Readers, including stay-at-home moms and professional money savers, offered suggestions, from shopping at thrift stores to using Borax in the laundry to cut down on detergent costs.

One of the many responses came from Garner resident Faye Prosser, who teaches smart-spending workshops, has her own Web site (www.smartspendingandcouponing.com) and is author of "The Smart Spending Guide" ($12.99, Magnolia Way Publishing), which will be available in December.

Prosser offered this advice to help serious bargain hunters get the best deals:

* Shop at least two stores each week and stock up on "loss leaders," products that stores discount drastically -- sometimes so low that the store takes a loss -- just to get people in the door.

"A smart spender will grab the loss leaders and head directly for the checkout line," she said. "Do not get sucked into the aroma of rotisserie chicken and fresh-baked bread."

* Develop a price book, filling in the best prices for items you use regularly. Break the prices down into cost per unit (per ounce, per pound) so that you can decide if those bulk packages are really a good deal.

* Realize that you do have time to clip and organize coupons.

"When people tell me they don't have the time, I ask if they watch one or two TV shows per week," Prosser said. "They could do most of the legwork while they watch TV, sit in line at their child's carpool or watch their little one in a ballet class. I also ask them if they could think of anything they could do with an extra $50 to $100 a week."

Experts such as Prosser weren't the only ones who responded to our plea for other tips. Folks from all over the Triangle sent their savings ideas and favorite money-saving Web sites.

Here's just a sampling of what readers sent.

* Wake Forest resident Brenda Batchelor may get the prize for being the most into saving money. The stay-at-home mom and volunteer said she puts her cleaning bucket in the shower as the water heats up and then uses that water for cleaning or watering plants. And she passed on this tip for getting every smidgen of toothpaste out of the tube: "Cut the tube in half and dip your toothbrush inside to get every last bit. ... It's amazing how much toothpaste is left in the tube."

* Raleigh resident Christina Brunk sent a slew of suggestions, including the fact that Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens 'n Things will honor each others' coupons.

She recommends using credit cards that give you something back, such as frequent-flier miles, and comparison shopping on big-ticket items so you can take advantage of stores' price-matching policies.

"I found a desk at a furniture store for $675," she said. "I jotted down the manufacturer and found the same desk online for $540. I took the printed price sheet to the store and asked if they would match the price. They did."

* Raleigh resident Irene Silverstein correctly pointed out that when a deal is advertised as "two for a certain price," that does not mean you have to buy two or three to get the bargain. So if the sale is two for $3, one will cost $1.50.

But an additional note on this one. Some stores are very careful about the difference between "two for" deals and buy-one-get-one offerings. In some cases, if an item is on sale BOGO, buying just one will cost you the full price, since the deal is technically get one free if you buy one at full price. Make sure you know the store's policy on BOGOs so you don't end up paying more than you expected.

* Raleigh resident David Colvard suggested splitting entrees at restaurants and looking for restaurant coupons.

Recently, using a $25 coupon for a local restaurant, Colvard and his parents split a 22-ounce steak dinner, which included a baked potato, salad and dessert. He let his parents split the potato and ordered two additional salads. Total price: $14.96, plus tip.

"One of the reasons for the epidemic of obesity in our country is the inappropriately huge portion sizes served in restaurants," he said. "The easiest way to lose weight and save money is to just half the portion size. Try it."

* Margaret Doyle of Raleigh suggested finding the 800 numbers of the manufacturers on packages of products you like and telling them so.

"I call the Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and they send me at least four coupons," she said. "These coupons are at least $1 to $2 off. I have called many times, so I always have a coupon for my pet food."

* And there were more Web site recommendations, including:

www.fatwallet.com (coupons, chat room and cash-back offers)

www.couponmom.com (grocery coupons, how to organize them and best grocery deals by state)

www.savingsmania.com (printable coupons, special offers and online deals)

www.ebates.com (a free subscription that rewards loyalty by offering cash back on purchases made by linking from the site to mainstream online retailers)

www.wow-coupons.com (printable retail-store coupons and online coupons)

Now the best part: You have a chance to put your new knowledge of coupons to good use.

Lowes Foods is tripling coupons this weekend at Triangle-area stores.

The caveats: up to 20 coupons per order, up to 99 cents face value, as long as you spend $35 or more.

But like all good deals, you've got to move fast. Today's the last day.