Easy Coupon Clipping Plan Can Save You Big

April 29, 2004 -- -- Stephanie Nelson is a coupon clipper extraordinaire, doing a job that most people can't be bothered with, and saving a bundle.

"Supermarket owners know that 98 percent of coupons are thrown away," Nelson said . "Most people can't be bothered going through the papers, looking for the store's sales and clipping coupons. They think it will take too much time and it will be too much trouble. That's why the markets call people like me 'ultimate deal finders.' "

Nelson's Web site, www.thecouponmom.com, shows users how to drastically reduce the cost of their grocery bills by using coupons.

Nelson, of Marietta, Ga., hopes satisfied shoppers will share their savings or a few of their purchases with local charities, which are also listed online.

To show off her coupon-clipping savvy, Nelson went on a shopping trip with "Good Morning America."

"GMA's" correspondent scoured the store's shelves for bargains, sans coupons, while Nelson used her tried and true coupon-clipping plan. Both she and the correspondent had the same shopping list.

It quickly became clear who was the savvier shopper. While the correspondent thought she was doing well by purchasing buy-one-get-one-free pasta, a store special, Nelson was able to get that same pasta for just 10 cents by using a coupon, together with the store special.

"You really want to wait to use your coupons when the item is on sale," Nelson said. "That's how you save 80 to 90 percent."

At the end of the shopping trip, "GMA's" total was $77.97. Nelson's pre-coupon total was $112. But by combining coupons with store specials, she managed to get the price down to $36.85, saving $85.

"I don't care how smart you shop, you can't get any better than that," Nelson said.

Instead of clipping and filing coupons immediately, Nelson writes the date on the packet of coupons that come with her Sunday paper and sets them aside.