Alternative Couponing

When I think of couponing, I usually picture checking out at the grocery store with a fist of coupons cut from the Sunday ads. I have to admit, I run kind of hot and cold with that kind of couponing. No doubt there is a lot of money to be saved that way, particularly when a coupon is combined with a sale. But it can take time, organization, and visiting multiple stores to make it work. Usually, I resort to things like watching sales, buying generic, shopping at wholesale clubs, etc. that probably don't save me as much money but require much less in the way of time and planning ahead.

That said, I do use coupons on a regular basis for things other than groceries. Here are some examples:

• I've saved quite a bit of money buying coupons for dog food off of eBay.
• My husband regularly uses coupons for having his dress shirts laundered at the dry cleaners.
• A dance store in town regularly runs 15% off coupons in the newspaper and I use these when my daughter needs new dance shoes or clothing.
• A shoe store we frequent sends us coupons as part of their customer loyalty program.
• Whenever possible, I use prescription coupons when we need to have one filled. I've even bought these off eBay and turned them into more free money.

And while I occasionally dabble with grocery couponing, I usually find this alternative kind of couponing a little more manageable.