Smart Shopping: Coupons

WSVN -- Times are tough, and moms like Fanny Salazar and Lafaye Flowers are feeling the pinch.

Lafaye Flowers: "The economy is too high, and I'm just shopping how I can and then I have a birthday and everything keeps going up and up."

Fanny Salazar: "We do like twice a month, about $150."

So when it's time to shop, they use coupons and save big.

Fanny Salazar: "Each time we save about $20 with the coupons because we make sure we look at it, and whatever we need is in there."

Alfred Rudolph of BJ's Wholesale says they're seeing more coupons being used every day.

Alfred Rudolph: "Coupons are on a big increase nowadays because people are trying to save money with the economy as bad as it is, and we're the only wholesale club that accepts coupons."

The deals can add up, just use these simple tips:

First, use the Internet. There's a lot of websites that offer free coupons.

Alfred Rudolph: "You can print them out and bring them into the store, or you can use them on-line as instant coupons."

And look for manufacturer's coupons that can be used anywhere.

Alfred Rudolph: "You get a wide variety of manufacturer's coupons in the Sunday paper, and you can use those at BJ's."

At wholesale stores like BJ's, you can go for the multi-packs to really rake in the savings.

Alfred Rudolph: "Now, most people think you can only use one coupon with this, but since it's four individually packed Crests (toothpaste), you can use four manufacturer's coupons on this one item."

Think outside the box when using your coupons. Look for deals on high-priced or specialty items like baked goods, fresh meat, and produce.

Alfred Rudolph: "In our coupons that we're offering this month we have savings on a bag of red apples you can save two dollars on these apples."

And remember that sometimes you may just be paying for the tag, so opt for coupons on generic or off brands as opposed to big labels.

Alfred Rudolph: "We also offer a wide selection of in-store brands that members can save an additional amount of money on as well."

And shopping at all-inclusive stores means you can save money and time.

Alfred Rudolph: "At BJ's you can get all your shopping needs from food to clothes to general merchandise to Christmas needs to Thanksgiving."

These thrifty moms say they'll keep cutting coupons as long as it lightens the load.

Fanny Salazar: "I have a baby and a husband, and I'm a stay at home mom, so the more we save, the better."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

BJ's Wholesale Club:
www.bjs.com