I've realized that while standing in line at grocery stores, I scan what others have in their carts around me to see if I have a coupon that may help them. The woman in front of me at Publix today had $40 worth of items, including Welch's juice. While her back was turned, I handed the cashier a $1 off coupon for the juice. The woman probably won't look twice at her receipt and will never know she saved that dollar. And with $40 worth, one dollar doesn't seem like a big deal. But the idea of helping out that little bit made me smile, and the cashier said "thank you."
How do you find yourself helping out others since you've started couponing? Do you donate more items since you can get them so cheap? Do you leave a couple extra coupons on top of items in the store?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fraudulent Printables
With soooo many internet printables available, we couponers have to be careful of which ones we use. If you ever trade with people or print from a site you're not sure about, then check with Coupons Inc.'s Coupon Resource Center. You can type in the Veri-FI code to see if it's legit.
As for store coupons, watch out so you're not printing a copy that was not meant to be posted for the world. Thrifty Mama posted a great piece regarding the recent $3 off any CVS brand item. The coupon was originally in a newspaper, and the paper posted it online without the approval of CVS.
As a Christian couponer, I try to stay away from illegitimate deals. I'm guilty of using a couple of unauthorized coupons without thinking about it, but now I'm somewhat more informed. The companies also don't get paid back for fraudulent coupons. Aside from the moral aspect, more and more companies may stop taking internet printables if they lose too much money from fraudulent ones. So for everyone's sake, please be careful.
As for store coupons, watch out so you're not printing a copy that was not meant to be posted for the world. Thrifty Mama posted a great piece regarding the recent $3 off any CVS brand item. The coupon was originally in a newspaper, and the paper posted it online without the approval of CVS.
As a Christian couponer, I try to stay away from illegitimate deals. I'm guilty of using a couple of unauthorized coupons without thinking about it, but now I'm somewhat more informed. The companies also don't get paid back for fraudulent coupons. Aside from the moral aspect, more and more companies may stop taking internet printables if they lose too much money from fraudulent ones. So for everyone's sake, please be careful.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Upromise & Pairing Deals
If you haven't signed up for Upromise yet, what are you waiting for? It's designed to save money for college, but anyone can have an account and the money doesn't HAVE to go to college.
If you'd like to sign up, please leave a comment with your email addy so that I can refer you. That way, me and you both will receive a $10 gift certificate to Restaurants.com.
There are 3 ways to earn money back.
1. Register your grocery store and pharmacy cards, and when you buy participating products, a small percentage is donated into your account (1-3% back)
Example: $00.02 for 1 lb box of Domino's Confectioners sugar
2. Shop through businesses on the site (1-25% back).
3. Register your debit and/or credit cards and eat at one of the eligible restaurants. (up to 8% back)
Upromise has monthly coupons that can be activated for your grocery and pharmacy cards for even more savings. Pair these with great deals. For example, I had a raincheck for $1.99 5 lb bag of Domino sugar. I used it at Publix with a .35 manufacturer coupon (doubled to .70) and had a .50 coupon activated on my Upromise cards. So I paid $1.29 out of pocket, and received .56 into the Upromise account. It's not a get rich quick scheme, but if you have young ones at home, it'd be a great way to start saving for college.
Also, if you register a debit or credit card, use one that gives reward points for an extra good deal.
When you sign up, try the promotional code SNYDERS3 for an extra $3 into your account.
If you'd like to sign up, please leave a comment with your email addy so that I can refer you. That way, me and you both will receive a $10 gift certificate to Restaurants.com.
There are 3 ways to earn money back.
1. Register your grocery store and pharmacy cards, and when you buy participating products, a small percentage is donated into your account (1-3% back)
Example: $00.02 for 1 lb box of Domino's Confectioners sugar
2. Shop through businesses on the site (1-25% back).
3. Register your debit and/or credit cards and eat at one of the eligible restaurants. (up to 8% back)
Upromise has monthly coupons that can be activated for your grocery and pharmacy cards for even more savings. Pair these with great deals. For example, I had a raincheck for $1.99 5 lb bag of Domino sugar. I used it at Publix with a .35 manufacturer coupon (doubled to .70) and had a .50 coupon activated on my Upromise cards. So I paid $1.29 out of pocket, and received .56 into the Upromise account. It's not a get rich quick scheme, but if you have young ones at home, it'd be a great way to start saving for college.
Also, if you register a debit or credit card, use one that gives reward points for an extra good deal.
When you sign up, try the promotional code SNYDERS3 for an extra $3 into your account.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
When You Really Want to Go Out to Eat
I don't know about you, but there are many days when I just DON'T WANT TO COOK. I want to go out to eat and let someone else cook and wash the dishes. Here are a few tips for eating out on a budget.
1. Order water to drink
2. Split a meal with someone. Order an entree that's large enough for 2.
3. Order an appetizer instead of a large entree. Add a salad if the appetizer isn't enough.
4. -OR- Make the meal last. Order an entree that is large enough to take home leftovers for another meal. O'Charleys used to have "Take 2" where I could order 2 meats for just a couple of dollars extra.
5. If you're taking the kids, go to a restaurant where kids eat free (or at least at a deep discount). Try My Kids Eat Free, Kids Eat Free, Kids Meal Deals, and Kiddie Menu to find local deals. Not all restaurants are listed since so many promotions are spread by word of mouth. Also, I recommend calling the restaurant ahead of time to verify what is on the websites.
6. Eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch combos are normally cheaper.
7. Look for Half Off or BOGO deals. Half Off Deals lists many half-priced gift certificates available in your area. The certificates I've looked at are all $50 certificates for $25. You can sign up for their Certificate Tooter to be notified when new deals are available.
The Entertainment Book also has many Buy One Entree Get One Free coupons. Shop through Ebates or Cashbaq to receive money back on your book order. Newspapers also sometimes have coupons for BOGO deals at local restaurants.
8. Use restaurant coupons. Sign up for restaurant newsletters for printable coupons. See my Restaurant Deals post for a few email sign-ups. Also check your newspapers...around here, Longhorn and Olive Garden occasionally have coupons in them.
1. Order water to drink
2. Split a meal with someone. Order an entree that's large enough for 2.
3. Order an appetizer instead of a large entree. Add a salad if the appetizer isn't enough.
4. -OR- Make the meal last. Order an entree that is large enough to take home leftovers for another meal. O'Charleys used to have "Take 2" where I could order 2 meats for just a couple of dollars extra.
5. If you're taking the kids, go to a restaurant where kids eat free (or at least at a deep discount). Try My Kids Eat Free, Kids Eat Free, Kids Meal Deals, and Kiddie Menu to find local deals. Not all restaurants are listed since so many promotions are spread by word of mouth. Also, I recommend calling the restaurant ahead of time to verify what is on the websites.
6. Eat out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch combos are normally cheaper.
7. Look for Half Off or BOGO deals. Half Off Deals lists many half-priced gift certificates available in your area. The certificates I've looked at are all $50 certificates for $25. You can sign up for their Certificate Tooter to be notified when new deals are available.
The Entertainment Book also has many Buy One Entree Get One Free coupons. Shop through Ebates or Cashbaq to receive money back on your book order. Newspapers also sometimes have coupons for BOGO deals at local restaurants.
8. Use restaurant coupons. Sign up for restaurant newsletters for printable coupons. See my Restaurant Deals post for a few email sign-ups. Also check your newspapers...around here, Longhorn and Olive Garden occasionally have coupons in them.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Free Music Downloads
CNet Download Music highlights a different artist every day who has at least 1 free MP3 download. Music ranges from Pittsburgh Symphony to Fall Out Boy to Jars of Clay, country to indie rock to hip-hop.
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