I LOVE to save money! On everything from groceries (yes, I coupon) to vacations, from birthday parties to Christmas gifts, I have found a way to save at least a little money on pretty much everything. I'm going to share my tips, tricks, and ideas with you! I would also LOVE to hear new ways to save money from you!
That's what this section is for and let's see if together we can really make a fiscal difference for our families
For more detailed tips and tricks, check out my FB pg: THE COUPON CHICKS
Budget Birthday Bash
Birthday Parties can get VERY
expensive when you start adding up all the items you need to make your child’s
birthday one to remember! Here are few tips, tricks, and ideas that can help
you stretch your birthday bash budget without being “Cheap” about it!!
Location is key to the type
of birthday party you want to have, but doesn’t have to break the bank! There
are many FREE or inexpensive places to throw a party that still allow you to do
something different and unique!
-A Local Park-this seems pretty
self-explanatory, but with some fun decorations and balloons this is a GREAT
place to have a party b/c a playground is always fun and it give you lots of
space to do games, plus you don’t have to worry about frantically cleaning your
house before the party!!
-Home owners association club
house/pool (yours or a friend’s!)-Not all people live in a community, but for
those who do, often times you can reserve the HOA club room, pool, or
playground for little or no cost! If you don’t live in a community, but have a
friend that does, there’s nothing wrong with asking a friend if there community
room/pool is available!
-Your Church-if you’re the member of
a church, you’re most likely allowed to use their gym facilities for FREE, if
you just ask! If it’s a winter time party, this could be a GREAT place to let
the kids run around and not worry about breaking things, plus gives you ample
space for games!
-Your Local Fire Station-Many smaller
towns have volunteer fire fighters who are always looking for ways to educate
the public on fire safety (especially kids!) If you call your local station, a
lot of times you can set up a tour (Often for FREE or a small donation!) and
then just do cake and presents while you’re there! Along similar lines, most
local Police Stations have a Public Education rep (who goes to schools, etc.)
and if you call, often times you can get them to come out to your house to talk
to the kids and let them play around in the police car, etc.
-Your house! This one is obvious, but
so great if you’re looking to save money! If you’re having a “water” party for
example, buying a few kiddie pools and slip-n-slides it will cost you a
fraction of what it might cost to rent out a whole pool somewhere!
Theme is something else
that can make or break your budget! Many kids want themes based around the
latest cartoon characters-this can get expensive if you simply go to the party
store the week of and just start buying things!
-Color Coordinate the paperware- What
this means is if you’re doing a “Cars” theme, instead of spending a lot of
money on the plates with Cars on them, buy solid red plates (at your local
dollar store) and simply complement them with Cars stickers or napkins-this
trick can also be used for cups, cake plates, and table clothes as well!
-Start collecting early! Ask your
child what theme they think they want for their party 4-6 weeks before.
This is good for a few reasons, the first is that it helps you find deals
while you’re out AND it gives your child excitement in the anticipation as you
collect everything you need!
-Use Holidays to your advantage! My
birthday is the week before Valentine’s Day, so we always had my birthday
parties the weekend after Valentines (since most people were busy that holiday
weekend, it worked well) We would sale shop all of the Valentine items AFTER
the holiday, but before the party in order to save money. That’s not to
say you have to do a Halloween themed party every year if your child’s birthday
is the last week in October, but you could use those sales to buy candy or
solid colored goody bags at a discounted price!
Food can be EXPENSIVE,
especially if you plan on feeding a good sized meal, snacks, and buying a cake!
-Start menu planning 4-6 weeks in
advance-this allows you to coupon for items that you don’t normally buy, but
you want for the party!
-MAKE YOUR OWN CAKE! A store bought
cake can run you anywhere from $15-35 depending on the size, type, etc.
You do NOT have to be a baker to make a fun cake! What I do is buy small
figurines (usually at the dollar store), frost the cake to go along with the
theme and then just place the plastic figures on the cake-that’s all they
really do when you buy a store cake anyway! OR if you’re lucky enough to have a
friend who’s a good baker, call and ask if they would bake the cake instead of
getting a gift!
-Plan the party during “Snack time”
rather than a “Meal time”-For example start the party at 1:30 or 2pm on
Saturday instead of 4-5pm. That way people will have already had lunch,
but the party will be over by dinner time. This sounds cheap, but think
about the prep and your sanity-putting out a veggie platter, chips, and cake
for 20 people is A LOT EASIER than coming up with a FULL meal for that many
people!
-Go Seasonal-if you’re planning a
party in the Spring, go with the fresh fruit that’s on sale, if you’re planning
a party around a sporting event (like the Super bowl) go with chips and dip,
etc. That will allow you to spend less since those are the items that
will already be on sale!
Entertainment is something that
doesn’t have to by someone hired, kids LOVE to do all different types of
things, so paying a lot of a clown or magician can be a waste!
-Plan/Lead games on your own! There
are about a million different games you can do with kids that are cheap or free
and TONS of fun! Just watch an episode of NBC’s Show “Minute to Win it” and
you’ll get about 10 ideas right away-things as simple as putting vaseline on
the kids’ noses’ and having them race to transfer cotton balls from one bowl to
another, all the way to more elaborate games like dress up obstacle courses,
etc.! Ask your child to help you plan them, that makes it even more fun and
stretches both your imaginations!
-Come up with a fun craft-this can
work not only as a game, but also as a “goody bag” take home item! If your
theme is animals, you could have the kids make animal masks out of paper
plates-this requires only paper plates, markers, and some string to tie them on
with-you can go basic or big. AND you can use the masks to play a game when
they’re all done!
-Video tape them! Have the kids get
into groups and put on a show, play, etc. and then let them all watch
themselves on TV with popcorn, etc. This would be great if you’re doing a movie
theme!!
-Use your Friends’ talents! If you
have a friend who is a great artist, ask them to do face painting, or draw
characatures of the kids!
The possibilities for each of these different thing are endless!
Just remember, sometimes it may take getting a little creative, but a birthday
party to remember often starts with your child feeling like they’re part of it,
so ask what they want, but also have them help you with the details as well and
you’re sure to have a party that pleases!!
Vacation on a Budget!
Vacation doesn’t have to break the
bank! Between airfare, hotels, eating out, and entertainment, the cost can add
up quickly, the last thing you need on a vacation is to stress out over how
you’re going to pay for everything, so here are some great ideas on how to get
the most bang for your buck and still have an awesomely memorable vacation!
When to Go
Some of the most expensive times to
travel are around the holidays and in the summer, so when you decide the ideal
time to travel, if you can avoid those, that will automatically give you a leg
up on the pricing game! I’m not saying never travel around those dates, but be
smart about it. For example, my family planned a week at Disney World
right AFTER New Year’s, so we flew in the 1st and stayed that week, which was
great because most tourists were on their way home, so the parks were A LOT
more empty AND the rates were cheaper!
Go
some place in the OFF SEASON: For example, in the summer, ski lodges often
have some of their best deals and because they are usually in mountainous
areas, there are still plenty of great activities like hiking, etc. In the
Winter, you can go to a beachy destination and pick a place with an indoor
pool, so you can still enjoy walking along the beach and enjoying the water,
but can go for a swim too!
Where to Go
Choose
a location based on price: There are many sites (like http://www.vacationrentals.com)
Where you put in the parameters of what you want (amenities, number of
bedrooms, etc.) and it will give you an entire list (with pictures) of various
properties that are discounted! This is also fun because you can find
Look
for airports that are cheapest to fly to from your base airport-For
Example: I live near the Baltimore airport, so I look up fares from there to
anywhere and it will give me a list of the cheapest places to fly, so that
helps me chose where we should go.
How to Get There
To fly or to drive, that’s the
question we all ask ourselves when it comes to vacation! With gas prices going
up and air travel restricting what you can take with you, both seem to be
expensive, but it doesn’t always have to be that way!
Driving: There are a few
things you can do to take the sting out of gas prices!
My husband and I always try to stop
at Murphy USA gas stations b/c they typically have the lowest gas prices, so
when we plan out route, we pre-plan gas stops based on locations of those
particular stations.
Buy
gift cards: to certain gas stations a few months before you go, so that way
you’re not racking up a HUGE gas bill all at once on the actual vacation!
Vacation
some place near family that way you can go on the way there or back, so
you’re only paying gas expenses once, but getting a family visit AND a vacation
out of it!
Booking Airfare:
Plan
ahead! Although there are sometimes deals for booking last minute, more
often than not, if you can book your flight AT LEAST 6 weeks ahead of time
you’ll not only have more flight options, you can also get your fare cheaper as
well!
The cheapest days to travel are
almost always Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (depending on when holidays
fall!) and to stay for an entire 7 days (IE Tuesday to Tuesday).
Carry-on!!
NEVER pay to check luggage! It can cost you up to an extra $45 each way
(depending on the airline!) it’s not worth it! Pack more efficiently or enroll
in frequent flyer programs that allow you to check bags for free!
Get
Bumped! This sounds crazy, but it happens more than you might
think-airlines oversell the amount of seats that are on the plane, so often
they will ask if anyone is willing to give up their seat(s) for a later flight
AND they make sure you get PAID to do it! They will not only rework your WHOLE
itinerary, they will often upgrade you to first class and they ALWAYS give you
at least ONE FREE TICKET for a future flight, so if you have some time and
don’t mind hanging out in the airport a little longer, you can really benefit
from being bumped!!
Although there are many sites that
compare prices, often it is cheaper to go to the airline’s own webpage!! I few
airlines that are typically cheaper on their own pages include:
Some of the sites that search a good
assortment of different airlines are:
Entertainment and Activities:
Once you get where you’re going,
chances are you’re going to want to do some of the fun things that make it
really feel like a vacation. There are a few things you can do ahead of
time to make sure that you get to do all those fun local activities without
breaking the bank.
Buy
a City Pass: if you’re going to a major like Atlanta, New York City,
Chicago, etc. You can buy a City Pass (at http://www.citypass.com) which gives you at
least 50% off admission to the most popular museums, tours, and local
activities.
Buy
an Entertainment Book: This is a book that contains coupons for
Buy-one-get-one-free admissions to various events, activities and restaurants
as well! Plus the coupons all have location addresses on the backs, so that
helps you know exactly where to go and what’s near where you’ll be
staying/touring. Depending on the time of year, you can often get an
Entertainment Book for under $20 (with shipping) and you’ll save FAR MORE than
that! Visit www.entertainment.com
and type in the zipcode or town/city name of where you’ll be visiting and it
will give you a sneak peak of the discounts for that area!
Go
Online Ahead of Time: Many states and cities have websites that allow you
to enter your home mailing address and they will send you a
magazine/brochures/flyers with coupons, information, and activities for that
local area. Most places also have webpages for their local chamber of
commerce that list upcoming events and activity ideas. Collect all of this
information and plan ahead so you know what you want to do and about how
much it’s going to cost, so you can budget.
Visit
the local Visitor’s Center: This sounds like a cheesy thing to do, but
taking 5 minutes to visit the information desk at the airport or visitor’s
center in the area you’re staying in can save you a lot of money! They have
flyers and maps, which usually also have coupons on them. It’s also
helpful because you can find out from the people who work there what activities
are really worth doing and which ones you can pass on!
Food/Eating out:
Eating out for every meal can get
expensive, especially when you’re traveling with a family, but here are a few
tips that can keep that food budget in check so you have more money to spend on
other fun things during your vacation!
Find
a Local Grocery Store: If you’re staying some place with even a small
kitchenette, you can find a local grocery store to buy milk, bread, cereal,
PB&J, etc. so that you can pack light meals to take with you on your
adventures, that way you’re not having to pay for the small meals! For Example:
We stayed at a ski resort with a full kitchen, so we ate cereal for breakfast
and packed a picnic lunch to eat while we were hiking, so we only ate out for
dinner, cutting the food budget down by almost 60%!
Eat
an Early Dinner: Many places have lunch specials that go from 11am-4pm or
so, SO if you eat a big lunch around 3pm or so, then you can eat light for
dinner-IE that PB&J you got at the grocery store! Most places serve
the same meals for lunch as they do for dinner, they just charge more later in
the day! Plus, this gives you an excuse to use the entertainment book to go out
and find a nice dessert place later in the evening!!
Buy
an Entertainment Book: Yes, this is also listed under Entertainment and
Activities because the Entertainment book has coupons for restaurants also, so
buying one book can REALLY save you a lot in everything you do from mini-golf
to seafood!
Visit Restaurant.com! This
site is GREAT (www.restaurant.com)
! You can buy coupons for restaurants (if you watch the sales, you can often
get a $25-$35 coupon for $2) You simply enter the zipcode and it will bring up
an entire list of restaurants in that area. It also will show you their menu,
location, etc. so you can get an idea of what type of restaurant it is before
you buy the coupon. You buy the coupon, print it out and take it to the restaurant.
How the coupons work is you spend $35 and get $25 off, so you end up only
paying about $10 for your whole meal (you do have to still add tax and tips,
but you’d pay that whether you used a coupon or not!)
Date Night Deals
My husband and I recently celebrate
our 3rd anniversary and this is what we did on our night out!
Dinner – Original
price $38, we paid $26
Movie – Original price $21.50, we paid $9
Popcorn –
Original price $6, we paid $0
Frosty’s – Original price $2, we paid $1
Total –
Original price $67.50 we paid $36 a 47% savings
Here is how we did it!
Dinner - We
used buy one entree, get one free coupon we got in the mail!
Always look for coupons online and in your mailbox, also you can use restaurant.com!
This site will sell you high valued coupons for a fraction of the cost.
Right now you can get a coupon for$25 off at select restaurants for only $2!
Also Groupon and Living
Social are other great websites to join for restaurant
discounts. These sites will sell gift certificates at discounted price,
for example you can buy a $40 gift card for $20! So check them out
and see if there are any deals in your area!
Movie - There are
not a lot of deals for movies but we were able to get in on a great deal on
Groupon! This deal is no longer going on but it is another good reason to
join Groupon! Also at most theaters if you go to a movie
before 6pm you get a matinee price. So if you are going out on a Saturday
why not go to an early movie and get dinner after that?
Popcorn - Regal
theaters are giving away 1 million bags of popcorn this summer! Note that you
have to have a smart phone to participate! Click here to see how you can get the
free popcorn!
Frosty - This coupon
was on the back of a ticket from a football game that we had attended.
You would be suprised how many tickets to high school and college athletic
games have coupons on the back. So don’t toss them before turning them
over to see if there is a coupon!
Babysitting - this is the biggest cost of going
out if you have kids. We are lucky to have family and friends that will
watch our son for free. If you don’t have family why not swap babysitting
with another couple?
Good Deal or NO deal!
Good Deal or No Deal Introduction:
To truly get a good deal, you need
patience, some smarts, and a little bit of luck! Here are a few key ways
to make sure that you really are getting a GOOD DEAL.
Rule #1: “Buy-one-Get-one” isn’t a
deal-ESPECIALLY
when you’re talking about clothes! Many stores (like Kohl’s, JCPenney, Sears)
will have most or all of their clothing one sale all the time, meaning you
never really pay MSRP (or the retailers ideal high price point) anyway-SO if
you do the BOGO deal, they make you pay FULL MSRP (which is usually A LOT
higher than you’d ever pay for that item!) For Example: I bought a shirt at
Kohl’s the other day that was $4.80, but said it was 90% off, NO ONE ever would
pay $48 for a plain, long-sleeved black shirt, but the MSRP is higher so they
can put it “On Sale” and make you feel like you saved more. Even with a
BOGO deal, the shirts would have come out to $24 each, which isn’t a deal
either! Don’t be tricked!-the “Buy-one-Get-one-Half-off” is the BIGGEST scam of
all-for the same reason!
There are exceptions to this rule!
There are some stores/items that you may never find on sale, but you have to be
smart enough to know what these items are! For Example: I would NEVER pay full
price for Sketchers shoes because most major department stores carry them, so
if you wait until the right season, you can always find them on sale. BUT
It’s difficult to find speciality brands on sale because you can only get them
at their store-like Stride Rite-they do have outlets, but it’s hard to find
them most anywhere else and they are rarely on sale, so if that’s the only kind
you can wear, you’ll just have to know, you’re probably going to pay a lot for
shoes, which is OK because you’re saving so much money on everything else you
buy!!
Rule #2: 50% off isn’t a deal!-I’m sure you’ve been
to the store after a holiday or at the end of the season and seen people
frantically searching shelves or racks and then you look up and see a “50% off”
sign-This is where the patience comes in! After holidays most major retailers
(Target, Sears, JCPenney, even Walmart) will begin to markdown their excess
inventory in order to get it out the door! Most stores mark it down the day
after (30% at Target, 50% at Walmart, JCP and Sears vary depending on the
store). By the end of the first week after that holiday, they almost
always have everything that’s left marked down to 75% off, which is a MUCH
better deal!
Rule #3: Plan Ahead for
Holiday/Seasonal Sales! Referencing Rule #2-yes, shop for the next
season/holiday right after the one that just happened! That’s the best way to
save the most money. If you need wrapping paper you’re much better off
getting it after a holiday and holding on to it-I got Christmas wrapping paper
for $1.25 a roll after Christmas, but would have paid $6 a roll before
Christmas-then I just put it away until the next year and I’ve saved on that,
so I can spend the extra buying real gifts for my friends and family, which is
SO much better! I also buy Christmas paper that can be used all year-maybe red
and white stripes, or something like that can save you when it comes to gift
giving other times during the year too!
Stores also receive shipments of new
items based on the season (this is true no matter where you live-even if it’s
hot or cold all the time, they still rotate their inventory). The retail
seasons for most chain stores the seasonal shipments come in for Fall/Winter in
August, for Spring in February, and for summer in March/April that means that
this is when they put things on sale to make room for the new items! Obviously,
the longer you wait, the better deal you’ll get, but also the less you’ll have
to choose from, so if you know you need some more sweaters for next winter,
start looking in the middle of February for those sales, etc.
Rule #4: Make Friends with the
Sales Associates! For those of us who have worked in customer service, it’s always
nice to have a customer who is friendly, kind, and not complaining, BE THAT
CUSTOMER!! What I do is ask how their day is going or find a way to make
conversation-then it usually comes around to the deals they have, when this
topic comes up, just nicely ask when you think they are going to mark down the
items again (So if they’re at 50% right now, you’d ask “oh, when do you think
you’re going to be marking it down to 75%?) This will allow you to be one of
the first people there when they do mark it all down again, giving you a better
selection than others who don’t have the “inside scoop”!
Rule #5: Go Online! Although most stores will NOT match online
sales, a lot of stores will have great deals online-the other thing that is
helpful is that if it’s on sale online, that means it’s also on sale in the
store, which means if you watch the website, you can be clued in to when the
sales are not waste a trip hoping it’s the right time! I’ve also found that the
store usually has more items/better deals then those listed on their webpage
because each store is responsible for clearing their own inventory.
Birthday Freebies
Many companies, stores, restaurants,
etc. offer freebies for your birthday. Even if it’s nowhere near your
birthday, if you sign up, you often get a freebie coupon right away and some
companies (like Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, IHOP) will send you coupons all
year round.
On a lot of these sites, you can also
sign up your family member’s birthdays, so you get freebies then too-for
example, I put in my daughter’s and husband’s birthdays, so I got free coupons
on my birthday in February, her birthday in May, and his birthday in November!!
If I’ve missed any, please let me know-we LOVE freebies here!!
NOTE: most of the coupons are good
for the whole week around your birthday, so you don’t have to go get all the
freebies just on your birthday, although you could give it a try as a birthday
challenge!!
I’ve listed them in alpha-order and
included only the best ones (meaning the places you go and get just a dessert,
I didn’t include, but you can google “birthday freebies” to find out those
places-all of these listed below will give you a BOGO entree, Blizzard, etc.)
Baskin Robbins-https://www.baskinrobbins.com/bdayclub/RegisterInfo1.aspx
BD’s Mongolian BBQ:
http://bdsmongolianbarbeque.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe&InputSource=W
Dairy Queen:
http://www.blizzardfanclub.com/join/
IHOP:
http://www.ihop.com/ (click on the link to join the Pancake Revolution)
Maggianos:
http://www.maggianos.com/en/Pages/home.aspx (sign up under the “Email Club Sign
up” on the homepage)
Moe’s: http://moes.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe&InputSource=W
Red Robin:
http://www.redrobin.com/eclub/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
ToysRus: FOR KIDS 2-10 years old: http://www.birthdaysrus.com/
Specific Store Deals
Bed, Bath, and Beyond: www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Pretty much everyone is aware of
this, but if you sign up online to receive coupons by mail (usually 20% off one
item or $5 off purchase of $15). They will take up to 5 coupons per
transaction, if you have 5 items! Some stores still take expired coupons, but
it depends on the store, so check with an associate at your store before you
start shopping! Also, if you need to start a Bridal registry with them, they
will mail you a coupon for 10% off anything left on the registry once the event
has passed.
Burlington Coat Factory: www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com
If you sign up to be on their email
list, they will send you a coupon for 20% off anything (including sale items)
and you will also receive offers/coupons each month. Also, if you sign up
for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to American Baby magazine
(https://secure.parents.com/bhg/store/checkout/partner/?promoCode=I103VLD40) ,
each month the magazine includes a coupon for 15% off anything in Burlington
Coat Factory’s Baby Depot Department.
JCPenney: www.jcpenney.com
Whenever you buy something at JCP,
the back of receipt has an invitation to take an online survey at their
webpage-after you complete this 5 minute survey, you can print out a coupon for
an additional 15% off your entire purchases for the next month-you can
print/use as many of these coupons as you want before they expire (and if
you’re nice to cashier sometimes they’ll even let you use them after the
expiration date). The BEST thing about this coupon is that you can use it
to get an extra 15% off ANYTHING-even CLEARANCE, meaning you save even more!!
Kohl’s: www.kohls.com
If you sign up to be on their
emailing list, you’ll get a coupon for $5 off your next purchase-along with a
10% coupon off your whole purchase. If you sign up for a Kohl’s Credit
Card, they also mail/email you coupons (up to 30% off) every month or so-if you
pair this with their sales, you can save A LOT-For Example: They had Fisher
Price Little People Sets on sale for $8.99, so I waited until I got my 30% off
coupon and then bought them and ended up paying only $6 for each set-which
ended up being more than 80% off total! Another way to save is to “go
paperless” with your Kohl’s CC bills, they email you another $5 off coupon as
well. ALSO-if you sign up to be on their email list they will send you a $5
Gift Card (for in store use) and a %15 off coupon for online use (whether you
have/use a Kohl’s Charge or not!)!!
Sears: www.sears.com
If you watch their sales, every month
or so (depending on your store) Friday-Monday they will offer an additional 40%
off their clearance/sale merchandise.
Target: www.target.com
If you get a Target card, you get 5% off everything you purchase
in store and/or online! They will also take 3cents off for every reusable
shopping bag you bring with you, whether it’s theirs or not! If you make a
registry of any kind, when it’s up, they send you a 10% off coupon for
everything left on the registry (so if you have a baby registry, make sure you
put diapers and wipes on it!!) See the “Stores” tab for more information/weekly
blogging about Target!
Discount Stores
These stores are great to help
maximize savings, but you have to remember they don’t always carry the same
items, so if you find something that’s a good deal and you’re going to use a
lot of it, buy in bulk! Something to remember about these stores, though, just
because something is at a discount store DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE IT A GOOD
DEAL!!
Nationwide: These are stores
that have locations almost everywhere, so that means everyone can take
advantage of their deals!
Dollar Tree: This is a store
where everything is a dollar. Depending on the size of your local store,
they may even have a refrigerator section and carry a small amount of groceries
(bread, noodles, breakfast sausage, etc.) This store also has some very
cute decorations, gifts, etc. before all holiday seasons, so if you don’t plan
ahead with sales the previous year, you can get some of the items you need to
celebrate here! This store is also nice because most of what they carry, they
have all the time, so if you find something you like there, you can usually
find it next tiem you’re there-there are exceptions to this-but not most of the
time!
Family Dollar: This store has
everything from clothes to personal hygiene to home décor. They also
carry seasonal items and if you watch the time of year right (the end of a
season) you can often get clothes, holiday decorations, etc. for $1-$5 for
entire outfits! Most of these stores are set up the same and if you sign up
online, they will email you $5 off $25 coupons every other month or so.
They also ACCEPT COUPONS! See the “Stores” tab for more information about their
coupon policy and webpage.
Big Lots: This store also has
everything from clothes to personal hygiene, to home décor and toys! They carry
some brand name items that they offer at deep discounts, however, sometimes
they mark up the brand names to prices that are higher than what you’d pay in
the regular department store, so make sure that you know how much something
should cost! They also have a club called “Buzz Rewards” which is FREE and
allows you to save even more and receive emails/mailers about their upcoming
deals! You can sign up for that at their webpage: www.biglots.com
Goodwill: Is a second-hand
store where you can buy clothing, furniture, baby items, and other household
goods. These stores are in most areas and have items at discounted
prices, but the trick is knowing what’s a good deal and what is not-for
example: the Goodwill store near me in Texas charged much more for housewares
than I would’ve paid to buy things on sale brand new at a regular store.
Also, they have many days where you can get 10 items for $5, certain colored
tags 1/2off, etc, but you’ll need to check with your local store to take
advantage of their special local deals. You can also shop them online at
www.shopgoodwill.com
The Salvation Army: Is also a second
hand store-pretty much the same information as listed above for “Goodwill”
applies to this store also. To find a location near you, go to their webpage:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/0/e3610fb5ddd550a1802573250030e32a?opendocument
Harbor Freight Tools: This one is for
the guys (or handy girls;) This store is great for inexpensive tools and
supplies. For Example: if you need paint brushes or a screwdriver set,
this place is MUCH cheaper than the big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, and
even Walmart). They often have sales and if you sign up online, they will
email you coupons and sale information so you can get the best deal. If
you buy an Entertainment Book, there is usually a few coupons for Harbor
Freight in there also! You can find their locations and sign up for their
coupons at their webpage: http://www.harborfreight.com/
Southwest Regional Discount
Stores:
99 Cents Only Store: These are THE BEST
$1 stores in the country! They are have locations in California, Nevada,
Arizona, and Texas. Check their webpage to see if there’s one near
you-even if it’s a few miles, it’s worth the drive!! Everything in this store
is 99cents or less and they carry everything from cleaning products to
produce-most of which are name brands! They have a refrigerator section with
products from Nestle, Pillsbury, etc. They also carry seasonal products,
Disney Character products, and I’ve even purchased Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
here too!! They don’t always have the same thing, so if you see something you
like, buy A LOT of it because it may not be there next time you come back! When
I lived in AZ and TX, I did a lot of my grocery shopping here and save A LOT OF
money!! You HAVE to check this place out, if you have one near you-you will
NEVER look at a dollar store the same way again-TRUST ME!!
CLUB 99-For those of you who DON”T
have a location, you can go online and order items from them by the case (with
FREE SHIPPING). They have a large variety of items to choose
from-seasonal, crafts, even pantry items! So if you plan ahead and know what
you need, you can really save even though you can’t go directly to the store!
You can find all that information at their Webpage: http://99only.com/
Fallas Parades/Factory 2-U: http://www.factory2-u.com/
I couldn’t find a list of exactly
which states they’re located in, but if you go to their webpage you can type in
your zipcode and it will tell you! I know they have locations in TEXAS and
ARIZONA!
This store has clothing, home décor,
and toys-with seasonal items for the holidays. They have DEEPLY
DISCOUNTED everything-The only advice I have about this store is if you’re
going to buy clothing here, STICK WITH THE NAME BRANDS!! They carry a lot of
name brand merchandise that is factory or store extras, but they also carry
cheaper brands that don’t wear/wash as well! I bought clothes for my daughter
here that included the Disney Brand, Carters, Fubu, Sesame Street, even Baby
Gap on occasion! They DO NOT have dressing rooms, but have a good return
policy, so that makes it easy!
As for home décor, they have Brand
Name comforter/sets. I’ve also purchased rugs, frames, and curtains for
90% off what you’d pay in a department store!
They also offer a 10% MILITARY
DISCOUNT on EVERYTHING in the store-even items that are marked down!!
They are always getting new items, so it’s nice because you
never know what you might find!
Baby Items
Having a baby can get VERY expensive,
Especially when you start to add up everything you need to make sure your baby
is safe, comfortable, and entertained! The goal of this page is to help you
understand how much baby items cost new, which ones you can get used and what a
good price is for various used items, and which stores are the best for
registries/sales on the items you should buy new!!
I know some people think that buying
things for baby used sounds like a terrible idea, but let me give you a few
reasons why it’s a great idea, other than saving money!!
1.) You have to wash EVERYTHING
before you use it, whether it’s new or not, so buying new doesn’t save you any
time/effort in that respect.
2.) If you’re planning on having
multiple children, you’re probably not going to buy new for baby #2, so that
means it’s used at that point anyway!!
3.) The baby DOESN’T KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE!! Your baby will not think you love him/her any less b/c the swing
they’re in was used by someone else first!!
4.) One diaper explosion (trust me,
there will be MANY) and it’s “used” anyway!!
5.) Your baby may not like the swing,
bouncer, etc. so at least you can re-sell it, instead of taking it out of the
box, putting it together, not being able to take it back and having to sell it
for a loss!!
Cost of Baby Items new (at Target/Walmart)
Breast Pump (Medela) $280
Crib-$150-$300 depending on
finish/style
crib mattress-$50-$100
changing table-$80-$130 depending on
finsh/style
Changing pad-$15
baby monitor-$20-40 (depending on
type)
glider or rocker – $125
nursing pillows-(boppy brand) $40
(plus $10 per cover)
mobile-Fisher price light up/remote
mobile-$40
diaper disposable system (diaper
champ) $40
stroller or travel system-Graco (avg)
$150, Baby trend (avg) $180
Additional Car Seat base-$40
infant carrier or sling-$30-$50
umbrella stroller-$15-$30
play yard (Pack-n-play) Graco
$70-$150
highchair -$50
bouncer seat-$20-$40
activity center/baby gym mat-$25-$50
swing-Fisher Price $125
jumper-Fisher Price $90
bottle warmer-$30
So, now that you know what things
cost new, let’s talk about what you CAN buy used and where you can find a good
deal!
I recommend Craigslist.com, Ebay
(depending on the size of the item, since you have to pay shipping),
Thrift/consignment stores, and yard sales!
Items it’s OK to buy used:
Crib, crib mattress, changing table,
Changing pad, baby monitor, glider or rocker, nursing pillow, mobile-Fisher
price light up/remote mobile, stroller or travel system, infant carrier or
sling, umbrella stroller, play yard (Pack-n-play) Graco, highchair, bouncer
seat, activity center/baby gym mat, swing-Fisher Price, jumper-Fisher Price,
bottle warmer.
Things to NOT buy used:
Breast pump (unless you’re buying it
from a friend/relative that you know), Diaper pail/disposal system, Car Seat or
Crib with RECALLS.
When buying used, there are
questions you ALWAYS need ask:
1.) Is this from a smoke-free home?
2.)
What is the model/item number on this particular item (so you can check to make
sure there aren’t any recalls-especially on cribs and car seats)
3.) CARSEAT-has this car seat ever
been in an accident-no matter how small, you do NOT want a car seat that is
expired/has been in an accident!!
How to know if it’s a good deal
Do a little research on the types of
items you might want-so go to the store, look at the different bouncers, car
seats, crib finishes, etc. and decide what you want. Just b/c you’re buying
it used doesn’t mean you can’t get what you want!Once you decide what you want,
figure out how much each item costs-then start looking on Craigslist, Ebay,
etc.
-DO NOT PAY MORE than HALF of what
the item is worth new in the store!!
For Items you DO PLAN ON BUYING NEW:
Use coupons-most places you register will send you a coupon for 10% off
anything left on your registry, so put items you want/can’t find used on your
registry even if you’re not having a shower, etc. b/c you can still go buy it
with that coupon later!
-Sign up for as many freebies as
possible!!
DIAPERS: Can get VERY
expensive if you just go to the store and buy them at regular price.
There are a few tricks to save some real money in this area.
1.) Sign up for freebies/coupons-most
sites (pampers.com, huggiesenjoytheride.com, luvs.com) have FREE membership
programs that result in coupons being mailed/emailed to you.
2.) Buy in advance-if you’re pregnant
now, it’s ok to start shopping diaper sales! Let’s say your baby is in size 2
right now, but the size 5 is what is on sale, you’ll need them sooner than you
might think, so it’s ok to stockpile!
3.) Generally, I would say you should
NEVER pay more than $0.14 per diaper-so when you’re looking at the
sales/coupons, etc. make sure you do the math (divide the total cost after
everything by the number of diapers in the package to get the cost per diaper).
4.) You don’t have to always buy your
diapers in the same place-sometimes Amazon.com will have great deals, but other
times, weekly sales at CVS, Target, etc. will yield a better deal, so be a
little flexible, after all, most diapers are the same no matter where you get
them!
5.) Store Brand Diapers are GREAT for
day care! Most day care providers (large, school type settings) change all the
kids every 2-3 hours whether they are dirty/wet or not, so that means you don’t
need a diaper that’s going to hold a whole lot! I would steer clear of the
store brands overnight, but for quick trips, or days you’re staying at home or
sending your child to day care, they are a good way to save some money!
GREAT SITES FOR BABY FREEBIES: I would suggest
setting up a separate email account JUST For baby stuff, so you can keep track
of the offers you’ve signed up for!!
www.enfamil.com (click on the
“Offers” tab and it will take you to the registration page you need)
http://www.nurserywater.com/account/?gclid=CPmLn4r6m6gCFUvd4Aod5nqmHw
https://www.babiesonline.com/offers/
www.babycenter.com
planningfamily.com
http://www.membersmarkformula.com/free_sample.aspx
GREAT SITES/STORES FOR BABY DEALS: (I
put them in Alpha order, not order of who has the best deals)
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mom/signup/welcome
If you join Amazon mom (for FREE),
you can set up regular delivery of diapers, wipes, etc at 30% off AND free shipping.
The trick to saving money this way is to see what they have on sale and setting
up a subscription for that item, then just canceling the subscription once the
item arrives, so you don’t end up paying full price for it later. They
also have a registry and will give you 10% off everything left on your registry
starting 30 days before the due date you’ve listed!
BabysRus:
www.babysrus.com
They are typically more expensive,
but have a HUGE selection at their store, so this is a good place to go in
order to see, touch, play with various car seats, pack-n-plays, etc. so you can
get an idea of the brands you really want when you’re looking on Craigslist,
Ebay, etc.
Burlington
Coat Factory: www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com
Each month they have 15% off
one item in Baby Depot coupons in American Baby Magazine (which you can get a
FREE SUBSCRIPTION to at the first site listed in the above section).
Also, if you sign up for their emailing list you can get a one time use 20% any
item coupon.
Kohls:
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kids.jsp
If you watch the sales, you can get
GREAT deals on brand name clothes, gear, and a lot more for baby. If you
sign up for a Kohl’s charge, you can get an additional 30% off (See the Kohl’s
information under “Specific Store Deals”). They also have GREAT maternity
clothes, but again you have to watch the sales!! The BEST thing about them is
their return policy is very lenient, so you don’t have to worry about ordering
something online and then being stuck with it forever. If you change your
mind, you can simply return it TO THE STORE for a FULL REFUND!!
Ross
Dress for Less:
This is a GREAT store for MATERNITY
CLOTHES and BRAS-they are inexpensive, but trendy!
Target
www.target.com
They have a pretty good registry system and are one of those
stores that sends you a 10% off coupon at the end of the registry-so if
you register for diapers and wipes, you can use the 10% off registry coupon AND
any manufacturer’s coupons to maximize the savings!!
Military Discounts
For those of you who serve, either by
being active duty or being the spouse of a member of the military, there are
MANY places that honor you by offering discounts.
My husband serves in the AF, so I
make sure to ask about a military discount EVERYWHERE we go-it doesn’t take much
to ask and you could save yourself a lot of money!!
This page is a list of the places
which offer military discounts (they are in Alpha-order):
A&W – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Advance Auto – 10% off with
military ID
Aeropostale-10% off your entire
purchase with Valid Military ID in story only
Amtrak – 10% off
Anna’s Linens - 10%
off any purchase with Valid Military ID in store only
Apple Computers - The
discount varies, you need to sign up here –http://www.apple.com/r/store/government/
Applebee’s – Discount
varies per location, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you
Arby’s -
Discount varies per location, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
AT&T – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Avis – 25%
off, online you should use this coupon AWD # A555084
Back Yard Burgers – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Banana Republic – 10% military
discount 1st of every month (may vary by location; in-store only).
Barnes and Noble – 6% off
regular price plus free shipping, check out www.bn.com/militarycity
Barnhill’s – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Bass Pro Shops – 10% off from
the 15th to 22nd of each month
Best Inns and Suites – Varies, must
present Military ID with check-in
Best Western - Rates within
allowable per diem, must present military ID with check in
Beyond Blossoms - 20% off all flower
orders throughout the year 12/31/2010
Bob Evan’s – 20% off with
military ID
Boscov’s- 15% off in-store
purchases with military ID everyday.
Boston Bill Sunglasses – 10% off
Boston Market – 20% with
military ID.
Buckle – 10% off,
Free Shipping on all military orders
Budget – Varies, up
to 25% off time and mileage Store, requires military ID to
redeem
Burger King – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Busch Gardens- One day
complimentary admission for members of the military and 3 direct dependents in
2011.
Carl’s Jr. – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Champs Sports – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Chevy’s Fresh Mex – 20%, simply
ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Chipotle – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Choice Hotels – Rates at or
below per diem depending on location. Discounts may vary and depend on
availability. Must present military ID.
Ci-Ci’s Pizza – Discount
varies, dependent on location, must present military ID
Cingular – 17 to 18%
Discount off your bill and 25% off accessories
Clarion Inn – Rates within
allowable per diem while on travel orders. Must present valid
military ID with check-in
Coldstone – Discount
varies, must present military ID
Comfort Inn – Rates within
allowable per diem while on travel orders. Must Present valid
military ID with check-in
Coolmilitary.com – 10%
off, online, ends 12/31/10
D.S.W. Shoe Warehouse – 10% military
discount
Dairy Queen - 10% off, location
dependent
Days Inn – Rates within
allowable per diem. Must present valid military ID with check-in
Denny’s – 10% Off your
check with valid military ID with you.
Dick’s Sporting Goods – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Disney Resorts – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Disneyland - Military discounts
are available only for tickets purchased at installation MWRs. Prices vary per
date and length of visit
Dollar Car Rental – Allowable
per diem rates
Dunkin’ Donuts – Veterans
advantage members save 10% on all online orders. They also send free
coffee to the troops oversees.
El Molino Coffee Shop - Free
Shipping, online
Express Clothing Store- 10% off on top of
other coupons as well with military ID
Extreme Outfitters -10-20% on
miiltary Gear, online and in Store
Eyeware - Discount varies,
get the discount online at http://www.afeyewear.com/ – This site
offers military discounts for a wide range of eyeglass companies
Foot Action – 20% off with
military ID
Foot Locker – 20% off with
military ID
Ford – Discount
varies, http://www.encs.com/ford/
Forget me not Jewelry – 30% off,
ends 12/31/10. Online, use code militarygen100 at www.forgetmenotjewelry.com
Friendly’s Ice Cream Stores – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Gander Mountain – 5% off
Gap – 10% military
discount 1st of every month (may vary by location; in-store only).
GM – Varies, always
well below MSRP. You can sign in online athttps://www.exclusivegmoffer.com/ip-gmpop/initPop.do?program=mpp
GNC – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Great Wolf Lodge – Up to 33%
off, discount varies however. Must book room over the phone rather than the
internet.
GuideToMilitaryTravel.com –
Another great site for military families to go to when looking for travel
discounts.
Haber Vision – 50% discount
on all sunglasses. Online athttp://www.habervision.com/CodeResult.aspx?code=JB10222Q
Hanes Outlet Store – 10% off with
Military ID
Hard Rock Cafe – 10% – 15%
off. Varies for each location.
Hertz – Allowable
per diem rates. Show valid military ID
HickoryFarms.com - 10
percent Military discount – Enter 892848 in code box on online order form
Home Depot – 10% off Year
Round, to active duty, active reserve, retired military, and immediate
family. In-Store, just bring valid military ID
Hooters – 10% off with
military ID
Hot Topic – 10-20% off
with military ID
IHOP – 20% with
Military ID at owners discretion
Imax – $1 off movie
tickets with Military ID
Inkshouse.com – 20% off $50
or more, use cod Mil20
istudysmart.com – Free
Shipping for Military Families, Online, 9/15 – 10/14
Java Cafe – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Jeep – $500 for
active military, reserves and retired reserves or active after 20 years of
service. Requires military ID
Jiffylube – 10% off with
valid Military ID
Jockey – 10% off with
valid Military ID
Jones New York Outlet Store – 10% off with
valid Military ID
KB Toys – 15% off
during advertised Military Days
KFC – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Kragen Auto Parts – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Lady Foot Locker – 20% off with
military ID
Leslie Pool Supplies- 10% off with
military ID
Lerner – 15% off
Long John Silver’s – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Longhorn Steakhouse – 10% military
discount
Lowes – 10% off year
round to active duty, active reserve, retired military, and immediate
family. Just bring in a valid military ID.
Macy’s – 10% off on
the first Tuesday of every month, 15% with a Macy’s card. Here are more Macy’s
Coupons.
Maurices – 10% off with
valid military I.D.
Marriott Hotels – It’s the Per
Diem amount the government picks up, whatever that amount is.
Just call and place the reservationover the phone and ask for that
discount. Online at http://www.marriott.com/reservation/worldnum.mi
Mary Kay Cosmetics – Military
personnel and dependents receive 10 % on online orders. Reference your service
affiliation and status, and ask for additional free gift and bigger discounts
by contacting website.
McDonald’s – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Meineke – 10% off
parts. In store only. Simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Michaels - 10% off every
Wednesday.
Midas – 10% off
MLB Hall of Fame – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Mrs. Fields- 10% off with
military ID, coupon link
My Cruise Club – 9% off on
all cruises, ends 12/31/10, www.militarycruisedeals.com
NAPA Auto Parts – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Nautica - 10% off with
military ID
National – No fee for
additional drivers, and special off duty rates per location. Service
members receive full loss damage waivers
National Credit Solutions – 25%
discount, call toll free at 866-485-2540 x109, and for a direct line please
call 972-746-4209
New York and Company - 15% off military
discount
Nextel – 18%
Discount, call 1-800-639-6111
Nickelodeon Hotels – Reduced
rates and perks, online and in store, www.nickhotel.com/military ,
877-NICK-111 and ask for theMilitary Family Package.
Nike – 10% off,
In-Store.
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Oakley – There is a
website you register with that offers Oakleys at a discounted price. It
doesn’t say how much that price is though. Check it out online at https://secure.usstandardissue.com/
Old Navy – 10% military
discount 1st of every month (may vary by location; in-store only).
Pac Sun – Discount
varies per location, just bring in a vaild military ID and ask
Panchero’s Mexican Grill – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Pancho’s Mexican Buffet – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Panda Express – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Paradise Limousine – $25 Off
Limousine Service Coupon Code: 1369 for service members
Pep Boys – 10% off with
valid military ID
Pizza Hut – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Play It Again Sports – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Professional Sports teams – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Pure Beauty – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Quizno’s – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Race-Depot – 10% off, use
code 10MILCITY
Rack Room Shoes – 10%
discount. Bring in valid military ID (TUESDAYS ONLY)
Raising Cane’s Chicken – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Ralph Lauren Outlet Store – 10% off with
Military ID
Ramada – 15% to 30% –
depending on availability. Must present military I.D. upon check in.
Red Robin – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Regal Movie Theaters – Matinee
prices for all show times. Requires Military ID
Ripley’s attractions and museums – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – 10% military
discount
Rocky Mountain Tracking – 5% off any
tracking inc. Use code USMILITARY,http://www.rmtracking.com/
S & K Men’s Wear – 8% Discount
on all items free shipping on orders over $99 & APO/FPO shipping. To access
the military site atS&K you must go through their AAFES Exchange Mail
Online service. http://bdeal.me/aCVq2X
Sally Beauty Supply – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Samsonite- 15% off with
military ID
Sea World -One day
complimentary admission for members of the military and 3 direct dependents in
2011.
Sesame Park Place- One day
complimentary admission for members of the military and 3 direct dependents in
2011.
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago-
Free general admission with military ID. On the Shedd Aquarium page that is
hyper linked here, scroll down to “Other Discounts” to find out more
information.
Shoe Carnival – 10% off with
military ID
Shoe Department – 10% off with
military ID
Sierra Suites – Rates at or
below per diem depending on location. Discounts may vary and depend on
availability. Must present military I.
Six Flags Mountain Magic – Service
members receive special discounts on admission for special events and specific
dates. Tickets must be purchased in advance MWR and ITT 143. Recreation
offices, not at the park.
Sizzler – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Sonic – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Soutwest Airlines – Varies, it’s
a dollar amount, not a percentage. Not available on all flights, you’ll
have to call Southwest and simply just ask.
Spencer’s Gifts – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
SportsMemorabilia.com – 10% off at
checkout, use code mili10 online
Sprint – 10-18% off.
Sprint will also put a “hold” on your line when you are deployed, if you
provide a copy of your orders, so you still have the same number when you come
back and you do not have to pay for the time your gone as well.
Sprint Business – 15% to 20%
Discount, 1-888-788-4727
Suzuki – $500 off for
you and immediate family. Requires military ID
Sweet Tomatoes – 10% off with
military ID
Taco Bell – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Texas Road House – 30% military
discount
The Finish Line – 20 percent
military discount off select items at special locations
The Melting Pot – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Timberland Outlets – 15%, bring
in valid military ID
Tommy Hilfiger – 10% with
valid military ID
Toyota – $500 off +
$500 for firs time buyers. Requires military ID
Travelodge – Rates within
allowable per diem. Discounts may vary and depend on availability. Must present
military I.D
Under Armor Outlet Store – 10% off with
military ID
United Artist Movie Theaters – Matinee
prices for all show times. Requires Military ID.
Verizon – 23% discount
on monthly bills. Applies only to the military member’s primary line.
Walgreens – 10% with
military ID every Tuesday
Weis Market Grocery stores-Offer a 5% discount
on your purchases TUESDAYS ONLY with a valid military ID
Wendy’s – Discount
varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Wildlife Conservation Society’s
Bronx Zoo – Free admission ticket for active duty or reserve member
of the military, also allows 50% discount in admission for up to 3 family
members
Wildlife Conservation Society’s New
York Aquarium – Enrolled military get in for free and 50% off for up to
3 family members http://www.nyaquarium.com/
Wilson’s Leather Outlet Stores: 10% off your
entire purchase with Valid Military ID
Wing Zone – 10% military
discount in Alabama. Ends 12/31/2015
World of Coca Cola – $2 off
standard admission price for service member with I.D. and up to four guests.
Wyndham Hotels – Discounts
vary by 140 locations. Also depend on availability. Must present military I.D.
upon check in.
Zaxby’s – 10% off with military ID
Extreme Couponing
While there is nothing wrong with
Extreme Couponing, in response to TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” show, there are a
few things that you need to keep in mind:
-I consider myself a “moderate
couponer”-as you read below, you’ll see what exactly that means comparatived to
the “extreme couponers” we’ve seen on the show!
-The people they feature on the show
spend an average of 30-40 hours a week couponing and prepping (and that’s not
counting the actual “in store” time shopping), I spend an average of 2-4 hours
a week (and that includes the blogging part of it!) You have to figure out how
much your time is worth!
-The average savings/a Good deal is
when you can save MORE than what you spend. Most people who coupon save
an average of 50-70%, not 99% like most people on the show, but as we said
above, that’s a 2-4 hour process versus a 30-40 hour time investment.
-I only buy 1-2 Sunday
papers-anything more than that can get excessive and difficult to manage.
If you can find a way to get more for free, that’s good-ask your friends and
neighbors, but keep in mind that couponing is becoming a lot more mainstream,
and popular, so don’t just expect them to give up their coupons! The show
features people who go dumpster diving or purchase coupons from clipping
companies-this means that they are not doing what the average person does,
buying a paper or two and clipping them.
-It is RUDE and INCONSIDERATE to
clear the shelves just because there is a good deal! This is the “do unto
others” mentality. When I see a good deal, I buy ONLY WHAT I NEED to get
me to the next time the item is on sale-which is an average of 10-12 weeks (as
is the sale cycles that most stores do)
-Stockpiling is good, but not for items
you WILL NEVER USE!! For example, I can only use Secret brand deodorant, so
even if I can get Dove for cheap or free (which isn’t really free b/c you have
to pay sales tax in certain states), I don’t bother because I’m not going to
use it-I see that as leaving it for some other deal seeker who will really use
it!
I’m not saying that what these “Extreme Couponers’” do is wrong,
but I do think it’s important to understand the differences! Extreme couponing
can become a full time job, which is fine if you have the time, but you need to
know how much time is best for you and your family! And remember no matter how
many or few coupons you use, you can still save money and a penny saved is a
penny earned!!
Daily Deal Websites
Daily Deal Sites:
There are a few things to remember
when purchasing items from some of these “deal a day” sites:
-Check the items reviews (either
through google or amazon) just to make sure the price is a deal AND to make
sure the item is worth buying!
-Google reviews for the site itself
to make sure you’re buying it from a reputable site!
-Shipping can take a while! With
sites like Gravemall.com, it can take up to 2 weeks just for your order to
ship, so if it’s something you REALLY NEED soon, you could be out of luck!
-Read the item description VERY
carefully! Just because they’ve pictured an item doesn’t mean that’s the exact
item you’re purchasing!
Here’s a list of a few of the
Daily Deal Sites that have the best deals:
www.DODtracker.com (this site contains a list
of a whole bunch of deal sites and what their deals are each day-some of the
sites they list are very good, while others are not, so just remember the
guidelines above)
www.amazon.com (they have daily “Gold Box”
Deals, as well as “Lightening Deals” which are new every hour or two-starting
at 9am pacific time)
Daily Coupon Sites: These are
sites you can buy discount coupons from in order to save money on for local
businesses, websites, or attractions.
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