My sister-in-law, Andrea Parmet Mass is an expert in saving money, especially having three young boys the same age. She was recently interviewed in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel on her coupon strategies. What she does is she spends a couple of hours a week researching and saves more than 70% on her bills!
With school starting in a day or two, I thought it would be good to share some of her tips with going school supply shopping:
- Chase Sales — “Normally I say don’t run around chasing the sales but for school supplies you need to be willing to go from store to store,” Parmet Mass said.
- Ignore the List — She says, “Don’t go by “the list” from your students teacher – buy what is on sale (I’m talking the penny and $1 sales) at each store each week and you can always fill in later.”
- Follow Shopping Blogs — Research shopping blogs. “Most bloggers publish a post each Saturday night or Sunday of “the best school supply deals of the week” – make a list based on the blogger’s post and shop from that list (there may be regional differences at some stores),” Andrea Parmet Mass said.
- Online Coupons –– Some stores have coupons online. To research these coupons do a search for “office max printable coupons.”Make sure to print them before you go.
- Price Match — Some stores will price match but don’t just rely on that have other options.
- Match Coupons with Existing Sales — “You can stack store coupons and manufacturer coupons and match those up with a sale to maximize your savings. On Labor Day the school supply sales will definitely be done probably only clearance then (though those are good for stocking up on too)!” Parmet Mass said.
“I started collecting coupons as a way to save money on groceries every month. I knew a few friends who seriously collected and I was really impressed by how much they saved. I started three years ago with CVS ExtraCareBucks and I was hooked. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get free stuff,” she said. “I’ll never pay retail again. I love to coupon and I can’t imagine shopping any other way.”
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