Babies & Coupons
March 31st, 2008
In The Turbo Mom’s Guide, I will be talking about coupons, but not the in the traditional way. Like when you read a saving money book and they tell you to clip your coupons and you will save money. Well, duh. But sometimes you will spend more too.
Coupons are issued by companies for one purpose: to get you to buy their stuff. So when the Sunday paper comes along with many dollars worth of coupons, we bargain shoppers get all excited. Until we find we can use about 2 of them–or we clip a bunch “just in case” we need that item. Cha-ching! Did you just hear your grocery bill go up buying items you weren’t planning on? The marketing just worked.
So where (besides the newspaper) can you get coupons for the things you really need? Particularly when it comes to baby things, since formula and diapers get expensive fast.
1. Sign up on manufacturers’ websites.Yes, you may get some junk email, but they will also send you coupons through the mail from time to time. This works best for diapers, formula and baby food companies (i.e. Gerber, Beech Nut, etc.). For those of you using formula, (or pregnant and not sure yet), scoot over to the Similac website (www.welcomeaddition.com) and Enfamil (www.enfamil.com) and sign up right away. It will take about 6 weeks for you to get your “Welcome Pack”, which will include formula samples and coupons. Thereafter, you will receive coupons from time to time.
When it comes to formula, most babies stick to one type once they start. However, if you have pregnant friends, sign up for both anyway. Then swap the coupons from the brand you are not using with a friend who is. Heck, I even signed my mom up. She figured that the mailman must have found her “Welcome Pack” pretty entertaining since she lives in a 55+ community.
2. Ask at your pediatricians’ office. Pediatricians receive coupons and samples all the time from companies trying to promote their products, and formula is right up there on the list. Initially, when we told our doc that Nicolas was on Similac’s Isomil, he dug into his supply closet and came out with sample size cans and coupons. So each time we visit, I ask him if he has any. Don’t be shy. Doctors know that babies are expensive and they are usually willing to help out in whatever way they can.
3. Ask at the stores for coupons. Stores like Walmart, Target & Costco usually don’t have widespread coupon programs, if at all. However, places like Babies ‘R Us and Gymboree do. This doesn’t only mean being on the mailing list–they also have coupons behind the registers. Cashiers will give them out when they like you or simply when they remember. And these coupons are usually good for bigger ticket items, which will help defray the cost of things like strollers and baby gates. Whenever you are in a store with a “Store Coupon Potential”, ask if they have any. Even if you don’t use them, at least you have them in your coupon arsenal!
Next week we’re going to talk about how to organize all of those coupons so you don’t lose your mind and what to do when they expire…
Copyright 2008-2009 Kristin Delfau, author of Turbo-Mom's Guide to Saving Money Without Wasting Time a womens' personal finance book, and Aji Publishing.
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