Seriously? Newspapers stolen for coupons

I've been a big fan of coupons. I don't go crazy using them. I really try to stick to what I like and occasionally using them to try something new.

I know there's tons of buzz about "extreme couponing" thanks to that show by the same name on TLC. People are trading coupons, buying extra newspapers, asking friends and businesses for extra copies, etc. But would you steal newspapers to get coupons? Some people apparently are, according to a story in USA Today. Click link for story.

I have bought an extra copy of a Sunday paper if the coupons are just awesome and I know I can more than offset the cost of the paper with the savings. I can't imagine walking through a neighborhood picking up newspapers or grabbing more than one paper from a newspaper rack.

I guess I'm not extreme. But I feel as though I save plenty. Here are my main rules about saving with coupons:

Free and cheap movies

I love going to movies, but I'm a bit cheap about going. It has to be something I can't wait to see and something that is best appreciated on the big screen. Since many movies aren't musts on the big screen, I save a lot of money just waiting for the DVD and picking it up at the library for FREE.

But one great way to see free movies before anyone else is getting screening passes.

Cheap reads

I've spent plenty of money on books over the last 30 years. The first one I really remember wanting to buy was "Tiger Eyes," by Judy Blume. I remember going crazy on those Sweet Valley High ones in junior high, too. And I had to buy many of the classics, from D.H. Lawrence to Emily Bronte.

I still like to buy them, but since my budget isn't so consumer friendly, I've made a new friend of the public library.

Dinner on the cheap

I've recently become a fan of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, particularly for days when I don't have a ton of time to prep food.

To save money, because convenience isn't always cheap, I've come to check out the "clearance" food section. I'm picky and won't get just anything. All the foods in the section are foods that can only be sold through the end of the day. Some items look much better than others.

Knowing that I had a hectic night ahead, I picked up a family-size broccoli and chicken Alfredo dish and garlic Parmesan flatbread for a grand total of $6, or 50 percent off. A few weeks back I picked up perfectly good ahi tuna steaks for $5 (ahi in the fresh aisle was $15 to $20) and two slices of cheesecake for $1.50.

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