Savings Mom: Celebrate Coupons in September

Sept. 19, 2006 — -- September is National Coupon Month. To celebrate, I'd like to share my favorite strategies and sources to help you become a coupon aficionado. Just a few minutes spent searching the Internet for free savings can yield a bundle of coupons, if you know where to look.

Clothing coupons: Visit the websites of your favorite clothing stores or ask salespeople if they issue coupons. Many clothing stores such as Coldwater Creek and Chico's have generous coupons in every catalog, such as $25 off $100 purchase. If you don't receive their catalogs, subscribe to their mailing lists online. Many stores like the Gap, Old Navy, and New York & Co. send coupon offers out via email newsletters. Department stores often have coupons in the newspaper that can be combined with clearance sales. Outlet mall stores have coupons you can print and coupon books available in the mall office. Check sites like premiumoutlets.com for details. Search for online coupon codes typing in "online coupon code" and the name of a store into a search engine.

Home Improvement coupons: At hardware stores, you can save anywhere from $5 to $1,000 with one coupon. Stores like Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware offer national coupons. Visit their websites and sign up for email newsletters to receive notices about sales, special promotions, free workshops that include special discounts, online coupon codes for online orders, and even printable coupons to use in stores. Check coupon mailers (such as the blue envelope from Valpak) for hardware store coupons. If you're contracting work, be sure to present the coupon after you are given the price estimate so that you can be sure your coupon savings are genuine