Returning Things

Don't be afraid to take things back! Anything. Just be sure to hold onto your receipts, that makes it easier. I have folders for receipts (Walmart, Costco, Target), (Drug Stores), (Grocery Stores), (Athletic stores-Dicks, Omega, Sport Authority), (JCPenny), etc. Often I make grocery lists for my husband and attach the coupons, mostly he ignores them, when I finally decide to go ahead and pick up the items, that's usually on the same day he might decide to go shopping as well. There have been occasions we have bought duplicate items. I take them all back. Some asparagus he picked up from the grocery store last week that looked terrible plus it was on sale for cheaper at another store. The Harris Teeter asparagus is in the frig in a bag with the receipt. I will return it when I need to go back to the store again along with the crab legs in the freezer that didn't smell fresh when we unwrapped them last week. Several times I purchased hard good items at Costco or other places only to see them go on sale a couple of months later. (I also save packaging for awhile), I return them for the sale price. When I buy clothes (anywhere), on sale of course, I will check back to see if the items get marked down again, if so, I take the receipt and get an adjustment on the item(s)! I've purchased plants from Home Depot or Lowes, and on occasion, they have not survived (not sure if the dog marking them had anything to do with it), but they are guaranteed for a year, if the year is not up, I dig them up and return them. Just be sure to be nice to the sales person when you're explaining why you're returning.

What to do if you forget your coupons

If you forget your grocery store coupons, don't panic. My husband forgets to use them almost every time he goes to the grocery store - I check the receipts, take the coupons and receipt back to the store and get the money. Remember that many stores offer to double coupons under $1.00 so it's worth using any coupon up to .99 for many items. I've also taken a coupon back to other stores as well. Usually most stores don't have a problem even if they have to go through the process of returning the items on the receipt to apply the coupon.

What I do to save $$

I rarely buy anything that's not on sale or I don't have a coupon for. That goes for restaurant meals, groceries, toiletries, clothes, pet supplies, etc. I comb the newspaper and the internet for coupons Everyday Savings Center at AARP, Couponbug.com, Valpak.com, etc.) and even contact companies whose products I like but can't seem to find coupons for. After contacting the makers of Fresh Express Salads, they sent me 4 coupons to use. Then search through the grocery and drug store circulars to find who has a sale going for that product and you can often get it for less than half price especially if it's on sale for BOGO(Buy One Get One - Free)! The Attractions and Entertainment coupon books often have BOGO items at restaurants as well as other retailers. If you want lunch and are eating alone get one for the next day! My friend and I both have books and we each go through and share the ones that the other would use. I give her all the Great Clips coupons out of my book for her haircuts, she gives me Whole Foods! I take my coupons anywhere that I drive, including vacations. I once left them at the Walmart in Myrtle Beach. I really panicked. However, I called them and they were found and I had them mail the box to me in Greensboro! I sent a small reward. Believe me it was worth it. I also believe in sharing. Often when I'm standing in line to pay for something and I notice someone has something in their cart that I have a coupon for and I'm not going to use it soon, I share it, especially if it's going to expire soon. A friend just turned me onto a new site
RetailMeNot.com that I can't wait to try. Another one I just learned about is Dealoco.com - it's fabulous!!!