Fat Tuesday Blessings

Wishing everyone a very blessed Shrove Tuesday! Don't forget, IHOP is celebrating National Pancake day today...between 7am - 10pm today they are giving away one free short stack of fresh, hot pancakes per customer. 

A Dollar Here, A Dollar There

While cleaning out her office, a co-worker found something that she was given back in 2013. It was the 52 week money challenge. I had seen this floating around the internet back in November and December but honestly, I forgot about it....that is until now. 

(Image Source)

Some of you may be familiar with this but for those that may not be aware of it -- here is a little overview of what is supposed to happen. The year is divided into 52 weeks. So at the beginning of a new year, one saves $1.00 for the first week, then $2.00 the next week and so on until the 52nd week has been reached, where you would then at that time put into your savings $52.00. At the end of the year you should have saved a total of $1378.00. 

While this sounds good in theory...the hard part is following through with it. Not every week will one remember to do it. There will be weeks when the extra couple bucks just aren't there to do it with. So while it would be a great thing for those that have the fortitude and stick-to-it-ness, for others it may just not add up in the end. However, even if you aren't able to follow through with each or decided to start later in the year, any amount of monies saved is always a good thing. 

Another money saving trick that my co-worker mentioned to me concerns the $5.00 bill. She had a friend whom every time she received a $5 bill in her change, she put it away in her savings stash. After a few months she supposedly had saved around $2500.00. This is another great idea, but for those that pay with debit/credit card or checks most of the time, having paper cash on hand to save wouldn't add up to much in the long haul. 

What are some ways to save money that worked for you? How hard was it to stick to? Have you tried either of the challenges I listed above? How did that turn out? I am curious to know what money saving strategies my readers have tried and conquered. 

Deep Discount

We went to Sam's this evening and saw this...

Of course I couldn't pass up a great deal. 12 - 2 pks later and we have a nice little stash.

N O E L

Made an unexpected stop at the mall & happened upon some g-r-e-a-t deals. Nothin' like going CHRISTmas shopping in June.

Champagne Taste For A Demistasse Price

Looking for a new travel makeup bag today & happened to stop at CVS. What do you know...they have a buy 1 get 1 50% off sale. Plus I had a coupon to use on top of it for $3 that I got from scanning my CVS card at the store kiosk. So, it ended up making one of the bags virtually free. I just love a bargain!

Last night I went to Starbucks to give myself a little treat....I had a $5 gift card that I forgot about, so for a tall hot chocolate w/extra whipped cream & lemon cake w/icing...it only cost me $0.30 cents out of pocket! Being frugal does have it's rewards. 

Mortgages

The economy does not seem to be doing any better in some ways than it did last year. Many are without jobs, debts are steadily increasing & many families are loosing their homes due to financial crisis. So tonight I was sitting here wondering about something.....What are you doing to pay off your home mortgage earlier than scheduled? Or are you? I realize it may be hard for some to pay more than just the regularly scheduled payment but when the financial belt loosens a notch, are you using the little extra to help take care of that nagging mortgage note?

I can't wait until the day comes when I can officially burn my mortgage papers because my house is paid in full and outright mine. I don't know what the American dream of the majority is nowadays, but mine is to live debt free.

Saving Money

Last night I decided to revamp my coupon binder. The one I had for the past 3 years was on the verge of falling apart due to all it's use.

My dividers were still in tact so all I had to do was cull through and remove any expired coupons. Thankfully I kept on top of it so there were just a few that needed to be discarded. I still have my utility pouch in the front of the new binder to hold things like my shopping notepad, pens, pencils, calculator & coupon cutter.

I went through my current coupon circulars and clipped out a ton of savings. Now everything is back in it's place and looks fresh and new. Tonight I'll be making my menu plan and inventory of the pantry so I know what I need come shopping day. With the soaring prices of fuel that are affecting everything from our daily commute to the cost of groceries, stock pililng is definitely on my list of things to do. I admit, the past few months I haven't focused on that, but now it's definitely on the game plan.

Don't Discount The Value Of Coupons

How many times have you clipped out your coupons with the intent to use them at your next market trip only to leave them at home and think, "eh what's the use....I'm not going to save that much by using them." You would be surprised at how much your savings can really add up too.

Everything I bought in the picture above would have cost me $41.22 (incl. tax) without my coupons. But by using them my out of pocket total was only $8.30 (incl. tax).

I also went to another grocery store and picked up 4 boxes of cereal that would have cost me $14.04 but using the Kellogg coupons I was sent, my out of pocket cost was $0.00!

Next I went to Kroger to do the bulk of my shopping. My total out of pocket was $203.43 for two months worth of groceries. Had I not used my coupons I would have spent $261.24. That's a savings of $57.81....All total I ended up saving $104.77!

The moral of the story....never discount the value of your coupons.

Spin & Win With Kroger

Kroger shoppers....don't forget to play the "Summer of Savings" instant win game. There are 150,000 prizes to win. So enter and spin once a day everyday until September 11, 2010 for your chance to win a prize.

Lowering Your Costs For Text Messaging

(Image Source)

Do you send text messages on your cell phone? If so, then more than likely you are paying for that additional feature on your cell phone plan. Just as there are many cell phone companies out there, that means there are just as many price packages, so on average you can spend anywhere from $5 a month for 200 texts to over $30 a month for unlimited texting. While I think this is a good feature to have, I really like the idea of actually speaking on the phone to the other person better. If you have teenagers then you know how costly it can be if you don't have unlimited texting on the phone. Regardless of what you pay, it adds up over the year. Let's say you have 2 phones and you have the basic $5 a month plan....that's $10 a month....$120 a year (all before taxes, so that price increases.) If you have a $30 monthly plan then you're looking at $360 a year (before taxes.) That's just way too much to me to comprehend paying.

So I found a site, in the April issue of All You magazine, that allows you to send text messages for free. It's called Textem. The only thing I have seen so far is that you have to know the other persons cell phone carrier to use it. That way they know how to send it to them. You can get reply messages sent to either your email address or to your textem inbox (once you create a free account that asks for no personal information other than an email address.) Now, if the person you are sending the text to does not have a text plan on their phone then they will be charged a fee as usual.

I just sent three messages using this service and they came through fine and the receivers said there weren't any issues seeing it. However, it did say something one person said about "converting message, fees may apply" but we think that meant if the person didn't have a text plan that fees would be charged. We are not positive about it, so we are going to try and find out more on that.

If you have used this service before or know of any other services like this that work well, let us know. Any way to save a dollar is always welcome.

The Power Of Ten ... Part 2

1. Made from Scratch -- if you normally buy prepared foods or mixes, why not make it yourself instead. this way you control what goes into the dish, meal or snack and it can cost you less in the long run.

2. Reduce your Disposables -- instead of buying paper towels or napkins, pull out your old cloth napkins. in addition to dressing up your table, cloth napkins will keep you from throwing your hard earned cash in the trash bin.

3. Subscriptions and Printed Material -- today's day and age gives us the ability to search the internet for anything we might need, so is it really necessary to spend money on magazine subscriptions. if you don't have access to the internet at home, there are many places and cities that offer free wi-fi connections for public use. don't forget about that hidden treasure that most people never step foot in ~ your local library. instead of buying your next book, check one out fro free at the library. many items can also be reserved through inter-library loan, so just because it's not on the shelf doesn't mean you can't get something you might be looking for. your library will have magazines for you to browse through and best yet it's air conditioned and free! or surf the web while while your there and there is no extra bill for you to have to pay.

4. Holidays -- do you really need to spend that extra money on a birthday, anniversary, wedding or Christmas gift? if you're honest with yourself, you'll be able to say no. while there is nothing wrong with gift giving, it seems that many times the amount of the gift supersedes the event itself. don't go overboard when gift giving ~ make a budget and stick to it. remember, it's the thought that counts not the price.

5. Gardening -- for those of us who love to garden, why not think about a seed exchange? talk to your gardening friends & family to see what they plan to plant. if they have seeds that you might want and you have seeds they might want...why should each of you go out and spend the extra money when you can just as easily trade your seeds for free. best yet, save your seeds from your harvest for the next years planting and this makes your seed swap even cheaper.

6. Credit -- don't use credit cards. this is an easy on that I think could use repeating....if you don't have the cash on hand then you probably can do with out buying it. I understand there are emergency situations that may arise that would warrant the need to use your credit card if cash was not on hand (i.e. car repair, medical/dental emergency, etc.) but really think about what you are fixing to put on your credit card...will the cost of the interest each month be worth the purchase itself or would the gratification of saving to buy with cash make that purchase all the more special?

7. Stay-cations -- we all need time off from work and the daily grind, so vacations are definitely important, but unless the money has been set aside in advance to afford an out of town vacation, consider a stay-cation. people are so busy working and earning the money to pay things they want that most don't get to enjoy their own home. think about staying home for your vacation and enjoying the treasures in your own town or nearby towns that you wouldn't normally have the chance to enjoy. take a bike ride with your family and then have a picnic in the park. enjoy an outdoor concert your city might be hosting. there is a myriad of things you can do to relax but still save on the pocket book.

8. Beverages -- instead of buying sodas try drinking water or make a pitcher or iced tea instead. for the price you would have spent (and even cheaper most times) on a case of soda you could buy a box of tea bags and brew a gallon at a time. this could easily add up to big savings over the course of a month. it would be even cheaper and healthier if you drink more water.

9. Cable/Satellite -- instead of paying $60 or more a month on cable or satellite t.v. service, consider getting a converter box if needed and go bare basic. there was a time when t.v. didn't offer over 300+ channels and you know what...people managed to survive. if you get bored with t.v. then pull out a board game and have family fun night. saving money, binding with your family and creating memories is worth way more than what you pay each month for cable service.

10. Do it Yourself -- although its nice to have someone else wash and wax your car or mow your lawn, it's easier on the budget if you do it yourself. save your money and earn the satisfaction of a job well done by the work of your own two hands.

To read part 1 of "The Power of Ten"...go here

The Savings Really Adds Up!

All I can say is Bog Lots rocks!! I saved over $120 by shopping there versus Wal-Mart! Tis' true...I went to Wal-Mart & price compared on the same or like items that I had just purchased at Big Lots this morning....what a HUGE savings today turned out to be.

The Power Of Ten

How can "Ten" be powerful? When it's in your pocketbook instead of someone else!!! There are many ways to save a penny, a dollar and even more. All it takes is a little change in your normal routine to start adding cash back into your pocket. Here's ten things that you can do right off the bat...

1. Eat at home -- take your lunch to work instead of eating out. Meal plan ahead of time to have dinner plans made in advance (this helps to stop those last minute meal crunches that end up in ordering take out food).

2. Thrift Stores -- check these first when looking for a new outfit or what have you. You never know what treasure you can find and at a rock bottom price.

3. Washing your Laundry -- wash in cold water instead of hot. This helps reduce the gas or electric consumption to heat your water.

4. Drying -- most of us are facing those warmer temperatures outside, so why not make use of it and hang your clothes out to dry.

5. Washing Dishes -- do you really have to run your dishwasher or could you just as easily fill a plastic basin or tub with wash water and clean?

6. Watering the Plants -- you just finished washing the dishes for the night so use that dishwater to water the plants. It may not be enough to water everything you have, but it will certainly help out.

7. Gas -- combine your errands and shopping trips to the market to help reduce the amount of fuel your vehicle will use. Carpool if you can to help even further. If your close enough to where you are going, why not ride your bike to the library or to the market (this is if you know you aren't going to be buying more than you can safely handle on the bike ride back home).

8. Shop at Home First -- do you really have to go to the market or are there hidden gems in the pantry that you haven't used yet? Start moving things around on the shelf or in the freezer...you might just find that your cupboards aren't as bare as you thought they were.

9. A/C -- while I agree that there are some areas of the country that the temperatures are so unbearable in the summer that this may not be conducive, but if you can....turn the A/C off and open the windows. Not only will you save money on the electric bill, but it will give the house a chance to air out.

10. Coupons & Savings -- don't go shopping without them. For every penny or dollar saved on your total grocery order, transfer that amount to your savings account. You'll be surprised how much that will add up over time.

Now it's your turn...what are ten ways that you have to help save money?

Why Didn't I Think Like Her When I Was That Age

(Photo Source ERIC ALBRECHT | DISPATCH)

If this girl isn't the picture of money smarts then I don't know who is....Read her story HERE. Man alive...if we thought like her back when were that age, there's no telling what kind of savings and financial freedom we could all be experiencing right now. My hats off to this young lady.

Frugal Mother's Day Gifts

We all know that Mother's Day is this weekend, and if the mass marketers have their way, we will be out spending money we don't need to spend on items that may or may not be of real use to the recipient. So instead of buying I am making this Mother's Day. I pulled out my fabric stash, and went to town.

I can't totally reveal the finished projects as Mother's Day is not here yet, and in case someone takes a peek at my blog before then , they won't know what it is they are getting. I love it when I can "shop at home" first and see what treasure I can come up with when I need a gift.

A Little Tax Day Relief

To help ease the pain of "Tax Day," some businesses are offering their own relief efforts to help the consumers.

Cinnabon: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6-8pm at participating mall locations

Starbucks: Bring your own refillable coffee mug and get free coffee

Boston Market: buy one individual plate & get one free Thursday 4-15-10 through Sunday 4-18-10 --coupon required http://bit.ly/d1YlRO

IHOP: free dinner for one child age 12 or younger w/ each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.

This Just In....

Dollar General has updated their coupon policy concerning printable, internet coupons.

Coupon Policy

Updated 4/8/10

Dollar General is pleased to accept Manufacturer’s Coupons and Dollar General Store Coupons at any of our more than 8,700 stores. These coupons come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, print-at-home (internet), direct mail, product packaging, and in-store coupon boxes.

Our coupon requirements are as follows:

Dollar General will accept coupons, including Internet Coupons, provided they meet these requirements:

1. Coupons must be original (no photocopies)

2. Coupons must have a scan-able barcode

3. Coupons must have an expiration date

4. Coupons may be used only on products sold at Dollar General, and must match exactly to the item as it is packaged and sold at Dollar General.

5. Coupons must clearly say “Manufacturers Coupon” or “Dollar General Store Coupon”

Dollar General will NOT accept the following:

1. Manufacturer’s coupons that do not scan, or Dollar General Store Coupons with an invalid promotional code

2. Expired Coupons

3. Coupons for products not sold at Dollar General

4. FREE Item coupon if printed from the Internet, unless a purchase is required (example: a “buy one, get one free” is acceptable).

5. Coupons from other retailers or coupons that may be used only at other retailers

In addition, unless the coupons state otherwise, you may use multiple coupons in one transaction. You may also use a Dollar General coupon along with a Manufacturer’s coupon for the same item, as long as neither coupon states otherwise.

Market Talley - April

I hadn't been market shopping since March 9th, so needless to say we were low or out of a few things. So yesterday was the day to get the shopping taken care of. I went with a budget of $140 for the month of April. That's right, for the month. We still have some meat in the freezer and items in our pantry, so here's how I did....

First I went by Walmart. Now this is out of the ordinary for me, as I normally don't shop Walmart, but I had a few things that I knew I wanted from there.

Coupon savings...$6.96
Total out of pocket...$46.92

Next it was on to Kroger. I just love the double and triple coupon offers they have. Too bad more stores don't pick up on it. I had a coupon for a free Big Red soda with the purchase of 2 dozen eggs, so that was a nice little extra. I had 2 buy 1 get 1 free coupons for Tropicana plus 2 $1.00 off coupons. So that was a real bargain! I also hit a buy 1 get 1 free sale on the Jose Ole taquitos plus I had another coupon for $1.00 off. I found a double pack of Hamburger Helper Lasagna on the clearance table marked down to $0.59! I don't buy this normally but for that price, I couldn't pass it up.

Coupon savings...$41.55
Total out of pocket...$73.82

Total savings...$48.51
Grand total spent $120.74
That still leaves $19.26 for April's budget. I did pretty well if I do say so myself.

Attention Kroger Shoppers

Don't forget today is the last day of the buy 1 get 1 free sale on Jennie-O ground turkey. Get it while you can! Our local store has them for $3.19 a package. That's only $1.595 a pound! You can't beat it!!!

Toll House Deal

Last minute Christmas baking anyone? If so, check out Target's sale...Nestle toll house morsels marked down to $1.78. Add in your $1.00 off coupon and pay only 0.78 cents for them! That's a bargain! Click here and sign up for your free account that gives you access to coupons and more.

**Don't forget that you can always freeze your baking chips for later use. So stock up while you can at a price that won't break the cookie jar!