Coupon-clipping makes a comeback

Luxury is out, budget is in. And guess what? Clipping coupons is cool. So, if you’re new to the game, get out your scissors and start clipping … for groceries, for that second pizza at half-off, for a free car wax, for a cheap oil change and for travel.

Yes, even day-trippers and other travelers should keep their peepers peeled for snip-snappy bargains.

Recently, I found a $4-off coupon for the Aquarium of the Pacific in my Sunday paper (the L.A. Times, of course). And, anytime, you’ll find downloadable coupons online that will garner some savings. Here’s where to look:

California Travel and Tourism
This site offers downloadable coupons for attractions throughout the state, for example: $7.50 off a round-trip ticket on the Catalina Express; $3 off admission on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; $8 off Universal Studios Hollywood admission; $8 off a full-day ticket to Legoland California.

2009 Entertainment Book
These coupon-filled books are available for purchase online for $19.50 (pre-tax). Enter your local ZIP code, or the ZIP code of the destination to which you’ll be traveling, to find the appropriate region of coverage. For instance, the shopping, dining and attractions discounts available in the San Francisco/San Mateo book include 50% off Gray Line trolley tours and half off in-line skate rentals at Skates on Haight. (I’m not so impressed with the restaurant selection for this particular region, however. If you’re planning to do the dining rounds in S.F., consider the CozmoDeck, below.)

CozmoDeck
No scissors needed for this one. These snazzy decks hold cards the size of playing cards that are actually one-time-redeemable coupons for $15 off your restaurant bill (which must total $50 minimum). Each deck includes cards for 30 unique restaurants, and they are now available for Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. To give you an idea of their fun variety, the uncustomized L.A. deck ($30) includes cards for Baby Blues BBQ in Venice, Geisha House in L.A. and Border Grill in Santa Monica.

Travel Coupon Guide
These free guides, which you can find in stands outside places like fast-food restaurants, are great if you’re planning on a U.S. road trip with stops at chain hotels and motels. The featured accommodations tend to be neither stand-out nor glamorous — but sometimes, on the road, all we need is practical.

What’s cooler than clip-able coupons? Coupon codes. If you can cite a code or fill one in on an online booking form, it may not be old school, but it means less to keep track of and less paper.

Do you clip to save? Share your tips, and coupon resources, in the Comments below.

– Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Image: California Travel and Tourism]

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at 10:03 am by Susan Derby and is filed under Deals, Family & Kids, Hotels, Los Angeles, News, Tips & Advice, San Diego, San Francisco. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.