How to Get Free Items From Your Local Grocery Store

I have always been a frugal shopper, someone that kept a watch out for great deals and a common coupon clipper. I managed to get great deals here and there and save a few pennies at a time, however when my oldest daughter went away to college, her expenses were so high that I quickly had to learn extra ways to save money. I previously heard that people were getting free groceries using coupons and often wondered how true this was. I had even watched a few episodes of the television show Extreme Couponers and thought to myself, "this is just a show, people can't possibly get free items grocery shopping."

As her expenses each semester grew, and grew, I was forced to do some investigating so I purchased a couponing book, watched youtube videos, and put everything I learned to action by planning a shopping trip to see if I could really get free items from our local grocery stores. To my amazement not only did I get free items weekly but I could even be paid overages at the register that helped pay for other items that I bought.

I am so glad that I was forced into this opportunity which is a new way of life for me and my family. I can now go on vacations that I could never go on before. My pantry if filled to the brim with groceries, and I can even help others that are in need.

How do I get free groceries?

*study sales papers carefully-I make sure I study sales papers and circle any items that I am interested in and check to see if I have coupons I can match with the items in the sales papers.

*preplan shopping trips ahead-I make sure my coupon binder or carrier is well organized and all of my coupons are preclipped

*I stack deals on top of deals-I make sure I get the most for my money. This may mean that I will sometimes save a coupon for a little while but I make sure every shopping trip is worth my time and money. I simply look for items that are already marked down at their lowest and combine my coupons with those deals.

*I take advantage of rebate offers-companies will pay you to try products You will have to purchase the items first but they will mail you a rebate check back.

*I make sure I check the clearance items-this is an opportunity to get something free or almost free since clearance items are already marked down pretty low

*I purchase the smallest of items in the store- when coupons say you can purchase any size, you will capitalize on small items, sometimes getting them free (couponers love the word any)

*I use coupons at stores that double coupon-I try to only use any of my coupons that can be doubled at stores like Kroger that will double any coupon fifty cents and under. This means that for a fifty cents off coupon, Kroger will double that amount taking one dollar off of that coupon.

*I use my coupons only on items that go on sale-I simply wait for a good sale and use my coupon on sales items getting two and sometimes three deals in one especially on (bogo) deals. (buy one get one free)

*I use manufacturer's coupons and store coupons on a single item-stores will allow you to use a manufacturer's coupon and store coupon together

*I get organized! I make sure my coupons are well organized because using coupons on shopping trips can make shopping trips long and drawn out. I usually put all of my food items in one section of my coupon carrier, household items, personal care items, and so forth.