Hey couponers, there's another new way to save money - no additional clipping required.
Launched nationwide in May, SavingStar offers monthly coupons that you can link to your grocery and drugstore cards through its website. Click here to join.
SavingStar coupons differ from traditional coupons in two major ways: they're paperless and they are NOT automatically deducted from your grocery order.
Instead, the savings accrue in your SavingStar account. Once you've saved $5, you can have the cash deposited directly into your bank or PayPal account. Or you can choose an Amazon gift card or donate the money to charity.
In the Triangle, six stores are participating in SavingStar: CVS, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowes Foods and Rite Aid.
For July, 31 coupons worth a total of $26 are available on everything from NoYolks noodles to Elmer's Glue.
Throughout the month, as folks load coupons onto their cards, the most popular SavingStar coupons will reach their limits and will no longer be available so it's best to pick your coupons at the start of the month.
For July, I selected 14 coupons worth $10.30. It took me all of a few seconds. Easy enough.
My only issue with the SavingStar program is the same one I have with all the other e-coupon programs out there: Without a smart phone, how am I supposed to remember what coupons I selected once I'm in the store?
Granted, there is an option to print out a list of your SavingStar coupons. But that kind of defeats the program's claim to fame as paperless and eco-friendly.
I guess I won't be hanging up my scissors any time soon.
How about you? Anyone out there been using the SavingStar program since its debut? With a smart phone or without? How much have you saved?
I'm really curious to know how it's working for you.
