Um, this is embarrassing.
Has it really been 5 months since I've posted to this blog? Well, shoot.
Has it really been that long since I've couponed? Well, shoot again.
I have to admit, I fell off the bandwagon for a bit. I just stumbled upon my own blog (weird, right?) and reread all of my posts. And, do you know what? I'm inspired to start clipping again!
(Am I allowed to inspire myself? Is that actually a thing?)
One of my major goals for this upcoming year is to begin couponing again! I will try my best to keep this little blog updated as much as possible.
I've had several page views each day I've been gone, so thank you to those readers who have been coming back again and again, despite my laziness!
I will be back soon with a blog post with actual content!
Happy New Year! :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
How I really feel about paying bills!
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret- I love paying bills! Nope, it's not April Fool's Day... it's really true! There is something wonderful about sealing an envelope with a check in it, because I feel like I'm that much closer to being debt-free!
In the past month alone, we have been able to pay off almost $1000 in bills, simply by being more careful (much more careful!) about how we're spending. I also am doing daily check-ups of our checking account balance and making sure that every penny is being used for good.
I made up this cute little PDF that I've been using to track the spending from our checking account. It is basically the same as balancing a checkbook, but we also use it to track bank card swipes, which are much more frequent! Every night, I sit down and deduct all purchases from that day, and then write checks if I am able to. (You read that right... it gets done every single night!) I decided to begin this system because I was going absolutely crazy writing checks and then forgetting the amount, or just forgetting that I wrote them, or... whatever. With this system, I know exactly how much is in the bank at any given moment. It's usually different from what my "mobile banking" tells me, too, since the mobile banking doesn't know about checks I've sent out that haven't been taken out of our account yet. I feel so confident in our ability to pay off our debt so soon!
Here's how I use it- the first column is (obviously) for the date. The next is for a short memo- I usually shorten as much as possible! The next column (again, obviously) is for the amount. In the "check number" column, I put an X if it wasn't a check so that I don't accidentally fill in the wrong slot next time I do write a check (is this making sense?!) and then, I deduct the amount from the previous "Final Amount," which tells me how much money we actually have. Oh, and I outline "Deposit" rows in green and make sure to ADD it to the previous "Final Amount!"
Some may think it's too complicated of a system, but it definitely works for me. I like being in control of my money, because if not... my money will be in control of me!
Here's the PDF for you to use!
To print this PDF, just right-click and choose "Open this link in new tab." Enjoy! :)
In the past month alone, we have been able to pay off almost $1000 in bills, simply by being more careful (much more careful!) about how we're spending. I also am doing daily check-ups of our checking account balance and making sure that every penny is being used for good.
I made up this cute little PDF that I've been using to track the spending from our checking account. It is basically the same as balancing a checkbook, but we also use it to track bank card swipes, which are much more frequent! Every night, I sit down and deduct all purchases from that day, and then write checks if I am able to. (You read that right... it gets done every single night!) I decided to begin this system because I was going absolutely crazy writing checks and then forgetting the amount, or just forgetting that I wrote them, or... whatever. With this system, I know exactly how much is in the bank at any given moment. It's usually different from what my "mobile banking" tells me, too, since the mobile banking doesn't know about checks I've sent out that haven't been taken out of our account yet. I feel so confident in our ability to pay off our debt so soon!
Here's how I use it- the first column is (obviously) for the date. The next is for a short memo- I usually shorten as much as possible! The next column (again, obviously) is for the amount. In the "check number" column, I put an X if it wasn't a check so that I don't accidentally fill in the wrong slot next time I do write a check (is this making sense?!) and then, I deduct the amount from the previous "Final Amount," which tells me how much money we actually have. Oh, and I outline "Deposit" rows in green and make sure to ADD it to the previous "Final Amount!"
Some may think it's too complicated of a system, but it definitely works for me. I like being in control of my money, because if not... my money will be in control of me!
Here's the PDF for you to use!
To print this PDF, just right-click and choose "Open this link in new tab." Enjoy! :)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Let's talk about Aldi.
Aldi. It's been called "the poor man's grocery store." It's been labeled as "dirty." It's frequently overlooked. Lots of people are intimidated by how different it is from other grocery stores. It can be super confusing if you've never visited before!
I admit, I was really nervous the first time I wandered in a few months ago! The Aldi in my town is right down the hill from Walmart, where I do most of my normal grocery shopping, and I have to drive right past it... so, one day, I decided to stop in. (I bought one bag of potato chips, which were DELICIOUS.) I remember being confused about:
1. Needing to put a quarter into the buggy to release it. I had seen this a long, long time ago when shopping with my mom, but I didn't have a quarter. Shoot.
2. Not being able to use a credit card? Well, shoot again.
3. Did I want to buy a bag? What?!
I've heard that most people are confused about those same things, as well. But, I overcame the nerves and managed to go back to Aldi the next week and spent a considerable amount of time (and money!) there, and I've been much more confident ever since. Now, I always carry a quarter in my car so I can get a buggy. I know to use my bank card as "Debit," and I usually remember to bring my own bags. I actually love shopping at Aldi now! Since I love lists, I'll go ahead and make another one!
Why I love shopping at Aldi
1. I can bag my own groceries. Since I'm so picky about how my bags are packed, this is a huge deal to me.
2. The prices! Duh! This only came in second place (instead of first) because I am so unbelievably picky about how my groceries are packed.
3. The cashiers are lightning fast. Seriously!
4. There are no buggies rolling around the parking lot. I can park wherever and not have to worry about coming back to a dent in my bumper from a rogue cart.
5. Thus far, they have not re-arranged the inventory (as so many grocery stores love to do). I always know exactly where my favorite things are, and I know what aisles I can avoid.
6. They sell bags of frozen fruit (I buy a pineapple/peach/strawberry mix) that I use to make smoothies for $1.99/bag. I spend $4 every week on frozen fruit and have enough to make a smoothie every morning for breakfast!
7. I can stock my pantry/baking supplies for super cheap. I don't care if my flour is name brand, I just want flour! Same goes for brown sugar, sprinkles, and... well, you get the idea.
8. Their produce section is killer! I bought a bag of baby carrots today for $.59. I grated and froze them, and now that bag will last through several batches of shredded chicken!
9. The prices. Good enough to mention again!
And there you have it. I will forever be a fa of Aldi! What are your feelings? Good? Bad? Confused? Let me know!
Happy Sunday!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
How We're Saving
Hi, all! Poll results are in, and I have great news- you all want to hear about more than just coupons! That's super great news for me (and you!) because that means I can post more often, not just when I take a coupon trip.
Today's post is a little different from normal. Instead of tips and tricks or advice or whatever, I'm going to list some ways that my husband and I are saving money. They're not huge things that are saving us a large amount, but every little bit helps when you're trying to get out of debt! (Which we are. Desperately. Because debt is annoying!)
1. Coupons. Seriously, did I even need to mention this one? ;)
2. Turning down the AC. I'm going to let you in on a little secret (that everyone knows): I don't like being hot. I don't handle heat well at all. I hate being sweaty and sticky and uncomfortable. Still, though, I like to turn on the AC only when necessary. Our unit was out for 5 days last week, and... I survived! I learned where to put our 2 box fans for maximum air movement, so now we only turn on the air for a few minutes in the evening (typically when the house temperature reads over 80 degrees). I like the thought of making this month's electric bill less than last month's... let the games begin!
3. Changing when we do laundry. This one may seem silly, but hear me out. Because of the lack of a proper vent in our rental home, running the dryer makes it extremely hot and humid in the whole house. We do laundry when it is cooler outside (early mornings and late evenings) so that we can open up the windows and let the hot air out/cool air in. Doing laundry when it is too hot outside makes it stifling inside, and we don't wait to run the air too much!
4. Packing a lunch. I know I mentioned this one in an earlier post as a "tip," but I didn't actually take my own tip until a few days ago. One morning, I was running around trying to get ready, and I didn't really have time to eat breakfast or make a lunch. So, on my way to work, I drove through Tim Horton's and got a breakfast sandwich, donut, drink, and an iced coffee. First of all, let's not even talk about how many calories I consumed. Secondly, I spent about $6 just because I didn't have time to eat breakfast and also because I knew I didn't have a lunch.
That night, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on lunch items and some Pop-Tarts. I went home and portioned out all of the snack-y items (pretzels, animal crackers, etc.) into baggies and then put them into paper lunch sacks. Now, all I need to do in the mornings is grab a lunch bag, throw together a sandwich, and grab some fruit and a drink. If I haven't had breakfast yet, I'll grab a Pop-Tart (which have also been portioned out). Problem solved- there is no excuse for me to waste money on food now!
Side note: I've also noticed that portioning out the snacks and putting them in the baggies makes me completely forget that they're in the house! I don't snack on them mindlessly and then wonder why I don't have anything to pack for my lunch anymore.
5. Scouring Pinterest for recipes. If I lived alone, I would rotate the same 5 meals week after week and never try anything new. My husband, on the other hand, likes a little more variety. So, instead of buying expensive cookbooks (or having an unhappy man!), I look at Pinterest every few days to find new recipes, or ways to change things that I already make. This allows us to eat out less often... and really appreciate it when we do!
5. Regarding gasoline. Based on what I've seen, there aren't a large number of ways to save on gasoline besides walking, biking, and carpooling. Since I work 32 miles from home (and nobody else from work lives near me), none of those are an option for me, so I've made several discoveries that allow me to make the most of my gasoline!
Today's post is a little different from normal. Instead of tips and tricks or advice or whatever, I'm going to list some ways that my husband and I are saving money. They're not huge things that are saving us a large amount, but every little bit helps when you're trying to get out of debt! (Which we are. Desperately. Because debt is annoying!)
1. Coupons. Seriously, did I even need to mention this one? ;)
2. Turning down the AC. I'm going to let you in on a little secret (that everyone knows): I don't like being hot. I don't handle heat well at all. I hate being sweaty and sticky and uncomfortable. Still, though, I like to turn on the AC only when necessary. Our unit was out for 5 days last week, and... I survived! I learned where to put our 2 box fans for maximum air movement, so now we only turn on the air for a few minutes in the evening (typically when the house temperature reads over 80 degrees). I like the thought of making this month's electric bill less than last month's... let the games begin!
3. Changing when we do laundry. This one may seem silly, but hear me out. Because of the lack of a proper vent in our rental home, running the dryer makes it extremely hot and humid in the whole house. We do laundry when it is cooler outside (early mornings and late evenings) so that we can open up the windows and let the hot air out/cool air in. Doing laundry when it is too hot outside makes it stifling inside, and we don't wait to run the air too much!
4. Packing a lunch. I know I mentioned this one in an earlier post as a "tip," but I didn't actually take my own tip until a few days ago. One morning, I was running around trying to get ready, and I didn't really have time to eat breakfast or make a lunch. So, on my way to work, I drove through Tim Horton's and got a breakfast sandwich, donut, drink, and an iced coffee. First of all, let's not even talk about how many calories I consumed. Secondly, I spent about $6 just because I didn't have time to eat breakfast and also because I knew I didn't have a lunch.
That night, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on lunch items and some Pop-Tarts. I went home and portioned out all of the snack-y items (pretzels, animal crackers, etc.) into baggies and then put them into paper lunch sacks. Now, all I need to do in the mornings is grab a lunch bag, throw together a sandwich, and grab some fruit and a drink. If I haven't had breakfast yet, I'll grab a Pop-Tart (which have also been portioned out). Problem solved- there is no excuse for me to waste money on food now!
Side note: I've also noticed that portioning out the snacks and putting them in the baggies makes me completely forget that they're in the house! I don't snack on them mindlessly and then wonder why I don't have anything to pack for my lunch anymore.
5. Scouring Pinterest for recipes. If I lived alone, I would rotate the same 5 meals week after week and never try anything new. My husband, on the other hand, likes a little more variety. So, instead of buying expensive cookbooks (or having an unhappy man!), I look at Pinterest every few days to find new recipes, or ways to change things that I already make. This allows us to eat out less often... and really appreciate it when we do!
5. Regarding gasoline. Based on what I've seen, there aren't a large number of ways to save on gasoline besides walking, biking, and carpooling. Since I work 32 miles from home (and nobody else from work lives near me), none of those are an option for me, so I've made several discoveries that allow me to make the most of my gasoline!
- Filling up when our tank is 1/2 full. We're paying less each time (since filling half a tank costs half as much as filling up an empty tank!). It also makes me feel much better when I'm stuck in traffic if I have at least half a tank of gas!
- Using rewards systems for buying gas. Thomas and I have a Speedy Rewards card that we use every time we go to Speedway. If you buy a $25 gas card, you get a certain amount of Speedy points that you can redeem for free food/drink items, cents off of gas, or even gift/gas cards! Every time we need to get gas, we buy a gift card so we get those extra points. I can't even tell you how many free items we've gotten! The card has extra perks, too, like free fountain drinks when you buy 6, free bottles of Pepsi after you've purchased a certain amount, and more! If you don't have a Speedy card, I'd definitely recommend getting one.
- Leaving earlier. This allows me to relax a little and set the cruise control, meaning that I'm using less gasoline. I'm also not tempted to blast past anyone on the 2-lane road and use a bunch of gas as I speed by them at 70MPH! Don't tell my dad! ;)
- Rolling down the windows. As I said earlier, I hate being hot... but I hate paying for gas more, and AC uses more gas than I care to talk about. If I get into my car and it's obnoxiously hot, I usually run the air on high with the windows all down, just to get out all the hot air, and then I turn off the air and leave the windows down. If it gets too hot again, I'll run the air for a few minutes (windows up!) and then turn if off (windows back down!) just to cool off. I've found that it's really helpful to have the front windows 1/3 of the way down and the back windows all the way down. It keeps me cool but doesn't mess up the hair. (Very important!)
Wow... that's a long post. I hope it's helpful, though! Happy Thursday!
***Please note that I am NOT (NOT NOT NOT) a financial person... just a blogger who shares little bits of her life. Your results may vary (but I hope they don't)!***
Friday, July 5, 2013
How to Shop at Yard Sales
This post name probably sounds a little silly, right? I mean, everyone knows how to shop at a yard sale. You pull up, park, get out, roam around, buy something (or don't), and leave.
Or, maybe you're one of those people who just doesn't like yard sales. They're a waste of time, it's all "junk," everything is dirty, the stuff is too expensive... yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before!
I just so happen to be one of those people who loves yard sales. Around Wednesday of every week, I start to get what I call the "yard sale itch," and I hop onto Craigslist and browse local yard sale listings. I have tons of things in my house that were purchased from yard sales, and I guess I'd call myself something of an expert! I've rounded up some of my best tips for you to browse and (hopefully!) learn from!
1. Do your research. As I said above, I typically check out Craigslist for listings of yard/garage sales in my area. I like Craigslist because people can put as much information as they want and they can add pictures! Sometimes, though, people don't want to/have time to/know they can post online, so drive around and look for signs listing times, dates, and locations of local sales. I typically take note of signs as I drive around throughout the week and hit up any sales that look promising! Oh, and don't forget newspaper ads!
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll be doing lots of walking! A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also good ideas!
3. Do a drive-by. This isn't as shady as it sounds! If you are looking for something specific at a yard sale (for example, furniture) do a drive-by before stopping your car (as long as it's safe to do!). That way, you can quickly see if they have what you're looking for. If you're just browsing or looking for knick-knacks, though, this tip isn't for you.
4. Ask questions. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to go to a yard sale where nothing is priced! It does happen, though, and if you really want to buy an item, you have to ask for the price. (Annoying, especially for introverts like me!) Also, don't be afraid to ask if something actually works. Hopefully, the answer is yes, but I've also gotten the response of, "Well, it would work if the cord was replaced" or "We don't have the battery pack that goes with that, but it would work if you ordered one online!" (Also annoying!)
5. Don't be afraid to dig. Lots of people throw yard sales together last-minute and don't take the time to display items on tables to everything is visible. If stuff is piled in boxes or crates, dig in! (Tip: bring gloves and/or hand sanitizer with you!) You never know what you're going to find!
6. Take small bills. Especially if you're shopping early in the day, yard sale hosts probably won't be able to make change for a large bill. It really stinks to not be able to buy something just because it costs $.50 and you only have a $20 bill.
7. Haggle, haggle, haggle! I can't stress this one enough. Try to talk people down! Chances are, they'll take your offer as long as it's reasonable. At our last yard sale, I had an old Garmin GPS marked at $15, and I sold it for $10 to the first person who asked about it. We also had a loveseat for $50 and sold it for $25 because we just wanted to get rid of it. It was worth that other $25 to not have to lug it back into the garage!
8. Go later in the day. Around here, yard sales all seem to end around 3PM. I've noticed lots of times that after around 1PM, sellers start to lower prices. Again, they probably will do whatever it takes to get rid of the stuff! The downside to this tip is that, by later in the day, lots of the good stuff will already be gone.
9, Take your own bags. Even if you just take a plastic Target bag and stick it in your pocket, it'll save you from having to worry about carting all of your treasures back to the car! It is also helpful to keep a crate in the car, to move things into from the bag. That way, the items won't be rolling around in the car.
I was going to do 10 tips, but I think I'll stop at 9 for now... I enjoy odd numbers. :)
Have a fab Saturday and be sure to share your treasures with the Clip Smarter community tomorrow!
Or, maybe you're one of those people who just doesn't like yard sales. They're a waste of time, it's all "junk," everything is dirty, the stuff is too expensive... yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before!
I just so happen to be one of those people who loves yard sales. Around Wednesday of every week, I start to get what I call the "yard sale itch," and I hop onto Craigslist and browse local yard sale listings. I have tons of things in my house that were purchased from yard sales, and I guess I'd call myself something of an expert! I've rounded up some of my best tips for you to browse and (hopefully!) learn from!
1. Do your research. As I said above, I typically check out Craigslist for listings of yard/garage sales in my area. I like Craigslist because people can put as much information as they want and they can add pictures! Sometimes, though, people don't want to/have time to/know they can post online, so drive around and look for signs listing times, dates, and locations of local sales. I typically take note of signs as I drive around throughout the week and hit up any sales that look promising! Oh, and don't forget newspaper ads!
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll be doing lots of walking! A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also good ideas!
3. Do a drive-by. This isn't as shady as it sounds! If you are looking for something specific at a yard sale (for example, furniture) do a drive-by before stopping your car (as long as it's safe to do!). That way, you can quickly see if they have what you're looking for. If you're just browsing or looking for knick-knacks, though, this tip isn't for you.
4. Ask questions. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to go to a yard sale where nothing is priced! It does happen, though, and if you really want to buy an item, you have to ask for the price. (Annoying, especially for introverts like me!) Also, don't be afraid to ask if something actually works. Hopefully, the answer is yes, but I've also gotten the response of, "Well, it would work if the cord was replaced" or "We don't have the battery pack that goes with that, but it would work if you ordered one online!" (Also annoying!)
5. Don't be afraid to dig. Lots of people throw yard sales together last-minute and don't take the time to display items on tables to everything is visible. If stuff is piled in boxes or crates, dig in! (Tip: bring gloves and/or hand sanitizer with you!) You never know what you're going to find!
6. Take small bills. Especially if you're shopping early in the day, yard sale hosts probably won't be able to make change for a large bill. It really stinks to not be able to buy something just because it costs $.50 and you only have a $20 bill.
7. Haggle, haggle, haggle! I can't stress this one enough. Try to talk people down! Chances are, they'll take your offer as long as it's reasonable. At our last yard sale, I had an old Garmin GPS marked at $15, and I sold it for $10 to the first person who asked about it. We also had a loveseat for $50 and sold it for $25 because we just wanted to get rid of it. It was worth that other $25 to not have to lug it back into the garage!
8. Go later in the day. Around here, yard sales all seem to end around 3PM. I've noticed lots of times that after around 1PM, sellers start to lower prices. Again, they probably will do whatever it takes to get rid of the stuff! The downside to this tip is that, by later in the day, lots of the good stuff will already be gone.
9, Take your own bags. Even if you just take a plastic Target bag and stick it in your pocket, it'll save you from having to worry about carting all of your treasures back to the car! It is also helpful to keep a crate in the car, to move things into from the bag. That way, the items won't be rolling around in the car.
I was going to do 10 tips, but I think I'll stop at 9 for now... I enjoy odd numbers. :)
Have a fab Saturday and be sure to share your treasures with the Clip Smarter community tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Last week's Kroger trip!
Last week, I posted a picture on Facebook showing what I Purchased at Kroger for less than $5! Here it is again for you to admire.
After that trip, I decided that I really needed to go back to Kroger and pick up some more cereal. So, this was my second trip.
I was so excited that all of this was just under $10! So, all in all, for less than $17 (rounding both figures up by $1), I got...
- 13 boxes of cereal
- 3 bottles of Tone body wash
- 2 packages of Pillsbury biscuits (one of which I used to make pizza balls tonight... yum!)
- 2 bottles of barbecue sauce
- 2 bottles of mustard
AWESOME.
Here's how I did it-
Transaction 1 (first picture)
- 2 boxes of Lucky Charms: $1.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
- 2 boxes of Multi Grain Cheerios: $1.99 each & used 2 $.75/1 coupons that doubled
- 2 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $1.99 each & used 2 $.60/1 coupons that doubled
- 2 bottles of French's mustard: $.75 each & used 2 $.50/1 coupons that doubled = FREE!
- 2 packages of Pillsbury biscuits: $.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
All of these items were included in the Kroger Mega Event, where you got $5 off automatically when you bought 10 participating items.
Transaction 2 (second picture)
- 2 boxes of Lucky Charms: $1.99 each & used a $1/2 coupon
- 2 boxes of Multi Grain Cheerios: $1.99 each & used 2 $.75/1 coupons that doubled
- 3 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch: $1.99 each & used a $.60/1 coupons that doubled and a $1/2 coupon
- 3 bottles of Tone body wash: $2.77 each & used a B2G1 (buy 2, get 1) coupon and a $1.50/2 coupon
- Kraft Barbecue Sauce: $1 each and used a $1/2 coupon
All of these items (except the barbecue sauce) were included in the Kroger Mega Event, where you got $5 off automatically when you bought 10 participating items.
It's a great feeling, knowing that I have enough cereal and body wash to last for 6 months! Oh, and here is a picture of my stockpile!
It's not unusual to find me staring at it with the closet door wide open... and I have no shame in that. At least now, my husband can no longer say, "Hey, honey? I ran out of shampoo a few days ago and I've been using yours since then." He has 12 bottles JUST for him... no need to take mine!
How to be Rich* (Part II)
*Rich: having enough money to buy things that you need and some things that you want
Finally! Some things that I really love talking about! In my last post about "being rich," I talked about some ways to save money. In this post, I will be focusing on how to spend less money when you do need to spend.
Shop at thrift stores.
I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket... oops, sorry! Okay, seriously. Thrift stores are my very favorite places to shop! Whether it be Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or privately-owned shops, you can find treasures there for next to nothing. As I look around my living room, I can see 13 things that have come from thrift stores. It's kind of addicting. I plan on doing a post later about my favorite finds!
Shop at yard/garage sales.
Yard sales are great in that people typically want to get rid of everything that they have set aside to sell, so they're willing to make deals. It takes a bit of practice to know what kinds of yard sales are worth your time, but it is so much fun once you figure it out! Every Thursday evening, I get something that I call "the yard sale itch." I get on Craigslist and look for garage sales in my area and map out my Saturday morning. It may sound crazy, but... well, okay. Maybe it is crazy.
Learn how to navigate Craigslist.
Like thrift stores and yard/garage sales, Craigslist is full of junk and a few treasures. If you know what you're looking for, and know how to use the "Search" feature (which is basically the easiest thing in the world), you're all set! We have purchased several things from Craigslist, including our refrigerator (for $60)!
Know when to invest.
At my previous job, I was on my feet for literally 8 hours every day. I was walking, dancing, skipping... you know, kid stuff. And it wore my shoes out in 2 weeks flat. I went to Dots and bought a pair of cheap canvas shoes, and they lasted 2 weeks. I went to Walmart and bought a pair of cheap flats, and they lasted 2 weeks. Then, I decided to stop buying "cheap" shoes and went to Payless. (Have I mentioned that I loathe spending money?) I bought a pair of DexFlex flats and they lasted me 4 MONTHS and are still in good shape (although they have certainly had better-smelling days). Had I "splurged" and bought them from the start, I would have saved about $25.
So there you have it! Some of these are painfully obvious, but some are not-so-much. I hope that you enjoyed reading!
Finally! Some things that I really love talking about! In my last post about "being rich," I talked about some ways to save money. In this post, I will be focusing on how to spend less money when you do need to spend.
Shop at thrift stores.
I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket... oops, sorry! Okay, seriously. Thrift stores are my very favorite places to shop! Whether it be Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or privately-owned shops, you can find treasures there for next to nothing. As I look around my living room, I can see 13 things that have come from thrift stores. It's kind of addicting. I plan on doing a post later about my favorite finds!
Shop at yard/garage sales.
Yard sales are great in that people typically want to get rid of everything that they have set aside to sell, so they're willing to make deals. It takes a bit of practice to know what kinds of yard sales are worth your time, but it is so much fun once you figure it out! Every Thursday evening, I get something that I call "the yard sale itch." I get on Craigslist and look for garage sales in my area and map out my Saturday morning. It may sound crazy, but... well, okay. Maybe it is crazy.
Learn how to navigate Craigslist.
Like thrift stores and yard/garage sales, Craigslist is full of junk and a few treasures. If you know what you're looking for, and know how to use the "Search" feature (which is basically the easiest thing in the world), you're all set! We have purchased several things from Craigslist, including our refrigerator (for $60)!
Know when to invest.
At my previous job, I was on my feet for literally 8 hours every day. I was walking, dancing, skipping... you know, kid stuff. And it wore my shoes out in 2 weeks flat. I went to Dots and bought a pair of cheap canvas shoes, and they lasted 2 weeks. I went to Walmart and bought a pair of cheap flats, and they lasted 2 weeks. Then, I decided to stop buying "cheap" shoes and went to Payless. (Have I mentioned that I loathe spending money?) I bought a pair of DexFlex flats and they lasted me 4 MONTHS and are still in good shape (although they have certainly had better-smelling days). Had I "splurged" and bought them from the start, I would have saved about $25.
So there you have it! Some of these are painfully obvious, but some are not-so-much. I hope that you enjoyed reading!
Monday, June 24, 2013
How to be Rich*
*Rich: having enough money to buy things that you need and some things that you want
If you're reading this blog, you are probably interested in saving money. Coupons are a fantastic way to save money on groceries and toiletries, but there are so many other ways to save! I find myself in a trifecta of being poor (as a young, recently graduated newlywed), so I have learned a thing or two hundred about being broke. I'd love to share some tips with you and hear some of your tips, too!
Learn how to coupon effectively.
(Did I even need to list this one?)
Cut down on unnecessary expenses.
I know this seems obvious, but some people dish out money for things that they don't even need or use. Do you really still need a landline? How many of those 2,000 channels do you actually watch regularly? Can you clean your house instead of hiring the job out to someone else?
Pack a lunch.
I have a confession: I love going out to lunch in the middle of a busy day at work. It's a nice break to get away from the madness that comes with working around kids all day! At my previous job, I ate out almost every day at lunch. Now, though, I pack every day and I can't believe how much money I'm saving. Think about it: if I spent an average of $3/day for a lunch, that's $15/week. When I pack, I spend about $8 and get enough stuff to last me for 2 weeks. That's a $22 savings in just 2 weeks! In addition to saving money, I've also lost weight. Whoo!
Budget, budget, budget.
My husband and I are preparing to begin the "envelope system" method of budgeting. The name is self-explanitory, but the basic idea is that, when you receive a paycheck, you get it out in cash and divide it into envelopes. You should have a pre-determined budget for each envelope (for example, $100/paycheck for gas, $25/paycheck for eating out and entertainment, etc.). Bills go into envelopes, too, although we will be re-depositing that money into the bank and writing checks for bills. Using this system is said to give you financial freedom, because you always know where your money is going and you can budget money for things you want and need (for example, work shoes!) I also know from experience that I am much less likely to spend unnecessary money if I have to fork over cash instead of just swiping my debit card. I am excited to begin this budgeting method and will keep you updated! (I will link to more information at the bottom of this post!)
Pay off debts.
Obviously, this one is easier said than done! Thomas and I have an intimidating amount of medical bills (thanks, asthma!), a credit card, a car... OH! and student loans to pay off. It will be easier when we begin the envelope system, and I can't wait to feel the excitement of paying off loans. It'll be awhile before we're debt-free, but we're setting goals and will be working toward them.
Here are some other quick tips that I have learned:
-When eating out, drink water or share a drink with someone else. When Thomas and I go to Chipotle, we buy 1 small soft drink and just keep refilling it!
-Don't shop at convenience stores. I know, I know... they're convenient. Just remember that you'll be paying for it!
-Use cruise control. This has been a lifesaver during my 65-mile daily commute to and from work! It saves gas like you wouldn't believe. And, on that note...
-Don't let your gas tank go below half-full. There is a scientific reason for it that I can't properly explain, but I do know that it takes less money to fill it from half-a-tank than to fill the whole tank!
***Here is some more information on the envelope budgeting system!***
If you're reading this blog, you are probably interested in saving money. Coupons are a fantastic way to save money on groceries and toiletries, but there are so many other ways to save! I find myself in a trifecta of being poor (as a young, recently graduated newlywed), so I have learned a thing or two hundred about being broke. I'd love to share some tips with you and hear some of your tips, too!
Learn how to coupon effectively.
(Did I even need to list this one?)
Cut down on unnecessary expenses.
I know this seems obvious, but some people dish out money for things that they don't even need or use. Do you really still need a landline? How many of those 2,000 channels do you actually watch regularly? Can you clean your house instead of hiring the job out to someone else?
Pack a lunch.
I have a confession: I love going out to lunch in the middle of a busy day at work. It's a nice break to get away from the madness that comes with working around kids all day! At my previous job, I ate out almost every day at lunch. Now, though, I pack every day and I can't believe how much money I'm saving. Think about it: if I spent an average of $3/day for a lunch, that's $15/week. When I pack, I spend about $8 and get enough stuff to last me for 2 weeks. That's a $22 savings in just 2 weeks! In addition to saving money, I've also lost weight. Whoo!
Budget, budget, budget.
My husband and I are preparing to begin the "envelope system" method of budgeting. The name is self-explanitory, but the basic idea is that, when you receive a paycheck, you get it out in cash and divide it into envelopes. You should have a pre-determined budget for each envelope (for example, $100/paycheck for gas, $25/paycheck for eating out and entertainment, etc.). Bills go into envelopes, too, although we will be re-depositing that money into the bank and writing checks for bills. Using this system is said to give you financial freedom, because you always know where your money is going and you can budget money for things you want and need (for example, work shoes!) I also know from experience that I am much less likely to spend unnecessary money if I have to fork over cash instead of just swiping my debit card. I am excited to begin this budgeting method and will keep you updated! (I will link to more information at the bottom of this post!)
Pay off debts.
Obviously, this one is easier said than done! Thomas and I have an intimidating amount of medical bills (thanks, asthma!), a credit card, a car... OH! and student loans to pay off. It will be easier when we begin the envelope system, and I can't wait to feel the excitement of paying off loans. It'll be awhile before we're debt-free, but we're setting goals and will be working toward them.
Here are some other quick tips that I have learned:
-When eating out, drink water or share a drink with someone else. When Thomas and I go to Chipotle, we buy 1 small soft drink and just keep refilling it!
-Don't shop at convenience stores. I know, I know... they're convenient. Just remember that you'll be paying for it!
-Use cruise control. This has been a lifesaver during my 65-mile daily commute to and from work! It saves gas like you wouldn't believe. And, on that note...
-Don't let your gas tank go below half-full. There is a scientific reason for it that I can't properly explain, but I do know that it takes less money to fill it from half-a-tank than to fill the whole tank!
***Here is some more information on the envelope budgeting system!***
Friday, June 21, 2013
Brand Loyalty
If you're anything like me, you know exactly what you want at the grocery store. It used to be that whenever I went to the store with a list of items to purchase, I knew exactly what brands to pick up. Typically, it was whatever brand was cheapest. This all changed, though, when I started to use coupons. When I first began clipping, I would only look for coupons/sales for my usual brand, assuming that anything else would be too expensive. My eyes would totally ignore coupons for any brand besides what I was used to. I've learned, though, that it is good to try new things... especially when they're dirt cheap!
Frequently, higher-priced brands will have higher-value coupons that, when paired with a sale, will make that brand cheaper than a lesser-quality product!
(As much as I love saving money, this was a hard lesson. I am definitely a creature of habit!)
Nowadays, I really couldn't care less what brands I pick up. I can't tell you what brand of toothpaste is in my bathroom right now, or what kind of body wash my husband uses. (I know what kind I use, because I got a killer deal on it!) There are, though, a few brands I will not stray from, even if I have coupons for another brand.
1.) Q-tips. I think I'm a Q-tip snob. I'm one of those crazies who carries them all the time, and I've found that no other cotton swabs do the trick.
2.) Purina. My cat did not ask to be adopted by someone ascheap frugal as me, and I don't think she should have to settle for a lesser-quality brand because I don't want to shell out a few extra dollars. To me, it's worth the extra cost to keep her healthy. (Oh, and also because I bought generic food once and she wouldn't go within 10 feet of her food bowl. Oops!)
3.) TruMoo. This is kind of a silly one, but I absolutely love chocolate milk, and TruMoo is the best brand. I don't buy it all the time, but I think it's worth the money to have something that I will actually want to drink.
So! There you go. If you want to be a successful couponer, you need to be open to trying new brands... but keep in mind that it's okay to have a handful of brands to be loyal to.
Frequently, higher-priced brands will have higher-value coupons that, when paired with a sale, will make that brand cheaper than a lesser-quality product!
(As much as I love saving money, this was a hard lesson. I am definitely a creature of habit!)
Nowadays, I really couldn't care less what brands I pick up. I can't tell you what brand of toothpaste is in my bathroom right now, or what kind of body wash my husband uses. (I know what kind I use, because I got a killer deal on it!) There are, though, a few brands I will not stray from, even if I have coupons for another brand.
1.) Q-tips. I think I'm a Q-tip snob. I'm one of those crazies who carries them all the time, and I've found that no other cotton swabs do the trick.
2.) Purina. My cat did not ask to be adopted by someone as
3.) TruMoo. This is kind of a silly one, but I absolutely love chocolate milk, and TruMoo is the best brand. I don't buy it all the time, but I think it's worth the money to have something that I will actually want to drink.
So! There you go. If you want to be a successful couponer, you need to be open to trying new brands... but keep in mind that it's okay to have a handful of brands to be loyal to.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Coupon Policies
If you read my Coupon Standoff post, you know how important it is to know the policies of the stores you are shopping at! Some people even suggest printing out each store's policy to carry with you, in case you run into problems with the cashiers. (Many aren't adequately trained in the coupon department!) To make it super easy for you to know different stores' policies, I have listed several here. Feel free to print them off and carry them with you, but make sure that you know the rules before you try to coupon in a store!
If a store that you frequent isn't listed here, just Google "(store's name) coupon policy." Please let me know if there are more stores you'd like me to add! :)
Walmart
Kroger
CVS
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
Walgreens
Target
Rite Aid
Meijer
Giant Eagle
If a store that you frequent isn't listed here, just Google "(store's name) coupon policy." Please let me know if there are more stores you'd like me to add! :)
Walmart
Kroger
CVS
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
Walgreens
Target
Rite Aid
Meijer
Giant Eagle
Sunday, April 28, 2013
How I organize my shopping trips!
I wanted to take a minute to share with you all how I organize my trips to the store! You already know about the coupon caddy that I use, but I want to give you a sneak peek at how I plan the trips.
I browse through local ads and use websites like Kroger Krazy and Coupon Mom to find the best deals on items I need and have coupons for. Then, I grab one of my grocery shopping sheets and fill it out!
Here's the fun part- I will send a PDF file of my grocery list to anyone who wants it! Feel free to use it for your own personal couponing. Comment below (or on my Facebook page) with your email address and I will send it to you. Thanks for reading! :)
I browse through local ads and use websites like Kroger Krazy and Coupon Mom to find the best deals on items I need and have coupons for. Then, I grab one of my grocery shopping sheets and fill it out!
The different columns are:
Quantity: the number of the item I intend on purchasing
Item: the brand name of the item and specific quantity (ex: Bounce dryer sheets [40 count])
Cost per: the cost per item
Total: the total of the quantity of items before coupons
Coupons: coupons I have plus any store discounts
Final total: what I expect to pay after store discounts and coupons
I have the first "Total" to help when I am shopping an event like "Save $5 when you spend $25." While I don't actually intend to spend $25 of my money, I need to make sure that the total of my items before coupons is $25.
Here's the fun part- I will send a PDF file of my grocery list to anyone who wants it! Feel free to use it for your own personal couponing. Comment below (or on my Facebook page) with your email address and I will send it to you. Thanks for reading! :)
Saturday, April 27, 2013
The Standoff
Well, I had my first coupon standoff today. I have been so afraid of this day because I wasn't sure that I knew enough about different stores' coupon policies, but I stood my ground when I was challenged and... read on to see what happened!
Last week, I went to Dollar General and, on my receipt, got a coupon for $5 off of $25 today only. So, this morning, I sat down and planned my trip based on current sales and coupons I had. My list was:
6 Renuzit air fresheners ($1 each/used a buy 3, get 3 free coupon)
1 Poise wipes ($3.50/used a $3 off coupon)
5 Bounce dryer sheet boxes ($2 each/used a $3/3 coupon and a $1.50/2 coupon)
2 Glade candles ($3 each/used a $1.50 coupon)
Without coupons, my total was $25.50. To use the $5 coupon, the total needed to be $25 before taxes, so I was good to go! I took Thomas (my husband) with me and we picked up all of our items and headed to check out. The cashier rang up the items and then asked me for my coupons. I gave her the $5/$25 coupon first (which she pushed to the side) and then the others. She scanned my other coupons first, and then she informed me that she wouldn't be able to scan the $5/$25 because my purchase was no longer $25. I quickly corrected her and told her that the $5/$25 one should have been scanned first, and she continued to argue. She called over another cashier who agreed with her (even after I explained that the $5/$25 was supposed to come first).
I very politely told the cashiers that I would be more than happy to take my coupons and leave without my items (fully intending to go to the DG on the other side of town), and they then called over the manager... who told them I was right! The cashiers were both incredibly embarrassed (especially because there were 10 people in line behind me at that point), but I was very proud that I stood up for myself.
I was able to do this because I knew their coupon policy. It is so important to know (or carry a copy of) stores' coupon policies in case something like this happens to you. Had I not known for sure that I was right, there is no way that I would have stood there and argued for 10 minutes. In the end, though, I got my $5 off which brought my whole purchase down to under $10! (And I got another $5/$25 coupon for next Friday... let's hope they have themselves together before then!)
Last week, I went to Dollar General and, on my receipt, got a coupon for $5 off of $25 today only. So, this morning, I sat down and planned my trip based on current sales and coupons I had. My list was:
6 Renuzit air fresheners ($1 each/used a buy 3, get 3 free coupon)
1 Poise wipes ($3.50/used a $3 off coupon)
5 Bounce dryer sheet boxes ($2 each/used a $3/3 coupon and a $1.50/2 coupon)
2 Glade candles ($3 each/used a $1.50 coupon)
Without coupons, my total was $25.50. To use the $5 coupon, the total needed to be $25 before taxes, so I was good to go! I took Thomas (my husband) with me and we picked up all of our items and headed to check out. The cashier rang up the items and then asked me for my coupons. I gave her the $5/$25 coupon first (which she pushed to the side) and then the others. She scanned my other coupons first, and then she informed me that she wouldn't be able to scan the $5/$25 because my purchase was no longer $25. I quickly corrected her and told her that the $5/$25 one should have been scanned first, and she continued to argue. She called over another cashier who agreed with her (even after I explained that the $5/$25 was supposed to come first).
I very politely told the cashiers that I would be more than happy to take my coupons and leave without my items (fully intending to go to the DG on the other side of town), and they then called over the manager... who told them I was right! The cashiers were both incredibly embarrassed (especially because there were 10 people in line behind me at that point), but I was very proud that I stood up for myself.
I was able to do this because I knew their coupon policy. It is so important to know (or carry a copy of) stores' coupon policies in case something like this happens to you. Had I not known for sure that I was right, there is no way that I would have stood there and argued for 10 minutes. In the end, though, I got my $5 off which brought my whole purchase down to under $10! (And I got another $5/$25 coupon for next Friday... let's hope they have themselves together before then!)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Unspoken Rules
If you've ever tried using more than a few coupons in one trip to the store, you've probably run into a few people (typically cashiers and anyone in line behind you) who give you a hard time. People will say that your coupon usage is annoying and that it's just wasting time. Some cashiers seem to be under the impression that people who use coupons are trying to steal from the store.
Here's the thing: it's going to happen. People are going to be rude.
They're going to say stuff.
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about it.
There are, however, things you can do to cut down on comments like these. After much research (because I didn't want to be "that" person in the store), I found a few coupon etiquette tips that I'm always careful to use.
1. Use coupons correctly. If the coupon says, "Not valid on trial or travel sizes," don't try to use it on the smaller sizes and get frustrated when it doesn't work. If the coupon says, "One coupon per household," don't try to use several in one transaction and be offended when the cashier won't accept them. Also, don't copy coupons. It's stealing.
2. Don't clear shelves. This is something I see on TV all the time that drives me crazy! People will walk up to a shelf of product (toilet paper, granola bars, etc.)and take every single one. Then, the next person will come (only wanting one or two of the product)... and there is nothing there. It's happened to me several times, and it is incredibly frustrating and annoying. Don't be one of those people. If you have 100 coupons that you really, really, really want to use, try going to several stores or spacing your purchase out over the course of several days.
3. Shop during off-hours. This is for your own sake, the sake of the cashiers, and the sake of other shoppers. If you are trying to browse shelves and sift through coupons while people are pushing past you in the aisles, it's tough for everyone. Likewise, if you are trying to use many coupons during a busy time and the cashier is worried about the 12 people in line behind you (and having to deal with their crankiness after having to deal with your coupons), they are probably going to be less-than-friendly. But, if you're shopping when there aren't many other shoppers there for you (and the cashiers) to worry about, it will be a more pleasant experience for everyone!
4. Make sure your coupons are valid. Please, please, please make sure you do this before you attempt to check out. It happened to me once- I was trying to use a Dollar General coupon at Walmart (for a buy-3-get-3-free deal) and the cashier looked at the coupon, looked at me, and explained the problem. That only took a few seconds, but then he had to go back through and re-scan each of the items and remove them from my bags. It was really embarrassing. Making sure your coupons are valid also includes ensuring that you're using them before they expire. The store may accept them (if the cashier isn't paying attention), but the store may not be reimbursed!
Please feel free to Google for more coupon etiquette! Don't be "that" person... :)
Here's the thing: it's going to happen. People are going to be rude.
They're going to say stuff.
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about it.
There are, however, things you can do to cut down on comments like these. After much research (because I didn't want to be "that" person in the store), I found a few coupon etiquette tips that I'm always careful to use.
1. Use coupons correctly. If the coupon says, "Not valid on trial or travel sizes," don't try to use it on the smaller sizes and get frustrated when it doesn't work. If the coupon says, "One coupon per household," don't try to use several in one transaction and be offended when the cashier won't accept them. Also, don't copy coupons. It's stealing.
2. Don't clear shelves. This is something I see on TV all the time that drives me crazy! People will walk up to a shelf of product (toilet paper, granola bars, etc.)and take every single one. Then, the next person will come (only wanting one or two of the product)... and there is nothing there. It's happened to me several times, and it is incredibly frustrating and annoying. Don't be one of those people. If you have 100 coupons that you really, really, really want to use, try going to several stores or spacing your purchase out over the course of several days.
3. Shop during off-hours. This is for your own sake, the sake of the cashiers, and the sake of other shoppers. If you are trying to browse shelves and sift through coupons while people are pushing past you in the aisles, it's tough for everyone. Likewise, if you are trying to use many coupons during a busy time and the cashier is worried about the 12 people in line behind you (and having to deal with their crankiness after having to deal with your coupons), they are probably going to be less-than-friendly. But, if you're shopping when there aren't many other shoppers there for you (and the cashiers) to worry about, it will be a more pleasant experience for everyone!
4. Make sure your coupons are valid. Please, please, please make sure you do this before you attempt to check out. It happened to me once- I was trying to use a Dollar General coupon at Walmart (for a buy-3-get-3-free deal) and the cashier looked at the coupon, looked at me, and explained the problem. That only took a few seconds, but then he had to go back through and re-scan each of the items and remove them from my bags. It was really embarrassing. Making sure your coupons are valid also includes ensuring that you're using them before they expire. The store may accept them (if the cashier isn't paying attention), but the store may not be reimbursed!
Please feel free to Google for more coupon etiquette! Don't be "that" person... :)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tips for your first few trips- Part 1
Lots of people who are just starting out get super excited about all of their coupons and want to use all of them right away... and I advise against that! If you start off too strong, you will get burned out, frustrated, and may even give up on using coupons. If you ease into it gradually, though, you will quickly learn the ropes and become a confident shopper!
The best way to start is... small. Find a store in your area that does price-matching. Walmart stores, for example, will price-match any store within 50 miles. Choose a few items to price-match and be sure to bring in the competitor's ads, in case they give you a rough time. Walmart workers are notorious for giving customers a hard time with price-matches and coupons. (Tip: when price-matching, tell the cashier as soon as you begin checking out that you are price-matching certain items. Then, as they scan each item, tell them the price-match price [or show them the ad, if they want]. It may also be helpful to separate the price-match items from the other items!) (Tip: when doing price-matches and using coupons, try to find a young cashier. They seem to be much more understanding and patient!)
I did price-matching for several months before I began using coupons. It's a great way to save a few dollars and time running around town! Be aware, though, that even if Walmart is matching other stores' prices, you will begin to save lots more money when you use coupons and shop at stores that double them! :)
When you're ready to use the coupons you've collected clipped, and filed, go into a store that you know well, armed with only a few coupons. There's no need to go to every store in town with every coupon in your Sunday paper! The first time I went to Kroger with the intention of really using coupons, I had 2 coupons for small tubes of deodorant, 2 coupons for bigger tubes of deodorant, and 2 coupons for body wash. I didn't know whether they would double or if they would even work. (I was very skeptical after many failed attempts to "coupon.") To my surprise, they all worked (and doubled to $1!) and I walked out with all 6 products for under $6! I called my mom and told her about my GREAT shopping trip and my new tiny stockpile, and I was hooked!
If I had started with many more coupons, I know I would have been super stressed out and maybe not even tried to use them. But, since I started small, I was able to handle it! I still don't have a ton of things in my stockpile (and still call it my "tiny stockpile,") but it's slowly growing! I love knowing that I have enough deodorant to last for several months and that my husband won't have to use my shampoo when his bottle runs out.
[I'm trying to upload a picture of my tiny stockpile... it isn't working!]
Stay tuned for more tips for your first trips! :)
The best way to start is... small. Find a store in your area that does price-matching. Walmart stores, for example, will price-match any store within 50 miles. Choose a few items to price-match and be sure to bring in the competitor's ads, in case they give you a rough time. Walmart workers are notorious for giving customers a hard time with price-matches and coupons. (Tip: when price-matching, tell the cashier as soon as you begin checking out that you are price-matching certain items. Then, as they scan each item, tell them the price-match price [or show them the ad, if they want]. It may also be helpful to separate the price-match items from the other items!) (Tip: when doing price-matches and using coupons, try to find a young cashier. They seem to be much more understanding and patient!)
I did price-matching for several months before I began using coupons. It's a great way to save a few dollars and time running around town! Be aware, though, that even if Walmart is matching other stores' prices, you will begin to save lots more money when you use coupons and shop at stores that double them! :)
When you're ready to use the coupons you've collected clipped, and filed, go into a store that you know well, armed with only a few coupons. There's no need to go to every store in town with every coupon in your Sunday paper! The first time I went to Kroger with the intention of really using coupons, I had 2 coupons for small tubes of deodorant, 2 coupons for bigger tubes of deodorant, and 2 coupons for body wash. I didn't know whether they would double or if they would even work. (I was very skeptical after many failed attempts to "coupon.") To my surprise, they all worked (and doubled to $1!) and I walked out with all 6 products for under $6! I called my mom and told her about my GREAT shopping trip and my new tiny stockpile, and I was hooked!
If I had started with many more coupons, I know I would have been super stressed out and maybe not even tried to use them. But, since I started small, I was able to handle it! I still don't have a ton of things in my stockpile (and still call it my "tiny stockpile,") but it's slowly growing! I love knowing that I have enough deodorant to last for several months and that my husband won't have to use my shampoo when his bottle runs out.
[I'm trying to upload a picture of my tiny stockpile... it isn't working!]
Stay tuned for more tips for your first trips! :)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday Shopping Trip!
As some of you may know, I wound up in the ER this past Sunday night due to a nasty asthma attack. Because we didn't leave the hospital until very late, I called off of work on Monday. Even though I didn't have to work, I felt amazing when I woke up Monday morning. (It's amazing how great you feel when you're able to breathe!) I decided to make the most of my day off by doing the shopping I wasn't able to do on Sunday (because, you know, my lips were blue).
Yesterday, I posted this picture on Facebook. (The picture does not include my 2 1-pound boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios!) This was my shopping trip that included a trip to Kroger and a stop at Rite Aid. Total retail value was around $85... and I paid around $15. I'm going to break down how I did it!
First stop: Kroger
**Please note that each item listed below was part of a Kroger promotion where if you buy 5 participating items, you get $5 off of your purchase. The "on sale for" price was the price after that sale. Since I bought 15 items, I automatically saved $15 off of the retail price.**
1. 2 1-lb boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios
-On sale for $1.99 each
-I used a $1 off of 2 boxes ($1/2) coupon
-Cost: $1.49 each
2. 1 1-lb box of Lucky Charms
3. 1 1-lb box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
-Both on sale for $1.99 each
-I used a $1 off of 2 boxes ($1/2) coupon
-Cost: $1.49 each
4. 2 boxes Fruit Roll-Ups
-On sale for $1.89 each
-I used a $.60/2 coupon that doubled to $1/2
-Cost: $1.39 each
5. 2 Downy Unstoppables
-On sale for $3.99 each
-I used 2 $2/1 coupons
-Cost: $1.99 each
6. 4 Satin Care Shave Gels
-On sale for $.99 each
-I used 2 $.50/1 coupons (I had only planned on buying 2 of these [since I only had 2 coupons], but Kroger was out of another product that I had planned on buying 2 of. Since these were so cheap, I grabbed 2 more so that I would have a multiple of 5 purchases to get the sale prices I wanted!)
-Cost: $.50 each
7. 1 tube of Crest Pro Health
-On sale for $1.69
-I used a $1/1 coupon
-Cost: $.69
8. 1 Formula 409
-On sale for $1.49
-I used a $1/1 coupon
-Cost: $.49
9. 1 Pine Sol (Original Scent)
-On sale for $1.49
-I used a $1.50/1 coupon
-Cost: FREE! (And, seriously, I couldn't be happier. This stuff smells SO great!)
10. 1 tube of Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste
-Sale price: 2 for $3 or $1.50 each (Not part of $5/5 sale)
-I used a $.75/1 coupon that doubled to $1/1
-Cost: $.50
On my Kroger Plus Card, I had a "$5 off your next purchase" coupon from entering a Pillsbury recipe contest.
After tax, the price was $11.40.
Second Stop: Rite Aid
1. 2 14-lb boxes of kitty litter
-Normal cost: $8.99 each
-On sale for $5 each (with Wellness card)
-I used 2 $3.50/1 coupons
-Cost: $3.65
Special thanks to krogerkrazy.com for helping me get such great deals on my purchases!
Monday, April 15, 2013
How to Organize Coupons
I am a firm believer that coupons are the best way to save money on things you buy... but they only work if you know where yours are!
There are probably a thousand different ways to organize coupons. Binders, shoeboxes, plastic baggies, accordion files... if you can think of it, it's probably been done. There is no "best" way for me to tell you to organize your coupons, because each person thinks differently and organizes things differently. I can, however, introduce you to a few different popular ways to organize. You can choose one of these, choose a different method, or mix and match!
Caddy Method
This is my current preferred method of organizing my coupons. It was cheap (my favorite!) and, since I did it all myself, it is completely customized to how I want it. I have it separated into several different sections, and each section has its own categories. The purple tabs are for non-food items, and the pink tabs are for edible items. Target has its own section that holds my Target Web Coupons (which can be stacked with manufacturer's coupons). In the very front, I keep coupons for pet-related items. You never know when pet items are going to be really cheap (or free!), and shelters love getting donations for these kinds of things.
I use this method because it is easy for me to organize my coupons. I put things in the categories that make sense to me, and I know exactly where to look if I need a coupon while in the store. This little caddy is also really easy for me to carry around and stick in the kid-carrying part of my buggy while I'm shopping. Clipping coupons and organizing them like this takes more time up-front (with clipping and filing), but it makes my trips to the store much quicker. When I see an item on clearance, it takes me only a few seconds to know whether I have a coupon for it.
Shoebox Method
This method is one for people who don't want to clip each coupon and file it. With this method, you simply place the weekly coupon inserts in a gallon-sized plastic baggie and mark it with the date. Then, use sites like CouponMom to find out what coupons you need for your next trip. Look in the baggie for the right coupon, and then clip it! Much less time up front, but more time later (as you're sifting and clipping).
There are probably a thousand different ways to organize coupons. Binders, shoeboxes, plastic baggies, accordion files... if you can think of it, it's probably been done. There is no "best" way for me to tell you to organize your coupons, because each person thinks differently and organizes things differently. I can, however, introduce you to a few different popular ways to organize. You can choose one of these, choose a different method, or mix and match!
Caddy Method
This is my current preferred method of organizing my coupons. It was cheap (my favorite!) and, since I did it all myself, it is completely customized to how I want it. I have it separated into several different sections, and each section has its own categories. The purple tabs are for non-food items, and the pink tabs are for edible items. Target has its own section that holds my Target Web Coupons (which can be stacked with manufacturer's coupons). In the very front, I keep coupons for pet-related items. You never know when pet items are going to be really cheap (or free!), and shelters love getting donations for these kinds of things.
I use this method because it is easy for me to organize my coupons. I put things in the categories that make sense to me, and I know exactly where to look if I need a coupon while in the store. This little caddy is also really easy for me to carry around and stick in the kid-carrying part of my buggy while I'm shopping. Clipping coupons and organizing them like this takes more time up-front (with clipping and filing), but it makes my trips to the store much quicker. When I see an item on clearance, it takes me only a few seconds to know whether I have a coupon for it.
Accordion File Method
This method is similar with the one listed above, except that the coupons are organized into an accordion-style folder. This is good for the same reasons mentioned above! This is what I based my caddy method off of, but I wanted something I could carry in my purse all the time.
Binder Method
This method is really great for people who need to be able to see all of their coupons at once. By using a binder and clear page protectors, baseball card holders, and dividers, you can give each coupon its own pocket (and put multiples behind them).
Personally, I don't think I would like hauling around a big binder full of coupons. It seems a little bulky and inconvenient, but it is a great method for those who want everything laid out and immediately visible. However, it is super quick to find the coupons you need!
Shoebox Method
This method is one for people who don't want to clip each coupon and file it. With this method, you simply place the weekly coupon inserts in a gallon-sized plastic baggie and mark it with the date. Then, use sites like CouponMom to find out what coupons you need for your next trip. Look in the baggie for the right coupon, and then clip it! Much less time up front, but more time later (as you're sifting and clipping).
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Where do I get coupons?!
As I see it, there are 2 main sources of coupons: newspaper inserts and the internet.
Newspaper Inserts
There are 3 main coupon inserts that come in the Sunday newspaper:
Redplum (RP)
Proctor and Gamble (PG)
SmartSource (SS)
Obviously, these all have websites as well. You can usually get on the websites and print off coupons that can be different or the same as the ones printed in the newspaper.
How do you get the Sunday paper? Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is to subscribe. Many newspapers (including the Columbus Dispatch) offer Sunday-only subscriptions so you can have it delivered right to your front door! (Or, in our case, to the parking lot outside of our apartment complex or somewhere in the grass... but that's a story for another time!) Most stores and gas stations also sell Sunday newspapers for under $2. I usually stop at the gas station on Sundays and grab a second newspaper, especially if there are great coupons! (Tip: instead of just picking up the newspaper at the top of the stack, I look through several papers. Sometimes you can find one that has multiple copies of the same insert!)
Internet
Oh, the internet. With all of the information floating around out there, I'm sure that there are thousands of websites that you can use to look at and/or print coupons. Printing coupons from your home computer is quick and safe. You may have to install to install the coupon printer application, but it will only happen once per website. There are 4 websites that I frequent that have helped me save a lot of money (and, just as importantly, time)!
Coupons.com is a website that allows you to view and print pages and pages of coupons. It is a great source of coupons for cereal and other food staples. Currently, there is over $400 in savings available to print. You can usually print 2 of the same coupons per computer.
CouponMom is a handy little website that lays out the best coupon deals for you! It shows current deals (by store and by state) what current coupons match up with those sales, allowing for maximum savings! This site has saved me a bunch of time. Instead of studying each individual store's weekly ad and sifting through my coupon caddy, I just go to this website and see what the best deals are. (Tip: after you create your [free] account, click on "How to Coupon" to learn how the website works!)
The Krazy Coupon Lady is a great site that has tons of information! It has links to help for beginners, but my two favorite parts are the Extreme Couponing link (which shows super deals) and the Brag Lounge, which never fails to inspire me. The Brag Lounge also frequently shows deals that I would have otherwise missed.
Kroger Krazy is a website dedicated to showing you how to save the most money at (you guessed it!) Kroger! This website is amazing. It allowed me to buy 15 packs of Pampers baby wipes for less than $1!
Newspaper Inserts
There are 3 main coupon inserts that come in the Sunday newspaper:
Redplum (RP)
Proctor and Gamble (PG)
SmartSource (SS)
Obviously, these all have websites as well. You can usually get on the websites and print off coupons that can be different or the same as the ones printed in the newspaper.
How do you get the Sunday paper? Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is to subscribe. Many newspapers (including the Columbus Dispatch) offer Sunday-only subscriptions so you can have it delivered right to your front door! (Or, in our case, to the parking lot outside of our apartment complex or somewhere in the grass... but that's a story for another time!) Most stores and gas stations also sell Sunday newspapers for under $2. I usually stop at the gas station on Sundays and grab a second newspaper, especially if there are great coupons! (Tip: instead of just picking up the newspaper at the top of the stack, I look through several papers. Sometimes you can find one that has multiple copies of the same insert!)
Internet
Oh, the internet. With all of the information floating around out there, I'm sure that there are thousands of websites that you can use to look at and/or print coupons. Printing coupons from your home computer is quick and safe. You may have to install to install the coupon printer application, but it will only happen once per website. There are 4 websites that I frequent that have helped me save a lot of money (and, just as importantly, time)!
Coupons.com is a website that allows you to view and print pages and pages of coupons. It is a great source of coupons for cereal and other food staples. Currently, there is over $400 in savings available to print. You can usually print 2 of the same coupons per computer.
CouponMom is a handy little website that lays out the best coupon deals for you! It shows current deals (by store and by state) what current coupons match up with those sales, allowing for maximum savings! This site has saved me a bunch of time. Instead of studying each individual store's weekly ad and sifting through my coupon caddy, I just go to this website and see what the best deals are. (Tip: after you create your [free] account, click on "How to Coupon" to learn how the website works!)
The Krazy Coupon Lady is a great site that has tons of information! It has links to help for beginners, but my two favorite parts are the Extreme Couponing link (which shows super deals) and the Brag Lounge, which never fails to inspire me. The Brag Lounge also frequently shows deals that I would have otherwise missed.
Kroger Krazy is a website dedicated to showing you how to save the most money at (you guessed it!) Kroger! This website is amazing. It allowed me to buy 15 packs of Pampers baby wipes for less than $1!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Anatomy of a Coupon
I know, I know. If you're reading this blog, you probably already know what coupons are. But this post is about more than just defining them, I promise. :)
To begin: a coupon is an advertisement that gives you (the coupon holder) a certain amount off of the cost of a particular item or items. There are several parts to a coupon, which I'll go over... now!
This is a coupon. The information includes: the dollar amount to be taken off, the specific product, the barcode, the limits, the expiration date, and the words "Manufacturer's Coupon." (I chose this coupon because it expired in 2008, is valid only in Canada, and because it showed up on my Google image search.)
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The first part is self-explanatory. If you buy this specific product you will receive this specific amount of money off.
Some coupons say something like, "Limit one coupon per transaction." That means that for each time you pay, you can only use one coupon. If you'd like to use two coupons with that limit, you must make 2 transactions and pay 2 times.
The last part of the coupon I'm going to talk about is pretty important. This coupon says "Manufacturer's Coupon." That means that Rubbermaid produced this coupon, and Rubbermaid will reimburse the store for each coupon that the store turns in (provided that they each have a unique barcode!). You can not use 2 manufacturer's coupons on 1 item. (If you have 2 toothpaste coupons from Colgate, you have to buy 2 tubes to use both coupons.)
To begin: a coupon is an advertisement that gives you (the coupon holder) a certain amount off of the cost of a particular item or items. There are several parts to a coupon, which I'll go over... now!
This is a coupon. The information includes: the dollar amount to be taken off, the specific product, the barcode, the limits, the expiration date, and the words "Manufacturer's Coupon." (I chose this coupon because it expired in 2008, is valid only in Canada, and because it showed up on my Google image search.)
.jpg)
The first part is self-explanatory. If you buy this specific product you will receive this specific amount of money off.
The barcode is an important of the coupon. Don't cut it off! Most stores won't accept a coupon without a barcode. Each coupon has a unique barcode, and stores get reimbursed for each coupon that they turn in with that unique barcode. If you make photocopies of a coupon, the store will not be reimbursed for each coupon that has a duplicated barcode. If you make 9 copies of a $1 coupon, you are essentially stealing $9 from the store, since they won't be reimbursed for the fake coupons.
The "Limits" portion of a coupon can get a little tricky. Most coupons will have a line that says something like, "Limit one coupon per purchase per visit." Unlike what lots of people think, this does not mean that you can only use one like coupon per shopping trip! Each item purchased is a separate "purchase." If you buy 5 tubes of toothpaste, you have made 5 "purchases" and can use 5 coupons.
The expiration date is another self-explanatory part of the coupon... use them before they expire! :)
Some stores (like Target) have store coupons that are produced by the store. They will not be reimbursed for these coupons, but they are giving each coupon holder a discount.
The really, really great news is that some stores (again, like Target) will allow you to stack a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon, which lets you save lots of money! Foe example, if you were holding the above Target web coupon and a manufacturer's coupon for $1 off one Colgate toothpaste, you would get $2 off of one tube.
Hopefully this has been helpful! If I have missed something important or not explained well enough, please leave me a quick note in the comment section and I will fix it!
Beginnings
Let's face it- most of us love shopping. Clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, tools and fishing rods (or whatever men buy)... it's all so great!
Groceries? Not so much.
Unfortunately, we need groceries more frequently than we need the other products... but that doesn't mean that all of our money has to be spent on them!
Recently, I have been delving into the world of couponing. Until now, I had occasionally used coupons for an item here and there, but I found that I was usually spending more money than I wanted to just to make the coupon valid! It really didn't work for me, so I brushed it off. Then, like millions of others, I watched in amazement as dozens of people on TLC's Extreme Couponing saved hundreds of dollars on their carts loaded with stuff, all by using coupons! I was inspired after watching the show for a whole afternoon, so again I tried to coupon effectively, and again I failed.
In the meantime, life was happening. My husband and I bought our first car, got insurance, subscribed to cable and internet services, had doctor's visits, and realized that the credit card needed to be paid off eventually... and it was going to be expensive. I decided that I really needed to study the art of using coupons to save money where we could. We bought a printer and a coupon caddy, and I got to work on my research.
It was overwhelming.
I was bombarded with information about manufacturer coupons versus store coupons, which stores double coupons, sales prices, stacking rules, catalinas, ONYO coupons, stockpiles, store policies, and much more. Can you use two coupons on one product? Are clearance items included? Will I have time to coupon effectively with a full-time job? How do those people save so much money?!
Luckily, there were a few websites that helped me sort through the mounds of information. I'll get to them later. The good news is, I have been able to use coupons and save lots of money in just a few weeks! (Oh, yeah... did I mention that this was all over the course of the past few weeks?) I shared my success on Facebook and got lots of responses to the pictures and statuses I posted. Several people sent me texts and emails about my methods and strategies, which is when I decided to start this little blog. Even if it only help a few people learn to save money, it'll be worth the time!
Groceries? Not so much.
Unfortunately, we need groceries more frequently than we need the other products... but that doesn't mean that all of our money has to be spent on them!
Recently, I have been delving into the world of couponing. Until now, I had occasionally used coupons for an item here and there, but I found that I was usually spending more money than I wanted to just to make the coupon valid! It really didn't work for me, so I brushed it off. Then, like millions of others, I watched in amazement as dozens of people on TLC's Extreme Couponing saved hundreds of dollars on their carts loaded with stuff, all by using coupons! I was inspired after watching the show for a whole afternoon, so again I tried to coupon effectively, and again I failed.
In the meantime, life was happening. My husband and I bought our first car, got insurance, subscribed to cable and internet services, had doctor's visits, and realized that the credit card needed to be paid off eventually... and it was going to be expensive. I decided that I really needed to study the art of using coupons to save money where we could. We bought a printer and a coupon caddy, and I got to work on my research.
It was overwhelming.
I was bombarded with information about manufacturer coupons versus store coupons, which stores double coupons, sales prices, stacking rules, catalinas, ONYO coupons, stockpiles, store policies, and much more. Can you use two coupons on one product? Are clearance items included? Will I have time to coupon effectively with a full-time job? How do those people save so much money?!
Luckily, there were a few websites that helped me sort through the mounds of information. I'll get to them later. The good news is, I have been able to use coupons and save lots of money in just a few weeks! (Oh, yeah... did I mention that this was all over the course of the past few weeks?) I shared my success on Facebook and got lots of responses to the pictures and statuses I posted. Several people sent me texts and emails about my methods and strategies, which is when I decided to start this little blog. Even if it only help a few people learn to save money, it'll be worth the time!
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