The Goal:
So many free or nearly-free offers go to waste simply because they involve a brand we don't like or the item is something we don't personally use. There are agencies in need of donated food and household items who can use those offers to help others. The goal of the Priceless Pantry is to see how much non-perishable food and other household necessities you can get for as little money as possible. The items you gather will then be donated to a local food pantry or shelter.
The Methods:
STEP 1 - Browse the internet, newspapers or magazines, and coupon inserts for rebates, special offers, and coupons. Gather and organize these offers/coupons according to type of item.
STEP 2 - On a weekly basis, review the sale ads for local stores. In addition to grocery stores, pharmacies and discount stores frequently offer weekly specials on food and household items. Compare the weekly sales to the coupons and offers you have collected to see if the combination of sales, coupons, and/or offers will bring the item into the free-to-50¢ range.
STEP 3 - Purchase the item, complete and mail any necessary rebate forms, and set it in a special place at home.
STEP 4 - On a monthly basis, each member of your group brings in their Priceless Pantry purchases. The one who has gathered the highest value for the least amount of money is named the Priceless Pantry King or Queen!
STEP 5 - Bring the collected pantry items to your local food bank or shelter. They will appreciate it!
Helpful Hints/Links:
COUPONS - Carry your collection of coupons wherever you go so you can be ready when a bargain appears. In general, coupons do not go beyond $1.00 for any individual item, so be on the lookout for items that cost less than a dollar.
REBATES - Rebate offers usually require a proof of purchase (such as a UPC code) and an original receipt with the item circled. Be sure to include all items required for the rebate and send it in prior to the expiration date.
CUSTOMER LOYALTY CARDS - Many stores offer additional savings and instant rebates to customers who have customer loyalty cards. You can combine these offers with offers from the manufacturer (such as rebates and coupons) for even greater savings.
INTERNET OFFERS - Visit manufacturer websites for occasional free offers or coupons that are not advertised elsewhere. There are also numerous sites that collect the various internet freebies. CAUTION: If a freebie sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are sites that say they are offering extreme freebies (such as a $500 retail gift card) in exchange for answering a survey. In general, these sites catch you up in an endless chain of advertiser sign-ups. If you do persevere to the end, you typically find that you must purchase several things you probably don't want in order to access the "free" item.
It is a good idea to sign up for a free email account that can be used for your email address when accessing free offers and coupon sites. Many manufacturers will require that you register on their site before providing the offers. While doing so often brings you additional goodies through email, many sites sell their lists, resulting in mail from unwanted sources. Having a "junk mail" email address prevents this from clogging up your primary personal email account.
