It's My Kiss Up To Manufacturers for Grocery Coupons Day

Today is my Kiss-Up-To-Manufacturers-For-Grocery-Coupons Day. This is actually a bi-annual event that I take part in, usually in January and June. I'm simply schmoozing product manufacturers in order to get them to send me grocery coupons.

This isn't a national holiday or anything, but it's something you might want to try. This can be a great way to get grocery coupons and free samples.

Here's what I do:

• Make a list of grocery items and the brands that I buy on a regular basis
• Go online and look for the official manufacturers website for these products
• Locate the customer service email address
• Send an email telling the company how much I love their products and if they could please send me coupons I would appreciate it
• Enclose my name and mailing address

That's it! Within a few weeks I'll start getting coupons in the mail. I've gotten several high value and free item coupons doing this.

Here is an actual email I sent to Eden Foods last year:

" Hello to all at Eden Foods,

Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful organic products. I love your refried beans and wasabi chips. Unfortunately my budget currently does not allow me to enjoy your products as much as I would like. If you happen to have some coupons or samples you could send my way I would be most appreciative - if not I will still be devoted to your products.

Sincerely,

(My name)

(My address)"

They sent me recipe books and twelve coupons for their products. How awesome is that? Not all companies will send you coupons, but it doesn't hurt to try.

So start your own Kiss-Up-To-Manufacturers-For-Grocery-Coupons Day. I totally recommend it!

There are more great ways to find grocery coupons. Read How to Find Grocery Coupons Online and How to Find Free Grocery Coupons which contain tips for finding coupons and links to sources for printable grocery coupons.

photo: am-y, sxc.hu

Where To Find Grocery Coupons

Food costs have risen, but you can keep your grocery spending in check by using coupons. Combine this with using the store's discount card, planning your weekly meals from the store's sales flyer along with sticking to a shopping list and you may find your spending less than ever.

There are many resources for finding coupons. Your local Sunday paper is likely to have coupons and is worth checking if you subscribe to it, but there are other sources.

• Your Grocery Store's Website - You may find some great offers you can print off from here. Also many stores offer electronic coupons you can put on your store discount card, so they are automatically deducted when you go shopping.


• Manufacturer's Websites - Look on the Manufacturer's website of the brands you buy to see if there are coupons you can print off.


• Email the consumer division of your favorite companies, tell them how much you enjoy their products and ask if they can mail you coupons. Be sure to include your mailing address.

You may want to consider using a coupon clipping service. These are places where you are paying for the coupons to be clipped and mailed to you. Usually the fees and shipping costs are small, but there is a minimum order amount. This can save you time and is great for getting several coupons for the same item. Use these coupons for stocking up on items you purchase regularly. Some sources for this include online auction sites such as ebay and these websites:

• thecouponclippers.com
• http://www.couponsandforms.com/
• http://www.thecouponmaster.com/
• http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/

There are several websites where you can print off coupons for free:

• boxtops4education.com
• http://www.coolsavings.com/
• http://www.couponbug.com/
• http://www.couponloop.com/
• http://www.coupons.com/
• http://www.couponsurfer.com/
• eatbetteramerica.com
• http://www.eclip.com/
• http://www.eversave.com/
• http://www.mysavings.com/
• nypost.com
• pillsbury.com
• http://www.redplum.com/
• http://www.smartsource.com/
• specialoffers.com
• volition.com
• couponsinc look near bottom of page where they show a list of coupons you can click on
• DeliciousLivingmag.com
• Eatingwell.com

Be sure to check with your store to see if they accept coupons printed out from online. Be aware of expiration dates ad limitations.