Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March Movie Madness
I know this is kind of late in the day, but during the month of March, Redbox will be posting a code for a free movie rental every Wednesday on their blog...Redblog. Today's code is 75EA16. Redbox also offers a free movie code every Monday! For more details, check out their blog!
Saving Money Part 1: How to slash your grocery bill
My current monthly grocery bill is $130. This includes food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a family of 4 as well as all toiletries. I also use some of this money to stockpile good deals. For those of you who think this is quite low and that we must eat out all the time, we don't. Our eating out budget is $100/month. When I look back over our bank statements before we got on a spending plan, we typically spent around $1300 at WalMart and Kroger. Since we don't buy clothes at these stores, I'm left to guess that this money was spent on groceries and toiletries. Since we've set a plan, I've been surprised at how much money we saved and in the long run, it takes less time than my previous method of shopping.
My previous method of shopping was go out, buy what you need (or think you need), take it home, cook it for dinner, and repeat the next day! We went to the store almost every day for something! I know you're waiting for me to tell you how to save money, so here it comes!!!
1. Use coupons! (Someday soon, I'll do a post on how I sort and organize my coupons.)
Sunday Paper-I've found that you get more coupons when you subscribe to the Sunday paper then when you buy the paper at the store. With that being said, if you can't find a good deal on a subscription to the Sunday paper and you live close to Dollar Tree, don't waste your money on the subscription. Buy your paper at the Dollar store instead!
eBay-Another great source for coupons is eBay. I know it seems counter productive to buy coupons, but it has saved us a TON of money. Most coupons are sold in lots of 10, 15, of 20. You are not paying for the coupons, but the time it took for the person to sort, clip, and ship the coupons to you. I recently spent $2.00 for 20 CapNCrunch coupons. These coupons saved me $35.00. It was totally worth the cost of the coupon and my kids LOVE this cereal. I also purchased 30 Pepperidge Farm Garlic bread coupons for $2.00. These coupons allowed me to get 30 Garlic breads for 30-50 cents each depending on whether we got the kind with cheese on top! By combining these coupons with sale prices (or even every day prices), you can take a huge chunk off your grocery bill! Also, if you go to ebay through the Mr. Rebates site, you can earn 1% cash back. For more info on Mr. Rebates, click here!
Internet Printables- These days more and more companies are providing coupons that you can print online. Most of these coupons have a print limit of 2 per computer. Not all stores accept internet printables, so check your local store for their coupon policy.
Important Rules of Couponing!!!
A. Know your stores coupon policy. Some stores double coupons, some triple them, and some take them at face value. My Kroger store triples coupons up to 50 cents and all coupons 51 cents are higher are honored at face value. Many Kroger stores double coupons up to 50 cents and all coupons up to $1.00 are redeemed at $1.00.
B. Don't be brand loyal. While you may have a favorite shampoo or toothpaste, be willing to try something new. By combining coupons with great deals, I haven't paid for toothpaste, shampoo, or conditioner this year and I probably have enough to last me for at least 6 more months!
C. Don't buy something you won't use just because you have a coupon! If you buy something you don't like and won't use just because you have a coupon, you are wasting money! The only exception to this rule is items you can get for free. If you can get items for FREE, take them to a shelter or foodbank. During times of economic turmoil, foodbanks and shelters are seriously lacking donations. Do your part!!!
2. Plan ahead! Going to a store without a written list is a recipe for disaster! I usually read through the weekly sale ad to see what the great deals are. Sometimes things that are on sale are not great deals. As you pay more attention to your grocery shopping and spending, you will become familiar with what the regular prices are, the sale prices, and the rock-bottom sale prices! Begin by making a list of things you will need or things that are a great deal. Check to see if you have any coupons for the items you will be purchasing. (Everybody organizes their coupons differently...I use a binder and this works for me!) Lastly, plan meals based on your grocery list and the food currently available at home. By making a meal plan before you shop, you can pick up anything you'd need to complete the meal (i.e. garlic bread for spaghetti, etc)
3. Post a menu!!! I just finished my March menu and posted it on the fridge today. Posting it on the fridge makes me accountable! My hubby and kids know what to expect for dinner and I know that if for some reason I don't get home from work on time, someone else can get started on dinner because we have all the ingredients we need.
4. Stockpile! By buying groceries and toiletries at rock bottom prices and storing them, you can save a ton of money! Just make sure to use what you buy! I buy boneless skinless chicken breasts whenever that are sale for less than $1.90. I typically buy as much as I can afford and eat in a 3 month period. When I get home from the store, I immediately repackage them in family sized ziploc bags, mark the date on them, and throw them in the freezer. I also recently bought Fiber One bars (which I love) and Quaker Instant Oatmeal (which I also love) for $.50/box. I used the extra money in my budget to buy 10 boxes of each. That may seem like a lot, but we go through a lot of these items at our house! If I can find cereal (that we love) for under $1.20/box, I will buy a ton of it! Make sure the items in your stockpile are things you will use and that you bought them at a great price. For my family, it's not worth stockpiling cereal on sale for $2.50/box...even it is normally closer to $4. For some of you, you may feel differently and you need to do what's best for your family!
5. Don't beat yourself up! There will be days when you go to the grocery store and you don't save over 70%. I have that I typically save somewhere between 50% and 90% per trip between sales and coupons, but that doesn't always happen. Sometimes one of your kids get sick and they crave something you don't have a coupon for that's not on sale. My family is more important than money! Sometimes I splurge and buy things for my hubby or kids as a special treat...usually these are on sale, but sometimes I just do it because I want to! Sometimes, I even splurge on myself (GASP!!!). The important thing is to set a goal, track your spending, and move forward!!!
Hopefully this has been somewhat helpful! If you'd like more in depth info, let me know. Also, if what I've said doesn't make sense, I'd be happy to clarify!
Happy Saving!!!
My previous method of shopping was go out, buy what you need (or think you need), take it home, cook it for dinner, and repeat the next day! We went to the store almost every day for something! I know you're waiting for me to tell you how to save money, so here it comes!!!
1. Use coupons! (Someday soon, I'll do a post on how I sort and organize my coupons.)
Sunday Paper-I've found that you get more coupons when you subscribe to the Sunday paper then when you buy the paper at the store. With that being said, if you can't find a good deal on a subscription to the Sunday paper and you live close to Dollar Tree, don't waste your money on the subscription. Buy your paper at the Dollar store instead!
eBay-Another great source for coupons is eBay. I know it seems counter productive to buy coupons, but it has saved us a TON of money. Most coupons are sold in lots of 10, 15, of 20. You are not paying for the coupons, but the time it took for the person to sort, clip, and ship the coupons to you. I recently spent $2.00 for 20 CapNCrunch coupons. These coupons saved me $35.00. It was totally worth the cost of the coupon and my kids LOVE this cereal. I also purchased 30 Pepperidge Farm Garlic bread coupons for $2.00. These coupons allowed me to get 30 Garlic breads for 30-50 cents each depending on whether we got the kind with cheese on top! By combining these coupons with sale prices (or even every day prices), you can take a huge chunk off your grocery bill! Also, if you go to ebay through the Mr. Rebates site, you can earn 1% cash back. For more info on Mr. Rebates, click here!
Internet Printables- These days more and more companies are providing coupons that you can print online. Most of these coupons have a print limit of 2 per computer. Not all stores accept internet printables, so check your local store for their coupon policy.
Important Rules of Couponing!!!
A. Know your stores coupon policy. Some stores double coupons, some triple them, and some take them at face value. My Kroger store triples coupons up to 50 cents and all coupons 51 cents are higher are honored at face value. Many Kroger stores double coupons up to 50 cents and all coupons up to $1.00 are redeemed at $1.00.
B. Don't be brand loyal. While you may have a favorite shampoo or toothpaste, be willing to try something new. By combining coupons with great deals, I haven't paid for toothpaste, shampoo, or conditioner this year and I probably have enough to last me for at least 6 more months!
C. Don't buy something you won't use just because you have a coupon! If you buy something you don't like and won't use just because you have a coupon, you are wasting money! The only exception to this rule is items you can get for free. If you can get items for FREE, take them to a shelter or foodbank. During times of economic turmoil, foodbanks and shelters are seriously lacking donations. Do your part!!!
2. Plan ahead! Going to a store without a written list is a recipe for disaster! I usually read through the weekly sale ad to see what the great deals are. Sometimes things that are on sale are not great deals. As you pay more attention to your grocery shopping and spending, you will become familiar with what the regular prices are, the sale prices, and the rock-bottom sale prices! Begin by making a list of things you will need or things that are a great deal. Check to see if you have any coupons for the items you will be purchasing. (Everybody organizes their coupons differently...I use a binder and this works for me!) Lastly, plan meals based on your grocery list and the food currently available at home. By making a meal plan before you shop, you can pick up anything you'd need to complete the meal (i.e. garlic bread for spaghetti, etc)
3. Post a menu!!! I just finished my March menu and posted it on the fridge today. Posting it on the fridge makes me accountable! My hubby and kids know what to expect for dinner and I know that if for some reason I don't get home from work on time, someone else can get started on dinner because we have all the ingredients we need.
4. Stockpile! By buying groceries and toiletries at rock bottom prices and storing them, you can save a ton of money! Just make sure to use what you buy! I buy boneless skinless chicken breasts whenever that are sale for less than $1.90. I typically buy as much as I can afford and eat in a 3 month period. When I get home from the store, I immediately repackage them in family sized ziploc bags, mark the date on them, and throw them in the freezer. I also recently bought Fiber One bars (which I love) and Quaker Instant Oatmeal (which I also love) for $.50/box. I used the extra money in my budget to buy 10 boxes of each. That may seem like a lot, but we go through a lot of these items at our house! If I can find cereal (that we love) for under $1.20/box, I will buy a ton of it! Make sure the items in your stockpile are things you will use and that you bought them at a great price. For my family, it's not worth stockpiling cereal on sale for $2.50/box...even it is normally closer to $4. For some of you, you may feel differently and you need to do what's best for your family!
5. Don't beat yourself up! There will be days when you go to the grocery store and you don't save over 70%. I have that I typically save somewhere between 50% and 90% per trip between sales and coupons, but that doesn't always happen. Sometimes one of your kids get sick and they crave something you don't have a coupon for that's not on sale. My family is more important than money! Sometimes I splurge and buy things for my hubby or kids as a special treat...usually these are on sale, but sometimes I just do it because I want to! Sometimes, I even splurge on myself (GASP!!!). The important thing is to set a goal, track your spending, and move forward!!!
Hopefully this has been somewhat helpful! If you'd like more in depth info, let me know. Also, if what I've said doesn't make sense, I'd be happy to clarify!
Happy Saving!!!
Saving Money Series
I've decided to do a weekly series on Saving Money. People regularly ask me how I get such great deals and other things about my budget and I've decided I'm going to start a regular "Saving Money" series to answer these questions. If you have something you've wondered about saving money, cutting back on your grocery bill, how to eat out for less, or any other saving money topic, please leave a comment! If I don't know the answer (and chances are good that I won't :-) I'll find someone who knows more about the subject and I'll ask them to do a guest post!) I'm going to start with how to save money on grocery shopping because chances are, everyone could use some help in this area. Also, if you have something you'd like to contribute, please leave a comment or send me an email at saving money living better at gmail dot com (In order to keep spammers away, I have to post my email address like this! Take out the spaces and replace the "at" and "dot" with the appropriate characters.)
I'm sick...but I'm trying to be productive anyway!
I hate being sick...and today is no exception! I have NO voice (something for which my husband is probably rejoicing) and I feel like I've swallowed razor blades! Although I feel like laying in my bed and watching movies today, that's not an option. I knew I'd feel that way, so the moment I got out of bed, I put our sheets in the wash. We have a little stackable washer/dryer combo and it will take forever for the sheets to dry, so I probably won't be back in bed before tonight! Here is a list of what I've accomplished today so far:
**Made grocery list for today and did coupon matchups (I know I'm a week behind on this, but the sale ends today!)
**Went grocery shopping
**Made menu for the month of March (wow...that's a lot of alliteration)
**Took inventory of our freezer
**Looked at grocery ad for upcoming week and started doing my coupon matchups for that as well!
Now, I'm going to go clean my bathroom! Sorry I don't have anything more exciting to post!
**Made grocery list for today and did coupon matchups (I know I'm a week behind on this, but the sale ends today!)
**Went grocery shopping
**Made menu for the month of March (wow...that's a lot of alliteration)
**Took inventory of our freezer
**Looked at grocery ad for upcoming week and started doing my coupon matchups for that as well!
Now, I'm going to go clean my bathroom! Sorry I don't have anything more exciting to post!
Free Caramel Mocha at Bob Evans
This looks sooo yummy! Click here to get a coupon for a FREE Caramel Mocha from Bob Evans. This is valid for dine-in or carryout. So next time your out and about, swing by Bob Evans for your Free Caramel Mocha! Coupon is valid til March 11, 2009.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Free Spaghetti!!!
Fazoli's is celebrating their 20th anniversary and to celebrate, they've launched Free Spaghetti! If you haven't jumped on the Free Spaghetti website yet, you need to do that! Each week they post new Fazoli's coupons! These coupons are typically valid for two weeks. We've enjoyed things like free small spaghetti with the purchase of a drink and buy one, get one free entrees! We've used these coupons to feed our family of four dinner for under $7. Check it out here! You can also sign up to win free spaghetti for a year!
Happy Anniversary Fazoli's! Keep the deals coming!!!
Happy Anniversary Fazoli's! Keep the deals coming!!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Free tank top from Aeropostale!
I totally enjoyed my weekend of mall freebies! I got lotion, lip gloss, and a tote bag from Victoria's Secret and my daughters got free panties from Express! Here's another freebie that's worth heading to the mall for! I just saw this post on Thrifty Mama and couldn't wait to pass it on to you!
FREE Aéropostale Tank Top In-Store beginning March 3rd.
Starting March 3, 2009, bring a copy of the April 2009 issue of Seventeen and show the page with the featured Aéropostale tank, or a printout of the www.seventeen.com homepage, to a participating Aéropostale store to receive 1 (one) tank top from Aéropostale.
One tank top per person. While supplies last. There are 30,000 tank tops available nationwide. Promotion ends April 6, 2009. A notice will be posted on seventeen.com when Sponsor has given away all 30,000 tank tops. Thanks Thrifty Mama!
I'm guessing these are going to quickly, so don't delay!! Also, just the thought of a tank top gives me hope that spring is coming! While you're in Aeropostale, check out their clearance! I have found tons of great deals here and my girls and I all like their clothes!
FREE Aéropostale Tank Top In-Store beginning March 3rd.
Starting March 3, 2009, bring a copy of the April 2009 issue of Seventeen and show the page with the featured Aéropostale tank, or a printout of the www.seventeen.com homepage, to a participating Aéropostale store to receive 1 (one) tank top from Aéropostale.
One tank top per person. While supplies last. There are 30,000 tank tops available nationwide. Promotion ends April 6, 2009. A notice will be posted on seventeen.com when Sponsor has given away all 30,000 tank tops. Thanks Thrifty Mama!
I'm guessing these are going to quickly, so don't delay!! Also, just the thought of a tank top gives me hope that spring is coming! While you're in Aeropostale, check out their clearance! I have found tons of great deals here and my girls and I all like their clothes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
