Is anyone really paying the published rate to park near the airport anymore? There are so many coupons out there for airport parking lots (and many of them accept competitor coupons) that I am somewhat amazed when some people pay the posted rate. Hotels and motels are similar; no one pays the 'rack rate' at a motel anymore. If you don't shop around for a discount, you could easily pay $20 or $30 more per night than you have to.
On the other hand, coupons can be a burden. There are just so many coupons around; coupons for groceries, coupons for restaurants, coupons for car washes and oil changes. . . . They arrive in the mail, they are in the newspaper, they are in magazines, and, of course, they are online. I admit, I use coupons. I am not a fanatic about it, but I know I save a few hundred dollars a year by using them. My guess is that some of you, whether you are visitors or residents, wouldn't mind saving a few bucks on some things you'll be doing anyway, like going out to eat, or buying groceries, or visiting some local attractions. Of course, you could spend many frustrating hours clicking around the Internet to get to the myriad of coupon sites out there, only to find that the available coupon is for a radiator flush, or a fifth hot air balloon ride if you buy four more. Not too valuable for most people and very time consuming. So I have put together a few recommendations for online coupons that I believe are worthwhile.
Includes hundreds of 2-for-1 coupons including restaurants, attractions, car rental, golf and more. There is a charge for the book. If you'll be eating out or seeing the sights with the family, you are sure to save a lot more money than the cost. I always have an Entertainment Book on hand. It is especially helpful when relatives come to visit. The books get cheaper as the year goes on, and most coupons expire on November 1st. (Buy Direct)
Just enter your zip code, find a great coupon, pay, and print it off on your computer. No postage, no waiting. Pay close attention to restrictions on meals, such as minimum dollar requirements, times available. (Buy Direct)
I've also compiled a list of 15 restaurants with discount offers at Restaurant.com for a special occasion, a date, to take a visiting relative or even to give as a gift.
Menus, maps, coupons, gift certificates and virtual tours of restaurants in the metro Phoenix area. A bi-monthly newsletter announcing new restaurants, special events, new coupons and discounts.
Sign up for a part of town that interests you, and you'll receive emails with coupons for various lunch places in that neighborhood. Sign up for the neighborhood where you live, or the neighborhood where you work, or both! No charge.
A coupon network made up of local businesses in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. You can receive additional featured discounts by email for the local areas that interest you by joining their email club. There is no charge for coupons.
ValPak is the company that send you those packages of twenty or so coupons for local businesses in the mail every month. Well, if you threw them away or misplaced them, you can get them online. Just enter your zip code.
Sign up to search for Arizona restaurants and download money saving coupons.
If you are a golfer, the Southwest PGA Pass may save you hundreds of dollars. There is a fee for this annual pass. You can use it at more than 45 golf courses, and you will save about 50% off the posted rate. There are some restrictions, depending on the course, especially with respect to how far in advance you can reserve a tee time. You can get one at every golf course that participates. Ask around before you buy--several of the courses have special promotions (free lunch or a free round of golf) if you buy the pass at their property.
You must like saving money, or you wouldn't have gotten to the end of this article! Here are several other About.com sites that might interest you:
All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
