Where Have All The Good Coupons Gone

I follow quite a few money saving or couponing blogs and am inspired by the people who get lots of groceries for almost nothing.  I use their coupon matching lists, but for some reason I can't seem to get the same results.

One reason is because different areas of the country receive different coupons. While some people share how they get a $2/1 item coupon that came in their newspaper, mine is only for $1 off 3 items.

I live on the East Coast of the US and have found the coupons I receive in my local newspaper to be a bit lacking. Unless of course, you spend a ton of money to buy prepackaged food and the latest shampoos and make-up.

I guess I've come to realize I purchase more basics such as milk, eggs, flour, sugar, fresh fruits and veggies and not as much packaged products.

Even if the item is for a product I would use like paper towels. The available coupons only offer $.40 off a 6 pack. Why buy a more expensive brand just to use a coupon when there are cheaper, just as good, options available.

While I still use coupons for some things such as cat food, dog food, personal items and pizza yeast. Other than on rare occasions I think I will be giving up on coupons. It's not worth the time to search deals, find coupons and cut them all out - only to save $1 or less.  Especially when I used to save $5-10 or more consistently each week not to long ago.

Is anyone else coming to the same realization that I am - that coupons just aren't as useful as they once were?

Celebrate Valentine's Day on a Budget

Copyright 2009 Kimberly A Shavatt

If money is tight this year and you can't afford to spend a lot on gifts, there are ways to still have a romantic Valentine's Day. Here are a couple low cost or no cost ideas.

One of the best gifts to give your loved one this Valentine's Day is a massage. A relaxing 15-20 minute back, neck or foot massage can be the perfect ending to their day. Simply rub their back, neck, shoulders or feet - no special training is required. A little time and love is all that's needed.

If your loved one likes more tangible presents, a great place to find inexpensive gifts is your local dollar store. They have an assortment of balloons, flowers, vases, candles, and cards to choose from.  All for $1 or less each.

A popular way to show your love on Valentine's Day is by fixing your special person their favorite meal. It is potentially inexpensive. Plus you show them you care by spending time with them. Prepare them a nice breakfast in bed or delicious home cooked dinner.

Another option is to create a coupon book filled with handmade promissory notes. For example: breakfast in bed, mowing the lawn, washing to car, cooking dinner. Here is a great link to some printable coupons (no cost) http://familycrafts.about.com/od/coupons/a/couponbw.htm.  Just print them out and give them to someone special.

Let's face it money is tight for most people right now, but that doesn't mean you have to stop living and celebrating the ones you love. Hopefully these ideas help you have a relaxing, romantic Valentine's Day without busting your budget.

Thrifty Thursday - This Week's Find

Thanks to the one of my favorite magazines "All You" I got a coupon for a free Rimmel London product valued $5 or less for fre*e from Wal-Mart. I could choose from eye shadow, lip stick, mascara or one other product (I forgot what). I chose the eye shadow only because I was about to run out of my current one. I love the All You magazine because it always has lots of useful coupons throughout each month's copy. This coupon was included in April's copy I believe. Don't quote me on that.

By the way, I was not paid to publish this post. I just wanted to share my cool coupon deal and my fave magazine.

Feel free to share your thrifty finds. I'd love to celebrate your success with you.

HMAH Tip # 21 Save Big with Club Cards & Mailing Lists

This next tip is pretty easy. Take advantage of the discounts offered by your favorite stores by signing up for their membership cards and mailing lists.

Grocery stores offer discounted prices and also free products. One example is the free turkeys and hams given away during the holidays. When you spend X amount on groceries you receive a free turkey for Thanksgiving or at the very least a turkey at a deep discount.

CVS offers bonus bucks or extra bucks. Visit this site to learn how to get products for free or deeply discounted. http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/frugal-questions-answers/27331-how-do-cvs-bonus-bucks-work.html.

Want to receive coupons to your favorite stores. It's as easy as signing up for their mailing list either online or in the store. Lots of stores mail out their latest sales flyer along with coupons for products and services.

Book stores and craft stores in my area do this all the time, and I love it. Borders and JoAnn Fabrics send out flyers with discounts about once a month. It's great getting sewing patterns for $1.99 instead of $12.95 each and books at 15% off.

Create a list of your favorite stores and then one-by-one see if they offer a discounts for joining their mailing list or creating an account online. It's another great way to save money.

HMAH Tip #16 Use Multiple Coupons to Rake in the Savings

You can save major bucks by combining store coupons or sales and manufacturer's coupons. Yes, using coupons alone can save you some money, but you really start saving when you combine the sales or store coupons and the manufacturer's coupons together.

Here's why:

Retail price of item X = $2.99

Item X's sale price or after store coupon price = $2.50 or 2 for $5

Manufacturer's coupon = $1 off 2

Price with store sale or coupon plus manufacturer's coupon = $2 each

By combining the two you save an extra $.50 per item or $.99 total. Now that may not seem like much. Now consider that item is a box of cereal and you buy one box every week. That's a savings of $.99 a week or almost $52 a year for just that one item.

Now I know you probably thinking that's great but who gets coupons and sales every week for cereal?

You can and here's how. When you find a coupon for an item you use all the time, swap or trade for as many copies as you can get. Ask friends, family, fellow church members, co workers and online friends if they will trade with or donate their extra coupons to you. Once you get a bunch of coupons for the item wait for the item to go on sale and buy as many as you can. Stock up!!!

Another place to look for coupons is http://www.hotcouponworld.com/ . This site allows you to find printable coupons, trade with others and lots more. That site has pretty much anything coupon related. Plus, Target store fans really need to visit this site - awesome printable coupons. Check it out!

To summarize: Shop sales and use coupons to get deep discounts! Have fun and happy shopping!

My Awesome Trip to the Store!

I just had to share my latest trip to the grocery store. I was approached by a lady in the snack eisle who told me about an incredible savings she discovered. This wonderful lady mentioned that if you buy 7 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese boxes the computer will automatically give you a $5.00 rebate.

Well, when I got to the register I did get the $5 rebate just like the lady said. Plus the item was on sale. I managed to get 7 boxes of Kraft Mac-n-cheese for $.60 total not each.

I am a strong believer in using coupons, club discount cards and planning my family's meals around the sale ads. It can save you a lot of $$$.