I forgot to mention this in my last coupon tutorial but I'm sure it was cram-packed full of enough info! I told you I would have to add on...
If you are brand loyal, go to your favorite brand websites or their umbrella company website. Companies like Proctor & Gamble (http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/pg-brandsaver-samples-coupons.jsp) own brands such as Pringles to Gain laundry detergent.
Here are some other sites that are umbrella companies:
Unilever (http://www.unileverexclusives.com/coupons/index.aspx?source=)
General Mills (https://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-promotions/coupons/default)
Kelloggs (http://www2.kelloggs.com/Product/KelloggCoupon.aspx?id=1992)
Kraft (http://www.kraftrecipes.com/promotions/kraftpromotions.aspx)
And that's just to name a few. If you are having a hard time finding your favorite brand's coupons just google search "__(name brand)__ coupons" or "__(name brand)__ promotion."
This site has some good ones on it:
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/con_OtherFreeCoupons.cfm
One brand I love to get that I want to get coupons on are Skinny Cow Cones, so I visited this site to sign up for coupons: http://www.skinnycow.com/newthanks.html
This is also good for things you often buy, such as dog food and medications. When I used Nutro pet food I signed up and they sent me tons of coupons. I also signed up with Heartgard & Frontline and they sent me tons of coupons as well. So, speaking of, I just went to California Naturals dog food website (http://www.californianaturalpet.com/about-natura/contact.asp) and contacted them to send me coupons if they can.
Visiting sites of your favorite restaurant chains sometimes results in a savings find! For instance, Join Chili's E-mail Club for the latest happenings and exclusive offers, including a welcome gift of FREE CHIPS AND
QUESO within 48 hours of signing up! (http://assets.fbmta.com/clt/chlscrp/lp/join/join.asp) I know Olive Garden and Longhorn's usually print coupons in some weekly flyers you get in the mail too.
Just think about the stores, restaurants, and brands you often buy and research it! Let me know what you find :)
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
3.05.2010
3.03.2010
Coupon Tutorial - Foundations
This is my first attempt at putting into words the process I go through when I grocery shop, so this may be commented on and edited over time...
Recently my record savings was $128 and I spent $214. That's 67% off my groceries/non-grocery items!
I know I could save more by not buying my cleaning and bathroom products at Kroger, but I do this out of convenience and my well being to be able to stay out of Walmart :)
On we go - this is long, but take time to digest it! I hope it helps and feel free to comment on what I can be doing better!
COUPON TUTORIAL
1) Buy a coupon organizer and organize them all by month. I sometimes ignore the month rule when organizing my coupons if I know I can double certain coupons together.
For example: If I have a coupon for a FREE Degree deodorant from Kroger that expires in March and I also have a manufacturing coupon for 50¢ off 1 Degree deodorant (doubles to $1) that expires in April, I will put both of them back to back in the March slot so I can use them together and make $1 on that grocery visit!
2) Have someone save the Sunday paper coupons for you or get the Sunday paper yourself. I have my dad & his fiance save them for me and pick them up when I can. However, you can survive and save tons of money without these coupons. It's just an added bonus ;)
NOTE: Never throw away a coupon because it’s a duplicate. You never know
when you will need to go back to the grocery for that item!
3) Print coupons off online!!
coupons.com
smartsource.com
redplum.com
valpak.com
4) Add online coupons to your Grocery Card:
cellfire.com
shortcuts.com
pgesaver.com - sadly you cannot use this for Kroger cards anymore :(
5) Get the store layout and what each isle carries from the grocery you regularly go to. I have created a Grocery List Template Word document listing what items are in each isle. I edit this before each grocery list, but do not save it so that I can keep my template. When editing, I list the quantity & brand that I need to satisfy the coupon. I can send you a "before template" and "after grocery list." Just email me for it: lindseycoplin@gmail.com
Here is how I code so I can know how much I will save on a "brand name" item vs. buying "store brand" to see which is the best deal. I am not brand loyal on most things.
C$1 for printed coupons - It could look like this if I have a coupon for 40¢ (I go ahead and double it on paper) C80¢
SC$1 for shortcuts.com card coupons - these do not double
Cell$1 for cellfire.com card coupons - these do not double
NOTE: If I have a multiple coupons for similar items (i.e. for different brands of coffee) I list the brand "C$1" or whatever the coupon discount is for all on the same line. It helps me get the best deal between brands and stay focused instead of having to constantly browse through my coupons.
Example: Say I have a coupon for 2 different brands of coffee (again, I'm not brand loyal). I have a $1 off Starbucks coffee and a 25¢ (doubled is 50¢) for Folgers. Folgers (27.8 oz tub) is $5.99 and Starbucks (12 oz bag) is $8.99 for much less quantity of coffee. So, I can assess that I am going to buy the Folgers for $5.49 and not use the Starbucks coupon for now. It's usually more expensive anyway, but sometimes I splurge if Folgers isn't on sale and Starbucks is :)
I hope this makes sense. I'm just saying I take options for similar items b/c something might be on sale that I didn't realize, which does sway my decision ;)
4) Get the entertainment book! You can save $5 (for spending $75) at
Kroger every month if you shop in bulk like me. Also included is another $5 off of $50 spent at Kroger. It cost about $20 for the book (annual renewal) and we use more than just the $65 in savings at Kroger. I try to make 2 grocery trips a month (one big one and another smaller one for bread, milk, etc).
NOTE: To make sure I use these coupons I clip them and put one in each month in the coupon organizer.
Stemming off of this, let me tell you why I shop at KROGER:
Example on Cheerios – I bought 2 boxes: 1 Yogurt burst and 1 Honey Nut
1) I checked the ad – they were on sale for $1.77 a box.
2) I checked my coupons – I had printed out two. One was I save 75¢
on 1 box of Cheerios. The other was I buy 2 and get $1 off.
3) I had added a coupon from shortcuts.com to my Kroger card for 75¢
TOTAL SPENT:
$1.04 for 2 boxes of Cheerios!!
(and Cheerios are normally over $3 a box)
NOTE: I always take advantage if toothpaste and small items are
on sale because more than likely there is a coupon out there for them
both printable and online coupons added to your card. I have made money off of stuff
like this.
To sum up my grocery shopping - PREPARATION is KEY. Here are my steps:
OTHER SHOPPING
Clothes/electronics use these website:
Recently my record savings was $128 and I spent $214. That's 67% off my groceries/non-grocery items!
I know I could save more by not buying my cleaning and bathroom products at Kroger, but I do this out of convenience and my well being to be able to stay out of Walmart :)
On we go - this is long, but take time to digest it! I hope it helps and feel free to comment on what I can be doing better!
COUPON TUTORIAL
1) Buy a coupon organizer and organize them all by month. I sometimes ignore the month rule when organizing my coupons if I know I can double certain coupons together.
For example: If I have a coupon for a FREE Degree deodorant from Kroger that expires in March and I also have a manufacturing coupon for 50¢ off 1 Degree deodorant (doubles to $1) that expires in April, I will put both of them back to back in the March slot so I can use them together and make $1 on that grocery visit!
2) Have someone save the Sunday paper coupons for you or get the Sunday paper yourself. I have my dad & his fiance save them for me and pick them up when I can. However, you can survive and save tons of money without these coupons. It's just an added bonus ;)
NOTE: Never throw away a coupon because it’s a duplicate. You never know
when you will need to go back to the grocery for that item!
3) Print coupons off online!!
coupons.com
smartsource.com
redplum.com
valpak.com
4) Add online coupons to your Grocery Card:
cellfire.com
shortcuts.com
pgesaver.com - sadly you cannot use this for Kroger cards anymore :(
5) Get the store layout and what each isle carries from the grocery you regularly go to. I have created a Grocery List Template Word document listing what items are in each isle. I edit this before each grocery list, but do not save it so that I can keep my template. When editing, I list the quantity & brand that I need to satisfy the coupon. I can send you a "before template" and "after grocery list." Just email me for it: lindseycoplin@gmail.com
Here is how I code so I can know how much I will save on a "brand name" item vs. buying "store brand" to see which is the best deal. I am not brand loyal on most things.
C$1 for printed coupons - It could look like this if I have a coupon for 40¢ (I go ahead and double it on paper) C80¢
SC$1 for shortcuts.com card coupons - these do not double
Cell$1 for cellfire.com card coupons - these do not double
NOTE: If I have a multiple coupons for similar items (i.e. for different brands of coffee) I list the brand "C$1" or whatever the coupon discount is for all on the same line. It helps me get the best deal between brands and stay focused instead of having to constantly browse through my coupons.
Example: Say I have a coupon for 2 different brands of coffee (again, I'm not brand loyal). I have a $1 off Starbucks coffee and a 25¢ (doubled is 50¢) for Folgers. Folgers (27.8 oz tub) is $5.99 and Starbucks (12 oz bag) is $8.99 for much less quantity of coffee. So, I can assess that I am going to buy the Folgers for $5.49 and not use the Starbucks coupon for now. It's usually more expensive anyway, but sometimes I splurge if Folgers isn't on sale and Starbucks is :)
I hope this makes sense. I'm just saying I take options for similar items b/c something might be on sale that I didn't realize, which does sway my decision ;)
4) Get the entertainment book! You can save $5 (for spending $75) at
Kroger every month if you shop in bulk like me. Also included is another $5 off of $50 spent at Kroger. It cost about $20 for the book (annual renewal) and we use more than just the $65 in savings at Kroger. I try to make 2 grocery trips a month (one big one and another smaller one for bread, milk, etc).
NOTE: To make sure I use these coupons I clip them and put one in each month in the coupon organizer.
Stemming off of this, let me tell you why I shop at KROGER:
- They double coupons under 55 ¢. NOTE: those 55 ¢ coupons are actually $1.10 off and are worth more than the $1 coupons.
- They have great sales. I ALWAYS look at the weekly ads before going. You can find those online here: (http://services.kroger.
com/mapquest/ storesearchadvanced.aspx) - They send you personalized coupons based on what you normally buy. This may be from signing up for the Kroger plus card, but if you are not getting them – call the store!
- They send you coupons periodically pertaining to the season (ie football time – chips, salsa, etc).
- Gas savings: 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend there. Luke and I pump at the same time so we can get the 10 cents off for the both of us - yes, probably not supposed to do that but we beat the system ;)
- Manager's Special in the Meat Isle! It is mostly meat that is about to expire, but can be frozen.
Example on Cheerios – I bought 2 boxes: 1 Yogurt burst and 1 Honey Nut
1) I checked the ad – they were on sale for $1.77 a box.
2) I checked my coupons – I had printed out two. One was I save 75¢
on 1 box of Cheerios. The other was I buy 2 and get $1 off.
3) I had added a coupon from shortcuts.com to my Kroger card for 75¢
TOTAL SPENT:
$1.04 for 2 boxes of Cheerios!!
(and Cheerios are normally over $3 a box)
NOTE: I always take advantage if toothpaste and small items are
on sale because more than likely there is a coupon out there for them
both printable and online coupons added to your card. I have made money off of stuff
like this.
To sum up my grocery shopping - PREPARATION is KEY. Here are my steps:
- Open Grocery List Template in Word document form.
- Check Kroger Ad & unadvertised deals at Kroger on southernsavers.com (checking the ad will help me when I browse my coupons which coupons to go ahead and use). I write the items I want to take advantage of on my Grocery List Template.
- Browse clipped coupons and add the Quantity and Brand and coupon amount as instructed on Grocery List Template.
- Browse online coupons added to card and add savings to your Grocery List Template if you item is already listed or add Quantity and Brand and coupon amount to the Grocery List Template.
OTHER SHOPPING
Clothes/electronics use these website:
- Check Entertainment book for online codes.
- http://www.retailmenot.com/ - check for online codes
- currentcodes.com – check for online codes
- http://www.pricegrabber.com/ - checks multiple websites for lowest bottomline price. I believe Google does this now too.
- Check Entertainment book - if you are a member you should take advantage of their repeat printable coupons (I use Dan West coupons often) online at entertainmentbook.com
- http://mem-cc.memphis-forless.
com/ - http://www.restaurant.com/ - sometimes runs deals by using a coupon code – I’ve gotten 80% off before, which translates to CHEAP!
- http://www.faithfulprovisions.
com/ - http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
- http://sensetosave.com/
- http://www.southernsavers.com/
- last but not least MY FAVORITE
7.27.2009
To give your all~
So, I am amazed by God's providence through timing and how He uses other people. Thank you to you all who have responded to my last blog about finances and financially giving to ministries ~ keep the thoughts coming!!
This Sunday the interim pastor (ours is on a well-deserved sabbatical) said that we are as close to God as we want to be. He also briefly spoke about God's timing and this one phrase hit me SO HARD: God let Moses dwell in desert for 40 years because He predestined him to the Promise Land at the right time for the Promised One. Let me tell you what hit me at the right time...this devotion that my amazing stepfather, Ken, sent me about God's will WEEKS ago, but I just now read it today (I'll bold what stood out to me):
This Sunday the interim pastor (ours is on a well-deserved sabbatical) said that we are as close to God as we want to be. He also briefly spoke about God's timing and this one phrase hit me SO HARD: God let Moses dwell in desert for 40 years because He predestined him to the Promise Land at the right time for the Promised One. Let me tell you what hit me at the right time...this devotion that my amazing stepfather, Ken, sent me about God's will WEEKS ago, but I just now read it today (I'll bold what stood out to me):
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture Reference: Romans 12:1-2
Discerning the Will of God
The primary condition for learning what God wants of us is putting ourselves WHOLLY at his disposal. It is just here that we are often blocked. We hold certain reservations about how far we are willing to go, what we will or will not do, HOW MUCH GOD CAN HAVE OF US or of what we TREASURE. Then we pray for guidance. It will not work. We must begin by laying it all down--ourselves, our TREASURES, our destiny. Then we are in a position to think with renewed minds and act with a transformed nature. The withholding of any part of ourselves is the same as saying, "Thy will be done up to a point, mine from there on."
Paul gives four important steps to discerning the will of God:
1. "Offer your very selves to Him,"
2. "Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world."
3. "Let your minds be remade."
4. "Your whole nature transformed."
"Then you will be able to discern the will of God" (Rom 12:1,2 NEB).
It IS against our worldly nature to give above tithe or even give at all!! To the outside world it seems insane to give 10% away of your salary, even more so to give more than that! But because of the love that our Lord has put inside of us we are able to love HIS kingdom and plan so much that we can be willing to give our ALL for His glory. I feel like Moses at this point (although not as intense ~ I live much more comfortably than he did in the desert) in waiting for God's timing to revel to me His plan and my footsteps on many matters (i.e. money, babies, church involvement, etc). And that's exciting! However, I am still praying through my thoughts of wanting to hold on to security (i.e. money, selfish indulgences w/out babies...ha!). And I want to continue mulling over thoughts, spiritual advice, and God's Word on this subject matter, but I think it just has a lot to do with me giving my all...and that's more than just money. Then the path to the Promise Land will be clear.
7.24.2009
The Joys and Pains of Budgeting
Budgeting hurts so good. I am so thankful to have Luke in my life ~ his leadership, accountability, and sweet partnership. As we have sat down over the past few days to manage our finances a few things have become apparent to me:
1) We are blessed beyond anything I would have ever imagined at this point in our lives. God is good. He has brought people into our lives to aid us and teach us how to be good managers of our money. Not that we always follow the right way though ;)
2) I am so thankful for Luke and his giving heart. He would love to give all of our money away :) I still struggle with wanting to support people in addition to our tithe from gross. I want to say I am willing to give all I have to the kingdom, but I really debate that mentally ~ my thoughts turn to, "but how will we support ourselves if times get tough," and " we already live to our lowest means...how can we give any more away?" I think I may need to reread The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn again. My heart so easily goes cold.
3) I am pretty sure coupons have turned to my demise! Luke pointed out that it's like a hobby or game to me to see how much I can save in a grocery trip...it really has! I have saved up to $118 through Kroger's savings, coupons, and bonus coupons. However, I have lost site of the bottom line. So, the new plan of action is to only get what we need and not even focus on coupons. I tend to stock up on things because they are good deal, which totally throws off a budget if you are looking at by month. But here's the question~ when should you spring for that good deal because it may not come along the next month!? I could give many examples and proof, which seems arguable by Luke. Again, I'm easily tempted. The degreed marketing employee has fell into her own trap! However, can I brag that I do use coupons to my benefit some times? I have actually made money on some products (i.e. toothpaste & dog treats), but my coupon and grocery list organization could be another blog ;)
4) Through the mulling of thoughts and challenging conversation on money, I have been humbled and reminded to live every day in submission to Christ. My daily time with HIM determines how I spend my money AND time! It truly transforms my day to live in the light of eternity rather than my selfish wants.
More thoughts on this later...I just wanted to share the surface of my heart for now. And I wanted to see what you all thought out there about support above your tithe. I need encouragement! I think I will be reading in the gospel of Luke today.
1) We are blessed beyond anything I would have ever imagined at this point in our lives. God is good. He has brought people into our lives to aid us and teach us how to be good managers of our money. Not that we always follow the right way though ;)
2) I am so thankful for Luke and his giving heart. He would love to give all of our money away :) I still struggle with wanting to support people in addition to our tithe from gross. I want to say I am willing to give all I have to the kingdom, but I really debate that mentally ~ my thoughts turn to, "but how will we support ourselves if times get tough," and " we already live to our lowest means...how can we give any more away?" I think I may need to reread The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn again. My heart so easily goes cold.
3) I am pretty sure coupons have turned to my demise! Luke pointed out that it's like a hobby or game to me to see how much I can save in a grocery trip...it really has! I have saved up to $118 through Kroger's savings, coupons, and bonus coupons. However, I have lost site of the bottom line. So, the new plan of action is to only get what we need and not even focus on coupons. I tend to stock up on things because they are good deal, which totally throws off a budget if you are looking at by month. But here's the question~ when should you spring for that good deal because it may not come along the next month!? I could give many examples and proof, which seems arguable by Luke. Again, I'm easily tempted. The degreed marketing employee has fell into her own trap! However, can I brag that I do use coupons to my benefit some times? I have actually made money on some products (i.e. toothpaste & dog treats), but my coupon and grocery list organization could be another blog ;)
4) Through the mulling of thoughts and challenging conversation on money, I have been humbled and reminded to live every day in submission to Christ. My daily time with HIM determines how I spend my money AND time! It truly transforms my day to live in the light of eternity rather than my selfish wants.
More thoughts on this later...I just wanted to share the surface of my heart for now. And I wanted to see what you all thought out there about support above your tithe. I need encouragement! I think I will be reading in the gospel of Luke today.
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