How to get the most out of your grocery trip

How to get the most out of your grocery trip:

7/15/12: Let's Share: Counterfeit Couponers!!!

I don't know if you've heard of this yet, but three women in Phoenix, AZ (I live there!!! ahhh!) have been arrested due to suspicion of being involved in a massive counterfeit coupon ring.

Here's the link to the abc news article


I posted this because I think all of us couponers need to be aware of these scams.

5/24/12: Let's Share: Organization

Sometimes it is difficult to keep all of your frugal finds in order. Here are a few ideas on how to stay organized:

1) Create a separate email address just for email clubs, coupons, special offers, etc. --this way you won't have to "weed out" emails against your personal information i.e. banking, business, pictures, etc.

2) Create a separate Facebook and/or Twitter account from your personal one for special offers -- you will keep all of your friends this way (who may get annoyed with continuous facebook feeds of you liking random businesses) and you will easily be able to spot deals on your newsfeed

3)Keep a binder or some kind of organization device to place your coupons --- organize them by store, type, or when they expire

4)For your freebies: set aside a drawer or box where you will put every freebie you receive -- that way you are able to know exactly where they are when you need them for traveling, unexpected guest, etc.

5)Your time - set aside a specific amount of time for your coupon/deal quest, whether it's looking through the newspaper, internet, or trading with friends. You will find that you will have time to coupon, and also have a lot more time to do the things you love. I would suggest 30 minutes/day or an hour every 2 to 3 days.

6)Shopping trips- when you are finally ready to make your purchases, make a list of what you are going to purchase, put stars (or something) to indicate what you have coupons for, list both the retail price, and the after coupon price. Know the layout of the store beforehand, and write your list in order of the layout --- you won't be going from end of the store to the other for every item this way.

5/5/12: Things to Do: Etsy Shopping

If you haven't been on Etsy yet, you are in for a treat. It's a great place to find unique, original art pieces (of every form imaginable) to purchase, in many cases, at a lower price than you would at a gallery or retail store. It's pretty much an online community of artists selling their artwork.

Check out Etsy for some fun online shopping.





(my Etsy Shop)

Here are some fun things on Etsy:

4/28/12: Let's Share: Fresh Produce that's in Season

There aren't a ton of coupons for fresh produce, so sometimes we tend to only buy what is "on sale" versus what is "in season". In season fresh produce is generally less expensive than it would be in other months, because it is more readily available.

With May just around the corner (literally...Tuesday, hello May!), here are a few items of fresh produce to look out for that are in season for the month of May.

May Produce (that's in Season!!!)

Veggies

-rhubarb
-artichokes
-asparagus
-onions
-spring peas
-broccoli
-lettuce
-okra


Fruit

-cherries
-pineapples
-apricots
-strawberries

4/12/12: Let's Share: Taxes

So I finally did my taxes tonight (always a procrastinator when it comes to giving the government anything), and I owe...$38

$5 Federal

$33 State

I think I had too many exemptions listed...but since only part of the year I had a reasonable salary, it worked out!

Breaking even on taxes (meaning you and the government don't owe anything to one another) is the best thing you can do, financially, in my opinion. You are able to use all the funds that should be available to you, but then don't have to suffer a financial hardship when tax time comes around and you have to cough up some serious dough to the government.

Did anyone else almost break even on their taxes like I did?

4/8/12: Let's Share: Stockpiling

I'm not much of a stockpiler...but I do tend to purchase a few products in multiples when they are on sale...even if I don't need them right this second:

Soup and Shaving Cream!!! :)









To my readers:
What is your favorite item to stock up on?
I would love to hear from you!

10/2/11: Let's Share:Target Trip

This evening I went to Target... here are a few great deals I received:

Two Cover Girl Nature Luxe Silk Foundation Bottles
Target Price: $9.74 each = $19.48 Total
Used $8.00 off any Two Cover Girl Face Products from today's Procter & Gamble Insert
= $11.48 Total or $5.74 each

One Bottle of Dove Shampoo, One Bottle of Dove Conditioner
Target Price: $3.69 each = $7.38 total
Used the Buy One Get One Free Dove Hair Care Product coupon from today's Red Plum Insert
=$3.69 Total or $1.845 each


Total Saved for the above four items: $11.69 which is an average of $2.9225 saved per item.

5/10/11: Let's Share: Target Trip

This evening I went to Target... here are a few great deals I received:

Sonia Kashuk Spoolie Eyebrow/Eyelash Brush
Target Price $1.99
Use Target Mobile Sonia Kashuk item Coupon $2.00 (sign up at Target.com)
=Free (register will automatically put Coupon to $1.99)

Sally Hansen Nail Color
Target Price $2.04
Use Printable Target Coupon $1.00 Off Sally Hansen Nail Care Product
Use Printable Manufacturer Coupon $1.00 Any Sally Hansen Nail Product (Coupons.com)
= $0.04 (Almost free!)

4 Pack of Caress Soap
Regular Target Price $3.94
On Sale for $3.00
Use Coupon $1.00 Off Caress Soap or Body Wash (Coupons.com)
=$2.00 (Not bad...)

Colgate Pro Clinical White
Target Price $3.79
Use Target Coupon $1.00 Off Colgate Pro Clinical White
Use Manufacturer Coupon $.75 Off Any Colgate Toothpaste (Newspaper 5/1/11)
=$2.04 (Hooray for not paying retail!)


Total Spent: $4.08 - Total Retail Value: $11.76 - Total Saved $7.68

I challenge you to do better and post about it on here! :)