by Cheryl Rickey

Created on: May 12, 2009

The Sunday paper used to be the only source for coupons. Now that more people are intent on saving as much money as possible when they shop, there are more opportunities to find coupons. Remember to only use coupons for items that you actually use. Saving money on a product that will just sit on your shelf at home is not a bargain.

There are many places to find coupons for products you use frequently. Make sure to keep them in a small check file or envelope and pay attention to expiration dates.

Grocery Stores: Most major grocery stores have coupon machines on various aisle throughout the store. They are typically attached to the shelves near products that are frequently purchased. You simply pull a coupon out of the machine for the products you buy. Keep in mind that most of these coupons do not allow doubling, so make sure they are worth using.

Mail: Your mailbox is now a great source for coupons. There are several publications like Red Plum that send out coupons weekly by mail. If you don't already get them in the mail, you can sign up to get on the mailing list by signing up on-line at Redplum.com

Internet: The Internet is a haven for finding coupons. There are many sites to choose from and all you need is a computer and a printer. If you do not have one, your local library has computers you can use with your library card. Do not sign up for any sites that require you to pay a fee to get coupons. The great thing about using the Internet to find coupons is you can typically go on the site and go to the category you want and get coupons for the products you are looking for. Great sites to try are couponmom.com, redplum.com, and coolsavings.com.

If you use particular products frequently, locate the Internet site for that product. You can usually enter your email address on their site and get coupon offer by email or find them right on the site.

Magazines: Most popular magazines have coupons in them for common household products and grocery items. Women's magazines and home magazines are likely to have the most coupons in the advertisements. Check through your magazines before you throw them out for valuable savings.

Product Packaging: Inside the packaging of a great variety of products there are usually coupons good for your next purchase. Check carefully inside boxes and on wrappers for extra savings. You can also find coupons inside the product itself, such as cereal or dog food. In addition, some manufacturers will put removable coupons on the outside of a package that you must use at the time of purchase.

It is worth the extra effort to use more than just the Sunday paper as a resource for coupons. Coupon use is more popular than ever in this economy. Take advantage of the savings!

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