Be A Smart Shopper—Use Coupons (NAPSA)—Consumersare often amazed to find out that they can save as much as 20 percent on weekly shopping expenses by spending as little as 20 minutes per week clipping coupons. Over the course of a year, this can add up—and with $800 or $1,000 extra dollars in your pocket, you can afford to splurge on a luxury item, a vacation, or simply feel better knowing you have drastically reduced your household expenses. According to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council, almost 80 percent of Americans use coupons and together saved more than $3 bil- @ Whatever you want, there is probably a coupon for it. This year saw an increase in coupons available for discounts on a variety of products and services, including apparel, accessories and home electronics. Watch for discounts on entertainment, too. Lots of coupons exist for restaurants (even fast-food), movies and other entertainment. Watch for Bonus Coupon Days. Manyretailers offer bonus coupon savings, which can mean two or three times the coupon face value. Keep your coupons organized lion last year. It just goes to show, by category and expiration date. Manywallet-like coupon organizers are available for this purpose, and make the job faster and easier. Keep your organizer with you, either in yourcar, briefcase or tote bag. newspaper, in magazines, in your with loyalty or frequent shopping cards from yourlocal retailers to anyone can be a smart shopper— regardless of income or age—as long as they remember to clip coupons! What do you need to know to be a smart shopper? Look for coupons in the mailbox, at the grocery store and with your cashregister receipts. Keep those scissors nearby as you go through the newspaper, so you can clip as you go. * Use coupons everywhere— not just at the grocery store. Use coupons in conjunction Maximize savings. * Coupons can cut your grocery bills and feed the hungry at the same time. Use coupon savings to purchase products as a charitable donation. To learn how to help in Coupons can be redeemed at many types of stores, including Atlanta and California, visit nience stores, drug stores and even dollar stores. coupon clip tips, visit www.coupon month.com. retail mass merchandisers, conve- www.cutouthunger.org. For even more money-saving
