Compilation of EzineArticles #1

I really have to apologize for not having enough time to update this blog as frequently as I will have liked.

Here is a compilation of my articles which I have submitted to EzineArticles. If you have some spare reading time over the weekend, just take a look and leave some comments.

1. How to Save Money on College Education and Get Free Tuition?

2. A Practical Survival Guide to the Recession

3. Five Tips to Achieve Debt Elimination

4. Writing a Financial Plan on Your Own

5. Online Coupons Turning Tide Against Traditional Couponsc

College Kids Prefer To Save Money With Online Coupons

Traditional coupons are not in vogue with the younger generation, especially college students. Not that they dislike saving money. Instead, they prefer online discount coupons and promotional codes.

Platform-A’s Business Intelligence's study is telling.

The study found that over 50% in the college-age group are likely to use discount codes if presented online even though they are historically disinterested in traditional coupons.

Young couples who do not yet have children are most likely to use promos codes. This is odd as you will think young families have a greater impetus to save money than their childless counterparts.

The difference lies in the comfort of youngsters in using modern technology. The study found, that almost 25% of coupon clippers are senior citizens (a group that is not at all likely to look for online discount codes).

As technology improves to allow for more methods of using discount codes online and via mobile phones, it is likely that the trend towards increased use of these coupons by younger generations will continue.

Take Advantage Of Coupon Sites

Everyone seems to be in a saving mood these days. And coupons sites have sprouted up all over the internet to cater, or even feed this frenzy. My family find coupons indispensable whenever we shop for groceries.

With this recession severely affecting our household income, every cent counts. We have saved at least thousands of dollars from coupons, it is no surprise that coupons enjoyed a resurgence among our friends and relatives after looking at our success.

To get started, visit ValPack, WOW-Coupons and CoolSavings to browse their diverse collection of coupons (usually 10% to 30%) for local stores. Unlike paper coupons, online coupons are usually promo code which you key in when checking out.

And don't forget to check manufacturers' and retailers' sites. CurrentCodes, CouponCabin and RetailMeNot offer attractive coupon codes for branded retailers. You can subscribe to your favorite merchants' e-mail lists for updates.

1. Use your phone to save

Thanks to the advent of technology, we can now our cellphones, besides the internet, to get instant discounts. The savings will help to pay for our phone bills every month.

Cellfire sends local coupons directly to internet-connected cellphones. You can browse, save coupons and then claim your discounts by showing your phone at checkout.

Cellfire has partnered with Kroger's grocery store which allow you to link coupons to your loyalty card. Discounts are applied automatically when you check out. There are other grocery stores which participate in such programs, just visit their sites and check their details.

Don't check out the stores by calling directory assistance services as the charges are rather costly. You can call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) for Google's 411 service powered by voice-recognition software or 1-800-411-SAVE (1-800-411-7283) to speak to a person. Both services are free.

2. Look for discounts

Often, we pay full price when we actually qualify for discounts but are not aware of it. For example, if you are buying software applications from Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft, you should use your kid's student pass as they qualify for deep discounts. JourneyEd, Academic Superstore or Gradware are also worth a look.

In addition, school bookstores have great deals or discounts offered directly by manufacturers. Military personnel can get discounts when they purchase products through Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange. You can learn more at Military.com.

Some companies offer discounts directly through employee discount partnership programs. Check with your company's HR department for more information. If you don't qualify for these discounts, why not buy refurbished products at Buy.com? Just make sure you get a full warranty.

3. Comparison shop for the best price

Price comparison sites NexTag, PriceGrabber and Shopping help you find low prices online in a quick and easy manner. The sites check an item's price on various sites but you should beware of scams especially from little-known merchants offering prices way below their competitors.

If your budget doesn't allow you to buy an item immediately, why not sign up for price drop notifications which update you when items hit the prices you specify. Sites like Price!pinx, ZingSale or WishRadar (price drops on Amazon) offer low-price guarantees.

4. Get freebies

Freebies are popular on websites to entice visitors, subscribers and customers. You'll find free samples on retailers' and manufacturers' sites. DealTaker's site lists many free items. Or you can use Google to search for "free samples."

It is important to make sure shipping is free. There are many free shipping coupons for more than 500 stores at FreeShippingOn. You'll also find free software online but a word of caution is many of such free programs include malware.

5. Find programs to save money

For example, save on printing costs by using a special font, the Ecofont. Or, print select parts of Web pages with HP Smart Web Printing.

Finally, a reminder to always watch out for scams. Watch out for sites and clubs that charge you money so that you can save money. And remember that offers that seem too good to be true usually are.

What Are Double Coupons?

A coupon helps frugal shoppers to save money and a double coupon doubles the effort. That is why I fall head over heels with double or triple coupons. It's a really nice feeling to know that I have saved money while making sure that I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer.

So, how do double coupons work?

As an example, if you use a coupon to shave fifty cents off your favorite body lotion, you will save up to one dollar on each bottle using double coupons.

Alternatively, double coupons are used to entice you to purchase an extra item. If you buy two bottles of laundry detergent, you will get fifty cents off each one, even though you only have one coupon.

Since the manufacturer reimburses a store for the face value of the coupon, the store is really only paying for half the discount.

Double coupons are such treasures that you have to keep a watchful eye in your local sales paper as they only happen for a limited time, on a particular day of the week (to draw in more customers on slower days), or during special sales.

Some stores that offer double coupons regularly also have a coupon exchange. This is usually a bin filled with coupons where you can trade coupons that you don’t need in exchange for others that you can use.

My family has honed our skills of taking advantage of double/triple coupons at our favorite stores. That is how we stretch our dollar to the max.