What I Learned in 2009 - Part 4 of 4

Use the little things out there on the internet to make a few extra bucks here and there:

1. SWAGBUCKS - Earn Swagbucks for doing searches on the internet, for only 45 Swagbucks you can cash in for a $5 Amazon gift card. I have already earned 2 since joining!

2. EBATES - Shopping on-line? Stop here first and you will earn a percentage cash back to your Ebates account. Money can then be deposited quarterly right into your Paypal account!

3. SHOP AT HOME - very similar to Ebates, earn a percentage of your purchase back, plus there is a bonus for signing up. I am getting a check for $24.99 mailed to me on January 31st!

4. SURVEYSPOT- Take short surveys on line and earn a $1 or so for each one. I only take the surveys that offer cash. I get a check about every 3 months of about $6-$10. Not much, but still money I didn't have before!



5. EBAY - Sell unwanted items on EBAY!! I make this a frequent habit of selling clothes!



6. HALF.COM - Sell books, DVD's, CD's and more. My husband is back in school, so when his class is over, I sell his books here. You get a lot more then selling back to the book store!

I hope you enjoyed my 4 part series. I am so excited for 2010, there is so much more to learn on how to save money!!

Giant Eagle Deals 12/31/09 – 01/06/01

Produce:
Mushrooms – BOGO

Salads – 3 for $5

Grocery:
Lays Chips – BOGO

Jif or Smuckers Preserves, Jelly or Simply Fruit – 5 for $10
Use $1 off 2 from 1/3 RP SS
Final Price = $1.50

Progresso Soups – 10 for $10
Use $0.50 off 2 soups from 11/15 or 12/6 SS
Final Price = $0.50 each

Capri Sun or Del Monte Fruit Cups – 5 for $10

Tostitos or Salsa Kits – 2 for $6
Use $1 off 2 from Jan All You
Final Price = $2.50

GE Wheat Bread – 2 for $3

Ideal Sweetener – BOGO
Use $1 off from 12/1 RP
Final Price = Varies

GE Noodles or Pasta – 10 for $10

GE Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup – 3 for $2

Chex Mix – 5 for $10
Use $0.50 off 2 from 11/15 or 12/13 SS
Use $0.50 printable
Final Price = $1 - $1.50

Meats:
GE Chicken Breasts - $1.99/# for 3# bag

Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast – BOGO

GE Hot Dogs - BOGO

Frozen:
Pierre’s or Ruggles – 3 for $10

Dairy:
Kraft Shreds, Chunk or Singles – 5 for $10
Use $1 off 2 from 12/6 SS
Final Price = $1.50

Olivio Spreads – 2 for $4

International Delight 32 oz – 2 for $5
Use $1 off 2 from 11/8 SS
Final Price = $2 each

Pillsbury Biscuits or Cinnamon Rolls - 10 for $10
Use $0.40 of 2 printable
Final Price = $0.60

Instant $$ Deals (MUST BUY SPECIFIED QUANTITY):
Breyers Inspirations, Disney or Yo Crunch – 4 for $6
Use $0.75 off Disney from 10/11 SS
Use $0.50 off Inspirations from 10/11 SS
Final Price = FREE - $0.50

Totinos Pizza Rolls or Savorings – 3 for $8
Use $0.55 printable on Savorings
Final Price = $1.57

Purchase 4 and Earn $2 off Next Shopping Trip:
Special K Cereal, Bars or Crackers – 4 for $10
Use $1 off 2 Cereals from 1/3 RP
Use $1 off 2 Bars from 1/3 RP
Use $1 off 2 Crackers from 1/3 RP
Use $1 off Special K Blueberry printable
Final Price = $1.50

Purchase 20 and Earn $2 off Next Shopping Trip:
Yoplait – 20 for $10


Happy Shopping!

Eat From the Pantry Challenge - My Goals and Guidelines

So I told my husband about this challenge about eating from the pantry the month of January, and as usual he rolled his eyes and laughed. But instead of laughing with him, I am moving forward with this challenge. I am looking for new and challenging ways to save money in 2010 since I have some pretty adventurous goals (I'll be sharing those soon), so lets start the year off with a bang!!

My pantry is very abundant since I have snagged a lot of great deals lately. So to complete this challenge, my guidelines are posted below:

1. Spend no more than $20 per week on fresh items that are needed, such as milk, eggs, yogurt, fruits, veggies, and meat!

2. Eat at home at least 5 nights per week and use at least 1 item from the pantry at every dinner!

3. Pack my lunch for work at least 4 out of the 5 days (hopefully with leftovers)!

4. I cuurently have a grocery budget of $65 per week, so the extra $180+ dollars will go directly to the principal on my car (one of my goals of 2010 is to pay it off)!

5. My weeks run from Sun - Sat, so my challenge will start on 1/3/10 and end on 1/30/10!

Hubby, I hope you are ready because on January 3 we are starting!!!

What I Learned in 2009 - Part 3 of 4

My Coupon Tricks:

1. Find an organization method that works for you. I use a baby wipe container with index cards separting the categories!
2. Clip on Sunday, organize on Monday (I organize on my lunch hour on Monday).
3. Go through and purge at the beginning on the month!
4. Find additional sources of insert coupons. My mom gives me her inserts. Believe me when there is a good sale with a coupon, you will want more than one!
5. Visit sites in which you can print, such as Coupons.com and RedPlum.com.
6. Only print coupons you know you will use, remember you are paying for ink!
7. Learn to stack coupons! Target accepts a Target coupon which can be found on their website as well as a mfg for the same item!
8. Follow a blog that does coupon match-ups for you at the stores you shop. I follow Money Saving Mom and Saving in Akron!
9. If there is a coupon you really like, buy more. I have used EBAY before for this!
10. Swap coupons and formula checks with friends and family or sell them yourself on EBAY!

What I Learned in 2009 - Part 2 of 4

Some Things You Should NEVER Have to Pay For!

So as I was getting good at bargain hunting and using coupons, I discovered that there are somethings you should never have to pay for as long as you wait for sale and pair with a coupon, use a mail in rebate, or get ECB's or Register Rewards back for the full price amount and then some!

1. Toothpaste
2. Toothbrushes
3. Razors
4. Shave Cream/Gel
5. Shampoo/Conditioner, Stylers
6. Frozen Veggies
7. Body Wash
8. Dental Floss
9. Maxi Pads/Pantiliners
10. Contact Solution (I have 7 bottles!!)

What I Learned in 2009 - Part 1 of 4

Part 1 - Ten Things I Learned About Getting Started Being a Bargain Hunter

1. Start slow and learn one store at a time (I recommend starting with CVS)!

2. Find what you spend now a week on groceries and set a weekly goal (mine is $65).

3. Track your spending for a couple of months, write down everything and you will see where you are spending the most $$!

4. Use what works best for you. A lot of people advocate an all cash system, I continue to use credit cards because I pay them off and reap more rewards!

5. Learn coupon strategies, such as stacking a Target and MFG coupon, for extra savings!

6. Know your prices for items, so you can spot a good deal, bigger packages are not always a better deal!

7. When there is a GREAT DEAL, STOCKPILE!! It may not get that low for another 6 months.

8. Don't be brand loyal. You can get better deals if you switch brands. I do however have to have my Tide, so I do stock up when there is a good sale.

9. Brand name items in most cases cost less then generic when bought on sale and with a coupon!

10. Shop at a few different stores, I usually have a trip to Giant Eagle, CVS, and Walgreens once a week!

To be continued...

Merry Christmas

Wishing your family a very Merry Christmas. Hoping that you take the time and enjoy the days with your loved ones! God has blessed our family in so many ways and to Him I am eternally grateful. Only He has the master plan of our lives and we much enjoy very minute of it!