SavvyShopperDeals.com

Using coupons is a wonderful privilege and opportunity that can allow us to stretch our incomes, build up a usable pantry, save time by eliminating trips to the grocery store, and increase security and peace of mind through having food on hand.

Keeping that in mind, remembering a few tips will further simplify and smooth your shopping trips and lead to successful couponing.

Many years ago, I experienced a powerful paradigm shift. I had recently graduated from college and for years had been living in an immediate-needs mindset. I was preoccupied with the immediate food and clothing needs of my family. I just couldn't get ahead.

Many years ago, I experienced a powerful paradigm shift. I had recently graduated from college and for years had been living in an immediate-needs mindset. I was preoccupied with the immediate food and clothing needs of my family. I just couldn't get ahead.

Recently, I learned of a program sponsored by the Timpanogos Regional Food Bank.

This program, "Share the Harvest," is a wonderful opportunity to share our bounties. Do you have extra produce from your garden? The Food Bank would love donations.

I have typically thought of the donations made to the Food Bank as canned and grocery items.

Do you have coupons from your Sunday Daily Herald that are currently going unused? Coupons that are unwanted or needed? There are many coupons I do not use because of the stage of life I am in -- particularly baby coupons.

I have learned of a place to send those unused coupons.

The images and stories of the devastation and loss of those affected by Hurricane Katrina are heart wrenching.

Security and prosperity can be taken away in a heartbeat. We all need to take a serious and hard look at where we stand in our own personal emergency plans.

Question:

I go through several ads and combine the coupons with what is on sale to save money. Is that similar to what the Savvy Shopper program is? What do I need to do to sign up?

Thank you,

Heather Gladden, Santaquin

Answer:

Great news! You won't have to spent hours scouring the grocery ads for the best deals anymore! I go through all the grocery store and drug store ads for you.

September is National Coupon Month. Did you know that the first coupon was issued in 1894 by a druggist who had purchased the formula for Coca-Cola?

According to www.couponmonth.com, the druggist hand-wrote coupons offering a free glass of Coca-Cola.

I am often asked if I track the sales cycles of grocery stores and shop according to those sales cycles. The answer is yes and no. I do pay attention to what is on sale each week and match up those sales prices with manufacturers coupons. But I do not religiously track what is going to be on sale and when.