Have you ever noticed a cash value printed on coupons? The coupon might state that it has a value of 1/100th or 1/10th of a cent. Can you actually redeem a bunch of coupons for their cash value? The short answer is yes. But should you bother? Redeeming a coupon should depend on its value upon redemption versus the cost to do so.

If you use a paper coupon, such as a clipping from a newspaper, you will notice the fine print on the coupon designating its cash value. Most coupons are worth 1/20th of a cent. This means that you need 20 ORIGINAL (not copied) coupons to get 1 penny. It doesn’t take a math whiz to realize that you’ll need a whole ton of coupons to make any kind of money on their face value. In general, using coupons makes much more sense.

Usually, printed coupons do not have a cash value unless they are an authorized replica of a coupon appearing in a periodical or unless they’re distributed by the manufacturer or retailer. Online coupons cannot be exchanged for cash because they are simply an electronic promotional code.

Preprinted coupons have a cash value for legal reasons dating back to trading stamp problems in the 1930s. The United States passed a law that a cash value must be included on coupons and trading stamps in order to protect consumers. Many states still have such laws on the books, so most manufacturers continue to put a cash value on coupons distributed throughout the country.

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Can you really get free coupons? Let’s face it, we wind up paying for coupons one way or another. If you work with printable online grocery coupons, you’ll need to purchase a printer with paper and ink. When you cut coupons from a newspaper or magazine, you’ll have to buy the newspaper first. If you surf for promotional codes or coupon codes, you’ll need a computer with Internet access. Is there any way to score totally free coupons?

How To Get Free Coupons

If you use a computer at the library, coupon hunting often doesn’t cost a cent. Most libraries provide paper, printer and ink. Whether you print coupons or peruse coupon codes to save money online, you can do it for free at the library. Some libraries just request you to provide your own paper if you intend to print several pages.

Local newspapers and magazines are offered for free at neighborhood libraries, community centers, supermarkets, delis and restaurants. So pick up all the available free periodicals that may carry coupons. You can save money on everything — from an oil change to a birthday dinner — by using free local coupons. You’ll also save money on gas by visiting and patronizing the merchants in your area.

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We like to wrap up the week with coverage on coupons, websites and blogs that you can check out over the weekend. From money-saving free coupon websites to money-earning sites and informative blogs, you’ll find a wealth of information about saving money right here.

Check Out Deals from Coupons.com, Savings.com and CoolSavings.com!

Find an abundance of free coupons at Coupons.com, Savings.com and CoolSavings.com. Here are some of the best deals:

Have you lost sight of your New Year’s resolution to lose weight? Get back on track with a Weight Watchers scale from Conair. Save $5 off your purchase of a Weight Watchers scale with a coupon from Coupons.com.

Do you need to update your beauty essentials for a more modern look? Now is a great time to make a health & beauty purchase at the Beauty.com site. CoolSavings.com features the opportunity to save $10 off your purchase of $60 or more at Beauty.com.

Are you on a beauty budget but really need new stuff? If you haven’t tried ELF, you need to check out their affordable and effective line of beauty essentials. I love their double-ended Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara! Save 20% off your purchase with a coupon code from Savings.com.

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Do you know that you can actually buy coupons online? Is it worth doing?

Having a coupon at hand could mean significant savings, especially when you buy big ticket items. But sometimes, we may not have a coupon available for a particular expensive purchase or an item we use frequently. In this case, should we purchase coupons we need online?

Many “couponers” are successful with buying coupons online. Others can’t imagine spending money on coupons when they are trying to save money. In certain jurisdictions, it might be illegal to actually buy coupons online. But by making coupon purchases, you are really paying for someone to cut the coupons which they send to you. Either way, you need to take precautions when purchasing coupons and related services online. Here are a few things to be aware of when ordering coupons off the web:

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Another frugal tip: try coupon trading!

Where To Find Coupon Trading Opportunities

Have you checked whether your local library has coupon trading? For years, I’ve been getting extra coupons at my local library. Coupon trading takes place when you trade a coupon you won’t use for a coupon you need.

At my local library, they have a special basket for coupons near the adult reference librarian’s desk. You drop coupons you don’t need into the basket in exchange for coupons you want. It may be unstructured coupon trading, but it still serves its purpose.

While our library offers coupon trading, nobody formally monitors it. This means that some participants might be taking more coupons than they give. Others may leave expired coupons to take new ones. You are under the scrutiny of the reference librarian but she is responsible for other tasks at the same time.

Some libraries have formal coupon trading groups, clubs and meetings with greater supervision. These groups give you an ongoing place to get the latest coupons and allow you to give away ones that you won’t use. The Sunday paper becomes well worth its price because every Sunday paper coupon has some value.

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Who doesn’t love to get something for less…or for nothing? Here are more coupons, online deals and free stuff online to help you save money all week!

Fabulous Freebies

If you’re like me, you need coffee to start your day. Get your morning java for free for six days! Six single servings of Nescafe Taster’s Choice 100 percent Colombian coffee are free when you check out the information here then click on Try It On Us! Even if you registered for samples at Nescafe in the past, you can still get this fabulous freebie! Now if you’d like to continue enjoying top of the line coffee, you can try out gourmet coffee recipes and make your own Starbucks drink.

Are you a bride-to-be or someone who’s renewing your vows? Or you may know an engaged couple. If so, then this is a great freebie for the bride-to-be in your life. Get a complimentary bridal tote from Christina Wu as featured in InStyle Weddings Winter Issue 2010. This offer is only good while supplies last, so visit Christina Wu and enter promotion code CW to get your beautiful bridal tote.

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Make it a family affair! Start teaching kids about paper couponing and online couponing while they’re still young.

As your children outgrow baby seats and strollers, they start to talk. Often, parents’ biggest complaint about taking their kids shopping has to do with the ongoing whining and impulsive demands for pricey goodies. Television ads, colorful displays and even friends and peers serve to influence your kids’ interests. You know why your kid has the case of the gimmes, but how can you stop the insanity and teach your children some frugal values?

My suggestion? Teach your kids about coupons while they’re still young. As soon as you start to read with your children, you could share your Sunday paper couponing tasks with them. Show them the coupons as you cut them out. Ask them to identify colors and shapes. And as your children get older, they’ll begin to tell you the value and product on each coupon they handle.

When they develop mathematical skills, have them tally your savings before you go shopping. Older children can organize coupons by date and folder and prepare them for your grocery shopping trip. Make them part of the couponing process so it is natural for them.

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