Q&A with the Centsible Saver

Q&A with the Centsible Saver is an occasional feature on the blog. If you have a question for a future Q&A, leave it at the bottom of this post or email it to adunn@newsobserver.com. Ask me anything about coupons, rebates, saving money and living the frugal life.

This time around I've got questions about online coupon-printing sites, the liklihood of Super Double or Triple coupon promotions at Kroger and the best way to get multiple copies of coupons for items you regularly purchase.

Q: Would you sometime list the coupon sites that you use. Sometimes I get emails from sites that my computer finds problems with. I am afraid to open some deals because they may be a scam or contain a virus.

A: Great question. And you're smart to be wary of opening unsolicited emails. The first four sites I list below will not generate emails. The remaining six will generate an occasional email when you sign up for their newsletters.

Here are some of my favorites:

• coupons.com
• couponnetwork.com
• smartsource.com
• redplum.com
• bettycrocker.com
• verybestbaking.com
• pillsbury.com
• kelloggs.com
• snackpicks.com
• mambosprouts.com (for organic products)

Q: Do you think Kroger will ever offer Triples or Super Doubles?

A: I recently asked the spokesman for Kroger's Mid-Atlantic region that very question, given the fact it has been three to five years since Kroger has offered a special coupon promotion.

(It has been so long I've lost count!)

He told me Kroger has no plans to offer a special coupon promotion of any type.

Of course, that could change at any time -- as we saw with Lowes Foods' recent decision to start offering Super Doubles after discontinuing Triples several years ago.

However, I wouldn't hold your breath. Nationwide, the chain has pulled back on its coupon policies, eliminating regular double coupons in a handful of states. The chain also seems to have gone in a different direction with its marketing, offering the 10 for $10 sales, Cart Busters, etc.

That said, I hope I'm wrong.

Q: I'm new to couponing and was wondering what is the best way to get multiple coupons for items that you like and use?

A: There are several ways to get multiple coupons for the items you purchase most often. Here are a few of the methods I use:

Purchase additional Sunday newspapers, either through home subscription ($1 each for additional Sunday News & Observers) or at a local supermarket or drugstore. Last time I checked, Walgreens had the best newstand price at $1.50.

Attend a coupon swap. Get together with friends who coupon and share your unwanted coupons. At a swap, folks gather and pass envelopes full of coupons in a circle. Take the coupons you want and pass the rest until all the envelopes make it around the circle.

Start a coupon train, which is essentially a more informal and more time efficient version of a swap. Save your unwanted coupons in an envelope and pass them to a couponing friend. That person will remove the coupons he or she wants, add new ones and pass to the next couponer. The coupon train will eventually return to you with a whole new set of coupons. This works great in the workplace.

Ask and ye shall receive. Many folks can't be bothered by clipping coupons and toss their coupon inserts in the recyle bin. So be sure to ask your friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members. 

Print coupons online. (See list above.) Most coupon sites will allow you to print two of each coupon offered.