Guest Post: Electronic Coupons

Today's guest post is brought to you by Erin from 5dollardinners.com

Electronic Coupons, or "e-coupons," are virtual coupons that you can load onto the rewards cards from various grocery stores and drug stores. First, you must sign up at the various websites (see below) and sign up on the site. You can then "load" your rewards cards with the coupons. When you go to check out with your groceries, the "e-coupons" from Shortcuts.com, Cellfire.com and P & G will automatically be deducted from your total and added to your receipt. The Upromise "e-coupons" value is credited to your college savings account, usually within 3-4 weeks from when they are redeemed. The sign up process at each of these websites is simple, free and well worth the time for the savings you will earn!

The "e-coupons" can only be redeemed once and at face value (they do not double). You CAN use both an "e-coupon" and a paper coupon for the same product to get double the savings. Each of the sites below updates their "e-coupons" regularly. They are never in short supply! And never reach a "print limit"!

After loading your rewards card with the "e-coupons", you have the option to print a list of the coupons that you selected. I recommend that you print the lists from each of the different sites. I consult these lists as I am making my grocery list each week, as well as carry them in my coupon binder. The list will include expiration dates and product details.

Here are a few websites where you can find "e-coupons"

1. Shortcuts.com is a website that contains "e-coupons" that you load onto your rewards card from Kroger, or any of the Kroger family stores. (Including Dillon's, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Baker's, QFC, City Market, Pay Less, and others!) Sign up is free, easy and only requires that you type in your name, email address and Store Rewards Card number. You are then redirected to a page with all the coupons that can be loaded onto your card. Shortcuts.com has "e-coupons" for Huggies diapers, Cottonelle toilet paper, frozen vegetables, cake mixes, frosting, and many more great products.

2. Proctor and Gamble eSAVER Along with the paper coupons that P&G puts out each month in the newspaper, there are now "e-coupons" available for use on many popular P & G products, including Pantene, Tide, Downy, Pampers wipes, and many more. These "e-coupons" can also be stacked with paper P&G coupons for double the savings.

Recent example: Herbal Essence shampoo was on sale for 2/$5 at Kroger. I used a $2/2 paper coupon combined with a $3/2 "e-coupon" that I loaded onto my Kroger card for a total savings of $5/2 or Free!

3. Cellfire.com (www.cellfire.com) is a brand new website that connects coupons to your Kroger family stores Rewards cards. They work just the same as the Shortcuts.com and P & G "e-coupons". You choose the products that you wish to have loaded onto your card. When you go to make your purchase, the coupon amount will automatically be deducted from your total. Cellfire.com has "e-coupons" for Cottonelle toilet paper, Active Lifestyle Oatmeal, Huggies, Colgate toothpaste, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish and several other great products.

4.
Upromise.com is a college savings fund account that is linked to your grocery store and pharmacy rewards cards and even credit cards, if you choose. When you make purchases from certain stores online, you receive a % back deposited into your account. They have a new "e-coupon" feature available now as well. You load their "e-coupons" onto your rewards cards to stores such as Meijer, CVS, Kroger, Biggs, and many more! The stores vary by region.

Electronic coupons are an excellent way to increase your savings at the grocery store and your favorite pharmacy. For a few more examples of how I maximize my savings using "e-coupons", click here. So get on over to each website and start loading up your cards!

Note from Nicole: Safeway was just added as one of the stores that participates in the P & G eSAVER program. I just registered my card and I can't wait to give this a try!

Erin chronicles her mission to make meals for her family for less than $5 at her blog $5 Dinners (www.5dollardinners.com). She strives to make healthy, wholesome and nutritious meals using mostly raw and natural ingredients. Along with posts detailing each night's meal and cost breakdown, she offers money saving tips, weekly and monthly menu plans, and other tips for making the most out her food purchases. Come on by to see what she's cooking and how much she's saving!