The papers don't print most of those ads. They merely distribute them. I have often thought a good business could be made by undercutting the papers in what they charge for distribution. Heck, I would pay 50 cents/week just for the ads, myself. Then I wouldn't have to listen to my husband read me stories that I read on FR three days before!
For weekly grocery specials (Kroger, Super One, etc.) you can have them emailed to you weekly. I've been having that done for a year now...
"The papers don't print most of those ads. They merely distribute them. I have often thought a good business could be made by undercutting the papers in what they charge for distribution. Heck, I would pay 50 cents/week just for the ads, myself. Then I wouldn't have to listen to my husband read me stories that I read on FR three days before!"
The gal who delivers our local newspaper told us years ago that none of those ads are printed locally. She hates them. She has a very large route and her mileage goes down on ad delivery day. She and many of the other delivery people are asking for an extra mileage allowance on ad days. She was told by the local publisher/editor, without the ads, the newspaper would have to go to 3 times a week and the Sunday newspaper. The moment the cost of delivering these ads exceeds bulk mailing, the local paper would lose that income.
Ooops, I forgot to comment on this part of your reply:
"Heck, I would pay 50 cents/week just for the ads, myself. Then I wouldn't have to listen to my husband read me stories that I read on FR three days before!'
I basically scan the front page, sports page, and read the comics of our local fish wrap. My wife learned long ago not to try and read national or international news from it to me. She knows that we have it here days before it gets on our local rag.