Like to try products before you buy them? Me, too!
CVS currently has an offer through Facebook.
1. Visit: shttp://www.facebook.com/cvsbeautyclub
2. "Like" the CVS Beauty Club page
Click: "Special Offers"
3. Enter: Your CVS extracare memeber number (on the back of your CVS extracare card, below the bar code.) and e-mail address, then click "Submit".
4. Within moments, you will receive an e-mail (check your junk mail filter). Click on "in-store coupon"
then print.
5. Redeem your coupon at your local CVS store to receive a FREE full-size Essence of Beauty Antibacterial Collection product. Retail value up to $3.99.
If you decide that you do not want to receive CVS Beauty Club updates on your Facebook wall, then go to their page and click on "Unlike" on the lower left side of the page.
Hurry, in-store offer ends 4/18/2011.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Quick Tip: Be "Brand Agnostic" to Save Money
I'll be the first to admit that there are certain brands that I'm not willing to forego. For example, I'm a fan of Heinz Ketchup, French's Mustard, and Hellman's/Best Foods' Mayo. However, for some products, it really doesn't matter to me or my family if we have a certain brand, or even a brand name product, at all. Go with the choice that is ON SALE and for which you HAVE A COUPON. If I'm using canned corn in a recipe, then any name will do the trick, but if we are having straight-up canned corn as a side dish (I know, so exciting and original!) then it has to be Green Giant Niblets.
So, if possible, being Brand Agnostic will save you money!
So, if possible, being Brand Agnostic will save you money!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Dinner Panic! What's for Dinner?!
I just experienced that moment that I think most of us have had, "Oh, no! What's for dinner?!" Not sure how dinner comes as a surprise to me, given that we have it every day, but old habits die hard, I guess. The moment of panic soon drifted away as I remembered that I decided last night what I'd be making for dinner tonight.
Now, some folks are really good at planning meals ahead of time. Currently, I'm reading Cut Your Grocery Bill IN HALF -with- America's Cheapest Family by Steve and Annette Economides. It was a birthday gift from my brother-in-law Nathan and his wife, Erika. Do they know what I like, or what?! Anyway, back to the book. These folks, the Economides family, plan their meals out a month in advance. I'm just not there yet. I do keep the freezer and pantry stocked with the good deals that I find at my local grocery stores, but I have not yet developed my meal planning to the science that the Economides family has. Those folks are good!
That being said, I do have some Go-To Meals for when I've forgotten to take meat out of the freezer to thaw or when I am missing ingredients that I need for something that I want to make. Or when, like last night, I knew that my daughter's lacrosse practice today would have me away from home at the normal time I'd usually be making dinner. In the past, I would have jumped in the car and run out to the store to pick up those odds and ends that I needed to complete a meal. One more trip to the grocery store, more time, more gasoline, more money, more frustration! Also, certainly I was not planning ahead and buying with coupons paired with a sale. Now, instead of all that waste, I make one of my Go-To Meals, which qualify as follows:
1. Must have only a handful of ingredients.
2. Must have ingredients that I readily have on hand.
3. Must take less than 30 minutes to make.
4. BONUS: Can be made ahead of time and quickly reheated.
Tonight's Go-To Meal is Tuna Salad Sandwiches. Canned tuna, mayo, sweet pickle relish, and bread. Four ingredients, not too bad! I usually have a bag of baby spinach in the fridge, so with that on the side, it's a meal. Today, I am a little low on bread, but it just so happens that I have been planning on making my first loaf of wheat bread. And, if something comes up and I don't make the bread? We can make do with what we have, or, I'll use my back-up plan. My personal back-up plan is my husband and he can stop to grab a loaf of wheat bread on the way home from work! Seriously, I aim to do things in a certain way, but am not going to beat myself up (too much) when it doesn't all fall into place the way I had planned. Life happens and my husband is really good at sticking to a grocery list, so I know that no extra purchases will sneak home in the bag.
Another Go-To Meal is pasta and sauce. Again, quick, easy, and fast. To change things up, sometimes I will doctor store-bought sauce with some sauteed onions or peppers (if I have them on hand), or canned mushrooms and olives. Canned corn and chopped green beans have also made an appearance in my pasta sauce. These things make the sauce a little chunkier and add in some extra vitamins and fiber.
Breakfast-for-Dinner also makes a regular appearance as one of my family's favorite Go-To Meals. Eggs, frozen sausage links (quick to thaw), bacon, wheat bread for toast, pancakes, and frozen waffles are all candidates for Breakfast for Dinner in my home.
So, what Go-To Meals do you serve in your home? FYI, fast food does not count!
Now, some folks are really good at planning meals ahead of time. Currently, I'm reading Cut Your Grocery Bill IN HALF -with- America's Cheapest Family by Steve and Annette Economides. It was a birthday gift from my brother-in-law Nathan and his wife, Erika. Do they know what I like, or what?! Anyway, back to the book. These folks, the Economides family, plan their meals out a month in advance. I'm just not there yet. I do keep the freezer and pantry stocked with the good deals that I find at my local grocery stores, but I have not yet developed my meal planning to the science that the Economides family has. Those folks are good!
That being said, I do have some Go-To Meals for when I've forgotten to take meat out of the freezer to thaw or when I am missing ingredients that I need for something that I want to make. Or when, like last night, I knew that my daughter's lacrosse practice today would have me away from home at the normal time I'd usually be making dinner. In the past, I would have jumped in the car and run out to the store to pick up those odds and ends that I needed to complete a meal. One more trip to the grocery store, more time, more gasoline, more money, more frustration! Also, certainly I was not planning ahead and buying with coupons paired with a sale. Now, instead of all that waste, I make one of my Go-To Meals, which qualify as follows:
1. Must have only a handful of ingredients.
2. Must have ingredients that I readily have on hand.
3. Must take less than 30 minutes to make.
4. BONUS: Can be made ahead of time and quickly reheated.
Tonight's Go-To Meal is Tuna Salad Sandwiches. Canned tuna, mayo, sweet pickle relish, and bread. Four ingredients, not too bad! I usually have a bag of baby spinach in the fridge, so with that on the side, it's a meal. Today, I am a little low on bread, but it just so happens that I have been planning on making my first loaf of wheat bread. And, if something comes up and I don't make the bread? We can make do with what we have, or, I'll use my back-up plan. My personal back-up plan is my husband and he can stop to grab a loaf of wheat bread on the way home from work! Seriously, I aim to do things in a certain way, but am not going to beat myself up (too much) when it doesn't all fall into place the way I had planned. Life happens and my husband is really good at sticking to a grocery list, so I know that no extra purchases will sneak home in the bag.
Another Go-To Meal is pasta and sauce. Again, quick, easy, and fast. To change things up, sometimes I will doctor store-bought sauce with some sauteed onions or peppers (if I have them on hand), or canned mushrooms and olives. Canned corn and chopped green beans have also made an appearance in my pasta sauce. These things make the sauce a little chunkier and add in some extra vitamins and fiber.
Breakfast-for-Dinner also makes a regular appearance as one of my family's favorite Go-To Meals. Eggs, frozen sausage links (quick to thaw), bacon, wheat bread for toast, pancakes, and frozen waffles are all candidates for Breakfast for Dinner in my home.
So, what Go-To Meals do you serve in your home? FYI, fast food does not count!
Heinz Vinegar 50 cent Coupon
For those of you who like to cook or clean using vinegar, Heinz is offering a 50 cent off any one bottle of Heinz Distilled White Vinegar or Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar. Besides general cooking and cleaning, white vinegar also comes in handy when coloring Easter Eggs, which wow, is only two weeks away!
Here is the link: http://offers.heinzvinegar.com/Coupon/
I printed this coupon today, and it says it expires 5/07/11.
FYI, I was able to hit the back button on my browser, and it printed a second coupon.
What do you use vinegar for the most, cooking or cleaning? I think it's an even split in my home.
Here is the link: http://offers.heinzvinegar.com/Coupon/
I printed this coupon today, and it says it expires 5/07/11.
FYI, I was able to hit the back button on my browser, and it printed a second coupon.
What do you use vinegar for the most, cooking or cleaning? I think it's an even split in my home.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Bulk Buying for Singles / Small Families
Bulk buying / couponing is not just for families with six kids. If you are single, an empty-nester, a widower, a poor college student, starving artist, whatever, you, too can benefit from bulk buying!
Gather some friends who are in a similar situation to you, other friends, neighbors, college students, retirees, and create your individual In Search Of lists, or ISO's, for short. Have everyone over for coffee or tea and share your lists. You'll be surprised at how many more items you'll add to your list upon hearing what your friends have on their lists! When you find items in common, you'll note on your list that person's name next to that item. Keep your ISO list handy when out shopping (put it in your coupon envelope / binder).
When you or your friend learn that there is a sale that can be combined with a coupon for extra savings, you can split the purchase price and share the items. This goes for canned goods, boxed items, even frozen foods and fresh meat! For example, get together and split up a purchase* of fresh meat, put the meat in the freezer-safe storage container of your choice, ad a marinade, and pop those bad boys into the freezer. Take them out a day or two before you plan on cooking. It's that easy!
*Try to meet together at the store so you can each provide money towards the purchase and/or make sure you are purchasing in bulk with a close friend who you know will definitely pay for their portion!
One last word, many folks who donate to their local food pantry or church food pantry can benefit from bulk buying. You may not need ten boxes of cereal or 20 cans of green beans, but if you were going to buy some items for the local food pantry anyway? Bulk buying is a great way to make your dollar go farther when donating food items to local charities. In your quest for savings, you will run across items that are free or next to nothing when combining a sale with coupons. You say you don't use that item? Well, maybe one of your friends does or you can donate the item to the pantry.
Eventually, you'll find so many great deals, you'll be in amazement that you used to spend so much on groceries and personal care items. Just make sure that the shelf life of what you buy is longer than the time it will take you to consume the items AND that you have adequate storage for whatever items you do buy.
Good luck, and let me know how it goes. Post below with any comments or questions!
Gather some friends who are in a similar situation to you, other friends, neighbors, college students, retirees, and create your individual In Search Of lists, or ISO's, for short. Have everyone over for coffee or tea and share your lists. You'll be surprised at how many more items you'll add to your list upon hearing what your friends have on their lists! When you find items in common, you'll note on your list that person's name next to that item. Keep your ISO list handy when out shopping (put it in your coupon envelope / binder).
When you or your friend learn that there is a sale that can be combined with a coupon for extra savings, you can split the purchase price and share the items. This goes for canned goods, boxed items, even frozen foods and fresh meat! For example, get together and split up a purchase* of fresh meat, put the meat in the freezer-safe storage container of your choice, ad a marinade, and pop those bad boys into the freezer. Take them out a day or two before you plan on cooking. It's that easy!
*Try to meet together at the store so you can each provide money towards the purchase and/or make sure you are purchasing in bulk with a close friend who you know will definitely pay for their portion!
One last word, many folks who donate to their local food pantry or church food pantry can benefit from bulk buying. You may not need ten boxes of cereal or 20 cans of green beans, but if you were going to buy some items for the local food pantry anyway? Bulk buying is a great way to make your dollar go farther when donating food items to local charities. In your quest for savings, you will run across items that are free or next to nothing when combining a sale with coupons. You say you don't use that item? Well, maybe one of your friends does or you can donate the item to the pantry.
Eventually, you'll find so many great deals, you'll be in amazement that you used to spend so much on groceries and personal care items. Just make sure that the shelf life of what you buy is longer than the time it will take you to consume the items AND that you have adequate storage for whatever items you do buy.
Good luck, and let me know how it goes. Post below with any comments or questions!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Kroger's Houston Coupon Policy Change - In a Nutshell
Thanks to my stepsister, Kelly, who pointed out that I did not say what exactly changed with the Houston-area Krogers' policies regarding couponing in my post from earlier today. Duh! I guess I was "talking to" the folks who already knew about the issue. So, if you'd like more details or have not heard what's going on at all in regards to this change, then please keep reading. :-)
Krogers is discontinuing it's double / triple coupon program effective 4/13/11. They also will no longer allow folks to stack their coupons (i.e. the use of an electronic AND a paper coupon on the same item.) This is for the Houston market ONLY.
I shop at Fred Meyer (a Kroger company) here in Oregon (we don't have Kroger) and we cannot double/triple coupons, nor can we stack coupons. I know that I do not have a horse in this race, however, I recognize how this change in policy will hurt many Krogers' customers in the Houston market, therefore, it's pertinent to the main theme of my blog, saving money!
Krogers says it has a new program in the works, but neither provides details as to what it is, nor when it will be rolled out to the Houston market. Folks speculate Krogers' use of Houston as a test market means this program will eventually spread across the country. Krogers has said the program is only in Houston, but I personally cannot imagine why, if the discontinuation of doubles / triples and the subsequent release of a new yet-to-be-named program are successful, then why wouldn't they roll out the same program to the rest of the region or even to all their locations nationwide? Isn't that why companies have test markets??
Given these tough economic times, many folks depend greatly on the ability to use double/triple coupons and stack coupons at Kroger. Many folks are so inflamed with the change in policy that consumers across the country are vowing to leave Kroger and shop elsewhere. If you'd like more info, here is a link to Kroger's site where they explain in detail the changes they are making.
http://www.kroger.com/mykroger/034/Pages/houston_announcement.aspx
I liken this change to my time in college when my university tore out a parking lot on campus to build a new business school. However, they didn't build the new parking garage to accommodate those who lost their parking spaces in the lot till years later! I just wish that Kroger would announce the discontinuation of one program and the beginning of the new program in the same message. However, I'm certain there is some wise business decision behind their reasoning. If you hear what that decision is, please share in the comments below!
Krogers is discontinuing it's double / triple coupon program effective 4/13/11. They also will no longer allow folks to stack their coupons (i.e. the use of an electronic AND a paper coupon on the same item.) This is for the Houston market ONLY.
I shop at Fred Meyer (a Kroger company) here in Oregon (we don't have Kroger) and we cannot double/triple coupons, nor can we stack coupons. I know that I do not have a horse in this race, however, I recognize how this change in policy will hurt many Krogers' customers in the Houston market, therefore, it's pertinent to the main theme of my blog, saving money!
Krogers says it has a new program in the works, but neither provides details as to what it is, nor when it will be rolled out to the Houston market. Folks speculate Krogers' use of Houston as a test market means this program will eventually spread across the country. Krogers has said the program is only in Houston, but I personally cannot imagine why, if the discontinuation of doubles / triples and the subsequent release of a new yet-to-be-named program are successful, then why wouldn't they roll out the same program to the rest of the region or even to all their locations nationwide? Isn't that why companies have test markets??
Given these tough economic times, many folks depend greatly on the ability to use double/triple coupons and stack coupons at Kroger. Many folks are so inflamed with the change in policy that consumers across the country are vowing to leave Kroger and shop elsewhere. If you'd like more info, here is a link to Kroger's site where they explain in detail the changes they are making.
http://www.kroger.com/mykroger/034/Pages/houston_announcement.aspx
I liken this change to my time in college when my university tore out a parking lot on campus to build a new business school. However, they didn't build the new parking garage to accommodate those who lost their parking spaces in the lot till years later! I just wish that Kroger would announce the discontinuation of one program and the beginning of the new program in the same message. However, I'm certain there is some wise business decision behind their reasoning. If you hear what that decision is, please share in the comments below!
Welcome to those Upset about the Change in Kroger's Coupon Policies!
Folks,
Just a quick word. I know that businesses are tightening their financial belts, just like the rest of us.
However, I personally know a lot of folks who make ends meet with the serious use of coupons.
I know that businesses need to try out their ideas on single markets / regions, so someone has to
be the one to suffer or the first to suffer.
I know there are folks that tell you to be thankful for the savings you've gotten in the past and that grocers do not have to provide these programs. They also tell you that you are free to shop elsewhere. Many of you will do just that, which just like it's the grocer's right to change its policies, it's your right to shop where you like. I just hope that some of my ideas, and some of the ideas that we all share here, will help each of us save a little more. I don't want to get political, I just want to plan for the event that this economy doesn't turn around quick enough to take care of my minimal expenses.
Many of you are already VERY savvy money savers. You may have more to give than get from this blog. However, some of you may be new to saving money, budgeting, planning, etc. If I can help just one family save a little each month to make ends meet, it will be well worth my time.
Welcome to SAHMonomics - Stay at Home Mom-onomics!
Take care,
Diana
Just a quick word. I know that businesses are tightening their financial belts, just like the rest of us.
However, I personally know a lot of folks who make ends meet with the serious use of coupons.
I know that businesses need to try out their ideas on single markets / regions, so someone has to
be the one to suffer or the first to suffer.
I know there are folks that tell you to be thankful for the savings you've gotten in the past and that grocers do not have to provide these programs. They also tell you that you are free to shop elsewhere. Many of you will do just that, which just like it's the grocer's right to change its policies, it's your right to shop where you like. I just hope that some of my ideas, and some of the ideas that we all share here, will help each of us save a little more. I don't want to get political, I just want to plan for the event that this economy doesn't turn around quick enough to take care of my minimal expenses.
Many of you are already VERY savvy money savers. You may have more to give than get from this blog. However, some of you may be new to saving money, budgeting, planning, etc. If I can help just one family save a little each month to make ends meet, it will be well worth my time.
Welcome to SAHMonomics - Stay at Home Mom-onomics!
Take care,
Diana
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