How to Reduce Your Food Bill: part 3

Mainly talking about coupons (see previous week’s about saving money on your groceries and by eating in season food). I also some non-food related ways that you can earn money/get free stuff.

Once you leave the store with your receipt that says, “You saved $12.56 today,” don’t ya feel good? It gives you a sneaky feeling, as if you know something thatsomeone else doesn’t. And who hates that feeling?!?!

Keep in mind that using coupons is not an excuse to purchase an item that you don’t need/would never use! That mindset is how companies get you to spend money. Prime example: the “movie dump cart” BUY 5 FOR $25. Back up: was that a planned purchase? If not, you just lost money.

Make sure you check the expiration dates of your coupons. Nothing is more disappointing than finding an excellent save and then having to recycle it (note, not trashing it).

Where will you find these coupons? See below:

1. Go to company websites. Morningstar Farms, Kashi, Healthy Choice…these companies all have coupons online, if you know where to look.
2. Don’t see a coupon on their website? Subscribe to their email list. Some companies will produce a monthly newsletter (Kashi’s here) where coupons lurk.
3. Look at weekly ads online. Look for items that you would NORMALLY BUY. Remember: buy more ≠ save more. Especially if under normal circumstances you would not have purchased it (without the coupon).
4. Always check the back of your receipts. Coupons lurk here.
5. Become a member of the rewards club for your store. Note: some grocery stores may not have this.
6. Look for restaurant coupons, especially monthly specials.
7. Watch out for tricky coupons! Aka, “buy item A, get item B half off.” If you have never used/will never use item B, power-walk away (do not run, this is how people get hurt). They want you to purchase item B. If you cave, you eliminate the savings of item A by purchasing item B. Don’t be pressured into it. Walk away!
8. Become a fan on Facebook/follow on Twitter. Finally, your experience in Facebook stalking pays off. Look up your favorite band, sometimes they have free music…Wait, music that is free AND legal? Especially crucial for iTunes users. Also check out Noisetrade.com for more free AND legal music.
9. Read magazines. Coupons all over the place! Get rewarded for reading the latest gossip magazine.
10. Look for websites that offer online surveys AND pay you for it. Youdata does this. Fill out some surveys, get some free cash.

Next week: Go Green, Save Green. Small lifestyle choices that will save you money.

Christine is a Nutrition Science student at Baylor University. She loves black beans, the elliptical machine, and a little kick of caffeine.