Saving money at the store

GREEN BAY - During a recession, financial pressure mounts, and that has more people looking for ways to save money. A quick fix for your budget could be the way you shop at the grocery store. Sure you need to look at prices and specials, but scouring the aisles with coupons in hand could save you big money.

"In this economy there's certainly more people using them everyone is looking for a way to save coupons is certainly one way to increase the savings," said Rick Teegarden, assistant manager at Festival Foods in Green Bay.

He and other managers have noticed an influx of coupons in the checkout lanes.

"I've seen guests in here with a stack of coupons, pretty impressive how much money they can save," said Teegarden.

"Some can save anywhere between $10 and $15 and $20 just with coupons," acknowledged cashier Wendy Kipp.

And the stores are making the process easier. In addition to the traditional coupons you clip at home, or get off the internet, many stores offer additional coupons with in-house fliers. And if that's not enough, Festival Foods installed a touch-screen coupon dispenser offering daily specials not found anywhere else.

"You just got to take the time to seek them out, to clip or internet site download, plan your shopping experience and save those dollars," said Teegarden.

A recent poll on Coupon Use shows 61 percent of U.S. consumers report using more coupons now, 78 percent say it's to avoid changing their lifestyle or cutting items from their shopping list. Grocers say the increase in coupon use began in the fourth quarter of last year... Up nearly 17 percent over the year before.

"We average $10 to $12 per grocery trip for coupons--yeah big coupon clippers. Taught our college age daughters how to use it too carry on the good lessons in life I say," said Kim Younkle, an avid coupon shopper.

Younkle shops with coupons and a list to stay on financial track in the grocery store. But just because she has a coupon doesn't mean it's a sure sale.

"You got to look at it this is ounces this is prices no I still save enough using a coupon, usually, not always but you got to look," said Younkle.

Otherwise you're just throwing money away.