This might be an abrupt post for some of you. For others, you might have been expecting this day to come. Either way, it’s time for me to tell you a few things that have been going on with coupons in general, the newspaper companies and why I’m no longer getting the Sunday paper.
A few months ago, I started noticing that most Sunday Newspaper coupons were also becoming available to print online. And when a lot of exclusive toy coupons came out during Christmastime, even those coupons ended up being available online to print as well.
A couple months ago, I was noticing that more and more I was using eCoupons, Mobile Apps or Printable Coupons instead of the newspaper coupons–because that is where the savings were, they are much easier to use, there’s no clipping involved and it’s a FREE option.
A couple weeks ago, I let you all know that I had found out that the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune had been charging “Special Edition” fees to anyone who was subscribed to the newspaper. It wasn’t something they even let me know about. If you never saw that post with details, you will definitely want to head over here and read that and opt-out of special edition fees, if you don’t want those copies of the papers.
With all of these recent changes, and my prediction that 99% of coupons will end up being digital within the next couple of years, I’ve decided to no longer subscribe to the Sunday newspapers. And if I am being completely honest, I haven’t missed them– at all. And my checking account hasn’t missed them either. It’s actually been quite nice to not have to deal with organizing them or cutting the coupons out.
Things have changed so drastically since Extreme Couponers took advantage of the amazing coupon system we were able to save so much money with. And each year, it has gotten progressively worse. The last 6 months or so have definitely shown that to me as I’ve watched awesome money-saving app after money-saving app pop up.
Is it a waste to get the Sunday Newspaper Subscription? In my opinion no. But only if you are getting an awesome deal on it–which we were. Only $20 for a 52-Week Subscription! But now that the Salt Lake papers have added on fees without really giving us a heads up, and those terms & conditions or fee amounts could change at any time, it’s not something I really want to deal with or hassle with. And more importantly, I don’t ever want YOU guys to be taken advantage of. Because of that and the changes that the Salt Lake papers have made, I will no longer be partnering with them to give discounted newspaper subscriptions here on Freebies2Deals. I’m sorry if this is inconvenient for some of you. But I always want to make sure that if I get you an exclusive deal, that it is honored the way it was advertised and promised. It’s VERY important to me. However, I don’t know what the newspaper company is going to do now or in the future with “Special Edition” fees. So that promised price or deal might not always be accurate and that’s not ok with me.
For those of you who live outside of Utah, you will also want to check with the newspaper you subscribe to, or check your bill to see if your newspaper has started to implement any fees.
So You Aren’t Renewing Your Newspaper Subscription or Are Canceling Your Current Subscription? Now What?
That’s when we turn to alternate options to help us learn How to Save Money on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons. Here is a list of some of my favorites:
- Target Printable Coupons
- Target Red DEBIT Card for Extra 5% off and Free Shipping on Any order online or in-store.
- Target Coupons via Text Message
- Target Cartwheel App
- Smiths and/or Kroger eCoupons App (Search for it on your mobile app store)
- Checkout 51 Rebate Grocery App
- Ibotta Rebate Grocery App
- SNAP Rebate Grocery App
- MobiSave
- Shrink
- BerryCart (Health Food Coupons)
- Printable Coupons at Coupons.com, Redplum.com, SmartSource.com, Playsaver.com……
**For those of you who still want to use the Sunday coupons, I will still be putting them in our Grocery Matchups for each of the grocery stores Freebies2Deals covers. So no fear there.
I know changes can be hard and we’ve definitely gone through a bunch of them this past year. But I truly believe that we can all adapt to anything thrown our way and still save our families a lot of money. I’ll share more ways as they pop up and new apps as they pop up to help us all save as well!
Thanks everyone!
JeNae
I print my coupons through Swagbucks. For every coupon I redeem is 10 points, and after 400-500 points I can redeem my points for a $5 giftcard.
Leigh
Same with Coupons.com. A long time ago, we had so many points accumulated, we got multiple gift cards. However, since I don’t print that many now, I’m not sure if that program is still available. You might check it out.
Lori Smith
Not only that, after reading your post, I had my husband check the bill and we were being charged $110.00 for the Sunday only paper. Needless to say, we also cancelled.
Sarah
So do you have a great printer that you recommend?
Janette
We also didn’t renew in January. I have to say I love the new money saving apps and don’t miss the clipping of coupons! Most of the other coupons I use are all digitally added to my loyalty cards. Savingstar is also another app that I use.
Leigh
Yes, very disappointing but, unfortunately hidden fees are everywhere. My dad’s basic cable bill is astronomical. They advertise a deal but then, taxes & fees for this & that really”jacked it up”. (Like college, all the “extras” cost more then the tuition.) Anyway, we took the Sunday paper for a little while & I noticed there weren’t that many coupons I used. Many times, there weren’t many at all to choose from. Still, I’d cut them all out & distribute at the grocery store for others to hopefully find before they expired. I remember you saying everything will probably go digital &, you “nailed it” even way back then. This year, I finally got a cell phone (Android) so I’ve asked my husband about installing some digital apps. Thanks for listing them.
\
When I first got into these saving websites, it was wonderful!! I was getting this & that for free or practically free. When the decline in the savings per coupon surfaced though, then I knew we were on a down-hill slide. Oh well, it was a great ride while it lasted & I still have some stuff stocked up.
I bet the newspaper will miss your free advertising & sales.
Sharla Carlson
I wish all grocery retailers would understand that business they are going to loose if they do not accept digital or printed coupons. The Kent’s chain will not take them because they claim there is too much fraud. In order for me to use coupons with them I have to have ones that come in the paper.
Chelsea R
I love my coupons because I can hand them over and watch if they are working. I’m so nervous about the digital because I feel like it will be hard to track if they are actually working or not. My fear stems from riteaid up rewards not all being used when they went on the card, so I had to opt to get them printed (and now that they are doing plentipoints I haven’t shopped there any more!) But I want to learn! I feel like I need someone to hold my hand through this! Can someone tell me if you can use these apps together? Like use walmarts saving catcher, ibotta, and whatever other apps all from the same receipt?
Jessica
After a previous post, I had the “special addition” papers canceled. After reading this post earlier, I canceled my paper. My family and I don’t need added fees when our aim is to save. I’ve had hidden fees before with the paper and looks like things haven’t changed.
Alisha Mckaughan
Thank you for always looking out for us!
sara
As a 20 year daily and weekly newspaper subscriber and daily digital and newspaper coupon user, I can tell you that you are absolutely wrong about the newspaper coupons being online. About 80 percent are not. And that is because newspapers contract with advertisers to ensure that. Get your facts straight before you post stuff like this. Besides saving people real money, newspapers inform society. Although I guess there are plenty of illiterate idiots out there, what’s a few more? And as for those premium fees, they are charged because you are getting magazines or special projects produced by the newspaper. You think those should be free? When was the last time you walked into a restaurant and asked for a free meal, how did that work out for you? Also, just curious, how much do digital coupon sites pay you for your site? Don’t you think you should disclose that with every blog post?
Kay
I’m not trying to cause a fight, but I would like to address this:
#1 Content found in the newspaper is usually found online for free so you don’t need to order the paper to know whats going on in the world.
#2 – Most coupons ARE found online, and if they aren’t and you really want them, you can either go to the store and buy the paper for just that week, or order from a coupon clipping site which is cheaper.
#3 – Melea does disclose that she can be affiliated with each post .She’s not cancelling to promote herself, in my opinion she really is just looking out for her readers. I haven’t bought the paper for years and coupon more than ever. I completely agree with all her points. (But you can have your own opinion and disagree and thats ok too!)
We are each entitled to our own opinions. This is Meleas blog so she’s allowed to post hers. Agree or Disagree, doesn’t matter, but be kind to her because I’m sure she’s doing the best she can.
Jaclyn
Thanks for saying something Kay! You were a lot nicer then I would have been. And thank you Melea for all you do for all of us. I really do appreciate all the hard work you put into everything. You are one busy women. I don’t know how you do it.
Sally
I think it’s sad that you are slandering a legitimate business just because they dropped your contract with them. Not the other way around. She’s not looking out for us. She’s getting revenge.
Lisa
If she was really “out for revenge” do you think that she would still be putting the Sunday coupons in the grocery matchups? Also, slander is defined as making false statements. Everything that she posted about special edition fees is 100% accurate. Her opinion that using online coupons and apps is easier than clipping paper coupons is just that, her opinion and in no way would be defined as slander.
Thank you Melea for everything that you do. I’m sorry that there are always a few ungrateful grumps in every group. I know that it is hard to ignore the negative but just know that the majority of us appreciate your hard work.