I just finished reading the Sunday newspaper and realized that for the last several months or so I’ve not found any coupons to clip from the paper. And believe me, living on a limited income means searching for bargains wherever you can find them.
It seems the coupons are for things like expensive cleaning supplies I don’t use, air fresheners, ditto, lots of hair care, including coloring products, and junk food. Today I managed to find a coupon for peanut butter and another for Progresso soups, which occasionally goes on sale, so if I’m lucky I’ll be able to combine the two before the coupon expires in January.
Has anyone else found it harder and harder to find usable coupons lately?
And speaking of searching for ways to keep expenses down, is anyone else a bit uneasy about being forced to use a grocery store courtesy card to get the best deals? I shop mostly at King Soopers (Krogers) and Albertson’s. Albertson’s doesn’t require a card but I usually can only afford the items they have on sale. King Soopers does use a card and if I’m careful I can get some really good deals.
Last year I read a very interesting book, Spychips, that I reviewed at Books and More Books. One thing I remember reading in the book is that if marketing agencies get their way, and it’s looking more and more likely that they will, then RFID chips inserted into all sorts of products will mean poor people can be targeted and actually charged more for products than more upscale and regular customers. Apparently these RFID tags will keep track of what and where you purchase and then stores won’t have to give the deep discounts to people who only buy sale products from them.
Sobering thought and only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable. Thanks, George!
Must read book reviewed at 
Golden Years, My @$$ 