5 unexpected places to find coupons

Aug 17, 2011 by Karlyn

With more consumers taking extra steps to save money, coupons are popping up all over the place. If online coupons and print coupons don’t satisfy your savings cravings, look to find coupons in these unexpected places.

Bank Statements: You might be surprised to know banks are quite interested in your spending habits. In a partnership with BillShrink, more than 2,000 banks monitor customer spending and provide coupons based on how you shop.

Receipts: Did you know the extra coupons that come with your receipt at the grocery store are called Catalinas? They’re usually tied to your purchases, so odds are they’ll be for products you actually want to buy.

Ticket Stubs: Coupons have even started to appear on the back of ticket stubs. It seems as though they’re especially popular with sports tickets. Fans often leave their stubs in the seats, so scan the ground and you can probably collect a few.

Mobile Phone: While the latest technology comes with a hefty price-tag, a smartphone can help you save some money in the long-run. There are a growing number of mobile coupon apps that let you find coupons right from your phone. One of the first on the market was the free app from Coupon Sherpa. It allows you to find coupons based on your location, download them to your phone and scan them right from the screen. No clipping required.

Social Media: Many merchants have started offering exclusive coupons and sale information to their Facebook and Twitter followers. All it takes is a few clicks and you’re connected. After that you can sit back and wait for the special offers to start rolling in.

Recycling Bins: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Good places to find a variety of unwanted coupons are recycling bins and trash cans. Before you go rooting around in your neighbors’ bins, it’s polite to ask first.

Phone Books: Phone books are rarely used for looking up numbers these days. Luckily, they’ve found renewed life as a coupon source. There’s typically a section in the back of the book that has coupons for local businesses and restaurants.

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About the Guest Author:

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. She is available for in-studio, satelite or skype interviews. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, New York Times Bucks Blog, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.