A little extra..

There are a ton of scams out there..but here is a real website that you can get cash for taking surveys. Granted, you won’t see huge dollar signs each survey you take but it’s a little somethin’ if you stay on top of it. They do not always have openings but are taking applications now-so if you are interested APPLY!

Have you always wanted to be a Product Tester?!?!

Synovate also has openings for product testing…so get involved!

Expired coupons clogging your binder? DONATE THEM!

Support our military members by sending them your expired coupons. Military members and families stationed overseas are able to use expired coupons (up to 30 days old).

There are a few things that you should know before sending them over.

Go visit our friends at the Krazy Coupon Lady to get the details! While you are there, check out the lengthy coupon database!

Thank you Stacy, for letting us know about this neat idea!

Store match ups are now loaded in to Target, Walmart and Walgreens! Happy shopping….

Updated!

Deals now updated under “Store Match ups!”

Enjoy and happy shopping!

Store policy change!

It’s time to update your coupon/matching policies (if you have them printed out!).

I was at Target last night and they no longer accept price matching on competitor’s items without a specific, individual item cost.

For example:  The ad must clearly state: M&M’s $1.50/each rather than 2/$3. In addition, they still do not accept competitor coupons, even if they are printed in the ad, with a specific item price.  My suggestion: Go to Target for their coupons to get bargains and do your price matching at Wal-Mart.

ALTHOUGH, I was at Wal-Mart this morning and they ALSO had a policy change over night (yes, I was there last night too). They no longer will price match store-brand for store brand.

For example: Cashwise has a deal 2/$1 Food Club Cream Soups. Last night, they would price match Great Value’s products for the same price as Food Club. Today, they no longer match competitor private label prices.

Now both of these situations occurred at the stores in Monticello, other stores may be following something similar or may not have put it in place yet. Just wanted to get the warning out!

Moneymaker in Monticello!

Don’t skip the travel area! I was able to find 3 Dove Men+Care deodorant’s in the travel section marked down to $.50, I used my Dove Men+Care coupon for $1 off any deodorant, and I just made $.50 on each of the 3 I bought. That was $1.50 credit towards my produce!

What deals did you snag this week?

Are you ready to shop?

Are you ready to shop this week?!

The deals for Target, Walgreens, Walmart and Coborns are updated under the Store Match ups page!

Remember:

There are only 2 weeks left to take advantage of Coborns double coupon Tuesday!

Make sure to use your RR (see coupon jargon) from Walgreens so you don’t miss out. If you by chance do miss the opportunity- you can use them at Cub Foods! Not only do they accept RR but they also accept 90 day, past due coupons. Who else accepts expired coupons? WALMART! I just haven’t confirmed if they accept the RR from Walgreens or not. They should since it says ‘manufacturer’s coupon’ on the front.

Happy shopping!

Jennifer

Updated!

Coborn’s, Target, and Walgreens deals are now updated under Store Matchups!

Check them out to save $$ this week!

‘Extreme Couponing’ too extreme?!

As you know, I have been in love with savings and coupons since the first of the year. I enjoy that TLC is featuring families and how they save money on groceries..but is it ‘too’ extreme? After watching the first 4 episodes (all aired back-to-back on Wednesday) I have put together some of my thoughts and then I would like to hear yours!

BACKGROUND:

For those of you unaware, TLC has recently started a reality show named Extreme Couponing. It highlights families that save money by stacking coupons/savings and stockpiling (see coupon jargon). All of the families showcased so far have received hundreds (and sometimes over $1,000) of dollars of groceries for under $50, $10 etc. Yes it can be done. The families have mastered the concept and are reaping the benefits. In most cases, they save the money by purchasing large quantities of items on sale (usually 20+). So, yes they are saving money on groceries but in a different way. Through stockpiling people can build up a personal inventory of items and can refrain from buying them again in the near future.

PROS:

Things I like from the show include:

• Strategy: The families all have a strategy of how to save money and how to maximize their dollars by stacking store coupons, manufacturer’s coupons, and in-store deals. This sometimes includes buying “moneymaker” type items (see coupon jargon).  It gives the average couponer or saver a glimpse of how to better maximize their savings.
• It shows real people saving money using real tactics
• It attempts to help people all over the country who are feeling the money crunch due to unemployment, inflation, etc and is showing people how to try to live better.
• It’s interesting! I think the show is very interesting and it helps my curiosity!

CONS:

Having said that, there are some downsides to the show that I am not a fan of.

• Buy just to buy- I feel like some of the families are buying just to buy it and save the money. For example, one mom bought, like, 40 bottles of mustard because she got them for $.39/each. First, who needs that much mustard, ever! Not to mention, how many of those will her family actually use before the expiration date of all of them comes due? Plus, she is still spending $.39 per bottle, wouldn’t it be worth saving the $.39 at some point? I was talking to my husband and we couldn’t justify buying more than 3 bottles at that price (and that is saying that we needed it right now- so 1 in the fridge and 2 in the pantry), even if it was killer deal! Same situation with the guy that bought a PALLET (yep that is what I said!) of cereal. In fact he bought so much that he pre-ordered it from the store. Too extreme? I completely understand stockpiling and having goods on hand; but do you need YEARS worth? Most in-store savings and coupons will repeat themselves 2x/year (if not more often) so I don’t truly ‘get’ the purpose of buying beyond 6 months or a year at the COMPLETE most. However, some families donate the items (as is the case of the guy that ordered the cereal) and then I am all for it. Sharing and giving to the local food shelf or charity is a wonderful thing and should be done in situations like that, I just don’t think it is necessary for one family to keep.
• Hoarding? New addiction? I completely understand the concept of stockpiling and having enough items on hand to last you until the deal comes around again. This eliminates the chance of NEEDING a product and, therefore, being forced to pay full price. For example, I see a deal on toothpaste and buy only 1 tube. In 4 weeks (or however long) I am out and need to buy more. I have a coupon for $.55/1 but there isn’t an in-store coupon or deal this week. In this situation I pay full price-$.55. Scenario B, instead of buying 1 tube of toothpaste I decide to buy multiple. In situations where the toothpaste is free (yes it IS possible, check out Walgreens this week!) and I decide to buy 6, now the stash will last me 6 months. In that time I may be confident that another savings deal will come around where I can then replenish the stash. Now instead of paying full price- $.55 I got them for a lot less. This is being prepared and strategizing. However, I didn’t get 50 of them. I noticed one family that I would consider on the border of hoarding with all the stuff they had. If the stockpile is taking over my home, I think it is time to re-evaluate. In fact, one couple said that it is taking over their relationship because she spends more time on the computer finding coupons than she does talking to her husband. Um What? No thank you- I choose my family and full prices over that any day. On the flip side. I agree that the feeling of savings is addicting. I LOVE it!!! I challenge myself to save more and get more everyday, but with limits…which I will discuss in my next post.
• Healthy food? Having collected coupons for about 4 months now, I pretty much know the types of foods and retail items you can get with coupons. Occasionally you will find a manufacturer’s coupon for Gold’N’Plump chicken, but it isn’t everyday. I see more for frozen meats: nuggets, pizza, fish sticks, pizza rolls (almost every week in fact). Is all this food the best to stock up on? I have to say NO! Produce is expensive, we all know that, so when they save all this money I have 2 questions for them: A. Do you buy fresh produce? B. If so, how do you save money on THAT and I would like an episode to showcase quality rather than quantity. Now, I can see if they have bought  enough ‘moneymaker’ items that you may have the money to transfer to higher priced items- I get that- but moneymakers don’t happen every week.

All in all, I like the show and will continue watching to try to catch other ideas to save. I am curious and intrigued! Plus I have already watched a few episodes so I am hooked, it pretty much doesn’t matter what the show is, if I watch more than 1 episode I will continue until it is done for the season. Through this time I have validated that I will never be an ‘extreme’ couponer because..

• I won’t let it take up every hour of every week (don’t these people have jobs?!) or time with my daughter and husband.
• I value fresh produce. I think it is so important to have a balanced diet and frozen meat mixed with crackers, chips, salsa, pop, and so forth, won’t cut it all the time.
• I see myself as a Penny Pincher, sensible mom who is looking to save money, not an extreme stockpiler. As I said before, if I have enough for 6 months (mainly retail items)- I am good.

As with anything in life, I will watch it and take ideas and leave others. What are your thoughts? Did you like it? Will you continue watching? Was it what you expected?

“Store Matchups” now updated

Check out the Store Matchups section to see the deals for Wal-Mart and Target this week. Next week’s deals will be out soon, so check back!

Want free samples/coupons?

Hey everyone-

After waking up early today, I have found some websites you can visit, sign up, and receive coupons and/or samples in the mail. Feel free to check it out:

Home Made Simple– booklet of $35 worth of coupons

Miracle Whip– free sample

Shout Color Catcher– Are you curious if this works? I am too!

Yoplait Yogurt– Like them on facebook and sign up for a free cup by going to the Calcium tab {in MN they send you a coupon for BOGOF (see coupon jargon)}

Send a care package through Scion. Remembering our military is always important. (You must know their address in order to send).

Best of Betty Crocker– free cookbook download

TIP!

The new P & G booklet comes out May 1st, so if you missed it last week be sure to put it on your list!