We met a group of women who found a clever way to be super savers when it comes to coupons.
On the first Wednesday of every month, there's a group of women who are on a mission.
Mindy Weschler says that mission is, "Save a lot of money." The women are cashing in by sharing and exchanging coupons they don't need for the ones they do need.
Mindy says, "Everybody's needs are different for each family. So, it's a great way to share what I can't use with someone who can."
Some need coupons for children, other for teens, and some need coupons for pet products. Whatever your need, you'll find it at this coupon swap.
The group started more than two years ago and has grown each month.
Anyone can take part. They meet the first Wednesday of every month at the Apex Chick-fil-A.
They come armed with the coupons they don't use and get ready to share. Mindy adds, "Any coupons you can use you pull out and put in envelope and the ones you don't need pass them on."
Mom Michele Stein says she gets anywhere from 50 to 100 new coupons from the swap. She adds, "You kind of put them away and you wait to see if a good sale comes up and if it does you stock up."
The swap is also a good way for the women to talk strategy. Michele says, "We'll talk about stores that take competitive coupons and different websites that post different sales."
A lot of good tips are exchanged and each woman says she walks away with a stack full of great super savings.
That is one way to have a coupon swap. You can also start one with your neighbors, church group, play group, even at work among co-workers.
It doesn't take much time, the women had their swap wrapped up within the hour.
There are also many coupon swaps already happening that you can take part in, go to www.savvydollar.org and under the General Discussion Forums, you'll find a section devoted to Triangle coupon swaps.
Besides swaps, there are other easy ways to get coupons. Of course, the Sunday paper typically has several coupon inserts.
You can also order specific coupons you need at www.thecouponclippers.com. It's illegal to buy coupons, but at www.thecouponclippers.com, you're pay a small handling fee for each coupon.
You can also ask friends and family who live in other states to save the coupons they don't use and mail them to you.
The women in the coupon swap all say the key to couponing is matching them with the deals. They say if you do that, you'll save anywhere from 60 percent to 80 percent off your food bill.
You can also print coupons from ABC11.com's coupon bug. To search our database of coupons, click here.
If you have a money saving idea, let Troubleshooter Diane Wilson know about it. Send her an e-mail to diane.wilson@abc11mail.com
