Ever since gasoline prices began resembling roller coasters, so many of us have been trying to figure out a way to get ahead of the curve.  After years of trying to discern the patterns of rise and fall, I had to give up simply to preserve my sanity.  Case in point:  Just last week I was in the car with someone who had a cell phone app that notifies him before local gas prices increase.  By the time we passed the first gas station less than 10 minutes later, the price had increased 20¢ per gallon.  So rather than trying to predict the unpredictable, I have opted to do what I can to reduce the amount of gas I put in the car.  I will be sharing these new habits with you through a new series called Pump Up The Savings.

The first tip is to make sure that your gas cap is on tight.  Gasoline is very volatile, so the vapors escaping will deplete the volume of gas in the tank even when the vehicle is not running.  This becomes all the more important as the outside temperature rises.  A loose gas cap can result in a 10% reduction in mpg.

In our first Get Clippin’ post we learned about 4 sources for acquiring coupons.  Today we are going to discuss an additional coupon source – friends and family.  Whether we are perusing the Sunday circular or flipping through magazines and newspapers, none of us have a need for all the coupons that we come across.  So why not share the ones that you are not using?

How to share coupons with others

• Closest friends and family:  My mom and I swap coupons on a regular basis.  Since I know what foods she buys, I clip coupons for her as I am clipping my own.  I just put hers in another pile and give them to her when I see her.

• Coupon Get-Togethers:  Coupon exchanging is a nice way to spend an hour or so with some friends once every week or two.  A pot of coffee or tea with a little something to nibble on, a pile of coupons and good friendship, lets you catch up with your pals while you stock up on coupons.

• Coupon Circle:  For those who can’t coordinate their schedules with their friends’ schedules, a coupon exchange is not out of the question.  In this case you will have to pass your extra coupons off to those in your circle.  This means that you will have to choose a coupon circle that includes people that you see on a regular basis – coworkers, family members, parents picking kids up from school, etc.  When I belonged to a coupon circle, we wrote the names of the members on each circular or envelope that was passed around.  As each member finished clipping what they wanted, they crossed their name off the list and passed it on to another.  The coupons just keep going round and round until every name is crossed off the list.

• Coupon Combo:  There is no reason why you can’t take advantage of all the above coupon-sharing ideas!

Coupon clipping is a team sport!  Gather your team members, get clippin’ and pinch those pennies!!