Teenage cook is now adult crackerjack coupon clipper!

Jason Gerling of New Hartford, N.Y., writes: You have a ton of suggestions about couponing in Cheap Fast Good. I don't know how much you all are using online coupons. It took me a while to grasp them and I think I have a decent system down.

I don't have a ton of time to print coupons, and I've found the online coupons don't vary too much over the course of the month. I like to sit down the first Sunday of the month and print all my coupons at once. It takes me between 30-60 minutes but I print about $20-$30 at least in savings so I consider that time well spent. (Wish I made that an hour @ work!)

I stick with smartsource.com, and coupons.com who echo the coupons I find in the Sunday paper. Also I use wow-coupons.com which is great because it lists coupons and links me out to manufacturer’s sites where coupons are being offered. I usually provide demographics and give the same email and password out for each site so I can go back and access coupons in less time.

Some items I buy often, I print right up to the household limit for as I know I'll buy it repeatedly. Also signing up @ Penny Pincher Gazette will provide emails every two weeks or so when online coupons are updated on the main sites. I've also tapped into some mail offers. Proctor and Gamble sends me a booklet of coupons every so often.

No doubt these coupons are helpful, but it can be a challenge learning how to navigate the easiest way to access them. I'm spreading the word as people can't believe what I'm saving at the grocery store (usually 25-30% between manufacturer, grocery and online coupons).

Thanks for all the years of advice.

Best Wishes,

Jason Gerling