I have no problem remembering to bring my reusable grocery bags to Aldi (which charges you for grocery bags), but I always forget to take them into Harris Teeter... or Target... or Walmart... or every other store that gives away free bags?
Must. Do. Better.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Frugal flowers for Valentine's day
You don't have to pay $$$$$ for flowers for your Hunny on Valentine's Day. It's easy to get lovely, quality flowers for a price that keeps something in your wallet for Feb. 15 and beyond.
For your blooms, try your local grocery store. Aldi has flowers for $3.99/bunch. Put 2 or 3 together for a showstopper bouquet.
Or try your local farmer's market. In my town, you can pick up gorgeous bouquets at the farmer's market for way less than a florist's V-day mark-up.
Once you have your flowers, visit your local thrift store for a kickin' vase. Like these (especially the cute curvy one in the center):
The price:
Yes, that says $1.99. Can't beat that!
For your blooms, try your local grocery store. Aldi has flowers for $3.99/bunch. Put 2 or 3 together for a showstopper bouquet.
Or try your local farmer's market. In my town, you can pick up gorgeous bouquets at the farmer's market for way less than a florist's V-day mark-up.
Once you have your flowers, visit your local thrift store for a kickin' vase. Like these (especially the cute curvy one in the center):
The price:
Yes, that says $1.99. Can't beat that!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
That $3 Amazon.com credit burning a hole in your pocket?
Remember the $3 Amazon.com MP3 credit? I just realized that Amazon.com also has a page of 50 albums downloadable for $5 -- and some of them are really great CDs! The list includes one of my all time favorite Christmas albums -- A Charlie Brown Christmas. Check it out here.
Already spent your $3 credit? No fear: Amazon also has many album downloads for my favorite price: FREE! Just scroll to the bottom of the 50 for $5 page to see the free sampler albums.
Already spent your $3 credit? No fear: Amazon also has many album downloads for my favorite price: FREE! Just scroll to the bottom of the 50 for $5 page to see the free sampler albums.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Free music!
Longing to hear the Sounds of the Season? (Or wishing for some music to block out "Jingle Bells" after your trip to Walmart?)
Amazon has the deal for you. They're offering $3 in Amazon MP3 downloads -- for free! This offer is good through Nov. 30 and has to be redeemed by Nov. 30, so hurry and get your free tunes.
Amazon has the deal for you. They're offering $3 in Amazon MP3 downloads -- for free! This offer is good through Nov. 30 and has to be redeemed by Nov. 30, so hurry and get your free tunes.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
What can you get for a dime?
At Food Lion this week (9/23-9/29) you can get a box of Food Lion brand Macaroni and Cheese for a mere 10 cents. The sale is "while supplies last," so if you're interested, move fast!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Free on Facebook
Back when you were in grade school -- and friends were oh-so-important -- adults would tell you that you can't buy your friends.
Unless, of course, you're a major corporation trying to boost your Facebook presence.
Texas Pete is offering its Facebook fans a free coupon for hot sauce when they reach 100K fans. If you're a fan by then, then you're in luck.
Unless, of course, you're a major corporation trying to boost your Facebook presence.
Texas Pete is offering its Facebook fans a free coupon for hot sauce when they reach 100K fans. If you're a fan by then, then you're in luck.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Coupon Extravaganza
If you don't have a newspaper subscription, today's a great day to pick one up at the store.
There are five -- FIVE -- coupon inserts in today's paper! And some really good coupons to boot.
There are five -- FIVE -- coupon inserts in today's paper! And some really good coupons to boot.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Still Swaggin'
One frugal habit I definitely maintained during my summer hiatus is searching the internet using Swagbucks. I'm just a few Swaggies away from the 500 mark!
What does that mean in real dollars? 500 Swagbucks is worth:
What does that mean in real dollars? 500 Swagbucks is worth:
- $40 in Barnes & Noble gift cards (125 SB for a $10 gift card)
- $55 in e-gift cards to Amazon.com (45 SB for a $5 gift card)
- 33 new trees planted (15 SB per tree)
- $165 in gift cards to Fragrancenet.com (15 SB for a $5 gift card)
- $300 in e-cards to Restaurant.com (40 SB for a $25 gift card)
I'm still alive
And back in the frugal saddle. I took a graduate class this summer that took up all my free time plus some. It also made me very thankful for my pantry stockpile -- I was too busy to do much grocery shopping. Clipping coupons? That was out of the question with multiple reviews and papers due. But we were still able to eat well and well within out budget because I had an ample stockpile from previous sales.
Now that life is back to normal, I'm still in laidback coupon mode. Perhaps it's just that I've matured some in my coupon clipping methods (for me; to each his/her own). When I started, I clipped everything -- things I used often and items I'd never tried before. After all, I reasoned, you never knew when there was going to be a killer sale.
But when I look at my cupboards, now back to a "normal" level since we've worked to eat them down over the summer, I really don't want to go back to buying any and everything that's super cheap. Eating healthy foods is important to us, so I've started skipping over the coupons for highly processed junk foods. Simplicity is important to me, so I'm less likely to try something "just because" and have it take up space in the house.
But I'm still all about saving money, and getting the things I love for less. That won't change.
Now that life is back to normal, I'm still in laidback coupon mode. Perhaps it's just that I've matured some in my coupon clipping methods (for me; to each his/her own). When I started, I clipped everything -- things I used often and items I'd never tried before. After all, I reasoned, you never knew when there was going to be a killer sale.
But when I look at my cupboards, now back to a "normal" level since we've worked to eat them down over the summer, I really don't want to go back to buying any and everything that's super cheap. Eating healthy foods is important to us, so I've started skipping over the coupons for highly processed junk foods. Simplicity is important to me, so I'm less likely to try something "just because" and have it take up space in the house.
But I'm still all about saving money, and getting the things I love for less. That won't change.
Monday, June 22, 2009
My father's frugal wisdom
This is a day late, but thanks to this wise advice from my dad, I'll never be a dollar short. :)
Once, in high school, I came home from my retail job rejoicing over a shirt I bought for $.99. "What a deal!" I thought. "Just 99 cents! I saved about $15 buying this shirt on clearance."
But Dad looked at it from another perspective: "If you buy something you don't need, you didn't save $15. You wasted $.99."
His wise words dampened my spirit that day, but they have bolstered my bank account many a day since. One of the greatest keys to frugality and financial prosperity is self control. If you need it, buy it, and try to get it for a good price. But if you really don't need it, it'll never be a deal no matter what the price tag says.
Thanks, Dad.
Once, in high school, I came home from my retail job rejoicing over a shirt I bought for $.99. "What a deal!" I thought. "Just 99 cents! I saved about $15 buying this shirt on clearance."
But Dad looked at it from another perspective: "If you buy something you don't need, you didn't save $15. You wasted $.99."
His wise words dampened my spirit that day, but they have bolstered my bank account many a day since. One of the greatest keys to frugality and financial prosperity is self control. If you need it, buy it, and try to get it for a good price. But if you really don't need it, it'll never be a deal no matter what the price tag says.
Thanks, Dad.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Love a product? Want a coupon? Check the website.
By now you know matching coupons with sales is one of the best ways to stretch a dollar.
But what if you don't have a coupon for a favorite product? Before you give up your quest, do a online search to find a product's website. Often manufacturers will offer coupons on the product's page that aren't offered elsewhere.
Case in point: I recently blogged about deals involving Cottonelle bath tissue and Bagelfuls. I'd found good sales on those products, but wanted to find coupons to sweeten the deal. And did I! A Google search (well, a Swagbucks search actually, lol) for "Cottonelle and coupon" netted me the $.50 Cottonelle coupons. I knew there was a Bagelfuls coupon at coupons.com, but a similar search for "Bagelfuls and coupon" led me to Kraft's Bagelfuls page and ANOTHER $1 coupon.
Woot!
But what if you don't have a coupon for a favorite product? Before you give up your quest, do a online search to find a product's website. Often manufacturers will offer coupons on the product's page that aren't offered elsewhere.
Case in point: I recently blogged about deals involving Cottonelle bath tissue and Bagelfuls. I'd found good sales on those products, but wanted to find coupons to sweeten the deal. And did I! A Google search (well, a Swagbucks search actually, lol) for "Cottonelle and coupon" netted me the $.50 Cottonelle coupons. I knew there was a Bagelfuls coupon at coupons.com, but a similar search for "Bagelfuls and coupon" led me to Kraft's Bagelfuls page and ANOTHER $1 coupon.
Woot!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Bagelfuls = breakfast on the go
Bagelfuls are a godsend on mornings when I'm running late! Just pop them in the toaster oven or microwave, then head out the door.
But the price. At full price? Killer.
So stockpile them while they're on sale. In Wednesday's Lowe's Foods paper, there was a sheet of store coupons that are good for three weeks. The great thing about store coupons (at most stores) is that you can use them with a manufacturer's coupon for even bigger savings. That technique is called "stacking."
The Lowe's Foods store coupon is 2 boxes for $3. You can go to coupons.com and print $1 manufacturers coupons. Use the store and manufacturers coupon together, and you can get a box of Bagelfuls for $.50!
That's a price I'm willing to pay for convenience.
Here's another handy tip I learned from a friend: If you're worried about freezer space, just take the products out of the box. Trust me, the actual Bagelfuls don't need that big 'ole box. If you take the individually wrapped Baglefuls out of the box, put them in another bag and throw that bag in the freezer you'll be able to maximize your freezer space.
But the price. At full price? Killer.
So stockpile them while they're on sale. In Wednesday's Lowe's Foods paper, there was a sheet of store coupons that are good for three weeks. The great thing about store coupons (at most stores) is that you can use them with a manufacturer's coupon for even bigger savings. That technique is called "stacking."
The Lowe's Foods store coupon is 2 boxes for $3. You can go to coupons.com and print $1 manufacturers coupons. Use the store and manufacturers coupon together, and you can get a box of Bagelfuls for $.50!
That's a price I'm willing to pay for convenience.
Here's another handy tip I learned from a friend: If you're worried about freezer space, just take the products out of the box. Trust me, the actual Bagelfuls don't need that big 'ole box. If you take the individually wrapped Baglefuls out of the box, put them in another bag and throw that bag in the freezer you'll be able to maximize your freezer space.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Stockpile Alert! - Cottonelle on sale at Harris Teeter
My mom used to always say you can never have enough toilet paper: You constantly use it, never want to run out of it and it never goes bad.
So when I find toilet paper for a good price, I stock up. And Harris Teeter has Cottonelle for a good price this week: a package of 12 double rolls or 24 single rolls for $5.99 (regular price is $10.99).
To make a good deal even better, print off these $.50 coupons from the Cottonelle website for extra savings! There were also coupons in a recent Sunday paper.
So when I find toilet paper for a good price, I stock up. And Harris Teeter has Cottonelle for a good price this week: a package of 12 double rolls or 24 single rolls for $5.99 (regular price is $10.99).
To make a good deal even better, print off these $.50 coupons from the Cottonelle website for extra savings! There were also coupons in a recent Sunday paper.
A good deal on chicken at Food Lion
Check out the Guiding Stars game on the Food Lion homepage.
Finish the game -- which helps you determine the nutritional value of certain groceries -- and you'll be rewarded with a $2 off coupon for Food Lion chicken breasts, tenders or snack wings (expires 6/16/09.) Or, you can be lazy and click the "skip the game" button to go straight to the coupon.
Be sure to match the coupon with this week's sale on split chicken breasts ($.97/lb) for a really good deal.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Chocolate Relief Act
Free doughnuts aren't the only sweet freebie around today.
It's Friday, which means Mars is giving away free coupons as part of its Chocolate Relief Act. Starting at 9 a.m until they run out, the maker of Twix, Dove, Three Musketeers, Snickers and other chocolaty goodies will offer 250,000 coupons for a free candy bar.
If you miss out on today's giveaway, don't worry. They're offering the deal every Friday through Sept. 25. Limit four coupons per household during the promotion; limit one coupon per email address each week.
It's Friday, which means Mars is giving away free coupons as part of its Chocolate Relief Act. Starting at 9 a.m until they run out, the maker of Twix, Dove, Three Musketeers, Snickers and other chocolaty goodies will offer 250,000 coupons for a free candy bar.
If you miss out on today's giveaway, don't worry. They're offering the deal every Friday through Sept. 25. Limit four coupons per household during the promotion; limit one coupon per email address each week.
Free doughnuts
What's better than Friday?
Nothing really. But there is a way to put some extra icing on the end of your workweek. Krispy Kreme is celebrating National Doughnut Day by giving away a free doughnut of your choosing to every customer who visits a store today (6/5).
Hum... do I want original glazed or lemon filled? Decisions, decisions...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Free and cheap summer family movies
If you're in the Triad region of North Carolina (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem) and looking for something fun and frugal to do with the kids this summer, look no further.
Well, look one place further.
Amy at Goo Goo Buy Buy has compiled a list of local movie theaters that show free and/or discounted movies during the summer. It's a great resource. Some theaters show movies for free. Others offer the show, popcorn and a drink for a super low price. Either way, it's a great deal for some summer fun.
Well, look one place further.
Amy at Goo Goo Buy Buy has compiled a list of local movie theaters that show free and/or discounted movies during the summer. It's a great resource. Some theaters show movies for free. Others offer the show, popcorn and a drink for a super low price. Either way, it's a great deal for some summer fun.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
It's Sunday... should you get an extra paper or two?
One of the best ways to get coupons is to subscribe to your local Sunday newspaper. If you don't have a subscription, you can easily pick up a copy at a newstand or drug, grocery or convenience store.
But not all Sundays are equal: Some Sundays there'll be a bumper batch of coupons. On other Sundays (usually the ones before a major holiday) there will be famine in coupon land.
How you can tell if the coupons will be bountiful or bust? Check the Taylortown Coupon Preview. Taylortown publishes a schedule of which inserts are coming out on certain days. It's a great way to plan ahead.
But not all Sundays are equal: Some Sundays there'll be a bumper batch of coupons. On other Sundays (usually the ones before a major holiday) there will be famine in coupon land.
How you can tell if the coupons will be bountiful or bust? Check the Taylortown Coupon Preview. Taylortown publishes a schedule of which inserts are coming out on certain days. It's a great way to plan ahead.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A confession
Bad: Today is the last day of triples at Harris Teeter. It's also the first day I've stepped foot into Harris Teeter all week.
Worse: They were out of the free-with-coupon Wacky Mac. I forgot to ask for a rain check so I can still get it BOGO (buy one get one free) once they restock.
Redemption: I got two containers of garlic salt and a package of Mentos gum for $0.16. :)
Worse: They were out of the free-with-coupon Wacky Mac. I forgot to ask for a rain check so I can still get it BOGO (buy one get one free) once they restock.
Redemption: I got two containers of garlic salt and a package of Mentos gum for $0.16. :)
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