Money-Saving Monday - Auction Sniper

Snipe eBay items... and win!

Tired of losing items at the last minute on Ebay?  Auction Sniper is the little secret weapon to help you win!  You register your Ebay account and the auctions you want to bid on, with a maximum amount to bid.  They will do the bidding for you and notify you if you have been outbid.  You receive several FREE Snipes for opening a new account as well as 3 more for each person you refer.  I am busy buying the last of our homeschool curriculum for next year, and Auction Sniper helps me stay on budget and win without having to sit on top of the computer all day.  Try it out!

Grocery Store Savings - Part 5 (Saving Money by Shopping On-Line)

For the last part in our Savings Series, I want to share with you how to save while shopping on-line.  I know we aren't talking about grocery stores anymore, but saving money is saving money.  Right now we are in the middle of back-to-school preparations and next thing you know it will be time for the Christmas holidays.  So why not expand your thinking to save on ALL of your purchases, not just groceries?

First of all, you need a strategy.  What kind of item are you shopping for?  Certain bargain websites specialize in the products they search for.  For instance TechBargains obviously specializes in all things tech-y.  Others give a wide range of deals, like SlickDeals or dealnews.  Find the sites that you will use most and bookmark them or add them to your Google Reader.  You can find all of my favorites in the Links section on the homepage.

Second, just like grocery shopping, you need to know when to find the lowest price to buy.  Seasonal items, like clothing, are always cheapest at the end of the season.  Back-to-school sales are hot right now, especially on computers, but if you wait another month, you can stock up on school supplies when they mark down the overstock at next to nothing.  You know your kids will need paper throughout the year, so stock up when it hits rock bottom.  Holiday decorations are a prime example of how to save big on clearance sales.  Save up to spend your money at the end of the season, and you can buy next year's decorations on the cheap!  It is all about planning ahead.

Before you check out your purchase, search the internet for coupons or discount codes specific to the item and store you are shopping.  For instance, Google search "Dell Inspiron coupons" or "Dell free shipping codes."  Free shipping codes can be found all over the internet, so it is rare that you should have to pay shipping for a purchase on-line.

Last, how about getting cash back on your purchases?  I love Ebates!  You get actual cash back for internet purchases, not reward points.  There are a lot of retailers on their list, and they often post bonus coupon codes just for Ebates users.  Throughout the year they offer double cash back at select stores.  Right now they are featuring certain clothing, office supply, and computer stores for back-to-school.  If you aren't a member yet, please use the link on my website to help me earn a few extra points, and you will receive a free gift card just for signing up.  I also recommend shopping for the best credit card.  I posted on Facebook that we switched last year to the American Express Blue Cash Credit Card.  (No, I am not receiving a kick-back for advertising.)  It earns us 5% cash back at grocery stores, gas stations, and drug stores with 1.25% on all other purchases.  We pay it off at the end of each month, and this year we received almost $700 cash back.  Make sure that credit card is working for you and not the other way around.

Now I will share with you some great internet savings websites.  Let's revisit two of my favorites: Surviving the Stores and The Thrifty Mama.  Both websites post more than just grocery savings.  They scour the internet for deals on everything from books to clothes and everything in between.  SlickDeals, Techbargains, and Uberi are three other sites that cover a lot of the hottest deals on the internet.  There are also a host of daily deal websites, but my favorites are 1 Sale a Day and Woot, and for clothing, try 6pm and dealnews.  Don't get too overwhelmed and try every site on the web.  Find a couple you can reliably trust and stick with them.  Bookmark them or add them to your RSS Reader and get some sleep.  You are going to miss a sale once in a while, but the good news is that it will go on sale again.

Now that you have graduated from Savings School, how about a giveaway?  As promised, I am giving away a Coupon Organizer to get you started off on the right foot.  To enter, simply leave your first name and last initial in the comment section along with your goal for the money you are saving.  You have until Sunday, midnight CDT to enter, and I will post the winner on Monday.  Happy saving!

Grocery Store Savings - Part 4 (Retailers)

Every grocery store chain has its own coupon policy.  Also, individual regions and stores may have their own guidelines.  It is imperative you know where they stand or you could be missing out on some huge savings.  The best way to find out is to talk to the manager of the store where you shop.  They are more than willing to share that information with you knowing you are trying to act ethically.

After saying that, this is the perfect time to talk a little about coupon ethics.  By now you have probably received a .pdf file of coupons for FREE this and FREE that.  I can unequivocally say those are fraudulent.  How do I know?  Because reproducing coupons constitutes fraud.  Internet coupons have unique serial numbers that are used for each specific coupon in an attempt to combat fraud.  If you want to check if your coupon is valid, here is a running list of fraudulent internet coupons.  Will your average Walmart take them?  Probably, but if you use fraudulent coupons, you ruin it for everyone else.  Retailers will eventually refuse to take internet coupons.  Please take a minute to read "Coupon Ethics" by the CouponGal and make sure you are using coupons with a clean conscience.

While I can't list all the retailers here, I will try to touch on the most prominent ones to get you started.  If you know of any to add to the lists, please post them for everyone.


Price-Matching:
There are two national grocery chains I know of that price-match: Walmart and Target.  By far, Walmart is the most lenient, even price-matching produce (the policy cites "like" items).  Again, each store may have its own rules, so check beforehand.  Target is more strict.  You need to make sure it is for the exact same item, brand, and quantity.  Price-matching can save you time and money by only having to shop one store.  Just remember you don't get the advantage of double or triple coupons.  If you try it, make sure you have your items, sale papers, and coupons organized before you hit the check-out lane to prevent an all-out riot.  Okay, maybe not a riot, but at least a lot of muffled griping.

Coupon Doubling/Tripling:
These stores generally triple coupons in the $0.25 or less range and double coupons in the $0.50-$0.26 range, although I have heard rumors of some stores doubling $1 coupons.  Oh, that I should be so lucky!

• Albertson's
• Brookshire's
• Kroger
• Publix - in select areas (also takes competitor's coupons)
• Safeway - in select areas 

Make sure you are a rewards member for every store that you shop.  Sign up with the store on-line as well.  Many stores send special discounts to rewards members, particularly through email.  If you are worried about email spam, simply set up a free email account specifically for in-store and on-line deals.

One store I particularly love is World Market.  I can often find gourmet and natural ingredients there that I can't find anywhere else, plus they have a great rewards program.  I don't have the luxury of living in Dallas or Atlanta where there are great stores on nearly every corner, so it is a God-send.  Check out my World Market Explorer post on why I love them so much.  Here's a hint: coffee!

Finally, I want to talk to you about shopping at drug store chains.  Each of the Big Three (CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreen's) has its own unique savings program, and they can be a bit complicated.  You can save a ton of money if you shop them wisely, particularly on toiletries and makeup.  To learn more about how to make the most of drug store sales, watch the CouponMom's tutorial.

Tomorrow wraps up our Savings Series with a bonus:  Saving Money by Shopping On-Line!  How would you like to save a ton on your upcoming Christmas purchases and receive cash back when it is through?  I will show you how.  Tomorrow begins our Coupon Organizer Giveaway as well, so tune in!

Grocery Store Savings - Part 3 (Coupon Crazy)

Today we're going to tackle how to find all those great coupons and use them to your advantage.  I have Googled and read about a million and one coupon sites.  So many are the same or cheap imitations of the originals.  There are only three websites I routinely use to find grocery store deals (If you haven't gotten a Google Reader account yet, now would be a good time):

• Coupon Mom
• Surviving the Stores
• The Thrifty Mama

The CouponMom is the best place to find printable coupons all in one easy, convenient place. Click on the Printable Coupons link for access to Coupons.com, Red Plum, and Smart Source, as well as several different coupon applications that load digital coupons directly to your shopper rewards cards.  She has a wealth of information worth looking at when you have the time.

Surviving the Stores and The Thrifty Mama post daily on-line and in-store deals, coupon match-ups, and more.  The Thrifty Mama also posts lots of great organic and natural deals.  For even more organic coupons, check out Mambo Sprouts.  You can find them in Whole Foods and other natural markets around the country or sign up on-line.  Since they are manufacturers' coupons, you can use them anywhere, not just the store you find them in.  By knowing which items will save you money on your next trip, you can plan for even more savings (like my Kraft deal last week).  All of these websites are available on my Links tab..

A lot of retailers now offer additional coupons on-line.  Here is a partial list:

• CVS
• Earth Fare
• Food Lion
• HEB 
• Kroger
• Meijer
• Publix
• Rite Aid Video Values (watch commercials, get coupons) 
• Safeway
• Target
• Walgreen's
• Whole Foods

Don't forget to check in the store for coupon booklets as well.  Albertson's and Walgreen's both have terrific monthly coupons located at the front of the stores.  When all else fails, do a Google search for the item you want and "coupon."  A lot of companies offer promotions on their product websites.  They may be only good for one use, but that is better than not at all.  Most coupon printers will let you print out the coupon twice on your computer.

Now, when and how do you use all these great coupons?  First you need to know that you can use one coupon for each item purchased, including BOGO (Buy One/Get One Free) deals.  Most retailers will also let you use one of their coupons and a manufacturer's coupon together on an item.  Double savings!  Of course, you get the best bargain when the item is already on sale, but again, start somewhere.  If you need the item right away, use the coupon.  If you can wait, wait for a sale.  No sweat!  Lastly, check to see if the retailer doubles or triples coupons or matches competitor's coupons.  It may be a better deal to get the item at a store that doubles the coupon than at the super-store where the price is cheaper.  Publix is great about matching coupons.  If you have a Publix in your area, you may want to check out I Heart Publix for deals exclusive to the store.

Where do you start?  Get your coupons together and make your list of what you need now and also what you use frequently.  If you need it right away, search through your sales ads for the lowest price (you can get them on-line if you don't have them from the paper), and get what you need.  Start scanning the ads for items you will use, watching for the lowest possible price, and stock up when it hits rock bottom using any coupons you have.  Before long, you will be operating out of a stocked pantry and freezer and won't need to buy until the sale rolls around again.


Tomorrow I will give you the 411 on retailers and their coupon policies, and don't forget that Friday begins our Coupon Organizer Giveaway.  Get started and share your successes with us on Facebook so that we can celebrate with you.

Grocery Store Savings - Part 2 (Organizing Coupons)

I can hear the collective groan now. "I don't want to clip coupons!"  I truly feel your pain.  There is a stigma with clipping coupons that either you are cheap or a little old lady or simply crazy.  Let me share with you that this is no longer the case.  I see more people using coupons than not at the stores these days.  In fact, it is nearly getting chic to do so and post your success on the internet.  It's the new version of "who has the most money" except now it's "who SAVES the most money"!  So get excited about saving money, and just look at coupons as another vehicle to keep those pennies for something really important, like a vacation!

First, and most important, you must get organized.  I cannot stress this enough.  If you have to search for more than 10 seconds for the coupon you need, you simply won't do it.  You can go out and purchase any number of file folders or coupon organizers, but I will share with you my homemade version that works great for a lot less.  You probably have most of what you need at the house already or can find it on sale right now with all the back-to-school deals.  Here is your list of supplies:

1. 1-inch 3-ring binder with pockets
2. tab dividers with see-through pockets (13-16)
3. trading or baseball card sleeves (20 - you can find these at any office supply store)
4. pen/pencil bag for 3-ring binder
5. envelopes (1 for each store you shop at)
6. small pair of scissors
7. pens

This is the set-up.  Label your dividers by rows or areas in the store.  Organize them in the way the store you shop at most is set up.

1. Condiments
2. Other non-perishables
3. Cereal
4. Snacks
5. Dairy/Meat/Frozen
6. Cleaners
7. Paper
8. Baby
9. Toiletries
10. Makeup
11. Medicine
12. Household (for items like batteries, garbage bags, etc.)
13. Other Stores (for store-specific coupons)
14. Rebates (forms to mail in)

I also have a section specifically for Kroger since they send me stacks of coupons quarterly.  Feel free to add a section or leave any section out that you won't use.  Place 1 or 2 trading card sleeves behind each section and any extras in the back for future use. You can put your weekly sales ads in the front pocket of the notebook and your rebate forms in the pocket of the divider.  Label envelopes with the names of each store you shop at.  These are for compiling coupons for each store, either ahead of time or as you shop.  Trust me; it works much better than your pocket.  Place the pen/pencil bag in the front of the notebook with your scissors, pens, and envelopes.

Most coupons will fit neatly into the baseball card sleeves, and you can use front and back.  You can also fold the coupon so that the item and expiration date are still showing through the window.  If the coupon is too big to fold, simply place them in the pocket of the divider.

Do you have a goal in my mind for all the money you will save?  Put it on the cover of your notebook as a reminder.  Here's mine.  I can feel those island breezes now.

Now, what do you clip?  I only clip those coupons that I think I could use or would want to try if it is super cheap.  I know a lot of folks tell you to clip everything and give free items to charity.  If that is something you have time to do, by all means do so.  Make sure you are getting your Sunday paper each week, possibly two each week if the coupons are great.  Each Sunday or Monday, take time to purge any out-of-date coupons and add your new ones to your binder.  That way you are always ready to shop.

I know what you're thinking.  "You expect me to take a notebook to the store?"  It may seem bulky, but if you already take your own bags, what's a little notebook?  Or, "This is seriously embarrassing!"  I have NEVER, repeat NEVER, had anyone point, stare, snicker at me, or fall on the floor laughing while pointing in my general direction, other than my teenage daughter.  My cure for that is giving her a handful of makeup coupons, and she gets quiet after that.  In fact, I have had numerous people stop me to ask me how I put my notebook together.  Also, the clerks appreciate your organization and won't give you grief when you aren't holding up their line searching for coupons.

Tomorrow I will show you where to get the best coupons (other than your Sunday paper) and how and when to use them.  Don't forget I will be giving away a Coupon Organizer on Friday.  Here's a preview of all you can win.

So keep reading, and keep saving!

Grocery Store Savings - Part 1 (When and How to Shop)

So many people want to save money on their grocery bills but have no idea where to start.  There are plenty of great sites and e-books out there, but the information can get complicated and time-consuming.  My main complaint is that a lot of the savings is on junk food.  Who really needs that?  After posting on Facebook about my AWESOME shopping trip last week, I have had many of you asking how I do it.  I know most of you are strapped for time already, so my goal is to help those of you who are harried save time while eating well.  So let's get started!

The first step in getting the best deals is simple: be observant.  You have to know a good deal when you see one, meaning you have to know the lowest price you can get on any one item.  For instance, I know that the cheapest I ever see tuna steaks is $5.99 a pound.  That is the time to buy, when it is at its lowest.  Start paying attention to prices and making notes, either mentally or on paper.  Prices are variable depending on your location, so you can't always trust some of the websites out there to be accurate for your locale.

Sales on non-perishable goods generally run on a 3-month cycle, fluctuating from highest to lowest price within that time-frame.  Stock up on items when they are at rock-bottom so that you have enough to get you through till the next cycle.

Other items, like meats and dairy, are more seasonal.  Tuna and salmon are cheapest in the height of harvest, during the summer.  I just saw tuna steaks last week at that $5.99 a pound price.  Salmon will continue to run on sale through early fall.  You will find sales on baking supplies from late summer through early fall in preparation for the holidays, but they generally go away right before the season starts.  I just purchased Domino's sugar last week for a little over $1 a bag.  Again, the key is stock up when the price is at its lowest so you have it on hand when you need it.  Then you aren't controlled by prices.

Another place you want to be familiar with is the clearance rack at your local store.  My Kroger has a place to stock both clearance breads and meats.  I have bought at least half of my meat from the clearance rack.  If you can use it immediately or have freezer space to store it, you can save a ton!  I routinely find natural meats on the clearance racks simply because they don't move as fast.  Bread can be frozen as well.  You simply place it in a freezer bag and get out as much air as possible.  I am also a BIG advocate of shopping discount bread stores.  Check out my Bread Stores are Best post for locations.

Produce is a little more tricky.  You will only find it on sale if it is in season, but that is when it is the most flavorful.  When you keep your meals seasonal, you can get all the fresh produce you need at a reasonable price.  If you need a vegetable that is off-season, consider frozen.  They are picked and frozen immediately, preserving the most freshness.  Frozen foods will rotate through 3-month sale cycles as well.  You can also stock up on fruits and vegetables at harvest-time and freeze or can them.  It's not practical for everyone, but if you have the time and space it really saves a lot of money while ensuring you get the freshest product.

Lastly, the best way to save is to match those sale prices with coupons.  If you can get it on sale and then add a coupon, you are making the most of your hard-earned money.  My big score last week was on Kraft Naturals cheese.  There were coupons in the store for $1 off of 2 bags or blocks.  They were on sale for $1.88 each after purchasing 10.  Then Kraft was offering a check-out reward (also called "catalinas") for $5 off your next purchase for each 5 items you buy.  I stocked up on 30 at  $0.33 each.  Now that's what I call a deal!

Tomorrow I am going to show you how I quickly keep track of coupons.  If you can spare yourself 15-20 minutes each Sunday, you can have a coupon arsenal at the ready whenever you need it.  Now go out there and save some money!

Money-Saving Monday - Uberi

I am still in search of that elusive bargain-basement price on a new laptop.  After all my frustration, I posted a call for help on Facebook and was directed to this great site from my buddy, Matt.  It is a another quick-posting site for the latest deals on tech products as well as a host of other great items.  Check out Uberi.com before you buy, and don't forget to go through Ebates for cash back too.

Links:

1. Uberi.com
2. Ebates 
3. Links

Money-Saving Monday - TechBargains

I have been shopping for a new laptop and waiting for prices to hit rock bottom.  I came across TechBargains trying to find a great deal.  I found a terrific sale on a Dell Inspiron but also came across some amazing Wii game prices that will be great for Christmas presents.

Don't forget you can go through Ebates for cash-back on top of your purchase.  A lot of online retailers are offering double cash-back right now for back-to-school purchases.  If you are new to Ebates, go through the link on this page for a special sign-up bonus gift card of your choice!

This and other great money-saving sites are available in our Links section.  Happy saving!

Money-Saving Monday - Woot!

Okay, I keep hearing everyone on Facebook having a Woot-off.  What the heck is a Woot-off?  After a little investigation (don't you love the internet?) I found that it is a terrific sale site with new items every day.  I've seen an 8GB Ipod Nano for $89! Check out Woot.com for today's sales.

SlickDeals.net is probably my favorite sale site for tech items.  Recently, though they have started incorporating a lot of other great items as well.  There was a great deal on Converse sneakers last week at $29 a pair!

Another great sale site is 1SaleaDay.com.  I have personally purchased a Blue-tooth headset for FREE after rebate.  Yes, the rebate took a while, but free is free.  I have also purchased a few other tech-y gadgets, all with great results.

You can find these as well as other great money-saving and coupon-related sites on my Links page.  Check them out.  Your wallet will thank you.

Money-Saving Monday - Kids Bowl Free and More Summer Freebies

How are you going to spend this Memorial Day?  We are taking the kids to bowl for FREE!  Well, nearly free.  You still have to pay for the shoes.  Kids Bowl Free is a great program allowing anyone under 19 to bowl 2 free games every day from now through September.  It's a great way to beat the heat and keep them active during the summer months.  They also have deals for unlimited shoe rentals and a family pass for up to 4 adults to bowl as well.

Are movies your thing?  Cinemark and Regal both have cheap or free movies every week of the summer.  There are some great movies playing in our area: Wallace and Gromit, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, and Kung Fu Panda, to name a few.

Area parks are also a great place to find free activities.  You can probably find a park in your area that offers programs, guided tours, or just hiking trails to explore on your own.  What a great way to learn and stay fit at the same time.

Who says fun can't be free?

Money-Saving Monday - World Market Explorer

Do you have a Cost Plus World Market in your area?  If you do, you need to get online and sign up for their Explorer Program.  It's a free, easy way to get some great gourmet food items on the cheap!  I particularly love their house brand coffees.  The Amalfi Coast espresso blend is my favorite!  If you love coffee too, they have a punch-card reward system that earns you a free 12 oz. bag of coffee with every 6 punches.  Plus, you earn double punches every Wednesday.  Best of all, you receive a $10 food reward once you reach $100 in purchases.  I mistakenly just let mine expire!  Arghh!!

Another great value at World Market is their wine selection.  Conundrum is a great white table wine that I routinely find for $5-$7 cheaper than anywhere else.  So head on out there and save some money on some yummy gourmet goodies!

Money-Saving Friday

I'm a little swamped trying to get some much-needed applications together for the site, but I didn't forget you all.  Here are some great money-saving sites and posts to check out today:
Garden Savings
Ebates 
The Thrifty Mama
Surviving the Stores
Slick Deals
Coupon Mom
1 Sale a Day

Except for the Garden Savings and Ebates, these are blogs I check nearly every day.  If you haven't logged on to Google Reader yet, I highly recommend it.  It's a great place to keep track of all the blog sites you visit and is so user friendly.  I also have these sites posted in my Links section at the top of the blog for your convenience.  Ebates gives you cash-back on your online purchases, and yes, I mean cash (actually check).  I received my first rebate this past week.  Coupon Mom has some great pamphlets on couponing and money-saving.  If you are new to those areas, give them a read this weekend.  Now that you've made some new steps toward saving some green, go and have a great relaxing evening doing something you love.  You've worked hard all week, so take some time for you.  You are worth it!

Waste Not, Want Not

It came to me as I was taking a soothing bath with my little bar of hotel soap: a big problem with most people going over their means is simply waste.  Take my little bar of hotel soap, for instance.  I could have used it once and left it to be thrown away.  Instead, I took it home and will get at least a couple of weeks use out of it, probably only the equivalent of about 25 cents worth.  That doesn't seem like much.

Now think about the last time you went to a restaurant.  I have to say, seeing all that food going to waste almost ruins the experience for me.  I have to refrain myself from packing everything up and shipping it to some deserving children in a third world country.

The Great Depression generation had some hard and fast rules about waste.  DON'T!  I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up, and it was a cardinal sin to leave food on your plate.  In the south, cleanliness is next to Godliness.  Right after that is the necessity of feeding everyone within 100 square miles until they bust!

Now, let's add a little balance.  We now know that stuffing ourselves at every sitting is bad for our health, waistline, and frankly, pocketbook.  But, since we're adults now, we can fix ourselves smaller portions and still clean our plates with a clean conscience.  If you are out to dinner, box half the plate for lunch tomorrow, or, my personal favorite, split it with someone at the table.  Try using white, bleachable kitchen towels instead of a gazillion paper towels.  Make one trip to the grocery store a week instead of three.  It's all a mindset.  Waste really boils down to time and money.  It drains both.  If you really want to make a change that will affect every area of your life, take some time this weekend and determine where you can eliminate waste from your life.  Remember, every little change you make is one more victory you can celebrate!

Here are some more practical ways to reduce food waste in your life.

Bread Stores are Best!

I do not know what I did before I found a wholesale bread store.  Oh, yeah.  I spent way too much money on bread!  Here was my trip from yesterday:

2 loaves Whole Wheat Bread,
2 packages of Bagel Thins,
3 packages of Cinnamon Raisin English Muffins,
1 package of Multi-grain Sandwich Thins,
1 package of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bagels, and
1 package of Crustini Buns.

Grand total: $10.61, tax and all!  Now, if I had bought this at the super-store, I would have paid a minimum of $3 per loaf, for a total of $30.  I have the convenience of having enough freezer space to store about 10 loaves at the time, which is good because I also live a 20-minute drive to town.  If you have the luxury of being nearby a bakery, you could make a weekly stop.  I don't know about your family, but we can put away that much bread in about 3 weeks.  That's an annual savings of $350 on bread alone.  As far as taste and shelf-life are concerned, I have NEVER been disappointed.  The turnover in these stores is so high, they stock almost daily.  If you haven't located a bakery yet, here are some links to help you find one locally:

Mrs. Baird's
Interstate Bread Companies
Holsum Bakery

You can also head over to Yellowpages.com or CitySearch and look for "bread store," "bakery thrift store," or "bakery," and you should be able to find any in your area.  Now let's go out there and save some money!