How to Shop for Free

As fuel and milk prices approach $5 per gallon, many people are looking for new ways to cut-back on everyday spending. People who used to be convenience shoppers have now become bargain hunters. Many extreme bargain hunters have found ways to shop for *almost* free by coordinating the use of weekly store ads, coupons and frequent-shopper rewards cards. Read, sort and clip your way through the weekly shopping maze and start saving money today!

Instructions

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First step: Make a list! American shoppers are drawn in by good "bargains" and impulse purchases. Steer away from the items that you "want" and stick to the items that you actually "need". Keeping a list of your needed items will help keep you on track, so when you get inside the store and see that item that you REALLY want, but do not need, you will be able to resist the temptation.

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Second step: Clip coupons! Coupons aren't just for moms anymore. Anybody can use coupons- just get a copy (or five) of your local Sunday newspaper and clip to your heart's content. You will find some awesome products that offer coupons- and don't forget, manufacturer coupons can be used anywhere! There are also a plethora of online coupons- many websites require the installation of a coupon printer, but it is worth the install to get hundreds of dollars in savings when you're on a budget.

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Third Step: Sign up for Rewards cards. Practically every grocery store or chain pharmacy has them. You can sign up for free by entering a little bit of personal information. The rewards cards offer discounts on specific items throughout the store, which typically change on a weekly basis. Many stores offer coupons on frequently purchased items, which get printed out on the end of your receipt or by using special a coupon printer / kiosk inside the store.

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Fourth Step: Coordinate! Take your list, weekly ads, coupons and rewards cards, sit down and list which ones are going to help you in the weeks to come. Using a program such as Microsoft Excel or any spreadsheet program can help you organize your deals easily! List the best deals at specific stores on your spreadsheets so you know where you have to go the day of the big shopping trip.

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Fifth Step: Prepare for your trip! Gather together your lists, coupons, ads and will-power and get ready to save a lot of money! Using a coupon organizer can help you be organized and efficient. Products like the Couponizer can help you sort your coupons and keep your list, receipts and coupons in one compact place. You will also want to go to different stores for the best deals on the items you want or need- so plan your trip accordingly.

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Sixth Step: Go Shopping! Print your spreadsheet and map out your route. Go to the stores where you plan to purchase non-perishable items first, and save the perishable item stores for last. It is going to take some time to find the best bargains at first, so be patient and take your time while you get used to the procedure. Time yourself in each store and document it so you can monitor your progress on future trips. After a month or two, you will feel like an old pro.

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Seventh Step: As a bargain hunter you have to remember that brand loyalty can no longer exist. You will need to focus on buying what is on sale. This is a difficult habit to break at first- I always use dandruff shampoo 1, but dandruff shampoo is free if I use this coupon- well, you're going to have to try 2. You might actually find that you like a different brand even better than your normal brand, but you never would have known if you weren't trying to be frugal!

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Example of how to shop for *almost* free. One of the most popular stores that extreme savers have latched onto is CVS. CVS has the ExtraCare savings card and ExtraBucks (EBs) program. EBs are rebates that are offered by the store when you purchase certain products (marked by a special EB tag in the store and listed in the weekly ad). When you make EB purchases, the EBs print on your receipt at the end of your shopping trip. These EBs are as good as money that can be used on your next shopping trip! By planning your shopping list around weekly ads, finding coupons for the EB sales, then stocking up on the EB items, pretty soon you will find yourself shopping for practically nothing!