Action News Extra: Groceries For Less
POSTED: 4:10 pm EDT July 21, 2006
UPDATED: 5:31 pm EDT July 22, 2006
thepittsburghchannel.com
Faye Prosser, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mother, has turned the use of coupons into an art form.
"If there ever was an addiction that was acceptable, couponing would be it," she said.
Every time Prosser shops, she saves. Channel 4 Action News anchor Wendy Bell said those savings add up to hundreds of dollars a month.
"I tell everybody it's not rocket science. Anybody can do this," Prosser said. "I'm not like some crazy coupon genius here. There are lots of moms out there just like me who are doing the same thing."
Here's how it works, according to Prosser.
Step 1. Make a price list.
"A price list is simply a list of the items that your family uses and the very best price you can find them for at the stores you're willing to shop at," Prosser said.
With a price list, you'll know if you're getting a good deal. It'll also tell you which coupons you'll need.
Step 2. Load up on multiple coupons for each item.
"When the item goes on sale, I can go in the store and buy 10 of that item. The next time it goes on sale, I'll buy another 10," Prosser said.
She gets her coupons from Sunday newspapers and Web sites like couponclippers.com.
"I'll spend $5 and I will save $80 or $90 with those coupons when they get doubled at the store," she said.
Step 3: Make a weekly list of meals.
"I'm telling you, if you're not already making the menu, if you're not already planning your meals advance, I can guarantee you're spending more money than you need to eat dinner every week," Prosser said.
That list of meals helps to prepare for the fourth and final step before shopping.
Step 4. Make a grocery list.
This is the actual list of items Prosser plans to buy. For this, she needs sales flyers.
"You go into the store without knowing what's on sale and what you've got coupons for, then you're going to spend more money," Prosser said.
Spending more is something Prosser refuses to do. She scored several deals during a recent trip to the grocery store.
"This coupon is for 50 cents off (a tea product), and this particular box is 99 cents. At this store, the coupon will be doubled, so the product will be free," Prosser said.
Because she had multiple coupons for the tea, Prosser bought several of the item to load up her pantry.
"We have cereal. It's on sale for $1.99 and I have two $1 coupons that I found on eBay. Free, free, free," she said.
Her shopping cart filled up in a hurry with shampoo and hand soap.
"With my 50 cent coupon that's doubled, it will be 64 cents -- regularly $2.29," she said.
Prosser landed another coupon freebie by contacting a company directly.
"I simply e-mailed (the company) and told them how much we love their products," she said. "They not only sent me a coupon, but it was a coupon for any free product."
When it was time to head for the checkout, Prosser made sure that all items and coupons scanned correctly.
"My subtotal before sales and coupons was $91.59. I spent $13.67, which is a savings of 85 percent," she said. "It's an amazing feeling."
* Video: Wendy Bell: Grocery Savings
thepittsburghchannel.com |
