The Christian Science Monitor
If a box of Ritz crackers is on special for 59 cents, you have a 10-cent cash-off coupon, you're at a store that is "tripling" the worth of the coupon, and you can save the label for a later refund, how much do the crackers cost? Practically nothing, according to Susan Samtur, a young mother in Yonkers, New York, who uses coupons, refund offers, and other come-ons to turn grocery shopping into a science. She calls it "supershopping." and she says she saves an average of 50 percent on her grocery bills. In fact, on the "Today Show" recently she look a shopping trip for Betty Furness and bought $130.18 worth of groceries - paying only $7.07. Although it sounds like new math, her system is really easy. She simply takes advantage of every store and product offer, and interconnects cash-off coupons, refunds, and specials. Many people realize a lot of these things but don't put them all together," she says. "It just takes a little practice, and you have to overcome the tendency to consider yourself irrational!" Almost 80 percent of shoppers use coupons from lime to time, she says, but few regularly cash in. Fewer than 1 in 10 coupons issued are redeemed at stores. With grocery prices rising at a rate of 10 percent a year, Mrs. Samtur sees her supershopping system as an alternative to cutting out foods or changing eating habits to cut costs. The system is described fully in her book, "Cashing in at the Checkout" (Grosset & Dunlap. New York City), but here's basically how it works: Clip coupons from magazines, newspapers, fliers, home mailers, packages. File them alphabetically by product type. Make some note of the expiration dates. Make a list of groceries and stick to it Buy only what you need and use. But sometimes buy in bulk. Check sales and specials in the local papers and the store's fliers. Check sales and specials in the local papers and the store's fliers. Pull out your coupons that match the specials. Look for a store that is "doubling" (offering double redemption on coupons) or "tripling" (giving triple value). Switch brands and stores to take advantage of best offers, but buy national brands. Store brands or white label unbrandeds may start out cheaper, but the savings through coupons and refunds will make national brands much less in the long run. Buy in bulk if the special is good. Watch for refund forms in the stores, in magazines and newspapers, and on the packages themselves. Save wrappers, box tops, labels, proof-of-purchase seals ("Save everything," Mrs. Samtur says), and file them for later use in refunding, when a firm offers money back for sending in certain proofs of purchase for particular products. Be diligent in using coupons and sending in for refunds. Mrs. Samtur says she makes $1,500 a year on refunding alone, and the money is tax-free, because the Internal Revenue service considers it a lowering of her grocery bill, rather than income. Although she admits that supershopping brings the most savings to larger families, she does have some tips for single shoppers. "Everyone uses cleaning aids, paper goods, and toothpaste," she says. "These products often have the best specials." Also, some companies offer cash-off or refunds on grocery products other than their own, she says. For example. Heinz catsup offered a coupon worth money off on hamburger meat, and Ragu spaghetti sauce gave one for fresh produce. Mrs. Samtur edits a newsletter. Refundle Bundle, listing refund offers and other tips. Shoppers can place ads offering to swap coupons, refund forms, or "qualifiers" (the part of the packaging needed for refund offers). She says people have made friends and become pen pals through answering ads in the newsletter. Another idea for exchanging coupons and forms is a swap party, she says. "The essence of supershopping is using the supermarket's offers to shop more sensibly and wisely than you do now," Mrs. Samtur says. She stresses that shoppers needn't be embarrassed about using coupons. It benefits the store through sales and handling fees. "And the companies don't mind," she says. "After all, refunders are buying their products."
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