Keep Your Money Friday

This Friday I'm linking a great article from Ideas That Spark, "Post-holiday Deals and Steals". If your not sure what you can find on clearance other candy, toys and decorations read this article. It give great advice on jewelry, electronics, bedding and more.

You can also read an article written by a local Jacksonville blogger, Julie at Coupon Saving Family here.

New Frugal Content Available Daily

Keep Your Money Friday

This is a special Keep Your Money Friday because it's all about the new frugal content now available to you right here on Never2Late2Save. I'm very excited to tell you more about them, how it works and what you'll gain.

Ideas That Spark

Ideas That Spark is geared towards women who bring creativity to everything they do. I think they should change this toclude tose fathers who are creative also. It gives you creative ideas on common tasks like planning a getaway and finding smart storage solutions, to self-expression through scrapbooking and digital photo sharing. I really like the article "The Cleaning Cheat Sheet", the denture tablet idea I couldn't have thought of myself.

Visit Connect to find fun ways to keep in close contact with your family and Smart Living to find simple and quick ideas to maximize your time and money. Check out the Tip of the Day daily and participate in the interactive polls and quizes which are updated weekly.

Your Family Today

Your Family Today is all about providing your family smart healthy living smart ideas and advice on everything from wholesome dishes to effective discipline techniques to tips for raising pets. You can listen to audio casts, get advice on back pain and recipes on goodies like Parmesan chicken fingers.

All of this content is available to you daily on Never2Late2Save and will hopefully be in its own tabs by the end of next week. So start clicking and explore the new information and be sure to leave a comment here to let me know how you like it.

Keep Your Money Friday

Word-of -Mouth programs are one of the best ways to save a little cash and try new products. BzzAgents is a word of mouth network that encourages people to share their opinion through their social networks.

How It Works?
BzzAgents will send you a campaign that they think you'll be interested in joining. If you accept they'll send you a Kit with a Full Size product or coupon for a free product and additional money saving coupons to give to the people you spread the word too.

After you've spread the work you log back onto your BzzAgents account and submit a detailed BzzReport on you opinion and your friends thoughts, opinions and interest in that product. It takes about 10 minutes and you'll earn points for you MyPoints account. That 's it!

There are tons of other activities and for you on BzzAgents and plenty of BzzCampaigns. The more you Bzz the better status and earlier invites you get. I've been a member for 2 years and I've had campaigns from Bic Soleil, Clean & Clear, Smucker's, Claritin and more.

Keep Your Money Friday

Saving On Children's Clothes with Ebay

Today is a special Keep Your Money Friday because you have the pleasure of reading a post from my mom. Every year my mom likes to buy my children new & used clothes off Ebay. She came to me with the idea of sharing it with you and of course I couldn't say no. So please feel free to leave comments.

In today’s economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality or going without things which are needed. Children’s clothes definitely falls in this category. Let’s face it, children’s clothing can be quite expensive and even after paying high prices for children clothing, they outgrown them in a hot minute.

Many of us think of Ebay as the place to buy the latest electronics, or cheap refilled printer cartridges, but it is also a great place to find good, used, children’s clothing.The secret to finding what you need is to vary the search results. The best deals are not on single or matched items. Use the word “ lot” in your searches for example use Children’s Clothing Lot, but these search results are still too broad and you will be wading through a lot of listings you are not interested in. Let assume you are looking for Girls Clothing in size 3T. Enter Girls Clothing 3T Lot, this search will include new as well as used.

At the left of the search results page, there's a box labeled Condition, click the used or new link.To find best deals, you can limit the search even more. Look to the right, you will see a box reading "Best Match". Click on the drop down arrow and select, "Price+Shipping: lowest first". The search results are rearranges with the lowest prices listed first.I try to pay about $5.00 shipping for 5-8 pieces of clothing. The bidding prices usually does not go excessive in this category. Overall, with shipping, I average about $1 per clothing item. My goal is to keep these orders under $10. Here is an example of such a transaction, but I paid much less than $10 for 6 items of clothing. The total was$6.04 with postage.

The larger lots of children's clothing can sometimes be very competetive as well as expensive. You will sometimes find yourself bidding with dealers who will break up the lot and sell in smaller lots. Before bidding on large lots, pay attention to the shipping prices and keep in mind that the starting auction price is more than likely to rise considerably. Watch these items in you Ebay account under "Watching".

The above examples shows how you may want to limit your searches. You can adapt these search techniques for any item on Ebay, but you may find the largest amount of childrens clothing by searching under the biggest category:

• Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

When you enter this page, do not click on any of the links on the page, look at the top of the page and type in what you are looking for, for example: girls 3T lot used. I pulled over 500 results. Try it.You will find more enough to keep you busy and within your savings budget.

Keep Your Money Friday

Make Extra Money with Ebates


If your like me and you tend to buy a lot of your items online then Ebates is calling you. Ebates is one of the best cash-back websites out there with some of the highest percentages I know.

When you register with Ebates you will receive a $5 sign up bonus. They also have a great referral program. For each friend that signs up and becomes a qualified member you will receive $5.

Now until August 14th, for every three friends you refer, we'll double your bonuses to $10 each for a total of $30. There's no limit to how much you can earn so refer everyone you know to Ebates.com!

How do you get cash-back?

1. Log on to Ebates or Sign up.
2. Click the coupon or the store name to visit their site.
3. Make your purchase.
4. Ebates will automatically credit your account with your cash-back earnings.

Ebates has over 900 merchants and growing. You will find exclusive coupon codes and special offer only available to Ebates members and the best percentages. You can get 11% cash back on Shutteryfly purchases and 8% on Old Navy Kids and Baby purchases and it used to be only 2%.

You even have the option to receive a Big Fat Check in the mail or have it deposited in to your Paypal account.

Keep Your Money Friday

Make Money with YouData


YouData is a great site where advertisers can buy your attention. Basically you getting paid to view online websites you may have or haven't seen before. Your 100% in control of what ads you view.

When you register with YouData you create your MeFile. The MeFile surveys do take some time but your answers help you receive relevant ads and high dollar offers.

After you have set up your account you will be able to reveal your ads. It will show you how much your going to receive for clicking visiting website. Then you will collect your payment, which will be deposited into you YouData Account. Every Friday you will receive your payment via Paypal.

I've been a member for a little over a month now and its really simple. I usually make $2-$5 a week from viewing ads. I know thats not much but every little bit counts and I always have that little bit of extra cash to buy coupons online.

Keep Your Money Friday

Enjoy your summer doing lots of free and cheap activities with your family.

Go to the movies. Great deals and programs begin in the summer months for children. Take them to see some of their favorite movies on the big screen for $1 and some are even free. Make sure not to exclude yourself from the fun, and head to the movies with your spouse, sister or friends. Usually if you go to the movies on M-TH the price is about $5 or $6 which is a major discount from the weekend prices.

Family Night. Nothings better than spending time with your family. Rent movie from redbox or the library, pull out the cards or board games, and don't forget to grab the snacks.

Visit the book store. We can't pass the book store without veronica crying because she wants to go in. Take you little ones to story time while you catch up on some reading.

Go Bowling. Visit KidsBowlFree.com and register your child for free bowling passes all summer long. Also after you register you given the option to buy The Family Pass which was created to allow for adult family members to enjoy bowling throughout the summer as well. The Family Pass starts from $23.95 and includes 2 game per person per day. The Family Pass covers up to 4 adult family members. You may have 1, 2, 3, or 4 adults on the family pass. For complete details and location click here.

For more summer activity ideas go here.

Keep Your Money Friday

Saving for college while saving on groceries with Upromise

Upromise is a rewards program that helps you save, earn and pay for college. With Upromise, you can save money doing these everyday things like shopping at the grocery store, drug stores, gas stations, online and more.

Groceries
There are over 21,000 stores partnering with Upromise to help make saving for college easier, not including the thousands of participating product brand that we all know and love. You can earn from 1-3% back, all you need do is:

• Register your store cards
• Shop for groceries(eligible brands)
  
• Scan your store card
• Earn for College
  

You can also link you drug store cards to you account and even add select Upromise eCoupons to add even more to you fund. Register your grocery card and save when you shop!

Restaurants
Did you know that many local and national restaurants participate in the Upromise reward program. You can earn up to 8% on every meal.

• Sign up as a preferred diner
• Go out or get take out(eligible restaurants)
• Pay with a credit/debit card linked to your account

eCoupons
Upromise offers eCoupons to help you maximize your saving. I love that I can use manufacturer coupons with them and get double the savings. They're very simple to use and add up pretty quickly. Some brands include Huggies, Charmin, Simiac, Post and Gold Bond and change every month. Learn how to use ecoupons here.

Utilize Friends and Family
Invite your friend or family to help earn money for you child's college fund. Send them an invite, they shop and earn money that will go directly to your Upromise account. You can save and earn 3x as much as you would if you'd had done it alone.

Join Upromise for free and let hundreds of America’s leading companies help you save for college. Have all your earnings go directly into your Upromise account. Remember you can invest them in a 529 college savings plan or link one to your Upromise account. Use it to pay down your student loans or receive a check for college expenses.

Keep Your Money Friday

Freebies

Prilosec OTC Sample Here
Free Nike Golf Balls Here
Napa Windshield Washer Fluid Here
Nexcare Bandage Sample Here
Yogi Tea Sample Here
Morton Water Test Kit Here
Ultra Comfort High-Performance Diabetic Socks Here
Free Game Downloads Here and Here
Free Bottle Opener w/ Sign Up Here
Kids Bowl Free Here
Free Fit Flops (must complete survey) Here
Purina Beggin Strips Sample Here
Purina Fancy Feast Sample Here
Bodycology Sample Here
Huggies Goodnites Sample Here
Free One Year Subscription to Car & Driver Magazine Here
Free Four Issues to BusinessWeek Magazine Here

Coupons

$7/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaning Starter Kit Here
$5/1 Eukanuba Product Here
$0.55/1 Famous Amos Cookies Here
$1/1 Eggo Bake Shop Product Here
$0.75/1 Hungry Man XXL Sandwich Here
$1/1 Davids Sunflower Seeds Here
$10/$25 Purchase at JcPenney Here
Mambo Sprouts Coupon Booklet Here
Alexia Snacks Coupon Booklet Here
Conagra Booket(Include Free Hunts Ketchup Coupon) Here

Great Deals

20% off at Harbor Freight Here
$150 Market Research Study on Investments Here
$75 Online Study on Household Products Here
Kids Shoes Under $15 Here
All You Magazine For $0.83 an Issue Here
B1G1 Silkies Control Top Pantyhose for just $3.99 plus $.99 s/h Here
4 bags of Boca Java Gourmet Coffee for just $4.95 w/Free Shipping Here
$25 Target Gift Card From Nicole's Savings Advantage Here
4 Boxed of Coffee, Free Coffee Maker, Free Mug, Free Scoop for $29.95 + $5.95 Shipping Here
500 Business Cards for $1.99 Here
Easybakeware Silicone Baking Pan Here
3 Boxes of Gevalia Coffee $3, Free Mug and Free Shipping Here
$15 Entertainment Book with Free Shipping Here

Keep Your Money Friday

Do you know your credit score? Do you even know whats on your credit report? I do and I found a site that will give you both for free! Quizzle is the only place you'll get a free evaluation of your credit, home value, mortgage, budget and more. It is brought to you buy Quicken Loans and your credit report is being pulled by Experian.

Quizzle will give you a free credit report and score every 6 months, and the credit score will not affect your credit score because its for personal and educational purposes. They will also give you an overall Quizzle grade based on your credit, home appreciation, mortgage, budget and rainy day fund. My grade is 84 out off 100 which is pretty good.

Its is always best to have all 3 credit reports and you can get them free at AnnualCreditReport.com once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Go to their What's the Catch page for more info and sample page views.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101


Week 6: Make Sure Your Getting The Best Deal

As a couponer you will have some situations that will try to keep you from getting the best deal, but if your are prepared you will be able to get through them.

Watch the Cashier

Occasionally, you will have a situation where the cashier forgot to scan a coupon. Say something, I know that some people are embarrassed at times when using coupons but its your money.

"One Coupon Per Purchase" Line

I've had this happen to me at CVS once, the cashier told me I can only use one coupon per transaction. One coupon per purchase does not mean one coupon per transaction. Each item is considered a purchase, many coupons actually say "one coupon per item purchased", which is a much better way to phrase it.

The Store Coupon Policy

Always keep the stores coupon policy with you. Some stores have it located on their websites and other you might have to email. Be sure to print the complete policy including the url, customer service name, and date.

Have All Your Coupons

In order to get the best deal you always have to check and see whats on clearance. Since you can use a coupon on clearance items it best to keep you coupons with you at all time, even if they are just in the car. You can still just walk out side grab you binder, box or coupon and get some free or cheap items.

Buy The Smaller Size

Everyone thinks bigger is better but not in every situation. When buying products with coupons you can almost always get the best deal by buying smaller. Say you have a $1/1 Mahatma Rice coupon, the 5lb bag is $3.59 and the 1lb bag is $1.04. That makes the small bag 4 cent. I'd rather buy 5-1lb bags for $0.20 rather than 1-5lb bag for $2.59.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101


Week 5: Saving at Walgreen's

Walgreen's like CVS is another great store to score free and cheap items. Since Walgreen's is in the middle of switching their rewards program I will only be doing a brief overview.

Walgreen's Easy Saver Program

The Easy Saver Program consist of two parts Easy Saver Rebates and the Easy Saver Booklet.

The Easy Saver Booklet is a monthly booklet that is put out at the beginning of each month. It is filled with Walgreen's store coupons that can be used with manufacturers coupons. You will also find the Easy Saver Rebate Form and list of monthly rebates inside.

Easy Saver Rebates are monthly items you can purchase and claim a rebate on. Some items you will receive a full rebate on or just a partial rebate. You can submit you rebate via snail mail or online on their website. Walgreen's will even add an additional 10% bonus to your rebate if you choose to have it put on a Walgreen's gift card.

Register Rewards

Register rewards are Walgreen's version of Extra Care Bucks. That print from a separate Catalina machine after your purchase. They Can be used are cash on your next purchase but some restrictions apply.

Every week Walgreen's adverises numerous register reward deals, some last all month and others just that week. Unlike CVS there is no limit to the number of RRs you can receive, but you can only get one per transaction and cannot use the same RR to pay for the same item.

For example, Skintimate is $2.99 and Get $2.99 in Register Rewards back. You buy one at $2.99 and get the $2.99 RR back, then purchase another Skintimate and use the RR from the previous transaction to pay for it. No register reward will print.

7-Day Weekly Ad Coupons

Walgeen's 7-Day Coupon is a Store coupon that can be found in the weekly ad. It is only valid for that week only. You are able to use the 7-Day Coupon in conjunction with a manufacturers coupon. Be sure to actually give the 7-day coupon to the cashier at checkout or you will end up paying full price.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101


Week 4: Saving at CVS

Everyone always asks me whats the deal with CVS. CVS is one of the best stores to get free toothpaste, hair products, over the counter medicines, and more. The Extra Care Program is very coupon friendly and it the best way to save money on those everyday needed supplies.

CVS Loyalty Card

This an essential key to getting your savings at CVS. If you do not already have a ExtraCare card aka CVS card you can obtain one online here or ask the cashier for one while in the store . This card is how you get the sales pricing on products and Extra Care Bucks(ECBs) to print. You must have your card to get them to print at the bottom your receipt.

What are Extra Care Bucks

Extra Care Bucks are coupons which print out at the bottom of your receipt when you purchase qualifying items. The ECBs can then be used to purchase other products in the store with some exceptions. Extra Bucks can be used on purchases in-store or online at CVS.com.

Working out your transaction

Once you have your card you will need a store flyer and your coupons to start working out scenarios. The store flyer will include the weekly sales and the participating items that will earn you ECBs. Every now and then you will find items on sale that are free after ECBs, for example this week Paas Easter Egg Decorating Kits were $1.99,and free after ECBs(Sunday and Monday only). You will pay $1.99 + Tax and get back $1.99 in ECBs at the bottom of your receipt to use on your next purchase. There are limits on ECB items and you can find the limit number in small print under the advertised sale price. Be sure to treat your ECBs as you would cash.

***ALL DEALS IN THE FOLLOWING SENARIOS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE***

Lets do a transaction using the Irish Spring Body wash-$4.99 and Colgate Max Toothpaste from the week of 3/15 both are free after ECBs:

Buy one Irish Spring body Wash $4.99
Buy one Colgate Max Toothpaste $2.99
Final Price: $7.98

You pay $7.98 + tax and get back a $4.99 ECB and a $2.99 ECB at the bottom of you receipt. Now lets do the same transaction with coupons.

Buy one Irish Spring body Wash $4.99
Use (1) $0.50 coupon from recent insert
Buy one Colgate Max Toothpaste $2.99
Use (1) $0.75 coupon from recent insert
Final Price: $6.73

You pay $6.73 + tax and get back a $4.99 ECB and a $2.99 ECB at the bottom of you recipt, giving you a profit of $1.25. Say you had a $ off $$ purchase store coupon. You can use that in conjunction with you purchase to even spend less out of pocket. Lets use the shopping trip I did this week at CVS. I bought the following:

2- Fantastik Cleaners $5
3- Powerades $2.97
1- CVS 500ct Ibuprofen $9.99
1- Glade Sense & Spray $5.99
2- Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubbers $5.98
2- Paas Egg Decorating Kits $3.98
2- Veet Gel Cream Hair Removal Kits $10.98
Total Before Coupons - $44.89

I used these coupons:
$10 off $20 or more purchase
(2) $1/1 coupons for Fantastik
(1) $4/1 coupons for Glade
Used (2) $2.75/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Printables
(2) $2/1 Veet Printables

After coupons - $14.72 w/tax OOP and received $10.98 in ECBs. The $10/$20 coupon saved me an extra $10. When using a $/$$ coupon always do it in this order.

• $/$$ Store Coupon
• Manufacturer Coupons
• Any other Store Coupons
  
• Pay with your ECBs
• Then pay with Cash
  

Always have your manufacturers coupons scan first before store coupons to avoid any beeping at the register.

Obtain more reward incentives

You will automatically receive 2% back on your CVS purchases in store or online that quarter when you sign up. They will print at the bottom of your receipt or you can print them online from your account.

Earn 1 Extra Buck for every 2 prescriptions purchased in-store and online at CVS/pharmacy.

Register you CVS card online and request for their email offers here. You will periodically receive $/$$ coupons, free coupons, and other store coupons. If you have an online account and need to attatch your CVS card do it here.

Additional special offers print on your store receipt frequently throughout the year. This includes in-store coupons.

Link your CVS card to your Upromise account here.

Join the CVS Advior Panel Here.Usually twice a year, they will send you invitations to participate in online surveys about CVS products and services. If you choose to participate they will thank you for your time by crediting your ExtraCare account with $5, $10 or $15 in ExtraBucks. To join click here.

Purchase the Reinventing Beauty Magazine for $0.99 only at CVS. This mag always has tons of coupons.

Last but not least make purchases at CVS. The more purchases you make the more likely you are to obtain extra coupons.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101


Week 4: Saving at the Grocery Store

Now that you know what not to do at the grocery store, where to find coupons and how to organize your coupons its time to start shopping.

Know You Stores Policy

You can't get the best deal if you don't know all of the available resources at your store. You can ask at the Customer Service Desk, look online or email the company. All policies vary by store, chain or region. For example, Publix in Florida does not double coupons but outside of Florida they do. There are also stores you didn't think took coupons that do, like Family Dollar and Dollar General. Here are a couple of things you should try to find out about your stores policy:

1. Does your store stack coupons? Stacking coupons is when you use a store coupon in conjunction with a manufacturers coupon. This allows you to get twice the savings, if you read may coupon ,match ups for Walgreen's you see that stacking a coupon can get you free or cheap items.

2. Does you store have a loyalty card? At some stores this is the only way you can get the advertised sale price.

3. Do they accept competitors coupons? This is when a store accepts coupons from a competing grocery/drugstore store in their area.

4. Will they take internet printed coupons? This is a biggie for most stores especially Walmart, but they do take them. Also I know that it varies by store for Winn-Dixie.

5. Does your store double coupons? Some stores will double the face value of the coupon, making that coupon twice the face value. Most stores double up to $0.50 and also have a limit as to how many of the same coupon they will double. But there are some stores that double up to $1 and the few occasions at K-Mart when they double up to $2

6. Does your store triple coupons? There are even the lucky few that have stores that will triple the value of your coupon up to a certain value. Most stores that triple will go up to $0.35 and also have a limit as to how many of the same coupon they will triple.

Make A List

A grocery list is a sure way to get you in and out of the store in a breeze. You don't want to go in for eggs and milk and come out without it. When planning your grocery trip make sure you have your grocery stores weekly ads in front of you. In order to maximize your savings you need to buy whats on sale. That also includes not buying all your items at the same store. If the store down the street has a better sale for something you need go there instead.

Match up the the sales with the coupons you have in you binder, box etc. If the store has something on sale for 10/$10 you don't need to buy 10 of them to get the sales price. You can just buy 1 or 2 and still get them for $1 each or even better with a coupon.


Build Your Stockpile

Once you've found a great deal this is the time to stock up. Not the usual 1 or 2 but more like 10-20. This is ideal if it's non perishable items and you have the space to store it. Building a good stock pile is not easy and doesn't have to be done right away. Start at your own pace and gradually work up. Also don't stock up on things you don't need. Some people get carried away at saving and buy more than what they need or what they don't need. In the long run you not saving.

If you do buy things you don't normally need or have to much of give it to your family members, friends or local food bank or Goodwill. The biggest benefit of saving more you can give more.


BOGO Sales

When an product is bogo you can use a coupon for both items being purchased, one for the free item and another for the item your paying for.


Look For Clearance

Look for marked down items. Grocery stores general put out their clearance sales on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to get ready for an upcoming sale or get rid of a discontinued item. If you have coupons for some of the marked down items you can really save big.


Get a Raincheck

If a store is out of an item that is on sale get a raincheck, this way you can come back at another time to get that product for the sales price. This also allows you to get more coupons to use with the raincheck.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101


Week 3: Organizing Your Coupons

The hardest part of couponing is organization. Finding an organizing method that fits you need isn't always that easy. Its more like a trial and error thing to me, pick a method, tweak it to work for you, if it doesn't try another. From what I can see a lot of couponers use a variety of methods together.

Method #1: Coupon Binder

(Photo Credit: Your Coupon Buddy)

The most popular organizing method is the coupon binder. If your a heavy duty couponer this is the system for you. Basically it's a 3 ring binder with baseball card inserts for you to place the coupons. Now I've never used this method but I'm personally thinking about switching but I can lead you to a fabulous person that does.

Your Coupon Buddy uses the binder method and has a great post on how to make one for yourself here. But what makes her an even better resource she sells them also. You can get a ready-made coupon binder with $100 or more of the most recent coupon inserts and money saving tips here.

Method #2: Envelopes

(Photo Credit: Money Saving Mom)

This is the easiest method to since you can use what you have on hand. You will need envelopes, index cards, pen/marker, and some sort of storage tub(I use a baby wipe tub). For more detailed information on using the envelope method visit Money Saving Mom.

Method #3: Coupon Wallet

(Photo Credit: The Coupon Clippers)

There are many types of coupon wallets out there but is best to use one that comes with tabs and is made of fabric or plastic. I've had a bottle leak in the diaper bag and wet my paper coupon wallet and of course it soaked some of my coupons inside.

You can find a coupon wallet at Walmart, Target, Ebay, The Coupon Clippers,and many other stores.

Method #4: Coupon Box

(Photo Credit: Refund Cents)

The coupon box is just a bigger version of the evelope method. If you still have an over flow of coupons using method #2 then this is your next step. You can order a coupon box from Refund Cents for $22.90 shipping incuded, pre-categorized here.

Method #5: Insert File System

(Photo Credit: Bargin Briana)

Some people who don't like to clip and sort their coupons keep them intact and file them according to date (SS 1/4, RP 1/18, P&G 2/8, etc.). This method can save you lots of time but when its time to plan your trip you have to go back and clip the coupons you need.

For more detailed information on the insert method visit Bargin Briana. She has the advantages and disadvantages listed here.


Sorting Your Coupons

Once you have figured out your organizing method its time to find a sorting system. Now again try to find the best system that works for you. Here are a couple of choices:

1. Alphabetically. this is when you organize your coupons by product category or name in alphabetical order. For example: Can Goods, Hair Color, Meats, Snacks.

2.Expiration Date. This is when you separate your coupons buy the date of expiration or month they will expire.

3.Insert Date. This is when you label your inserts with the date(SS 1/4, RP 1/18, P&G 2/8, etc.) they were in the Sunday Paper.

Remember to pick a system that works for you this way it won't take as long to file and sort you coupons. Once you have found you method its time to start shopping.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101
Now that you have a reference of what not to do while couponing, we can jump right into learning how to find coupons.

Week 2: Where to Get Coupons

1. Sunday Paper. This should be your first resource to finding coupons. They are usually mixed with the weekly store ads. There are no coupon inserts on major holidays.

Now they say that you should buy 2 papers per person in your family but I don't. I recommend buying 4 papers a week or just buy what fits your needs. If you still need extra inserts and don't want to buy them ask friends, neighbors, or even co-workers for their inserts. Some stores have discounts on the Sunday paper when you buy two. For a preview of the next weeks paper go to Taylortown Preview or The Coupon Clippers.

Note: If you buy your paper from the store check to be sure the inserts are there. I've had this happen to me twice.

2. Printable Coupons. There are a variety of places you can find printable coupons. I would say the best place to find theses coupons is Coupons.com. Not all stores accept printable coupons though so be sure to know your stores policy on them.

3. Peelies. Theses are coupons placed on the package by either the manufacturer or store.


4. Blinkies. Theses are the coupons in the little machines attached to the grocery store shelves.

5. Tearpads. You usually find these on a diplay or shelf next to the advertiesd product.

6. Catalinas. These are coupons that print out of a seperate machine at the register. They sometimes print coupons for free and B1G1 coupons. You almost always see people leave these in the shopping cart.

Note: Even though the catalina has the store logo on it, it is a manufactuers coupon and can be used at another store that accepts catalinas.

7. (CRT) Cash Register Tape Coupon. This is the coupon that prints at the bottom of your reciept. For examples, the Extra Care Bucks at CVS or the $5 of your next purchase of $25 or more.

8. Home Mailers. These are coupons sent from the manufacturer to your home. They can come from a complement or complaint you sent them or even with free samples.

9. Inside Package.These are coupons you find inside the product package.

10. Try Me Free or Rebates. These are forms you find online, inside or on the package. By buying an item on sale using a coupon and sending in a rebate you can double your savings.

11.Winetags. These are coupons that hang around the neck of a wine bottle. They may or may not require the purchase of wine. Some can also have state restrictions.

Next week I will be showing you the variety of ways to organize you coupons.

Keep Your Money Friday

Couponing 101
Recently my boyfriends boss told me that they clip the coupons they want and toss the rest. I was shocked but then on Monday my boyfriend came home with inserts from Sundays paper. They did it again...... clipped out the couple they liked and tossed the others.

Now I don't mind the extra coupons but if you are really trying to save money (which they are) you should really keep the coupons you wouldn't normally use. This is why I'm going to be posting my own Couponing 101 advice for the next couple of weeks to help those who don't know where to start.

Week 1: Top Coupon Mistakes

1. Shopping without a plan. With or without coupons you can save up to 50% of your grocery bill by planning ahead. Most people say it takes too much time to write out a list, plan your meals or clip coupons before you go to the store. It doesn't it takes about 30 minutes to plan a trip to the store. All you need is your local store ad, coupons(if you have them), pen and paper. Scan the ad, jot down what you need for the week that's it painless and simple. I must admit that I sometimes fail to do this myself so I write from experience.

2. Throwing away coupon inserts. The average person clips the coupons they know they are going to use and then throw away the rest. Keep your coupon inserts for future sales that might come up, on items that you might normally buy. Most people figure they can't use the rest of the coupons because they its only $0.40 off or they don't buy that brand. Which brings us to mistake #3.

3. Brand loyalty. When you start using coupons and your are serious about saving money no brand is off limits. The biggest mistake I see is a person doesn't what to leave their normal brand. If you can get an item you would not normally buy for free or cheap you have nothing to loose. For example: Colgate toothpaste is free with a coupon but Crest is $1.50 with a coupon I think(hope) you would just get the Colgate. But if there is a brand you must have, no exceptions, always be on the look out for a sale on that item so you can stock up.

4. Using coupons to soon. This is another costly mistake that some couponers make often. They clip coupons from the insert and then use them within the next week. The best method is to wait for a sale. Most stores have somewhat of a cycle of what items will be on sale. For drug store you can even see their ads weeks ahead of time CVS, WAGS, Rite Aid.

5. Not knowing store policies. Know your stores coupon policy and some times even carry it with you. Ask if your local store doubles or triples and up to how much. Ask if they take competitor coupons, if so which stores. BUT there is on big question you must ask what is your stores policy on printable coupons.

With all that said I think that knowing what not to do with coupons is the best way to start using coupons. If you any questions feel free to email me and I'm open to all tips of the trade. I've been couponing for a while but I'm always trying to learn. For more info on what to and not to do go to couponmom.com.

Keep Your Money Friday!

In the All You Newsletter email there was an article about a free Weekend Day car rental from Hertz. I had to check it out and to my surprise its a very good deal.

Now through March 31, 2009, you can enjoy one free weekend day, using the Promotion code: PC#127595 when you make a reservation on a Economy through Full-size class car. Only one redemption per month is permitted.

You still have to pay for gas, taxes and any other fees it is definitely worth cashing in on. The New York Metro area, Florida and Hawaii are excluded from this deal(that means me) but I'm some of you can use this deal.

For more info go Here.

Keep Your Money Friday!

Freebies

Free 10 Night Sample of Night Health Bedtime Balm Here

20 Free 4x6 Prints from Walgreen's, use code ONEDAY Here
Free One Year Soap Opera Digest Subscription Here

Free Victoria Secret PINK Energizing Lotion Here

Free Selsun Blue Shampoo Sample Here


Take a short survey and receive a Free Sample of Pantene Here
Become Beauty Sample Kit Here

Free Sample of Tena Serenity Pads Here
Free Maybelline Dream Mousse Makeup Sample Here

Coupons

Take a short survey and receive a coupon for $1.50 off Pampers
$2 off Anything on ebay coupon Here (to the first $50,000 to register)
$0.50 off Halls Cough Drops Here
$1 off Suave Here and Here


Get your Betty Crocker Coupon Booklet Here
$1 off Any Stayfree Product Here

$1 off one Kraft Mac N Cheese Dinner wyb one Kraft Deluxe Mac N Cheese or Velvetta Shells & Cheese Here
$3 off Any Science Diet Pet Food Here
B1G1 Ruby Tuesday Entree Here

Great Deals

$1 E.L.F Makeup Here
Free Bake ware Here
$3 for 3 boxes of Gevalia Coffee, Free Travel Mug and Free Shipping Here
Pizza Hut: Buy one large pizza get a medium pizza for a penny Here

Keep Your Money Friday!

Freepeats is a site where you can give and receive gently used baby, kids and maternity items for free. Yes, all items on the site are free. To me it a version of craigslist full of free stuff. You can find items like clothing, high chairs, bouncers, swings, bikes, and toys for free from other families that no longer need them.

There is a lifetime membership fee of $4.95 and more than 40 cities Nationwide including one here in Jacksonville, FL that has Freepeats.

Also for the month of February Freepeats has the Love to Give Promotion. If you join any Freepeats group in February and post five offers of baby clothing, toys or gear on your local offers board before the end of the month, they will refund your membership fee.

To find out more information about Freepeats go here and be sure to visit Angie, the sites creator at here blog Baby Cheapskate.