Larry Petro is a coupon clipper.

And not just any coupon clipper.

The New Castle man has elevated clipping to an art form, one that can save him considerable money every time he hits the stores.

"You can get a boatload full of savings just by keeping your eyes open for what's out there," said Petro, who is set to teach a coupon seminar Oct. 2 at the Butler County Community College satellite in Union Township, Lawrence County.

Petro said the general rule is simple: Combine sale items with your coupons.

Petro says to start by studying the sale fliers for stores, looking for products you usually buy, those you want to buy and generally checking on the sales that particular week.

If you spot an item on sale, buy and stock up, he said. For instance, stores often have sales or put out coupons for hot dogs during the summer months. The meat can then be frozen for later use.

Buy-one, get-one sales can save even more money and allow you to stock up on products you usually use, at sometimes substantial savings, according to Petro.

If a $3 item is buy-one, get-one and you have a 75 cents off coupon that is then doubled, the both items are virtually free, Petro said.

It also helps to know store policies on double coupons. Petro knows which ones will double coupons up to 99 cents and those that will even double $1 coupons.

On any given shopping trip, Petro uses just a few coupons or as many as 30.

"It all depends on what deals I can get," he said.

On several trips, Petro's coupon clippings have reaped great benefits.

"I got a couple hundred bucks of stuff for really pennies," he said.

He said many times he has used multiple coupons for the same item, buying "20 deodorants" or several bottles of shampoo.

Petro's hobby has become so well-known to family and friends that many will save sales fliers and coupon inserts for him. And Petro said if you find a good coupon in the Sunday paper it might save you money to buy another copy to clip an additional coupon.

"You want to save a little bit of money when you can," he said.

After-season sales can also allow savings. Candies packaged for Christmas or Valentine's Day will often go on sale for half-price after the holiday. Combine that with a coupon or even a doubled coupon and you may get the item free.

Petro also advocates coupon sharing with friends and family and utilizing the in-store coupons that are sometimes on display in the aisles or those attached to products in your shopping cart.

But Petro cautions to remain aware. Make sure you will use the item for which you have a coupon. If not, it's a bad deal.

Although he has always used coupons, he has been clipping seriously for about 10 years.

Petro said coupon clipping for the greatest savings takes time and is a gradual process.

"You learn different things you can do," he said.

WHAT: Cashing In: The Art of Couponing seminar taught by Larry Petro of New CastleWHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2WHERE: Butler County Community College satellite campus at Lawrence Crossing, 2849 W. State Street, Union Township, Lawrence County.INFO: Call 724-658-1938 for information and to register for the $12 class.