How to Save Money on Groceries - "Buy" Free Food!

As parents of ten children, we are always looking for ways to save money. Getting free groceries certainly qualifies! Now I'm not talking about anything illegal here. I'm talking about receiving coupons from the manufacturer redeemable for free packages of food worth $1000! It's as easy as writing letters!

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Paper
• Envelopes
• Stamps
• Marker

Instructions

1. 

   Finish eating a package of food. Decide if you would like to receive another one for free. If the answer is yes, save the packaging. This food product could be a package of Esskay hot dogs or a box of Wheat Thins crackers or a pound of Land'O'Lakes butter, basically anything.

2. On a piece of paper or on your computer, record the name of the product, the grocery store where you bought it, the location of that store, the manufacturer's name and address, and feedback to the company about this product. Give this particular item your own identification number to help you track it. I started with #1 for the first product, then went on to #2 for the second product, etc. You could label them A, B, C, etc. Use any system that makes sense to you.

3. 

   Cut out the UPC codes from the packaging as well as any sorts of manufacturing information such as 'best used by". Write your own identification number on the back of the UPC code.

4. 

   Create a form letter to a food manufacturer on your computer. Follow the rules of a good business letter. (See Resources.) Tell the manufacturer that how long you've been enjoying their products. Praise their quality. Are the crackers always fresh? Does the cake always turn out just right? Any other sorts of feedback are helpful. Or, instead of praising it you could offer a suggestion or report a bad experience with the product. The point is that you are giving them honest consumer feedback. Ask for a coupon or two as compensation for the postage and time it cost you to write to them with this valuable feedback. Occasionally, they will have new products that they are promoting. You should also ask for a free sample of those promising your honest feedback.

   Be sure to incorporate into the letter a place to enter all of the following details:

   • name of the product
   • retail store where you bought it
   • location of the retail store where you bought it
   • manufacturer's name and address (if given)
   • your feedback about the product

   Save the document without filling in the details.

5. Create a letter to the manufacturer of your first product. Do this by opening the form letter and immediately selecting "SAVE AS". Re-title it with the name of your product or your own product identification number. Then fill in the details. Print a copy.

   In this day and age many food manufacturing companies have 1-800 numbers and/or web sites through which you could contact them. However, by sending them an actual letter you increase your chances of receiving vouchers for free food.

6. 

   Address the envelope, insert the UPC codes and other information you cut from the packaging. Then mail it out and wait for the vouchers to come!

7. 

   Once you've written for a particular item you should wait at least six months before writing in for it again. In the mean time, you can try a different brand and write in about that one. If you get it free at CVS or Walgreen's drugstores (see Resources), all the better!

Tips & Warnings

• Feedback on new products is most likely to result in coupons for free items.

• Your letter must provide valuable feedback for the company and not be simply a request for vouchers.

Resources

• How to Save Big Money on Groceries at CVS - Free Food!
• How to Save Big Money on Free Groceries at Walgreens
• How to Write a Business Letter
• How to Save Big Money on Groceries by Starting a Food Buying Club
• How to Save Big Money on Groceries
• How to Save Big Money on Your Grocery Bill: 35% Off Milk All the Time!
• How to Save Big Money on Groceries: 75% off Baby Food!
• How to Save Money With Big Discounts on Groceries - 50-90% off!