Like many of my (forced) readers, I'm busy studying for my PR final on Wednesday and finishing up my final project. As my husband was distracting me tonight by playing old-school Nickelodeon theme songs on YouTube, I realized something: Why on earth can I still sing every word to the theme songs for "Hey Dude" and "Salute Your Shorts", yet it takes me days to memorize information for a test? Maybe I just need to put all the info to music. :)
I hope you all are having a great week! It is a BUSY time of year to say the least. I highly recommend studying by Christmas-tree light, with Christmas music if at all possible. LOVE IT!
My husband just posted this on his blog, I thought I would share, too. It started out with us watching a YouTube clip of the Peanuts gang (I do a pretty good imitation of their dancing....along with a superb Elaine Bennis dancing impression, but I digress). Anyways, there was a link to a clip of Linus, "The Theologian." Here you go:
Amen Linus, AMEN. :)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The One with All the Shopping
This past Friday was my inaugural Black Friday shopping experience. I know you all are SHOCKED, considering how much I love getting a good deal. Here were my main reasons for never partaking in the Black Friday chaos in the past:
1. I’m a pretty competitive person and do NOT like crowds. I figured this made for a disastrous (and dangerous) combination in a Black Friday shopper. Who knows what I would do to someone in a tug-of-war over a shirt or pair of shoes marked down to at least 50% off?!
2. My husband and I enjoy TWO complete Thanksgiving meals in one day, so you can imagine that the energy level and desire to shop is just as LOW as the desire to sleep in is HIGH.
Anyways, for WHATEVER reason, I decided that THIS WAS THE YEAR- I was going to shop until I dropped. Of course I needed an accomplice, so I talked my youngest sister into joining me on this adventure (also the poor sucker who was dragged into running my first half marathon with me....thanks, Megan!)
At about midnight on Thanksgiving, we began to lay out “the plan.” We planned out where we were going and in what order (based on when stores opened throughout the night/morning). We even printed off a map of the local outdoor shopping mall, highlighting the stores of interest. We don’t play around, people- this is serious business!
A wrench was thrown into the plan when we found out that a nearby outlet mall was open OVERNIGHT (GASP!!!)- they were already open!!!! Giddy at the idea of an ENTIRE night of shopping, I kissed my husband on the cheek and dragged my sister out the door.
All in all, we had a really good time! We didn’t get home until about 7am that morning, but both my sister and I walked away with a pair of boots (or two…) and a purse at at least half price. We counted the night a victory!
I have decided that the keys to a fun Black Friday experience are this (take this with a grain of salt, seeing as to how I have a total of ONE Black Friday experience under my belt…):
1. Don’t have high expectations- if you bank on getting all of your Christmas shopping done in this one mad, sleep-deprived dash, you are going to drive yourself crazy. My husband and I are about 90% finished with our Christmas shopping, so the Black Friday experience was MUCH less stressful knowing I wasn’t racing against the clock to get all my shopping done. (Sidenote: For the first time, we did almost ALL of our Christmas shopping online this year- I highly recommend it!)
2. Bring a friend, a book, snacks, and a pillow/blanket. We ended up taking a nap in the JC Penny parking lot between about 3 and 4 in the morning. We were unfortunately snack-less, and I must say this will significantly raise the cranky-ness level.
3. Unless you are DETERMINED to get a hot ticket item, do NOT go wait outside the doors of the store! (Seriously people?! It was cold outside!) My sister and I took the “stay in the warm car and just watch until the door opens” approach, and found this to be much more pleasant.
4. Have a plan- know where you’re going, what time you want to get there, and make a list of what you “need” so you don’t go overboard on spending. “Need” being a very relative term, of course….My husband knew I was on a mission for (i.e. “neeeeeeeded”) boots and a purse, so the financial “sting”/damage was much less that it could have been.
5. If you don’t bring your own thermos of coffee, knowing your nearest Starbucks location as well as what time they are going to open is KEY to a happy experience!
We had a WONDERFUL break- we relaxed, “gobbled until we wobbled” (borrowing the phrase from Larissa : )), and had a great time with family. I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Anyone else brave the crowds on Friday?
1. I’m a pretty competitive person and do NOT like crowds. I figured this made for a disastrous (and dangerous) combination in a Black Friday shopper. Who knows what I would do to someone in a tug-of-war over a shirt or pair of shoes marked down to at least 50% off?!
2. My husband and I enjoy TWO complete Thanksgiving meals in one day, so you can imagine that the energy level and desire to shop is just as LOW as the desire to sleep in is HIGH.
Anyways, for WHATEVER reason, I decided that THIS WAS THE YEAR- I was going to shop until I dropped. Of course I needed an accomplice, so I talked my youngest sister into joining me on this adventure (also the poor sucker who was dragged into running my first half marathon with me....thanks, Megan!)
At about midnight on Thanksgiving, we began to lay out “the plan.” We planned out where we were going and in what order (based on when stores opened throughout the night/morning). We even printed off a map of the local outdoor shopping mall, highlighting the stores of interest. We don’t play around, people- this is serious business!
A wrench was thrown into the plan when we found out that a nearby outlet mall was open OVERNIGHT (GASP!!!)- they were already open!!!! Giddy at the idea of an ENTIRE night of shopping, I kissed my husband on the cheek and dragged my sister out the door.
All in all, we had a really good time! We didn’t get home until about 7am that morning, but both my sister and I walked away with a pair of boots (or two…) and a purse at at least half price. We counted the night a victory!
I have decided that the keys to a fun Black Friday experience are this (take this with a grain of salt, seeing as to how I have a total of ONE Black Friday experience under my belt…):
1. Don’t have high expectations- if you bank on getting all of your Christmas shopping done in this one mad, sleep-deprived dash, you are going to drive yourself crazy. My husband and I are about 90% finished with our Christmas shopping, so the Black Friday experience was MUCH less stressful knowing I wasn’t racing against the clock to get all my shopping done. (Sidenote: For the first time, we did almost ALL of our Christmas shopping online this year- I highly recommend it!)
2. Bring a friend, a book, snacks, and a pillow/blanket. We ended up taking a nap in the JC Penny parking lot between about 3 and 4 in the morning. We were unfortunately snack-less, and I must say this will significantly raise the cranky-ness level.
3. Unless you are DETERMINED to get a hot ticket item, do NOT go wait outside the doors of the store! (Seriously people?! It was cold outside!) My sister and I took the “stay in the warm car and just watch until the door opens” approach, and found this to be much more pleasant.
4. Have a plan- know where you’re going, what time you want to get there, and make a list of what you “need” so you don’t go overboard on spending. “Need” being a very relative term, of course….My husband knew I was on a mission for (i.e. “neeeeeeeded”) boots and a purse, so the financial “sting”/damage was much less that it could have been.
5. If you don’t bring your own thermos of coffee, knowing your nearest Starbucks location as well as what time they are going to open is KEY to a happy experience!
We had a WONDERFUL break- we relaxed, “gobbled until we wobbled” (borrowing the phrase from Larissa : )), and had a great time with family. I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Anyone else brave the crowds on Friday?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The One with All the Thanks
It's almost here!!! Thanksgiving gives Christmas a run for the money in my books. I LOVE this holiday! A day to relax, spend time with family and friends, and reflect on the many blessings in your life?! What a BEAUTIFUL concept! (Not to mention the Fall weather, and THE FOOD! OH MY GOSH- THE FOOD! YUM!!!) Among my favorite parts of the day: spending time with family, waking up to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, watching "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" with my husband's family (this is "the official" Thanksgiving movie), pie, pie, and more pie, and, last but not least, the fact that some radio stations start playing Christmas music 24/7. I just might explode with joy, people.
One of my favorite songs that really captures the spirit of Thanksgiving is "I Have Been Blessed" by Martina McBride. BEAUTIFUL song, BEAUTIFUL lyrics. One of my favorite parts:
"I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed..."
-Martina McBride
I tried to find a YouTube video of the music video for you to enjoy, but no luck.:( I found a YouTube link that will simply play the song, but I unfortunately can't directly embed it into this post. Here's the link if you would like to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDriO3MwDcc
Note: I STILL can't get links to work quite right...I'm sorry, you'll have to copy/paste!
I feel like it's only appropriate to include in a Thanksgiving post a list of some things for which I am thankful. This is definitely an abbreviated list- I am thankful for so, SO many things! Working in nonprofit, you become VERY aware of just how blessed you are.
I am thankful for: a loving, personal God; for my incredible family, both near and far; for friends, both old and new; for my best friend/husband; for my sweet, loyal dog; for the educational opportunities that have been given to me (I LOVE my TCU Horned Frogs and OCU Stars!); for my husband's and my job; for shelter, food on our table, and savings for a rainy day; for health; and finally, of course: I'm thankful for caffeine and Jesus. :)
Colossians 2:6-7 (New International Version) says: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I pray that you and your family are overflowing with thankfulness, and wish you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
(And for those of you who are curious/are history buffs...below is an excerpt of former President George Washington's 1789 Proclamation of National Thanksgiving. Source/for full document: http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/milestones/thanksgiving_read.html
Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." [emphasis mine/KV's]
One of my favorite songs that really captures the spirit of Thanksgiving is "I Have Been Blessed" by Martina McBride. BEAUTIFUL song, BEAUTIFUL lyrics. One of my favorite parts:
"I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed..."
-Martina McBride
I tried to find a YouTube video of the music video for you to enjoy, but no luck.:( I found a YouTube link that will simply play the song, but I unfortunately can't directly embed it into this post. Here's the link if you would like to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDriO3MwDcc
Note: I STILL can't get links to work quite right...I'm sorry, you'll have to copy/paste!
I feel like it's only appropriate to include in a Thanksgiving post a list of some things for which I am thankful. This is definitely an abbreviated list- I am thankful for so, SO many things! Working in nonprofit, you become VERY aware of just how blessed you are.
I am thankful for: a loving, personal God; for my incredible family, both near and far; for friends, both old and new; for my best friend/husband; for my sweet, loyal dog; for the educational opportunities that have been given to me (I LOVE my TCU Horned Frogs and OCU Stars!); for my husband's and my job; for shelter, food on our table, and savings for a rainy day; for health; and finally, of course: I'm thankful for caffeine and Jesus. :)
Colossians 2:6-7 (New International Version) says: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I pray that you and your family are overflowing with thankfulness, and wish you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
(And for those of you who are curious/are history buffs...below is an excerpt of former President George Washington's 1789 Proclamation of National Thanksgiving. Source/for full document: http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/milestones/thanksgiving_read.html
Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." [emphasis mine/KV's]
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The One with Another Coupon Tip...
My "real" post for class this week is "The One with the Jingles", but I couldn't resist posting a quick coupon "did you know" in honor of this past week's Veteran's Day...
DID YOU KNOW that your coupons can be mailed to various U.S. Military Bases throughout the world??? These military families can use them up to 6 months past the expiration date!!! So if you have any coupons (expired or not) that you don't know what to do with- DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!!! Why not help out these awesome military families? :)
I read about this in a guest post on a blog I regularly follow: www.frugalcouponliving.com. The guest blogger who wrote about it (give credit where credit is due!) blogs at: http://www.mamacheaps.com/.
For more information, check out The Overseas Coupon Program: http://ocpnet.org/. I personally have not sent any coupons yet- I just recently found out about the program. I have a whole basket full that I'm getting ready to take to the Post Office in the next few weeks! If you have any to add, let me know!
I have a coworker who is an Army wife and has lived overseas before- she confirmed that this is legit! Her family used to send her coupons- I think this is the only way these military families can get coupons when they're overseas.
Just some food for thought. :) If any of you throw out/recycle your coupon inserts from the Sunday paper, PLEASE give them to me! I will put them to good use! Thank you!
DID YOU KNOW that your coupons can be mailed to various U.S. Military Bases throughout the world??? These military families can use them up to 6 months past the expiration date!!! So if you have any coupons (expired or not) that you don't know what to do with- DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!!! Why not help out these awesome military families? :)
I read about this in a guest post on a blog I regularly follow: www.frugalcouponliving.com. The guest blogger who wrote about it (give credit where credit is due!) blogs at: http://www.mamacheaps.com/.
For more information, check out The Overseas Coupon Program: http://ocpnet.org/. I personally have not sent any coupons yet- I just recently found out about the program. I have a whole basket full that I'm getting ready to take to the Post Office in the next few weeks! If you have any to add, let me know!
I have a coworker who is an Army wife and has lived overseas before- she confirmed that this is legit! Her family used to send her coupons- I think this is the only way these military families can get coupons when they're overseas.
Just some food for thought. :) If any of you throw out/recycle your coupon inserts from the Sunday paper, PLEASE give them to me! I will put them to good use! Thank you!
The One with the Jingles
I consider myself a rational, patient, happy person. But there is something that really irks me. Something that causes my whole body to tense up and my hands to go into 'fists of fury.' What could cause such a response, you ask?
Subway's "Five Dollar Foot Long" song.
Oh. My. Gosh. I can't stand it. I *dislike* (hate is such an ugly word) it with the flaming hot intensity of a thousand burning suns. Oh yes. It's THAT bad.
Don't get me wrong- I like Subway. I have family members in Bloomington, so I've driven by THE Subway where Jared began his journey to the throne of Sandwich King. I like sandwiches in general. I usually even like catchy jingles. But something about the song makes me just about snap. (Do you think there are therapists for this kind of thing???)
To end this post on a more positive note, there is one particular jingle that I absolutely LOVE. THE BC CLARK ANNIVERSARY SALE JINGLE! It makes me SO happy! Maybe lifelong Oklahomans are sick of this song the way I'm sick of the Subway song, but I've only been here a little over two years- the beauty of the jingle has yet to wear off for me. LOVE. IT. To make sure EVERYONE can enjoy it, here it is!:
And as a BONUS!!!!: Here is Megan Mullally (Karen from "Will and Grace") singing it on Jay Leno:
I'm SO READY FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Red Starbucks cups + BC Clark commercials = CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!
Subway's "Five Dollar Foot Long" song.
Oh. My. Gosh. I can't stand it. I *dislike* (hate is such an ugly word) it with the flaming hot intensity of a thousand burning suns. Oh yes. It's THAT bad.
Don't get me wrong- I like Subway. I have family members in Bloomington, so I've driven by THE Subway where Jared began his journey to the throne of Sandwich King. I like sandwiches in general. I usually even like catchy jingles. But something about the song makes me just about snap. (Do you think there are therapists for this kind of thing???)
To end this post on a more positive note, there is one particular jingle that I absolutely LOVE. THE BC CLARK ANNIVERSARY SALE JINGLE! It makes me SO happy! Maybe lifelong Oklahomans are sick of this song the way I'm sick of the Subway song, but I've only been here a little over two years- the beauty of the jingle has yet to wear off for me. LOVE. IT. To make sure EVERYONE can enjoy it, here it is!:
And as a BONUS!!!!: Here is Megan Mullally (Karen from "Will and Grace") singing it on Jay Leno:
I'm SO READY FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Red Starbucks cups + BC Clark commercials = CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The One with All the $aving$
Disclaimer: I did NOT come up with this stuff on my own. I just read tips from a lot of really, really smart women! If I do a HORRIBLE job explaining this, don’t panic! Just read the blogs I've linked and they will help you alot. I sincerely hope this post will help your family have a fun, blessed, and AFFORDABLE holiday season!
I have a confession: I'm kinda cheap (fiscally responsible?). Now, I LOVE shopping, and am loyal to a few clothing brands... but I LOVE getting a good deal, and see value in being careful with our money. I feel that by saving on the "small stuff" (groceries and toiletries for example), we can have more money for the FUN stuff (family vacations, a great pair of shoes, going out to eat, etc- not to mention you will have more money in your emergency fund for a rainy day!).
I came across this Proverb a few weeks ago, and even if you are not a Christian I feel its words still have great value:
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11
This highlights two key things:
1. Be honest! Money you earn dishonestly or through wrongdoing will only bring you trouble.
2. I like the idea that by saving a little (and often a lot) every week, my money will "grow." :) I might print this out and put it in my wallet as a friendly reminder to myself of why I shop the way I do. :)
My secret shame: I am in my 20s, and I use coupons. There, I said it. I'm that crazy coupon lady. Not only do I USE coupons, but I have 30+ categories of coupons, based on the layout of the grocery store. (Shut up). Every week my husband and I make a menu, search the Sunday ads and online money-saving blogs (I'll post the links) for good deals, then make notes about which items are on sale/have a coupon/can be price matched with a competitor ad. Ideally I would make our weekly menu based entirely on what's on sale that week/what I already have stock-piled in my pantry, but let's get serious- I'm not THAT good. :)
I bring all the competitor grocery ads, my recipes, and coupons with me to the store, along with my somewhat obsessive-compulsive list. (Yes, the grocery list is organized by aisle/food category. Again, shut up.) For awhile my husband and I were planning our meals 2 weeks at a time, and only going grocery shopping every OTHER week. If you've ever read a book or article by "America's Cheapest Family", the Economides, they suggest going only once a MONTH to the store. The idea is that the fewer times you go, the better you'll be about planning and won't make all those extra, impulse purchases. While I see their reasoning, I'm just not THAT good at planning. haha! And what would happen is we would buy produce and some perishable items that wouldn't necessarily stay fresh as long as we wanted. So back to once a week shopping for us.
Because I’m kind of obsessively organized, I keep my coupons in these three little expandable binders (coupon sized, not like school binders) that are separated into categories…I take them with me every time I go to the store so if I see a good deal I can quickly check to see if I have a coupon for it. Don't quit on me just yet- this method is NOT necessary. I'll explain below how you can keep the entire coupon insert and only cut out the specific coupons you want once you check the blogosphere for good deals. If you want to separate your coupons into categories, just let me know and I can send you how I did it to give you a starting point.
In couponing, I have found the keys to success to be:
1. Get a Sunday paper so you can get the coupon inserts (having a subscription is probably easiest/cheapest, but you can buy them week by week too.) The savings from coupons MORE than pays for the subscription for the paper (plus I get to read the comics! Woot!). Tip: A lot of the blogs I read will give you a heads up if there are going to be extra coupon inserts in the upcoming paper. For example, if I know that there are going to be a lot of good coupon inserts one Sunday, I'll go buy additional papers so that I can double or triple my coupon stash and stock up on items this month.
2. Read the blogs I’m about to give you (you don’t have to read ALL of them, just giving you lots of options so you can find the ones that fit you best!)
That’s it! I’m not a genius, I just do what these blogs tell me to and save lots of money along the way. : )
2 other ways to stockpile coupons:
1. Check out: http://www.thecouponclippers.com/. I know it sounds silly to “buy” coupons…but it’s super cheap, and if you buy expensive items such as diapers or a certain beauty product you love, it may be worth the small investment! Again, I haven’t used this, but I’m not opposed! I see definite value/potential.
2. Check out All You magazine (I think I’ve only seen them at Walmart, but I could be wrong on that). They’re super cheap, and have TONS of coupons inside- the magazine definitely pays for itself, coupon wise, and it has lots of helpful articles for "real", everyday people. If you go to one of the first few pages in the magazine, it will even LIST all the coupons inside if you need help deciding whether or not to buy it. I just got a 2 year subscription for $16 (there was some random deal going on in July that I read about on a blog :)).
One other thing to keep in mind: Using this method will get you tons of items for free or nearly free. It’s a GREAT opportunity to donate to local shelters/food pantries! It’s AMAZING knowing that you’re saving tons of money for you and/or your family, AND have the means to share with those in need as well! So keep that in mind as you check out each week’s deals. An item that you may not necessarily need may be a something a family in need would very much appreciate!!!
Background on the blogs I read: It seems like the majority are moms, often stay at home moms, and it’s a great money-saving network! They all share deals they find! They point out great coupons and help match them up with sales and voila!- you get CHEAP stuff. It’s that easy. And what’s great is that you’re getting “name brand” items for way cheaper than store brand!
Several of the blogs post weekly shopping lists to various stores that break it down for you step by step. They tell you the price of the item, exactly where to find the coupon to use for it (they provide a link if it’s online, or will tell you exactly which Sunday paper/which coupon insert the coupon is in), and will tell you the final “out of pocket” price you will pay after the coupon/sale price. A lot of these websites also keep you posted on specials such as Redbox free movie rental codes, promo codes, free samples you can sign up for, etc. etc. etc. Love it!
Don’t get discouraged if you HATE clipping coupons, either. The glorious thing is you DON’T HAVE TO CLIP THEM EACH WEEK! These blogs will tell you exactly which coupon insert, from which Sunday paper, in order to find a specific coupon- so you can ONLY cut the ones you want! For example, the blog may say “use $1.00/1 mfr coupon from 8.2 RP Insert”. This means go get the Red Plum (RP) coupon insert from the Sunday, 8/2/09 paper, and cut out the $1.00 off 1 manufacturer (mfr) coupon for ___(whatever the coupon is for). Easy as that. (These blogs use a LOT of abbreviations- don’t panic! Most have a “key” on the side of their blog. If you can’t find what the abbreviation stands for, just let me know or contact the blog writer.)
Cliff Notes version: Save coupon inserts from the Sunday paper and label with the date. Read the shopping lists on these blogs and pick out the items/deals you want. Follow the directions as far as where to get the coupon. Then go save yourself some money. :)
Some random tips:
1. Homeland (an Oklahoma store) is fabulous because they DOUBLE coupons up to $1. So for example, if I buy a $2 item but have a $1 coupon for it….that’s right= it’s FREE because my $1 off coupon was doubled to $2 off. I get a lot of basics this way. I don’t go to Homeland for all my groceries because their items are pretty pricey- but with coupons (especially when doubled or used on sale items) the savings are unbelievable. I’ll walk out with $40 worth of groceries for less than $10, easy, if I plan ahead.
2. Target is great because they let you stack a Target coupon WITH a manufacturer coupon. (Usually, you can only use one coupon per item). If, for example, you have a $1.00 off manufacturer coupon for Kashi cereal that you printed from online, you can pair it with a $1.00 off Kashi cereal Target coupon (these blogs have links where you can get them quickly and easily), and you now get $2.00 off one box of cereal. If the cereal is on SALE on top of all that, the savings are even better.
3. It helps to carry the store’s coupon policy with you- I’ve never been questioned, but it just helps to feel confident that you’re right and can prove it if they challenge you. I also try to choose cashiers that look nice, and try to shop at not-so-busy times. Also- be courteous to those in line. Have your coupons 100% ready to go, and if the person behind you only has a few items, it's nice to let them go first. :) Play nice, everybody.
The Drugstore Game: You can save a TON of money at CVS and Walgreens, folks. Their normal prices can be high, but they have some AMAZING promotions and deals that can save you THOUSANDS over the year (I'm NOT kidding! We pay very little for toiletries, and usually have lots to donate!). You need to read about CVS Extra Bucks…they’re amazing. The blogs talk about it, and you can check www.iheartcvs.com as well. Basically, if you buy certain items each week at CVS, you earn “Extra Bucks”, which are essentially store credit to CVS (check the CVS Sunday ad for details on which items will earn you Extra Bucks). For example, maybe I’ll buy a bottle of lotion for $2.00 and earn $1.00 Extra Buck back to use on a future CVS purchase. Almost every week, they have items that you can actually get for FREE after Extra Bucks. For example, the item of the week may be a body wash for $4.99, and you earn $4.99 in Extra Bucks to use on a future purchase. Voila! FREE. (As long as you're careful not to let your Extra Bucks expire, that is!) Again, it takes about a month to get a decent stash of Extra Bucks and get the hang of it, but it’s a pretty sweet deal…. And of course if you use a coupon, you not only get an item for super cheap, but you earn Extra Bucks, too!
Walgreens does something similar called “Register Rewards.” Also a great deal: check out iheartwags.com for more details. Walgreen's program is a LITTLE trickier than CVS- you will definitely want to print their policy, or you will walk out feeling discouraged and with a headache!
One more thing to be aware of: Be patient, and know that “MMV” (Markets May Vary/prices and coupons may be different based on where you live). These blogs are from all over the country, and prices definitely vary by region. For the most part I don’t notice a big difference, but every now and then I won’t find quite the deal I want because the price was different where the blogger lives. Just know that going in! And sometimes you’ll go to a link for an online coupon, and it will have reached it’s print limit (coupons.com only allows coupons to be downloaded a certain amount of times before they’re unavailable)… It’s not a fool-proof system, but you still save a ton of money!
Don't be shy: Most stores make coupon use REALLY easy- you don't have to sit there and watch for the specific item to go over the scanner, they just ring them alllllll up at the end.
Note: It may take about a month for you to see serious savings using these methods- you need to get a decent coupon stash saved up. I’ve been clipping/saving coupons for a while now, so it’s possible for me to match current sales up with coupons from a month or so ago and get an extra good deal. DON'T be discouraged if you’re not saving oodles and oodles the very first trip! You CAN still save a lot using online coupons (I think I used almost $19 worth of online coupons at Target recently), it just helps to be able to use newspaper coupons as well for extra savings.
Also: Some of the links to coupons require you to register on a website…I’m a little hesitant to do this. I don’t register for EVERYTHING I can find just to get a coupon- I don’t like my personal information floating around everywhere! Just be careful, and use your noggin. If the site is reputable, you’re probably fine…you just may not want to sign up for 10 different new sites everyday and risk one of them being sketchy. (I’m paranoid).
For those who love to go out to eat....
Use restaurant.com! Google/search for coupon or promo codes for restaurant.com and you can find promo codes that will give you a $25 gift card to lots of local restaurants for as little as $2 (with the code...otherwise it's $10 for a $25 off gift certificate). My husband and I will have a big meal (appetizer, main dish, possibly dessert/extra sides) at nice restaurants for a total of about $15 (with tip) for the two of us using these coupons. ***Be sure to keep restaurant singular! It's restaurant.com, NOT restaurants.com. Also- be sure to read the "stipulations"- you need to tip based on the FULL value of the dinner, and for some places you may have to spend a minimum such as $30, or order an entree (i.e. not just a salad or appetizer as your meal), etc. Overall we've been happy with it, though! And if several people are going to dinner (like a family or group of friends), reaching a $30ish minimum isn't difficult.
For movies: USE REDBOX (if your local library doesn't have a good selection)! We don't watch movies enough to justify a Netflix subscription, but if you LOVE movies, Netflix is great!. Redbox has lots of promo codes that make your movie rental free! I think you can only use each code once per credit card...so if you have multiple credit cards, you can use each code several times. :) I can't remember the website I used awhile back to check for codes, one of these may be it:
http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/
www.redboxcodes.com
I haven't used this one too much, but check out retailmenot.com. I hear it has LOTS of deals on big-name stores (this is great for CLOTHING! WOO HOO SHOPPING!) :) OH! And DEFINITELY check out 6pm.com (especially you ladies- there are some GREAT shoe sales!)
Be sure to check out the links for other blogs that are listed on each blog! I check a lot of them daily for good deals on my lunch break. (Note: I couldn't figure out how to get these as a LINK...you may have to copy/paste. I'm sorry! I'll check back later. :)):
http://www.chachingonashoestring.com/ (Her "How We Save Money" tab is a GREAT resource! She's also doing a series on how she is only going to spend $50 this holiday season, and still have a fabulous Christmas!)
http://couponingtodisney.blogspot.com/ (This woman is using ALL her savings for a family vacation to Disney World. :) Check out her Walmart tab- she has over $100 things you can get for free or $1 or less using coupons. :) Love it!)
http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/
http://attentiontargetshoppers.blogspot.com/
http://www.brandysbigbargains.com/
http://hip2save.blogspot.com/
http://simplesavingsavvy.blogspot.com/
http://www.centsible-sawyer.com/
http://christis2cents.blogspot.com/
http://www.couponsavinggame.com/
http://thefreebieblogger.com/
http://mylitter.com/
http://nwadeals.net/
http://30dollarweeklygrocerychallenge.blogspot.com/ (This woman challenges herself to spend only $30 a week on groceries, toiletries, etc...amazing!)
http://iheartwags.com/
iheartcvs.com
http://coupons.smartsource.com/
coupons.com
http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/
http://www.getcouponcodes.com/
http://www.couponing101.com/
http://www.couponing101.com/
http://kingdomfirstmom.com/
http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/view.php?pg=coupon_generator (I get alot of my Target coupons here.)
Book resources:
I LOVE Ellie Kay! Check out her book "Shop, Save, and Share."
I also enjoyed "Amercia's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money" by Steve and Annette Economides. Some of the tips may be extreme, so pick-and-choose what's realistic for you!
Happy savings! :)
I have a confession: I'm kinda cheap (fiscally responsible?). Now, I LOVE shopping, and am loyal to a few clothing brands... but I LOVE getting a good deal, and see value in being careful with our money. I feel that by saving on the "small stuff" (groceries and toiletries for example), we can have more money for the FUN stuff (family vacations, a great pair of shoes, going out to eat, etc- not to mention you will have more money in your emergency fund for a rainy day!).
I came across this Proverb a few weeks ago, and even if you are not a Christian I feel its words still have great value:
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11
This highlights two key things:
1. Be honest! Money you earn dishonestly or through wrongdoing will only bring you trouble.
2. I like the idea that by saving a little (and often a lot) every week, my money will "grow." :) I might print this out and put it in my wallet as a friendly reminder to myself of why I shop the way I do. :)
My secret shame: I am in my 20s, and I use coupons. There, I said it. I'm that crazy coupon lady. Not only do I USE coupons, but I have 30+ categories of coupons, based on the layout of the grocery store. (Shut up). Every week my husband and I make a menu, search the Sunday ads and online money-saving blogs (I'll post the links) for good deals, then make notes about which items are on sale/have a coupon/can be price matched with a competitor ad. Ideally I would make our weekly menu based entirely on what's on sale that week/what I already have stock-piled in my pantry, but let's get serious- I'm not THAT good. :)
I bring all the competitor grocery ads, my recipes, and coupons with me to the store, along with my somewhat obsessive-compulsive list. (Yes, the grocery list is organized by aisle/food category. Again, shut up.) For awhile my husband and I were planning our meals 2 weeks at a time, and only going grocery shopping every OTHER week. If you've ever read a book or article by "America's Cheapest Family", the Economides, they suggest going only once a MONTH to the store. The idea is that the fewer times you go, the better you'll be about planning and won't make all those extra, impulse purchases. While I see their reasoning, I'm just not THAT good at planning. haha! And what would happen is we would buy produce and some perishable items that wouldn't necessarily stay fresh as long as we wanted. So back to once a week shopping for us.
Because I’m kind of obsessively organized, I keep my coupons in these three little expandable binders (coupon sized, not like school binders) that are separated into categories…I take them with me every time I go to the store so if I see a good deal I can quickly check to see if I have a coupon for it. Don't quit on me just yet- this method is NOT necessary. I'll explain below how you can keep the entire coupon insert and only cut out the specific coupons you want once you check the blogosphere for good deals. If you want to separate your coupons into categories, just let me know and I can send you how I did it to give you a starting point.
In couponing, I have found the keys to success to be:
1. Get a Sunday paper so you can get the coupon inserts (having a subscription is probably easiest/cheapest, but you can buy them week by week too.) The savings from coupons MORE than pays for the subscription for the paper (plus I get to read the comics! Woot!). Tip: A lot of the blogs I read will give you a heads up if there are going to be extra coupon inserts in the upcoming paper. For example, if I know that there are going to be a lot of good coupon inserts one Sunday, I'll go buy additional papers so that I can double or triple my coupon stash and stock up on items this month.
2. Read the blogs I’m about to give you (you don’t have to read ALL of them, just giving you lots of options so you can find the ones that fit you best!)
That’s it! I’m not a genius, I just do what these blogs tell me to and save lots of money along the way. : )
2 other ways to stockpile coupons:
1. Check out: http://www.thecouponclippers.com/. I know it sounds silly to “buy” coupons…but it’s super cheap, and if you buy expensive items such as diapers or a certain beauty product you love, it may be worth the small investment! Again, I haven’t used this, but I’m not opposed! I see definite value/potential.
2. Check out All You magazine (I think I’ve only seen them at Walmart, but I could be wrong on that). They’re super cheap, and have TONS of coupons inside- the magazine definitely pays for itself, coupon wise, and it has lots of helpful articles for "real", everyday people. If you go to one of the first few pages in the magazine, it will even LIST all the coupons inside if you need help deciding whether or not to buy it. I just got a 2 year subscription for $16 (there was some random deal going on in July that I read about on a blog :)).
One other thing to keep in mind: Using this method will get you tons of items for free or nearly free. It’s a GREAT opportunity to donate to local shelters/food pantries! It’s AMAZING knowing that you’re saving tons of money for you and/or your family, AND have the means to share with those in need as well! So keep that in mind as you check out each week’s deals. An item that you may not necessarily need may be a something a family in need would very much appreciate!!!
Background on the blogs I read: It seems like the majority are moms, often stay at home moms, and it’s a great money-saving network! They all share deals they find! They point out great coupons and help match them up with sales and voila!- you get CHEAP stuff. It’s that easy. And what’s great is that you’re getting “name brand” items for way cheaper than store brand!
Several of the blogs post weekly shopping lists to various stores that break it down for you step by step. They tell you the price of the item, exactly where to find the coupon to use for it (they provide a link if it’s online, or will tell you exactly which Sunday paper/which coupon insert the coupon is in), and will tell you the final “out of pocket” price you will pay after the coupon/sale price. A lot of these websites also keep you posted on specials such as Redbox free movie rental codes, promo codes, free samples you can sign up for, etc. etc. etc. Love it!
Don’t get discouraged if you HATE clipping coupons, either. The glorious thing is you DON’T HAVE TO CLIP THEM EACH WEEK! These blogs will tell you exactly which coupon insert, from which Sunday paper, in order to find a specific coupon- so you can ONLY cut the ones you want! For example, the blog may say “use $1.00/1 mfr coupon from 8.2 RP Insert”. This means go get the Red Plum (RP) coupon insert from the Sunday, 8/2/09 paper, and cut out the $1.00 off 1 manufacturer (mfr) coupon for ___(whatever the coupon is for). Easy as that. (These blogs use a LOT of abbreviations- don’t panic! Most have a “key” on the side of their blog. If you can’t find what the abbreviation stands for, just let me know or contact the blog writer.)
Cliff Notes version: Save coupon inserts from the Sunday paper and label with the date. Read the shopping lists on these blogs and pick out the items/deals you want. Follow the directions as far as where to get the coupon. Then go save yourself some money. :)
Some random tips:
1. Homeland (an Oklahoma store) is fabulous because they DOUBLE coupons up to $1. So for example, if I buy a $2 item but have a $1 coupon for it….that’s right= it’s FREE because my $1 off coupon was doubled to $2 off. I get a lot of basics this way. I don’t go to Homeland for all my groceries because their items are pretty pricey- but with coupons (especially when doubled or used on sale items) the savings are unbelievable. I’ll walk out with $40 worth of groceries for less than $10, easy, if I plan ahead.
2. Target is great because they let you stack a Target coupon WITH a manufacturer coupon. (Usually, you can only use one coupon per item). If, for example, you have a $1.00 off manufacturer coupon for Kashi cereal that you printed from online, you can pair it with a $1.00 off Kashi cereal Target coupon (these blogs have links where you can get them quickly and easily), and you now get $2.00 off one box of cereal. If the cereal is on SALE on top of all that, the savings are even better.
3. It helps to carry the store’s coupon policy with you- I’ve never been questioned, but it just helps to feel confident that you’re right and can prove it if they challenge you. I also try to choose cashiers that look nice, and try to shop at not-so-busy times. Also- be courteous to those in line. Have your coupons 100% ready to go, and if the person behind you only has a few items, it's nice to let them go first. :) Play nice, everybody.
The Drugstore Game: You can save a TON of money at CVS and Walgreens, folks. Their normal prices can be high, but they have some AMAZING promotions and deals that can save you THOUSANDS over the year (I'm NOT kidding! We pay very little for toiletries, and usually have lots to donate!). You need to read about CVS Extra Bucks…they’re amazing. The blogs talk about it, and you can check www.iheartcvs.com as well. Basically, if you buy certain items each week at CVS, you earn “Extra Bucks”, which are essentially store credit to CVS (check the CVS Sunday ad for details on which items will earn you Extra Bucks). For example, maybe I’ll buy a bottle of lotion for $2.00 and earn $1.00 Extra Buck back to use on a future CVS purchase. Almost every week, they have items that you can actually get for FREE after Extra Bucks. For example, the item of the week may be a body wash for $4.99, and you earn $4.99 in Extra Bucks to use on a future purchase. Voila! FREE. (As long as you're careful not to let your Extra Bucks expire, that is!) Again, it takes about a month to get a decent stash of Extra Bucks and get the hang of it, but it’s a pretty sweet deal…. And of course if you use a coupon, you not only get an item for super cheap, but you earn Extra Bucks, too!
Walgreens does something similar called “Register Rewards.” Also a great deal: check out iheartwags.com for more details. Walgreen's program is a LITTLE trickier than CVS- you will definitely want to print their policy, or you will walk out feeling discouraged and with a headache!
One more thing to be aware of: Be patient, and know that “MMV” (Markets May Vary/prices and coupons may be different based on where you live). These blogs are from all over the country, and prices definitely vary by region. For the most part I don’t notice a big difference, but every now and then I won’t find quite the deal I want because the price was different where the blogger lives. Just know that going in! And sometimes you’ll go to a link for an online coupon, and it will have reached it’s print limit (coupons.com only allows coupons to be downloaded a certain amount of times before they’re unavailable)… It’s not a fool-proof system, but you still save a ton of money!
Don't be shy: Most stores make coupon use REALLY easy- you don't have to sit there and watch for the specific item to go over the scanner, they just ring them alllllll up at the end.
Note: It may take about a month for you to see serious savings using these methods- you need to get a decent coupon stash saved up. I’ve been clipping/saving coupons for a while now, so it’s possible for me to match current sales up with coupons from a month or so ago and get an extra good deal. DON'T be discouraged if you’re not saving oodles and oodles the very first trip! You CAN still save a lot using online coupons (I think I used almost $19 worth of online coupons at Target recently), it just helps to be able to use newspaper coupons as well for extra savings.
Also: Some of the links to coupons require you to register on a website…I’m a little hesitant to do this. I don’t register for EVERYTHING I can find just to get a coupon- I don’t like my personal information floating around everywhere! Just be careful, and use your noggin. If the site is reputable, you’re probably fine…you just may not want to sign up for 10 different new sites everyday and risk one of them being sketchy. (I’m paranoid).
For those who love to go out to eat....
Use restaurant.com! Google/search for coupon or promo codes for restaurant.com and you can find promo codes that will give you a $25 gift card to lots of local restaurants for as little as $2 (with the code...otherwise it's $10 for a $25 off gift certificate). My husband and I will have a big meal (appetizer, main dish, possibly dessert/extra sides) at nice restaurants for a total of about $15 (with tip) for the two of us using these coupons. ***Be sure to keep restaurant singular! It's restaurant.com, NOT restaurants.com. Also- be sure to read the "stipulations"- you need to tip based on the FULL value of the dinner, and for some places you may have to spend a minimum such as $30, or order an entree (i.e. not just a salad or appetizer as your meal), etc. Overall we've been happy with it, though! And if several people are going to dinner (like a family or group of friends), reaching a $30ish minimum isn't difficult.
For movies: USE REDBOX (if your local library doesn't have a good selection)! We don't watch movies enough to justify a Netflix subscription, but if you LOVE movies, Netflix is great!. Redbox has lots of promo codes that make your movie rental free! I think you can only use each code once per credit card...so if you have multiple credit cards, you can use each code several times. :) I can't remember the website I used awhile back to check for codes, one of these may be it:
http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/
www.redboxcodes.com
I haven't used this one too much, but check out retailmenot.com. I hear it has LOTS of deals on big-name stores (this is great for CLOTHING! WOO HOO SHOPPING!) :) OH! And DEFINITELY check out 6pm.com (especially you ladies- there are some GREAT shoe sales!)
Be sure to check out the links for other blogs that are listed on each blog! I check a lot of them daily for good deals on my lunch break. (Note: I couldn't figure out how to get these as a LINK...you may have to copy/paste. I'm sorry! I'll check back later. :)):
http://www.chachingonashoestring.com/ (Her "How We Save Money" tab is a GREAT resource! She's also doing a series on how she is only going to spend $50 this holiday season, and still have a fabulous Christmas!)
http://couponingtodisney.blogspot.com/ (This woman is using ALL her savings for a family vacation to Disney World. :) Check out her Walmart tab- she has over $100 things you can get for free or $1 or less using coupons. :) Love it!)
http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/
http://attentiontargetshoppers.blogspot.com/
http://www.brandysbigbargains.com/
http://hip2save.blogspot.com/
http://simplesavingsavvy.blogspot.com/
http://www.centsible-sawyer.com/
http://christis2cents.blogspot.com/
http://www.couponsavinggame.com/
http://thefreebieblogger.com/
http://mylitter.com/
http://nwadeals.net/
http://30dollarweeklygrocerychallenge.blogspot.com/ (This woman challenges herself to spend only $30 a week on groceries, toiletries, etc...amazing!)
http://iheartwags.com/
iheartcvs.com
http://coupons.smartsource.com/
coupons.com
http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/
http://www.getcouponcodes.com/
http://www.couponing101.com/
http://www.couponing101.com/
http://kingdomfirstmom.com/
http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/view.php?pg=coupon_generator (I get alot of my Target coupons here.)
Book resources:
I LOVE Ellie Kay! Check out her book "Shop, Save, and Share."
I also enjoyed "Amercia's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money" by Steve and Annette Economides. Some of the tips may be extreme, so pick-and-choose what's realistic for you!
Happy savings! :)
Monday, November 2, 2009
The One with All the Running
I am a serious WANNABE runner. I LOVE how I feel after a run. I love running gear (my husband calls my fuel belt my "tool belt", because he thinks I look like a tool when I wear it...thanks babe.) I buy my athletic shoes at snooty running stores (I can't help it, the Mizuno Nirvana has won my heart)...but I can't seem to get myself to be a consistent, hardcore, TRUE runner. If it's freezing outside (freezing = below 70) or even sprinkling, I happily throw off the overpriced running shoes and plop on the couch. Weak sauce.
To make me feel even MORE wimpy, there's this oldER gentleman that my husband and I see running nearly every morning on our way to work. We could be in the middle of a MONSOON...and there he is. Mile after mile. It's amazing. Sheesh!
Well, for about 6 weeks I felt like a "runner." I was following a training plan for a half marathon, and making sure to fit my runs into my daily routine...And then came the Oklahoma weather (a few weeks of rain). Strike one. Followed by severe Oklahoma allergies. Strike two. And then the lack of motivation that comes after a few weeks of NOT running...the lure of the couch and love for rediscovered free time got the best of me. Strike three. As a result, my sister and I only got six miles into training for the half marathon (13.1 miles) that we ran yesterday- we decided to "wing it." How's THAT for procrastination? When I went to pick up our race packets, the high school guy that was working registration asked if I had a time goal for the race. I started cracking up, I could barely get the words out: "OH NO- we just want to finish within the 4 hour time limit!"
The whole race experience is AMAZING- the adrenaline rush is indescribable. I had been worried that my sister and I would be left in the dust, but there were runners of ALL levels from ALL walks of life, cheering each other on and chatting as we huffed and puffed together, mile after mile.
We ran through neighborhoods, where families were out on their lawn cheering for us and waving encouraging and funny signs (my favorite? "Run like you stole something!") Hundreds of volunteers were spread out over the course, handing out water and Gatorade to us as we ran by. (THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!!)
On our own, my sister and I probably couldn't have run more than about 7 miles. But with all the encouragement, we ran the entire 13.1 miles, crossing the finish line as my mom, dad, husband, and my husband's friend cheered us on.
Here's to you, Running. I hope we become reacquainted again in the VERY near future. :) (Running a 5K with my husband on Saturday!)
P.S. To bring my sister's and my pride level down a little...the winner of the New York Marathon ran 26.2 miles in less time than it took my sister and I to complete our HALF marathon. Ouch.
P.P.S. I recommend running the day after Halloween. Everytime I reached for the candy bowl I reassured my parents that I was "carbo loading." YUM!
P.P.P.S. I would NOT recommend the whole "wing it" method of training. We managed, by the grace of GOD, to run the whole thing in about 2 1/2 hours, but MAN my muscles are paying for it! I was quite literally running on caffeine (caffeinated runner's jelly beans for carbs/energy) and Jesus. :)
To make me feel even MORE wimpy, there's this oldER gentleman that my husband and I see running nearly every morning on our way to work. We could be in the middle of a MONSOON...and there he is. Mile after mile. It's amazing. Sheesh!
Well, for about 6 weeks I felt like a "runner." I was following a training plan for a half marathon, and making sure to fit my runs into my daily routine...And then came the Oklahoma weather (a few weeks of rain). Strike one. Followed by severe Oklahoma allergies. Strike two. And then the lack of motivation that comes after a few weeks of NOT running...the lure of the couch and love for rediscovered free time got the best of me. Strike three. As a result, my sister and I only got six miles into training for the half marathon (13.1 miles) that we ran yesterday- we decided to "wing it." How's THAT for procrastination? When I went to pick up our race packets, the high school guy that was working registration asked if I had a time goal for the race. I started cracking up, I could barely get the words out: "OH NO- we just want to finish within the 4 hour time limit!"
The whole race experience is AMAZING- the adrenaline rush is indescribable. I had been worried that my sister and I would be left in the dust, but there were runners of ALL levels from ALL walks of life, cheering each other on and chatting as we huffed and puffed together, mile after mile.
We ran through neighborhoods, where families were out on their lawn cheering for us and waving encouraging and funny signs (my favorite? "Run like you stole something!") Hundreds of volunteers were spread out over the course, handing out water and Gatorade to us as we ran by. (THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!!)
On our own, my sister and I probably couldn't have run more than about 7 miles. But with all the encouragement, we ran the entire 13.1 miles, crossing the finish line as my mom, dad, husband, and my husband's friend cheered us on.
Here's to you, Running. I hope we become reacquainted again in the VERY near future. :) (Running a 5K with my husband on Saturday!)
P.S. To bring my sister's and my pride level down a little...the winner of the New York Marathon ran 26.2 miles in less time than it took my sister and I to complete our HALF marathon. Ouch.
P.P.S. I recommend running the day after Halloween. Everytime I reached for the candy bowl I reassured my parents that I was "carbo loading." YUM!
P.P.P.S. I would NOT recommend the whole "wing it" method of training. We managed, by the grace of GOD, to run the whole thing in about 2 1/2 hours, but MAN my muscles are paying for it! I was quite literally running on caffeine (caffeinated runner's jelly beans for carbs/energy) and Jesus. :)
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