the buzz log

Spending. That was so last year. These days it's all about super-gluing your wallet into your pocket, cutting up your credit cards and opening a savings account. The re-education process is starting at home, with coupon parties, where formerly flagrant shoppers are getting savings tips. Yes, like Tupperware parties. Except instead of piles of plastic, you get a Powerpoint presentation.

Let's Get This Party Started
The cost of grocery bills is enough to give anyone heartburn. Two women who figured out how to chew through high food prices are sharing their know-how on their website, BeCentsable, and with workshops in their homes and around the country (for a $25 fee). This is home economics taken to a new level. But with a few (OK, a lot) of tricks and coupon clipping and a ton of research, anyone can cut their grocery bills in half: The savvy shoppers say with a combination of store coupons plus sales and rebates, you can even end up buying two items for the price of none. Got that? If so, maybe you should start holding coupon parties of your own.

Guilt-Free Surfing
For those not inclined to celebrate savings with a scmoozy evening of coupon tips, there are plenty of online resources. Recessionistas are heading online before going to the store. Super savers are looking up everything from "coupon sites," to "coupon moms," and "coupon organizers," all surging in Search.

Sure, it's not glamorous, but it does make dollars and sense.