Coupons for more than just groceries

The other day our microwave that is only about 4 yrs old died. The magnetron tube went on it which after reading about this make (GE Spackmaker 1800 over the range microwave) this happens rather often in them. The tube actually comes with a 5 year warranty, but only the part is covered, not the labor, or the $80 fee just to have them come to my home. Also the turntable stopped working a few months ago. I figure it will cost about $200 just to get this thing fixed. So I figured why bother? I will just get a new one. I personally don't like GE appliances, I didn't have much of a choice, they came with the house.

After much debate I decide on Whirlpool which I have always had good luck with. So after a little bit of research I go to Lowes and the one I want they are out of. She tells me there are 3 located at a different store about 15 miles from my home and I happen to be going over their that afternoon anyway. I talk with the salesman and he gets it for me, but then starts telling me how Bisque, the color I have in my home (again not my choice, it came with the house) only accounts for 5% of the total sales for all appliances. Then it occurs to me that I won't have much to pick from when it comes to replacing my stove and dishwasher, which I WILL replace (they are GE too!). I take my $248.00 microwave up front to check out. I use a $20 off a $200 home depot coupon (did you know Lowes and Home Depot accept each others coupons?), it ended up costing me about $244.53. I take it home and have my husband remove it from my van.

The next day I get an email from my "coupon buddy" that lives about 30 miles south of me. She tells me she has a coupon for $50 off a $250 order and if I want it I can have it. I have absolutely no problem returning what I bought so I can rebuy it to save $30 more. Additionally to all those nay-sayers out there, the Lowes is only 2 miles from my house, so yes it is worth it. I start thinking about it some more and when I go to get rid of my other appliances I want more than just 3 items to pick from. So I decide I will switch to stainless steel. Then I start my research, I find a Samsung microwave at Lowes and it is better than what I have already purchased, holds more, more watts, and has an additional rack mine didn't have. And any comparible one was about $50 more in other brands. I see if anyone has complained about this microwave and really there were no complaints though it is a new model that just came out this year. I then find it on sale at Best Buy for about $20 less than Lowes. I print that paper off. I grab the coupon my friend sent me AND I also have a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase at Lowes.

I went in and returned the microwave, explaining there is nothing wrong with it, we never even opened it. I just changed my mind. I had her give me the money back on a gift card. I then went and got a Mint plant (husband wanted mint julips derby weekend), bag of birdseed, bag of dirt and my $298.00 microwave. After my coupons and the gift card it only cost me an additional $10.21.

It never hurts to spend a few minutes looking for coupons on line. Here is the link http://www.lifetakesvisa.com/?id=lawn_editorial2& to a coupon for $10 off a $25 purchase at Lowes. It says you must use your Visa.