If you've been wanting to sharpen your coupon skills, here's your chance to take a crash course.

Registration is now open for my next coupon workshop, a half-day class on Saturday, June 16.

You'll leave with all the information you need to start saving at least 50 percent on your weekly grocery bill, if not more. We'll also feed you breakfast and give you a nice goodie bag to take home with you.

Here's a glimpse at what I scooped up at Harris Teeter this morning during the first day of Triple Coupons.

I purchased $55.89 worth of groceries and paid $1.32. Thirty-six cents of that was tax.

That figures out to be a 98 percent savings.

Interested in learning how to save money at the grocery store? Or do you feel like you need a refresher course in couponing?

Registration is now open for my next coupon workshop, a half-day class on Saturday, June 16.

Unlike my previous classes, which were held at The N&O's offices, I'll be teaching this class at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in downtown Apex, which happens to be my hometown for the last 19 years.

It's a much bigger venue, which means more folks can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the class, which will cover basic and advanced coupon techniques, teaching you to save at least 50 percent, if not more, on your grocery bill.

The half-day session will include information on:

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the McDonald's giveaway by offering up tips on how to save money while still indulging in a little fast food every now and then.

Coupons were a popular method. No surprise there. And more than a few people mentioned sharing meals to cut the cost and the calories. I like how you folks think!

I also liked the suggestion to skip the sodas and drink water instead. That's something we in the Centsible Saver household do.

As another reader suggested, we also sometimes bring our fast food home and supplement the meal with items out of the pantry.

Before we get to the winners, here are some other good solid tips:

With Earth Day less than a week away, it's a great time to join Recyclebank, a website that rewards you with a little green for being green.

Through a points system, Recyclebank members earn coupons, gift cards and merchandise from companies like Kashi, Harris Teeter, Macy's and Home Depot -- all in the name of being more environmentally aware.

Recyclebank, which has more than three million members, is free to join, by the way.

I know. I know. The best way to save money on fast food is to NOT eat it.

And yet, the drive-up window beckons even the most frugal among us on occasion.

So we want to hear how you dine on fast food without busting the budget.

Smartphones may not be the most frugal choice. But let's face it, more and more of us have succumbed to their lure in our mobile society.

So why not put that pricey gadget to work for you saving time and money.

With the simple download of an app, you can save big money on any number of every day purchases, including gas, Internet fees, groceries, DVDs, books, toys, clothes and dinner out.

The potential for savings is even greater when you're traveling and unfamiliar with the retail terrain. Best of all, most money-saving apps can be downloaded free.

Here are a few of my favorite frugal-minded apps. All of them are free and are available for both the iPhone and Android phones:

The folks who make the cooking spray Pam are offering you a chance to try their new and improved spray for free.

According to the Pam website, the company will refund the cost of your can of "new and improved formula" Pam (up to $4) if you aren't convinced it's "better than the bargain brand."

Click here to go to the website and download your rebate form.

You must mail the form along with a cash register receipt showing you made your  purchase between Oct. 1, 2011 and April 27, 2012.

If you prefer Pam over the off-brand, I recommend mailing in your rebate form with a hand-written note complimenting the product but telling them you'd still like to participate in the rebate.

I've done this numerous times before and always received my rebates.

As a cheapskate, I'm tempted to tell you the best way to save money on the 2011 N.C. State Fair is to STAY HOME.

But I know I'd pretty much be run out of town, if not the state, for uttering such a thought. So I'm going to give you my best tips for holding on to as much of your hard-earned cash as possible while still enjoying/enduring your time at the fair.

Cold weather puts many outdoor activities on hiatus, but that doesn't mean participants stop preparing for next season.

Many area recreational sports organizations keep busy through the winter by planning and conducting benefit events to raise funds to pay for equipment, facilities, travel, entry fees or any of the many expenses affiliated with their activities.

Here are three fundraisers coming up over the next three weekends: