Web sites can yield tasty deals
a href="http://www.Hotcoupons.com" TARGET="_blank">Hotcoupons.com
/A> is good place to start your searchIn fall it is not only the four-legged animals who squirrel away this and that for the winter ahead. We do the same, and rightly so.
Case lot sales are in array, just like the changing leaves, and many fruitful bargains abound. To aid you in the search for deals, you may wish to enlist the help of Web sites, many of which are currently laden with coupons and other online deals just now.One place to look is Hotcoupons.com. It is representative of a growing number of Web sites that partner with grocers and other companies to direct your business to themselves.
No matter the merchandise, many services work like this: You print a page or two of grocery coupons and take them with you to the store, just as you would coupons from the newspaper. When you buy Welch's 22-ounce squeezable grape jelly, the clerk enters a number at the point of purchase, and you get a 50-cent credit. You do not receive a discount from your bill, however. Instead, along with your final receipt, you receive some "credits" worth the value of all the Web-site coupons. These credits can be used during a future shopping trip, usually for any purchase, not just for more jelly.
These Internet services often require you to enroll on their mailing list, which pretty much guarantees you will receive electronic Spam along with coupons for its meaty equivalent. I don't much like unsolicited e-mail, but if you want to specify the type of coupons you would like to receive and desire regular bargain updates, you may not mind all the ads that will come along with the coupon information you will get.
These services also welcome your own ads since they desire to provide a wide range of services for home, office and travel needs. Before you sign up for coupons or decide to advertise your own business, be sure you know how much you will be charged. Never give away privileged information about your finances until you are totally confident about the company and its security systems.
This fall, opportunities for philanthropy are abundant as well. Many companies, partnering with nonprofits, foundations and the like, donate a percentage of your purchase price to their partner. For example, in 1999 to date, Hallmark Gold Crown Stores has given $1 million plus to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for research and education, as a result of consumer purchases of cards and other products. During the holidays, Hallmark will sell additions to that product line: boxed Christmas cards, ornaments, music and packaging, proceeds of which will continue to benefit the Komen Foundation.
The Hallmark Gold Crown Stores' program will be repeated by many companies for many good causes through the fall and during the holidays. Companies are not shy about advertising their partnerships with these causes, so if you wish your money to do more than add to the corporate bottom line, look for these chances to enrich charitable organizations. You will hear plenty about these chances to buy/contribute in various media.
Dr. Carol Clark has won national awards for her consumer writing.