Clipping coupons pays off

I am a devoted coupon clipper and can save some serious bucks by coordinating my coupons with the weekly grocery specials. If you didn't know, many grocery chains coordinate specials with coupons so you can double your fun that way. Last Sunday, for example, between the coupons and store specials, I saved $50 and brought my bill to $125. Yes it can take an hour or two a week to make out your grocery list, but where else can you make $50 a hour right now?

In addition to the Sunday paper, check out coupons.com where you can print out just the coupons you want. You may get a hard time from some cashiers (I do nearly every week) who think you're scamming them, but the store manager always approves the coupons. Problem was in the past Internet coupons would often get duplicated or sold via eBay and many stores flat-out rejected them. But coupons.com has watermarks and UPC codes -- totally on the up and up. (Check 'em out on my right-side column.)

And don't clip coupons for stuff you normally wouldn't buy -- that's a waste of money and time. Just stick with products you normally use, buy a small accordion file you can take to the store with you and weed out the expiring coupons at the beginning of every month so you don't miss out on their savings.

Also, sign up for e-mail newsletters from your favorite products -- there often are coupons attached to those as well.