SECTION 2 - PAGE 6- PLAINDEALER-HER ALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9.1985 Clipping and refunding game shares many terms with sports *By June Fuller - Dear June-You occasionally use the term "triple play" when you describe how a shopper used coupons and refunds to save money. Can you explain what it means? --Marian Snyder, Amarillo, Texas. Dear Marian-You make a triple play when you receive three discounts on the same item. The classic triple play is buying ̂ an item offered on sale by the supermarket, using a coupon on this same item, and then getting home and sending in the item's proof of purchase for a refund. The . Coupon Clipper L How much does a smart shopper save with a triple play? Usually 65 percent to 75 percent, and sometimes a lot more. For instance, Mrs. C.R. D'Pugh of Friendsville, Md., noticed that local supermarket was offering a special on Keebler Stone Creek Crackers: Buy one box at the regular 99-cent price and get a second box free. The store doubled her Keebler 25-cent coupon and she got two boxes for just 59-cents and saved $1.39. That made three discounts on the same item, and Mrs. D'Pugh scored her triple play. A few years ago a reader wrote in asking what I would call combining several discounts and actually getting more money back than the price paid for the item. ° I wrote back saying I would probably call this a "home run!" The name stuck and scoring home runs has become the ultimate test for avid couponers and refunders. Mrs. D'Pugh came home with her two boxes of Keebler crackers and found a Keebler full-purchase- price refund offer. She will receive 99-cents back for sen ding in a Keebler cracker proof of purchase and her smart shopping home run will earn her a 40-cent profit. I am also going to send Mrs. D'Pugh a copy of the book "Guide to Coupons and Refunds," because she cer- tasinly deserves my Smart Shopper Award. For novices who would like to get their share of combined discounts, start making double plays by combining advertised supermarket specials with coupons. A few weeks worth of coupon clipping and collecting will give you the coupon in ventory you need to draw from. Find a canceled-check file and organize your coupons by product categories. You can use the same categories I use for publishing my refund listings. Then, start checking the supermarket advertisements and match up the bargain- priced specials you can use with the coupons in your inventory. Once you get started, you will soon realize that making double and triple plays is the best supermarket game in town. It turns a trip to the supermarket from a chore into a challenge. If you want the challenge, go for it, and keep track of your savings so you can let me knbw how you're doing. Readers like Mrs. D'Pugh, whose money- saving experiences appear in my column, receive a copy of "Hie Guide to Coupons and Refunds. Write to me at P.O. Box 1149, Great Neck, NY 11023. Here's a refund form to write for: Two 50-cent coupons good on margarine or butter pur chase and new LIPTON RICE & SAUCE. New Lipton Rice & Sauce, Box SR7712, El Paso, TX 79975. There is no expiration date on this offer. While waiting for the form, save the flavor designation from the front panel of new Lipton Rice and Sauce, plus the register tapes with the purchase prices circled for butter or margarine, and the new Lipton Rice and Sauce. Here is this week's list of refund offers. Start looking for the required refund forms, which you can obtain at the supermarket, in newspaper and magazine advertisements and from trading with friends. Meanwhile, start collecting the needed proofs of purchase as detailed below. Remember, some offers are not available in all areas of the country. Today's refund offers have a value of $9.25. Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Other Main Disher (File No. 6) This offer does not require a refund form: Holly Farms 100 Best Recipes Offer, P.O. Box 32069, Cin cinnati, OH 45232. Receive a Better Homes and Gardens 100 . Best Chicken Recipes. • Send eight seals from packages of Holly Farms chicken, 50 cents for postage and. handling and your name and address on a 3- by-5 card, or $2 and no proofs of purchase. There is no ex piration date on this offer. These offers require refund forms: BUTTERBALL $2 Refund Offer. Receive a $1 refund and a $1 coupon. Send the required refund form and a Butterball oval from the package of one of the following: Butterball boneless breast of turkey, breast of turkey, or Li'l Butterball turkey. Expires Feb. 28, 1985. LOiJIS RICH Nutritional Fitness Free Guide Offer. NSend the required refund form and two proofs of purchase from any Louis Rich Cold Cut or Turkey Frank products, plus 25 cents for postage and handling. Expires Jan. 30, 1985 STEAK-UMM Half Price Refund. Receive a cash refund for half the amount paid for Steak-Umm up to $1.25. Send the required refund form and one proof-of-purchase seal from the 8-ounce size of Steak-Umm sandwich steaks, plus the register tape with the purchase price circled. Expires Jan. 31, 1985. VAN DE KAMP'S Italian Classics Offer. Receive $1.50 in coupons. Send the required refund form and the side panels from any three packages of Van de Kamp's- Italian Classics. Expires Jan. 31, 1985. WEAVER Refund Offer. Receive four 2¢ coupons good on any package of Weaver Chicken Franks, Chicken SUNGLASSES *10 WITH LENS PURCHASE BAUSCH & LOMB SOFT LENSES 49. IWkW ONLY • ̂ 'With this ail only Offer expires January 31,1985 100% REFUND TRIAL OFFER HARD LENSES 2 pairs *75 EXTENDED WEAR LENSES^ *79 BIFOCAL SOFT LENSES M99 SEMI son LENSES *125 I ASTIGMATISM SOFT LENSES '179 [TINTED SOFT LENSES *99 We also carry a complete line of designer eyewear! II within 60 days you are not completely satisfied, return your lenses (or FULL 100% Refund. Excluding professional fee. ° "CHECK AND COMPARE " PROFESSIONAL FEE INCLUDES: {Complete eye examination with glaucoma test •Private practice of registered optometrist •Unlimited office visits for 90 days •Free chemical care kit. "Noboiling" •Complete handling instructions •Initial purchase only •Contact lens Insurance available FREE Mo OUigalm Consilium • 'We ore private offices of Optometry' <4ol |uat some cheapy eyagtaa* store place., doesn't your vlsleii deeerve a private doctoral practice with professional tart? DR. H RD FESHMAN COVENTRY GREEN BUILDING 457 Coventry Lane Suite 126 Crystal Lake (815) 455-5034 SUNGLASSES M0 WITH LENS PURCHASE Franks with Cheese, Sliced Chicken Roll, Chicken Bologna, Turkey Breast or Turkey Ham Cold Cuts. Send the required refund form and four Universal Product Code symbols from any combination of Weaver Chicken Franks, Chicken Franks with Cheese and Weaver Sliced Cold Cut packages. Expires Jan. 31. Home energy assistance available nry Coi is acc r the I] istaace The McHenry County Housing Authority is accepting ap plications for the Illinois Home Energy Assistance Program. The program aids elderly and near-poor households meet the high cost of energy used to heat their homes. Applications are being taken every weekday except Friday, 9 a., to 3:30 p.m. in the housing authority office at 1118 N. Seminary in Woodstock until funds are exhausted. Applicants will find little or no waiting if they apply in the afternoons. Eligible are households and individuals whose incomes do not exceed the following maximum last 90 day income; one person, $1,556; two persons, $2,100; three persons, $2,844; four persons, $3,209; five per sons, $3,753; six persons, $4,212. Applications must bring proof of the preceding 90 day income and a current fuel bill, if they pay it themselves. Renters must bring the landlord's name and address. Special provisions such as home visits,* will be made for the elderly or disabled. Persons may be eligible for assistance if they meet income guidelines. McHenry County residents who feel they may qualify should call the housing Authority at 338-7752 and ask for Diane Kelly for further in formation. w SOFT WATER RENTAL •NO installation charge •NEW fully automatic softeners •TWO year option to buy with •FULL rental fee deducted •ONE phone call can answer rent any questions 0>r-< 312-259-3393 SOftN ® ARLINGTON SOFT WATtK CO. Plaindealer Herald •WHITE HEN PANTRY •BELL LIQUORS ~ -•« •BOLGERS DRUG STORE •OSCO DRUGS •JEWEL •HORNSBY'S •KAREN £ GINNY'S •LIQUOR MART •McHENRY HOSPITAL •FOOD MART •NORTHWEST TRAIN •ISLAND FOODS •CONVENIENT FOOD •COUNTRY CUPBOARD •SULLIVAN FOODS •UNION 76 •COLE PHARMACY •COAST TO COAST •SUNNYSIDE GAS ft QUICK MART Available At The Following Locations: 1 •J ft L GAS •ACE HARDWARE •LAKEVIEW FOODS •SUNNYSIDE FOODS •LITTLE STORE •SUNRISE GROCERY •DEBBIE'S GENERAL STORE •VILLAGE MARKET •McHENRY DRUG • J ft R FOOD MART SERVICE LINE*. A LISTING OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS COMPILED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO McHENRY McHENRY CHAMBER CP COMMERCE 585-4300 FAMILY SERVICE & MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 4302 G West Crystal Lake Rd McHenry, II60050 815-385-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS LINE McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Parents Anonymous meetings on Tuesday. Call 815-338-8080 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 - Hours:7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not known where to call? And then been given the runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD . Illinois Phone:800-972-6004 IFor confidential conversations on problems dealing with run away children) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interstate movina by companies, buses or trains, Spon sored by Interstate lommerce Commission I STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 BIRTHRIGHT Pregnant? Need Help? Counseling Service. 385-2999 74 hour Answerma Service : •* McHENRY COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL 800-892-3272 Monday throuoh Friday, 8:30 a m to 4:30 p.m. ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 24 Hours Child Abuse Hotline TOLL FREE:800-252-2878 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines. Answers inquiries about or reporting on the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys.) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800-523-2929 P.O. Box 1607, Rockville, Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system.) YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 47-19 W. Elm St., McHenry Phone:344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800-424-9393 I Answers questions aboui automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled Valuable for those interested in buying a used car.) MENTAL HEALTH 1-800-892-8900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co. 24-hour Emergency number and professional staff will answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System, NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION Post Office Box 17400, Washington, D.C. 2-0041 Phone(703)471-0404 CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3580 Chicago, II ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone:217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 666 Russel Ct., Woodstock, II60098 Phone (815) 338-7100 Job Training Offered McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE RETARDED Robert G. Lambourn, Executive Director Phone:344-1230 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (815)455-3311 McHENRY TOWNSHIP DIAL-A-RIDE 385-5671 Mondav thru Friday 8 00A M 4 OOP M Fares are $1 for adults; 50Cfor senior citizens, handicapped and students; children under 7 nding with a paying adult are free PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES.INC. 800-942-3940 Free legal representation'^ cwil cases to low income persons Landlord tenant disputes, domestic violence or improper denial of benefits such as Social Security, Public Aid, Food Stamps, General Assistance & Unem ployment Insurance.' SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN WHO BATTER Meets every Thursday 6 7 p.m. For information call 338-8080 COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS McHenry County ChapterlFor bereaved parents) CSI1 385-5732 It's hard for us to convince people we're serious about conservation. wf - So well let him do the talking. 0ssu & If you read the newspapers or magazines, you've probably seen many ads from Northern Illinois Gas encouraging people to use less gas. Well, despite all those ads, some people apparently still don't believe we're really serious about wanting people to conserve. So we thought we'd let Ben Franklin do the talking. His face is on the $100 bill. ~ And that's one of the incentives we offer, as part of our on-going conservation program. If you replace your present gas furnace or boiler with a new one that's 77% efficient or better, you can earn a $100 credit on your coming gas bills, 50% provided by Northern Illinois Gas, 50% provided by participating heating equipment manufacturers (This offer applies to certain brands and models only, so ask your contractor for details.) Or instead of the $100 credit, we can heto vou finance the cost of your new high efficiency heating equipment. - If your home needs ceiling inflation, we offer help with both financing and installation. To help determine what enerav" conservation measures would be r.-; > worthwhile, you can take advantage of a utility-sponsored home energy audit that's a great value for just $15. And we he-"* ,racial conservation programs to help low income families, senior citL :ns, and the physically" handicapped. The next time you hear someone say that "the gas company" doesn't really want people to use less gas, we hope you'll remember: ~ - At Northern Illinois Gas, when it comes to conservation, we're a lot more than just talk. © / NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS On* *t ll» NfCOft bad* aiwrgy companies