I am not, in general, a paper couponer. Online codes? Sure! Use ’em all the time, because they don’t require me to keep track of anything or stuff more papers into my purse. But I am not one of those people with a coupon binder at the grocery store, even though I know there’s the potential to save money that way. (Not knocking anyone who does it, by the way, it’s just not my thing. I buy mostly stuff for which there are no coupons, and I’m simply not organized enough to deal with it for the meager savings I’d reap.)
But every year when they start advertising that the 2009 Entertainment Books are available, I kind of roll my eyes at the price and go about my day. And then around about now, say, in May, when the year is coming up on half over but they reduce the books to $15 apiece with free shipping, I remember what all is in there.
2-for-1s on restaurants, and movie theater tickets, and hotels. And then I remember that summer is coming and we’ll be filling time with extra things. Things like… eating out, and going to the movies, and traveling. And I remember that two movie tickets or one hotel stay will more than pay for the cost of the book.
And then I waver between wanting to smack myself for waiting so long, and congratulating myself for waiting until it was such a good deal. And then I give up and buy my book.
The end.
We just used the coupon in our Entertainment Book for getting some pictures of my hubby and his brothers at JC Penney. The photographer said she had not seen such a good deal in a long time and we are very happy with the pictures. Luckily, there is one more coupon in there and we will use that to get pictures of the rest of us. And since we are members of the Photo Club, we don’t even pay for the sitting fee.
Let’s congratulate ourselves! I too hem and haw over ordering the latest book. I finally broke down and got mine two weeks ago. The first coupon we used saved us $23 at our favorite Japanese restaurant. Not bad for a $15 book with free shipping. I actually bought two books – office and home are in different areas. Got a free $8 lunch out of the second book so far.
Plus, EACH book has two $5 coupons for Shoprite that are still good. I think I’ll be getting my money’s worth!!
Don’t forget to check the website for additional printable coupons for local merchants.
I have a 2009 ATL book that I will not use. Any takers?
I used to love that book and use at least a dozen or so coupons/year but have found the quality/quantity to be much less in recent years, although I probably still get $15 worth. I think all the internet deals may have affected their leverage.