The Basics: Couponing

Extreme Couponing on TLC is one of my guilty pleasure shows. These people are coupon-crazy. And I love the fact that they get an adrenaline rush at the check out line waiting for the final savings. But really, who has 3 hours to spend at the check out line? Or 6 hours planning their trip? Who needs 60 bottles of French's mustard to "stockpile"? Unless you need to be prepared for the Great Depression or the Apocalypse, having these huge stockpiles doesn't seem realistic.

There is a way to use the couponing methods to the everyday shoppers advantage and not wind up boxes of cereal in under your bed. I live in an apartment, my pantry is limited. A lot of folks on limited budgets only need or can afford enough to feed their families monthly.

So how exactly do those extremely OCD people get $600 worth of stuff for $6? They plan. They use the tools that are out there for everyone. I am pretty sure (don't quote me) that this super coupon-usage started in Utah with the Mormons, as part of their faith requires them to keep a years-worth of food on hand. So utilizing the power of the coupon and store loyalty perks, they got it down to a science. By getting the schedules for coupon inserts and monitoring store sale cycles, then a system can be devised to match the coupon with the sale offered. Many of these systems are now available online for everyone to utilize, like The Grocery Game and CouponMom.

So for you to get started (if you haven't already), here are the basics that you need to do:

1. Sign up for the loyalty rewards program at all of the local supermarkets/stores you frequent by you. Load up your key fob with these tags. I have a separate ring for all of mine. I have everything from A&P to Yogaworks. Supermarkets, the local library, auto parts stores, shoe outlets, coffee shops, card stores, you name it. These reward programs are part of the key to saving money.

2. Get your coupon inserts for the paper. You will soon see that there are 3 main companies that have inserts in the paper, P&G BrandSaver, RedPlum, and SmartSource. A lot of methods tell you to keep the inserts whole and only cut what is needed for that week. As I use my own method, I cut only the stuff I use. Sure I can get a great deal on that pasta sauce that is on sale and I have a coupon bringing the price down to $1 or less a jar, but honestly, I prefer the brands that I have a hard time finding for less than $2 a jar.

3. Use online coupon sites. First, find out if your store will allow you to use online coupons. There are a bunch of sites that offer them, most readily is coupons.com. Note that you can only print 2 coupons per computer. If you have multiple computers at your home, you can print more. These online coupons run out by volume so if you see a good deal, print it as soon as you see it otherwise you might get shut out. I have received emails from coupons.com letting me know when the site has been replenished.

4. Using e-coupons. Go online to your local store's website and check it out. Many offer circular viewing, unadvertised specials, online ordering, local delivery, and e-coupons. My local A&P offers digital coupons that can be downloaded right to my reward card. These seem to be the same coupons that are offered in the paper, but this is a paperless way to get the savings. I will try to use both the e-coupon and the cut out one from the insert and report back the results.

5. Get a coupon organizer. If you plan on going coupon-crazy and have hundreds to use, use a binder system. Me, I just use a small coupon organizer from The Container Store. You can get similar ones cheap at the checkout line at the drugstore or local Kmart or even at the Dollar Store, but in my experience, those rip easily. The one I have is made of a really durable plastic that has yet to rip after 5 years. Sure, I wish it was deeper and had more divider labels, but it works for me.

6. Make a list. Check out the weekly circular for savings that week, keeping in mind you are looking for deep discounts and reductions are items that you use frequently. Try to put to use the menu plan that you keep putting off. If I can find frozen pierogi, frozen carrots, and packaged kielbasa all on sale that week, then whoo hoo, dinner for 1 night is done and I will by a few of them so I have it on hand for another night. So make a list of what is on sale that you would use for your menu plan and then match up with any possible coupons available in your arsenal. Keep in mind that sites like The Grocery Game and Coupon Mom will match up these deals for you. Other sites available will highlight great deals, like TheKrazyCouponLady.com.

7. Don't be afraid of going generic. There are certain things that I don't mind going generic for like hand soap refills, dishwashing liquid, certain cleaning products, jelly, peanut butter, milk, eggs, cheese, cereals, pasta, prescription and over-the-counter drugs and others. Sometimes it is worth it to go generic. For example, Softsoap 56oz hand soap refill on sale for $5.00 and I have a $1 off coupon will bring the price down to $4 but the generic hand soap refill at the same size is always $3, then I will buy the generic. BUT if I have 8 coupons for 7oz hand soap that will bring the price to 25 cents each, then 8 bottles x 25 cents is $2 for the same volume, then I would buy that. The environmentalist in me would cringe at the waste of plastic but it is still the better buy.

8. Using "register rewards" and "Catalinas". When I get my final receipt at the drugstore or supermarket, I usually get coupons back for use on brand items at their store. These are called "Catalinas" after the company that does this. A register reward program like "CVS Bucks" or "Register Rewards" from Walgreens is the cash off coupon that "rewards" you for buying an item or items that were on sale. They are to be used on a future purchase. On my last trip to Walgreens, I got $14 worth of these! Woohoo free money! Make sure that you use these before they expire!

9. Check the store's coupon policy. In most cases, you will be able to use a store coupon in conjunction with a manufacturer coupon and if the item is also on sale then TRIFECTA!! These types of combinations vary from store to store. Many stores by me offer double coupons BUT they will only double up to a dollar, so that 75 cent coupon is NOT $1.50 off like I want it to be. This week, Pathmark by me is offering doubling coupons up to $2 off and even on those coupons that say DO NOT DOUBLE. As my local Pathmark is a dump and not really convenient for me to get to, I avoid it like the plague, but this might be worth me checking out. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. I'll let you know. Stores also might offer coupon savings for seniors on certain days, $10 off coupons when you spend over $50, a $1 coupon doubler when you spend over $15, etc., etc. These combinations are worth looking into. Just be aware where you shop.

10. Check the money back policy. This goes hand in hand with #9 above. Sure you can buy that aspirin that is on sale for $2.99 with a $5 off coupon and have the store owe you $1.99 per box, but that money might not come off your bill at the register. Where I live, those types of deals are far and few between due to coupon policies. The store might only let the cost go down to $0. Some stores won't give you cash back, you must use the overage on actual items. It pays to know before you go.

11. The sales cycle. Usually, you can guess that healthy items are on sale in the beginning of the year when most people are resolving to lose weight. This time of year, you can stock up on picnic supplies like ketchup, relish, hot dog buns, paper plates, BBQ Sauce, etc. It seems like my Aveeno brand items go on sale every 5 weeks. Home improvement items also have a schedule. Just notice the cycles and shop accordingly.

12. BRING A CALCULATOR TO THE STORE WITH YOU. Just keep it in with your coupon stash. Yes, I have a hard time figuring out if 3 boxes of cereal for $6 is a good deal if I have a $1.50 off coupon. Do I really need to spell out the value of this? I got mine for 99 cents at Staples during the Back To School sale. So far, it has lasted 5 years.

So, I hope that these tips will help you on your coupon quest to save more money. I can routinely save 50% or more of my bill whenever I go shopping. If I don't have a coupon, I usually will not buy the item. Just being an educated shopper is the best step to buying better. Try to figure out the total cost before you go. Play a game with yourself. Make a bet with your spouse if you fall within 5% of what you figured out the cost to be then you don't have to do dishes or something. If you have any sites to share, let me know!!

Sites mentioned in this post:
The Grocery Game
Coupon Mom
P&G Brandsaver
Redplum
SmartSource
Coupons.com
The Container Store
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Weekly Coupon Insert Schedule

Other topics to come include Group Couponing sites like Groupon, Buy with Me, etc. and getting signed up for those birthday freebies!

The Basics: Budget

Ah, budgeting. How I despise thee. I could never balance my checkbook. I have bounced more checks than I would like to admit. I vaguely remember going to court in college for it. I racked up an $18,000 debt in my 20s with credit cards. I never had a new car. I am still paying off my student loan from college and I graduated 15 years ago. I didn't learn early enough HOW important it was to use money wisely. I was young and having the time of my life. I never saw my life past 30. I had no long-term plans for the future.

The good news? I DID learn. And it is never too late to do so. I paid off that $18,000 debt in 2 years. I still have that school loan, but it has been whiddled down to something manageable. While I have never had a new car, new cars aren't always the best choice. I love my used van. It made the best financial sense for us. And balancing the checkbook? Let's just say, I love my bank. I haven't bounced a check in many years thanks to the new technology out there.

Getting back on sound financial footing is hard. Recovering from old habits is a challenge. Planning for the long-term requires real examination and review. Trying to keep yourself from going hungry or into debt when you are living on a fixed income is a huge struggle.

Thank goodness there are tons of resources out there that really want to help people. Just Google "budget". There are a lot more that try to rip you off, but you have to be smart. The first step is to make a budget. I hate making a budget because it forces me to realize that I don't have the means to always do what I please. I am very stubborn that way. But once you have a realistic view of what you have and what is coming in and going out, it makes it easier to plan. I know, you're thinking "Duh. Every financial site and book says this". YES. They do. And for good reason. PEOPLE JUST DON'T SEEM TO GET IT.

Have you ever watched The Real Housewives of [insert city here] or My Super Fabulous Sweet 16 on television? Those people are not living in my reality. I cannot watch those shows. They are a horrible representation of a life of excess. These people have more money than they know what to do with and they have no moral footing. The characters (for that is what they are) are narcissistic, egoistical, and shallow. Yes, I covet their Birkin handbag, but I love that bag because it is beautifully designed, not because I could rub it in my so-called friend's face when I use it. But when they have a closet made just for shoes or handbags, I want to puke. So to save my stomach and show my allegiance to being normal, I cannot support those shows. I have to live in my real world. And my budget helps me do that. It doesn't mean you cannot set a goal for yourself to one day have something completely extravagant, but you cannot do so at the expense of getting yourself into debt or living without the basics.

I am a huge fan of working smarter, not harder. There are tons of budget sites out there. I am still leery about putting financial info online but there are secure sites out there that have been endorsed by gurus like Suze Orman, Jean Chatzky, and David Bach.

One of them is Mint.com. Also check out what Money Magazine online has to offer online. Their Money 101 lessons on personal finance are great. These sites can look intimidating at first so go slowly. Don't expect to get it all at once. If you are able to purchase software for personal use, I recommend Quicken. For a great worksheet to start with, use the template available with Excel.

Most sites give very general instruction because everyone is different. Everyone's priorities and expenses are different. My advice is be honest with yourself. This is a realistic review and it might be hard to swallow. But once you have listed all of your expenses, then you can see where to cut and what to manage better. When your income has been slashed, you will have to make a lot of sacrifices. With prices going up for everything from gas to food to haircuts, you will need to reevaluate what is important and find a way to get the best deal for everything. Check out Budget101.com for money saving tips. If you read this far, you are probably saying "yeah, yeah, tell me what I don't know". I can't. You are smart and most likely have a site that you use or seen that I have not. I can only show you the best sites and tools I have used and hope that they are useful for you. Get budgeting! For next, we coupon!!

Related Topics to come: Taxes, Banking, Credit Scores, College Funds, Retirement and other general personal financial health.

Sites mentioned:
Suze Orman
Jean Chatzky's Money 911
David Bach's Finish Rich
Mint.com
Money Magazine
Quicken
Budget101.com


Photo credit ('cause I'm cheap, or rather, frugal):

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Basics: Calendar

Gosh, that last post was so dreary. So let's get upbeat. The key to getting the best deal and the best place to start getting organized? GET A GOOD CALENDAR. Then use your calendar to keep track of everything from snow days to sick days to how much you spent at the grocery store that day. Not only should you note the date of the event but also when RSVPs are due and time to prepare for the event if you need to.

Physical vs. electronic? Why choose? I use both.

My favorite physical calendar is made by More Time Moms. It was a recommendation from my bestest friend (of whom I am exremely envious of her housekeeping skillz). I have used this brand for 8 years now and found that it has the largest boxes for keeping track of appointments and we write EVERYTHING on it. It also comes in handy when we have to remember where we went for Easter last year as I save them all. I use stickers for quick visual reminders. I also I keep a multi-ink pen on a long string attached to it so I don't have to search for a pen when I need one. But no matter what brand you choose, get one big enough to hold everything you want to list and hang it in a spot where it is very accessible to everyone in the family. We also use it as the place where we mark off rewards for trying new foods or being good. I just have a hard time keeping the little ones from writing on it.

I consider my calendar an investment worth the cost. If you cannot afford to buy one, check the clearence racks at a bookstore after the new year. Check coupons for online stores like calendars.com. Or just use one that you can get free from a restaurant or church. You might be able to print out a blank calendar from MS Word at your local library. I prefer manufactured ones because they will last longer.

I also use a smaller dry erase weekly calendar for my 5-yo daughter's school stuff. It is an at-a-glance reference that she can read quickly. Not a necessity, but it was on sale for $2 at the teacher store and since she is learning about the calendar and the year in school, it made sense to use it as a teaching tool as well.



Electronic calendars fall into a few categories. Connected to your email account, online--using an organizational site, and electronic--like the one that comes with your cell phone.

If you have email, chances are you have a calendar component. This can automatically send you email reminders and keep track of reoccuring appointments. They also have the capability to be shared with others. This is a free option that is basic and a great way to schedule. If it is hosted online (like using Yahoo or Gmail) then you can sign in from anywhere to get access. You most likely synch with your smartphone. The more passive you can be with getting info sent to you the better. I am a fan of the "set-it-and-forget-it" method for reoccuring appointments and reminders.

Online calendar sites, like Cozi.com, have a more user-friendly interface. These can also be accessed from anywhere you can find an internet connection. They also offer apps for your smartphone to help keep you organized. I use Cozi so that my stepdaughter can enter her crazy schedule from anywhere and her mom can access if she needs to. I also like the other components that they offer. I admit, I don't use this to it's fullest potential, but I like what I see for the new features.

Electronic calendars that come with your cell phone without internet access are only as good as the information put in and accessed. I am referring to stand alone calendars that are not synched to any accounts. In most cases, it is up to you to be as active as possible to get the most out of it. If that is all you have, use it. A lot. Get into a good habit.

So get a good calendar as a first step. Both More Time Moms and Cozi have great organizational tips on their site as well. AND both have apps to synch with your smartphone. For me, both methods work for me. If you are getting started, just TRY something. As soon as you get a school notice or invitation for birthday party or a parking ticket, make a note. Your calendar will become your best friend in saving money in the weeks to come.

Products mentioned:
More Time Moms Family Organizer
Cozi.com online calendar
Lakeshore Learning Center dry erase weekly calendar

Bonus internet points to you if you recognize the Flylady stickers on the calendar!

Trying something new

So here I am.

Newly laid off. Life is very different from where we were 2 years ago with our 2 incomes.

The positive? We haven't had to move from our apartment. The 5 year old is in school full time--a public school and she has transportation to get there. I have more time to volunteer (right now for Girl Scouts) and DH is trying to start a social media company and so far has been pretty successful. I get to spend a lot more time with our 4 year old DD at home, no daycare. I get to scrapbook sometimes! I cook more. I can shop more wisely. Dry cleaning bills have been eliminated. No commuting expenses. Gas bill has been reduced. I can finally start the application process for my certification that will hopefully lead to a good job.

The negative? With finances strained, we have to be creative. Budgeting and couponing and basically trying to get everything for little to no cost. It is hard to live a scheduled life when the kids are the only ones who seem to have a schedule. I meander. Sometimes I find myself not wanting to do anything. Then I have to snap out of it, quickly.

Make lemonade out of lemons.

So here I am.

I have found myself in the past year sharing information on local events and shopping tips to save money and have fun for practically nothing. I feel like I have scoured the internet and that all of these resources need a central place for people to reference. So this lemonade stand is for my trusted sites and tips that work for me. I hope that they will work for you too. To enjoy that lemonade.