Money Saving Monday

I love this fall weather. I am still waiting for the first big cool front to come our way. It should be here tonight. It will be time to bring out the big blankets and fuzzy pajamas. This is going to be excellent snuggle weather.

I would love to share some tips I use to help save a few dollars on heating during the winter months ahead. Muffins and breads will now be on the menu at our house more often, since the house will not get so hot from all the baking. After I finish baking, I leave the oven door open to help the oven heat the rest of the house. This is not recommended if you have little ones. Or at least make sure they are not around the oven. This makes a huge difference in warmth in the living areas where we normally hang out.

I love to use my crock pot for making meals too. When I am cooking something in the crock pot, I usually will place it on the counter by the living room. This is where it will cook all day and provide some heat to our common area. I am cooking a great meal for my family and heating the house. How great is that?

My dishwasher is the next source of warmth during those frigid winter months. After the cycle is done, I will open the door and let the heat and steam rise. This also provides some much needed moisture in the air during the dry winter season.

 If I can have all three going at once; the heater may not come on for quite a while. I am creating wonderful meals for my family and clean dishes. I can’t think of anything better!

Do you have ways where you try to create additional heat in your home without using your heater? Please leave a comment below.

Money saving Monday - Extreme Couponing

Good news… My neighbor CC, who lives right behind me, was out shopping at Wal-mart and a lady noticed her binder and how organized her coupons were. She asked CC if she would mind doing a class showing how she coupons and gave CC her card. She works for a women’s advocacy place. Where they try to teach women how to get back on their feet after a tragedy or who need assistance. My neighbor said she would call her back after she talked to me. I was so excited she told me about it and gave me the opportunity to do this with her. I have wanted to teach a class. So I am going to be expanding my Couponing 101 series and featuring this on my Monday segment Money Saving Monday. I will be writing most of the copy and she will help with graphics and the Power Point. She is much better than I am. If you don’t want to miss the posts, be sure to join via GFC or LIKE Pounds4Pennies on Facebook to receive all the latest updates.  I post more items on these sites than my blog.

Couponing 101

How can I save 60% or more on my shopping trips? I will show you all the basics to learn how to start extreme couponing, where to get free coupons, how to organize coupons and how to stockpile by using coupons. Each store has a sales cycle that runs anywhere from a 6 to 8 week cycle for an item. Then the item will be at a rock bottom price. This is when you want to purchase the item and combine it with a coupon to get the most food for your dollars. 

How and where do you get coupons?

1. Ask your friends if they are going to use their coupons in their Sunday paper. If not, ask if you can have theirs.

2. Purchase 2-6 papers. So you can have multiple sets of coupons. Also Parade Magazine is in the paper and has coupons in there from time to time. And check through the paper. I have found coupons on the back of some of the sections in an ad. A good rule of thumb is to buy as many sets of papers as you have in your family.  Why so many? If there is a good sale on a product you will want to buy as much of that product as you can to have enough to last you until next time that item goes on sale.

3. All You magazine has many coupons in the magazine. It usually over $50.00 in coupons. This usually pays for itself each time I purchase this magazine. It is well worth it.

3. Places of business. Check with your local coffee shop, auto care center or dr. office to see if you can have the coupons from the Sunday papers they receive. I have to say I have never done this, but I have heard you can try.

4. Grocery stores or convenience stores have blinkie coupons. Blinkies are the little smart source machines in the Grocery store that blinks at you to take a coupon. Now that you are looking for them, you will be surprised at how many you will see. Again rule of thumb would be to get 4 or so, but don’t take them all. Leave some for the next person. You probably aren’t going to use them all anyway.

5. Coupon fairies leave coupons by products that they are not going to purchase or they do not want. You may get lucky and find some coupons there. I always leave formula coupons by formula for people with babies.

6. Products have peelies that can be peeled off to use at a later date. These are usually higher in value than other coupons. Also be sure to look to see if there are any peelies on the product you are going to purchase or if there are coupons included inside the product.

7. There are several sites you can print coupons from and some even reward you for printing and using a coupon from their site. I use quite a few printable coupons every week. I recommend getting a cheap laser printer. Some time the printed coupons are a higher dollar value than the ones in the papers. Go to SwagBucks and signup. You will get rewards for using coupons. Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, Red Plum.com and Target are other great resources for coupons. You can normally print these coupons twice. You will need to use another computer to print more coupons.

8. Facebook is a great resource for coupons. Many times if you like the page of a particular item you can then get a printable coupon from them. Please note they will then want access to your friends and your information. After you like them and print your coupon go in and remove that program from your apps to prevent them from gathering your information and your friends information.

9. If you have a favorite product visit their website to see if they have coupons available to print. Check back once a quarter to see if they will refill the coupon prints. At the start of a quarter they will usually reset the coupons for you to print.

10. Call or write the company and tell them how much you enjoy their product. Sometimes they will send you coupons to get the item for free. I know several people who do this and get free items, even for meat products.

Bottom line More Coupons = More Savings

Ok now I have tons of coupons what do I do with them?

How to organize your coupons?

I don’t have the best answer for you, but I can tell you what I do to organize all my coupons. I started with the Clip and go system, then I transitioned to the Binder System. I use the binder method to organize my coupons. I like knowing all my coupons are always at my finger tips whenever I go to the store. This is more time consuming than the other methods I will show you, but you can ensure you will always have your coupons with you.

The CLIP and go System

This filing system is one of the easiest to get started. Take your inserts from the paper and put them in a hanging file folder. Label the folder with the date of the inserts. This is easy and I feel this is the best way to get started so you don't feel so overwhelmed at first. You just pull the insert from the folder and go to the coupon you want and clip it.

Baseball Card Binder System

The second way is the Baseball card holder/Binder system. Purchase baseball card plastic holders and place them in a large binder. You will need at least a three inch binder or bigger and a lot of baseball card holder pages. Cut coupons you would most likely use. File them in baseball card holders. I have seen several different methods used for this.

• Alphabetically by product name
• Grocery aisle
• Categorized by products ie (healthcare, cereal, dairy...)

However your brain works to categorize things is the best way for you. There is nothing set in stone here. You customize this to the way you are going to remember how to find the coupon when you need it in a moments notice. This just depends on how much time and energy you will have to devote to this.

Combination system

Clip the coupons you are most likely going to use and file them according to the baseball card/binder system and organize them. Then the left over coupons you can file in the clip and go system for deals you may still want to get on items you may not normally buy, but you may need later. This is great for seasonal items. I like to wait until a good sale to stock up on.

Ok now you know where to get coupons and how to start organizing them. Take some time and figure out what your plan of action is going to be to acquire coupons and what method you are going to use. Go out and purchase the items you need to get organized and set up your system. This will make it easier as you get more coupons you can file them right away and be done with them.

Leave me a comment on how this goes for you or if you have any questions. I will do my best to help.

Happy Couponing!

Tips for Tuesday

Close

I know with coupons it is easier to buy the smaller package especially when it's free. I do this. I don't like that there is more waste since I am buying more from a smaller package. In order to compensate I do recycle a lot of my waste.

All boxes are recycled in my home. We have an old trash can in the laundry room that is specifically for recycled items. Our city has a recycle program where we have a separate trash bin just to place our recipes items. This is nearly as full as our trash can every week.

I now have a way to make a little extra cash for the family, since there is a recycle machine in our Kroger parking lot. It has a loyalty card and after you put 100 cans or plastic bottles you can pick rewards, including gift cards. If there is no card you can still get a free coke at Kroger with a purchase over $5.00. I have gotten free Coke with no problem. I have only put in 62 items so far, so I am not sure what your choices are until I reach 100. I am very excited that I am able to recycle and get rewarded for doing so.

Also I look for ways to use things we have. You can use the pasta sauce jars to store bulk items you get at the store. Be sure to wash in the dishwasher and lable what you place in the jar. Then you have instant storage.

Here is my reuse of toilet paper tubes. Doesn’t this just look fabulous. I can’t resist telling my friends this is out of TP tubes and a mirror. No one would guess. I followed directions from Homemaker in Heels. She has a fabulous site and a wonderful home from items she has made. Please check her out. There are several other things I would like to make using the leaf design you get from cutting the tubes.

We also try to use washable plates and silverware more than paper plates and plasticware. While this may use more water, we are not putting more trash in our crowded landfills.

Do you currently have any ideas to reuse items? What do you recycle? How do you make the world a better place? Link up any ideas you may have on your blog or share your comments below.

Friday Finals

To start things off this week had been pretty good until yesterday. I seem to have broken my pinky toe on my left foot. It hurts so badly. I am sitting typing to you with an ice pack on my blue and purple toe. Thank goodness it is summer and I can get away with wearing flip flops everywhere; however, it is a challenge with a very active two year old. With all of his toys lying around the floor has made for an exciting time trying to navigate through the house without hitting my toe on anything.

Kroger Shopping 08/10/11

(4) Domino Brown Sugar $0.62 on clearance

(2) Domino Confectioner Sugar $0.62 on clearance

(3) Loaves Bread Discount Bin

(1) Pine Sol $1.89

(1) Coke 20 oz. $1.59 – 1 Q for Free Coke for using Recycle machine outside Kroger

            -FREE

(5) Yoplait Yogurt 4 Pack $1.88 – 5 $0.50/1 Q doubled 4 Pack Yoplait Yogurt

            -$0.88 each or $0.22 each cup

(1) Kroger Multigrain Chips $2.50 - $0.40/1 Kroger eQ

            -Final $2.10

(4) Welch’s Jelly $1.99 – 4 $0.35 tripled Welch’s Jelly

            -Final $0.94 each

(2) David Sunflower seeds $1.00 - $1/2 All You Magazine

            -Final $0.50 each

(1) Energizer 4 pack AA batteries $9.03 - $1/1 Energizer batteries

            -Final $8.03

I spent $28.00 and saved $20.71 on $48.71 retail. We have been buying Rechargeable batteries to replace all of our batteries. These are just a few dollars more and you can get many more uses out of them instead of throwing them away after one use. We feel this is better for the environment.

CVS Shopping

CVS did not go as planned at all. I didn’t have enough items to qualify for my $5/$25 so I went back to get a couple of things and I still didn’t have enough after check out. Since I was in pain from my toe, I just checked out and left. This has left me a little over budget this week.

(2) Herbal Essence Shampoo and conditioner $2.49

(1) Maybelline Mascara $4.99

(2) Edge Shave Gel $1.99

(1) Pampers EZ ups $8.99

(1) Candy $0.33

Coupons used:

2 $1/1 Herbal Essence Shampoo or conditioner

2 $.55/1 Edge Shave cream

1 $1/1 Maybelline mascara

$1/1 CVS Maybelline

ECBs Used:

$5.00 ECBs

ECB received:

$5.00

I spent $14.25 and saved $8.68 on $22.93 retail. I thought I had a $2.00 off pampers diapers however it was for 60 count or larger that didn’t work. I didn’t get to my $25.00 mark and I received rain checks on several items they were out of. I am not very happy about this trip today.

Tom Thumb Shopping

(10) Pepperidge Farm Goldfish 2 for $4 – $1.00 each Tom Thumb Coupon

            -Final $1.00 each – for birthday

(1) Odwalla drink $1.99 - $0.35/1 tripled  All You

            -Final $0.94

(2) International Delight Creamer $3.29 - $2.48 Tom Thumb Q

            -Final $2.48 each

(4) Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.99 - $1.78 Tom Thumb Q, $0.75/2 Q

            -Final $1.41 each

I paid $23.76 and saved $27.13 on $50.89 retail. The Goldfish is not counting against my weekly totals. These are for my sons Elmo Birthday party with a crayon and goldfish theme. These will be favors and snacks at the party. I am so excited. I can’t wait.

How did you do with your shopping trips this week? LINK UP below

Friday Finals

I had a fantastic shopping week. I found many deals I am going to share with you today. I hope you will LINK up any shopping trips you had this week. I look forward to hearing from all of you.

It is still hot here. Although I love shopping, I am not enjoying getting out in this heat. Here are the stores I went to this week and here is how I did.

Walmart would not let me combine 2 V8 Fruit juice coupons and the V8 tea FREE twice. I had enough coupons to have 4 juices and 2 teas for free, but they would not honor it. So that is why it came out the way it did below.

Walmart 07/29/11

(1) Diapers $13.47

(3) V8 Fruit Fusion Juices $2.98 - 3 $1.50/1 V8 Juice Not sure when this came out

            -Final $1.48 each

(1) V8 Fruit Tea $2.98 – B2 V8 Juice G1 Tea Free

            -Final FREE

(4) Speed Stick Deodorant $0.98 – 4 $0.50/1 Speed Stick SS 07/24/11

            -Final $0.48 each

I spent $19.83 and saved $9.48 at Walmart on $29.31 retail. The diapers will last me for two weeks or longer.

Instead of going to CVS on Sunday like everyone else, I am waiting to go on Thursday or Friday. I normally get a coupon emailed to me for $4 off $20.00 or more or $5 off $25.00. Also my CVS doesn’t stock all the items on Sunday they hold back. If I go after Wed. that is when the truck comes they will usually replenish their stock. This is also easier to shop with not as many people in there.

CVS Saturday 07/30/11

(1) Kotex 18 ct Pads $3.49 - $2.00 ECBs printed

(4) Playtex Sport 18ct $5.29 - $10.00 ECBs printed, Spend $20.00 get $10.00 ECB

(1) Carmel $0.33 – to get me $25.00. It was close and they took the $5.00 off

Used:

1 $1/1 Kotex SS 07/24/11

2 $2.50/2 SS 06/19/11

1 $5/$25 CVS emailed coupon

2 $4.00 ECBs

Total spent in one transaction $5.98 received $12.00 in ECBs for next time. Total saved $20.40.

Tom Thumb shopping 08/01/11

I mainly went to Tom Thumb to get French bread for us to have Red Beans and Rice, my husband’s favorite dish from New Orleans. Since I was there, I decided to take advantage of a few deals.

(1) Loaf of Fresh Baked French Bread $1.59

(2) Nature Valley Granola Bars 12 ct $1.88 - $0.75/2 SS 07/17/11

            -Final $1.50 each

(4) Classico Pasta Sauce $1.49 – 2 $1/2 Classico Sauce SS 05/15/11

            -Final $0.99 each

(2) Honey Graham Crackers $1.99 - $1/2 Nabisco Honeymaid Crackers

            -Final $1.49 each

I spent $11.54 and saved $16.00 on $27.54 retail worth of groceries. I love Classico Pasta sauce. I have a lot of pasta right now and need some sauce to go with it.

Sprouts is where I get my produce and buy things found in bulk bins that do not have any packaging. This is a great way to save not only money, but also on packaging. I shop what is one sale in the bulk bins. I am still waiting for the multigrain pancake mix to go on sale. Yum.

Sprouts Shopping 08/03/11

(0.94) lbs Whole Wheat Flour @ $0.89 lb

            -Final $0.84

(0.89) lbs Quinoa @ $2.49 lb

            -Final $2.22

(3.82) lbs Grapes @ $0.99 lb

            -Final $3.78

(6) Pints of Blueberries @ $1.88

            -Final $11.28

(1) Stalk Celery $0.88

            -Final $0.88

I spent $19.00 for produce this week.  I use the Quinoa for a vegetarian dish during the week. I can get two meals out of one pound. I will take and wash the blueberries and dry them real well and freeze them. I will use them in muffins, pancakes and smoothies throughout the year.

Kroger 08/04/11

(2) Yoplait Yogurt 4 packs $1.88 each

(4) Dawn Dishwashing Liquid $1.39 – 4 $0.50/1 Doubled Any Dawn P&G 07/31/11

            -Final $0.39 each

(2) Disney Vitamins $6.99 – B1G1 in store, $1/1 Printable

            -Final $2.50 each

(3) Softsoap $1.00 - $0.35/1 tripled Softsoap SS 07/24/11

            -Final FREE

(4) Crest Toothpaste $1.00 - $0.50/1 doubled P&G 07/31/11

            -Final FREE

(2) Bounce Dryer Bar $4.99 - $2.00 off for buying two, 2 $0.50/1 doubled P&G 07/31/11

            -Final $2.99 each

(4) Dole Tropical Fruit $1.00 – 2 $0.50/2 doubled SS 07/24/11

            -Final $0.50 each – Plus $0.50 off next order for purchasing 3 cans

I used $2.00 OYNO coupon from purchasing 4 Crest.

And 2 $0.50 OYNO for purchasing 6 Dole Tropical Fruit.

I spent $14.01 and saved $48.47 on $62.48 retail. I saved 78%. This is one of my best shopping trips at Kroger so far. Should have received $2.00 off next check out for purchasing 4 Crest toothpastes, but two rang as toothbrushes. I didn’t realize this until I got home. Little face was not being the best baby at the store. I was pretty bummed.

CVS 08/04/11

Here is my awesome CVS trip!

(2) Gallons Milk $2.99 - $2.00 ECB printed
(1) Gillette Fusion Pro Razor $9.99 - Used at $4.00 coupon, $5.00 ECB printed
(2) Revlon Lip Sticks $5.79 each- Used 2 $1.00/1 Revlon Coupon, $3/$10 cosmetic purchase, $6.00 ECB printed
(1) Tums 72 count $4.99 - Used CVS coupon for FREE stomach aid

I used $13.00 in ECBs in one transaction and I had $4/$20 or more I loaded to my card.

I spent $3.55 and saved $28.99 on $32.54 worth of items retail. I had a lot of coupons print at the machine and they are sending me a coupon almost every week for some dollars off of $20.00 or more. This was the best trip for me combined with the Kroger trip above. I had a really good feeling about couponing after this week.


LINK UP below to share your shopping trips this week.

Tips for Tuesday

Dishwashing soap has many uses. If you spill any oil or greasy items on your clothes put some liquid dishwashing soap on the area and rub gently. You can do this as soon as it happens or is you spot before you put it into the wash. If it doesn't come out with the first wash you can do it again. If it can get black funky oil off birds it can get out just about any oil. I got this tip from a friend of mine who was a message therapist who used it to get the message oil out of her clothes.

I use this for my pillow cases and sheets. I put a small amount in the machine before I wash. My husband sweats a lot in his sleep and releases a lot of oil. I swirl this around the washing machine tub once and wash on hot to get all the oils out. I keep a small bottle of this on my laundry shelf.

If you have run out of bleach or need to spot treat a white area, you can use automatic dishwashing machine gel. It is made of bleach and is great in a pinch if you have a small spot you need to bleach.

You can also use dishwashing gel for bad mildew stains in bathrooms. Since this is bleach based, anywhere you can use bleach you can use this product. I have had to use it on a stubborn mildew stain or two. Just coat the area and let it soak for a while. Come back and scrub this will get the mildew out.

You can make your own laundry soap. I am exciting about this one. I am going to be doing this soon. These ingredients are simple and do not cost a lot to make. I am going to be changing the recipe from this one instead of using Fels Naptha, I am going to grate some ivory soap I got for free. Some one else posted you can use this instead.

Make your own softener and dryer sheets. I am exciting about this one too. These ingredients are simple and do not cost a lot to make. I am thinking you can use lotion if you do not have conditioner for this recipe. My husband travels frequently so we have a ton of the little bottles of conditioner, so I am just going to use some of those. Wow FREE fabric softener.

Hope these help. Do you have any tips you would like to share?

Money Saving Monday

Happy 4^th of July to everyone in America. My husband is smoking a turkey and a chicken today for the 4^th. I just bought the chicken this weekend and I purchased the turkey around Christmas time when turkey was on sale and we froze it until now. With bones and everything it is close to twenty pounds. This will go a long way in preparing meals in the future.

I think I have gone through a full sales cycle in the stores, since I have started extreme couponing for normal people in March. I can honestly say I really don’t need to go to the store for anything. I might be able to reduce my budget now that I have a great variety of food and healthcare products for my family. Of course I will still be shopping the sales, now I can focus on bigger savings items and healthier options for us to eat.

So if you are just starting out know that it takes around 3 to four months to get a nice stockpile of items to have a rounded out supply of items to make meals for your family. I have a nice stockpile I just need some more room to store everything. I need to get my husband to build some shelves in the wash room.

 I hope everyone is having a fun and safe fourth of July. We are having a great time. What is your favorite fourth tradition you do with your family? What dessert do you enjoy making or eating? What is your favorite summer time drink to cool down?

Money Saving Monday

I went to my high school reunion this weekend. We all had a lot of fun catching up on memories and what has happened the last 20 years. I lived in a very small town growing up. Most of my classmates and I had gone to school with each other since kindergarten. Some people had stayed and some had moved away. Other still had moved away and came back. I wish it could have been longer. It would not have been possible without facebook. We planned the entire event on facebook. It was also exciting to find out people are reading my blog.

Today I am going to share with you some ideas I have seen or remembered over the years on saving money with some very simply and small steps. I wish I could quote where I got them, but I just can’t remember.

You pay for 10oz of something you might as well get all 10oz out, right.

For ketchup and mustard try to always store the bottle on its head. To get the last few drops out of the bottle use a little vinegar and swoosh it around. Since both are made of vinegar this will give a little more flavor. If you don’t want to use the rest for fear it may have a stronger vinegar taste, pour the rest into a new bottle of ketchup or mustard.  This will also work for Tabasco sauce or any other vinegar based product. If you don’t know, read the label.

Shampoo, conditioner and body wash store them on the lids. This will ensure the product is all at the top and ready to be used.  Once you cannot get any more out try to swish a little water in the bottle and get the remaining product out.

When using liquid laundry detergent and fabric softner wash the cup out under the running water from the washing machine. This will ensure a clean cup every time and get all the soap out for a load. Once you have used all the soap run the container under the water from the washing machine to get all the last bit of soap or softner out and dump in the washer.

 

Lastly toothpaste. There is a reason they say squeeze from the bottom. Yes if you actually do this you will get the most out of the tube of toothpaste. Flatten out the tube of toothpaste, use the edge of your toothbrush to push the remaining toothpaste to the top. Then fold up the end of the toothpaste so it will all squeeze out to the top. I am always amazed at how much toothpaste is still in there.

Does anyone else have any other ideas? Leave a comment below to share with others.