Food

Long-distance trains offer food service in the dining car, or you can bring your own food. With smaller children pack their favorite snack foods and juice boxes so they aren’t tempted to beg for the overpriced food available on the train. You can also supplement the train food for what you already brought with you.

• Step Three: Activities

With train travel most activities are done in close quarters and those are the best! Play video games together, card games, even travel sized board games. Watch the scenery and enjoy telling your kids about the history of the area if you know it, don’t worry there are brochures on the train itself that will help you with the tough questions. When you get to your destination, talk about the trip there as you are more than likely going to be heading back the same way, creating excitement about train travel makes it a memorable experience for the whole family.

Family vacations don’t need to be expensive, extravagant or even far away. Being together throughout the planning, packing and activities are what makes the memories for your entire family. Take lots of pictures, enjoy the time together, remember relax and have FUN!

With just a little legwork, you can purchase many common household items for pennies on the dollar, if not entirely free. The trick is discount layering; using manufacturer’s coupons combined with individual store rewards and coupons deals.

Begin shopping frugally in your Sunday and Wednesday newspapers. Valuable tools are the coupon books and advertisements found inside. Match up the manufacturer’s coupons with the sales and rebate offers at your local grocery and drug stores.

By far, Walgreens has the easiest and most comprehensive rebate program, so it’s is a great store to get your feet wet! As you are going through the weekly advertisements, you will notice in the ad that there might be a mention of “Register Rewards” or a “Free with Rebate” deal.

“Register Rewards” are instant refunds that print at the register when you buy an item or a certain mix of items. For the rebates, you can stop in the store or view the rebate catalog online to save yourself a trip and get one so you can plan your purchases ahead of time.

With the ad and rebate catalog in front of you, see if any coupons match up to the deals and rebates.

For example: Recently Walgreens had Revlon cosmetics as a free-with-rebate deal, but there was also a manufacturer’s coupon for a Revlon product that was in the paper recently. So not only was the item free, you also made a dollar or two on the coupon. But that’s not the best part. When you submit your rebate, Walgreens offers you the choice of receiving your purchase price back in a check or in a Walgreens gift card (essentially store credit). If you choose the gift card option, they give you a 10% bonus. By taking advantage of this too, they covered your sales tax and then some.

Rite Aid’s rebate program is similar to Walgreens, but it’s a lot more complicated. There are only certain days you can purchase products to receive the full rebate amount. You must read the rebate catalog carefully, since it’s really easy to make an error.

But they do accept manufacturer’s coupons like Walgreens, and they offer the 10% bonus as well. The key to discount layering is to read the fine print, and realize that not everything is a great deal!

CVS also has good deals on occasion, but their free products are refunded in the form of “Extra Care Bucks” that expire within a few weeks of issue. These are similar to Walgreens’ “Register Rewards.” It’s nice that you don’t have to wait for the gift card to arrive in the mail, but if you miss the expiration date, the money you originally spent is lost forever.

We here at www.Beattherecession.com will be continuing this in a series of articles, for coupon clippers everywhere! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to be informed of new articles and helpful tips and tricks for you to Beat The Recession.