Monday, March 9, 2009

Random Advice

I figured posting about how I save , what I do and why would be a good blog entry.

  1. Stockpiling A lot of people don't understand the concept of stocking up on certain items when their is a good sale, it is a hard concept to grasp for some that could really benefit from this practice. For example the great Ragu Deal cost me $7.00 after the deal was said and done. Sauce averages about $3.00 a jar with out coupons or sales. So if I didn't use coupons in combined with a sale that same amount of Ragu would have cost over $90.00. That money saved is better in my pocket than a stores! The expiration date is 2011, and surely a family of 3 can use 31 or more jars of sauce in that time period! The same applies with the Steam Fresh Vegetables deal. Or the fact that I had a son in 2007 and never had to buy babywipes! I got a ton for free at Target! That is at least $300.00 in Savings. I save a lot by matching the ads with coupons and often coupons off Ebay in order to get a lot of one item. This is just common sense and a great practice for anyone who just wants to save money!
  2. Emailing companies is another great way to save money! We have tried a variety of items for free or super cheap! I have gotten a large variety of coupons for free food, free cleaning products, free HBA items that I normally wouldn't have tried. It is great to be diverse and not brand specific, this in turn will help you save more money!
  3. Product Trials are another favorite of mine. I can't go into details, but I can honestly say in almost every room of my house there is a product trial item of some sort. Often people will look in our bathroom and see tags that say PRODUCT TEST ITEM or in our Kitchen and see other items labeled PRODUCT TRIAL. We have tried several great items this way! Including a large variety of ORGANIC items. This cuts down your budget because you get these items for free and you can plan your meals around the food items!
  4. Free Samples are great as well, you get to try a lot of new items as well as cut down on your budget for personal items or snack items. I am in constant battle to lose weight and we made a rule that they only snack foods in our house have to be FREE either from coupons or samples. Also we keep a large basket of samples in our guest bedroom for visitors and one on the dryer for random laundry samples that are always coming!
  5. Surveys and earning giftcards are also great, but you also get to give your opinion to companies developing ideas! A lot of people say they don't pay that well, but little amounts do add up! In the month of February I brought in over $200.00 doing surveys and Swagbucks! Each month does add up!
  6. Using FREE giftcards from Swagbucks and other sources to pay for everyday expenses at a discount are a GREAT way to save money, especially when you have a baby! I have basically elimated buy diapers from our budget and have them delivered to my front door by using Amazon Subscribe and Save for an addition discount and FREE shipping!
  7. Shop all year round for gifts. My husband and I have several nieces and nephews and often its cheaper and easier to watch the clearance sections and put items away instead of paying full price right before Christmas.

The way is mainly common sense to me! I have the time and ability so why not! I rather put the money I am saving towards remodeling my home and savings than things that are consumed or bought at full price.

Mail Today

  1. $7.00 Opinion OutPost Check
  2. 2 Milk Matters Coloring Books from the Department of Health
  3. 1 Home Made Simple Coupon Book ( contains coupon for FREE Cascade Crystal Rinse)
  4. Playtex Gentle Glide and $1.00 off Coupons

Target why are you so far from me!

I live about an hour from a Target, so when I go I really need to make it count!

This is my plan so far for this week.

Product                         Price            Manu Coupon Target Coupon OOP     Number Needed
Gillette Body Wash $2 $2 NA $0 1
Mott's Apple Sauce $1.69 $1
Pepperidge Farm GoldFish $1.77 $1
Tropicanna $2.99 $1/2 $1 2
Huggies Wipes Refill $5.99 $5.00 $0


Saturday, March 7, 2009

March 7th Mail Call!



Today was an okay mail day!

I received the first of my Amazon Earth's Best order from the deal I previously posted here. I used the Amazon gift cards earned from Swag Bucks to pay for it and selected subscribe and save for free shipping and an addition 15 percent discount.

  1. 6 Boxes of Earth's Best Cherry Granola Bars
  2. 1 Sample Platex Sport that also contains a $1.00 off coupon
  3. Welch's sent 1 FREE Welch's product, 2 $0.50 off Welch's, 1 $0.75 off Welch's Light Juice Beverage, 1 $0.75 Off any Welch's AquaJuice

Free Organic Lettuce Seeds from Earthbound Farms

Growing your own plants is a great way to save money on produce and that way you know exactly where your plants are coming from and sans pesticides!




Go here for free Organic Lettuce Seeds from Earthbound Farms!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Gardening !

My husband and I do NOT have green thumbs, but this deal makes it more appealing to try again.

http://springhillnursery.com/


Go here for up to $20 worth of free plants, you pay shipping.

Amazon How I LOVE Thee!

I love Amazon and what makes Amazon even better is the fact that there are SEVERAL ways to earn FREE AMAZON gift cards using the internet only a few moments each day. This is a great way to save on everyday expenses or make Christmas much cheaper, by storing the Amazon codes in your account until Christmas and then take advantage of the awesome December Amazon Deals.

This month I have earned quite a few Amazon gift cards through various sites.

Say Nation
is a great site, because even if you don't qualify for a survey you get 25 points for attempting it. I just redeemed for a $20.00 gift certificate this month.

Swagbucks
is also quite awesome because you can earn Swagbucks rather quickly through Swagcodes and searches. I have already earned $25.00 since I started using Swagbucks! It is quite awesome!

Valued Opinions is another great site that allows you to take surveys to gain Amazon Giftcards! I sugguest signing up through MyPoints to get your Mypoints for joining!

Also if you join BZZAGENT you can earn Mypoints which are in turned can be redeemed for various giftcards. I of course usually chose Amazon!

E-Poll is another site as well that you can us to earn Amazon Giftcards!

Lastly Light Speed Panel is my favorite site to earn Amazon giftcards.


These are great ways to eliminate basic things from you budget. I order our diapers off Amazon and usually I only pay 10.00 for a case of 100 after giftcards, sometimes nothing at all. Also if you don't have a child in diapers, this is a great way to buy gifts for birthdays and Christmas.


If you want to check out where else I have earned gift cards and my totals go to my spread sheet here

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Free Red Gold Tote



Sign up here

This versatile tote bag measures 13”W x 15”H x 6”D, allowing plenty of room for groceries. Following the “green” trend, it is durable enough to be used on numerous shopping trips. The reinforced straps allow for packing your bag with a variety of items

Free Tote Bag from DeLallo

My husband and I are huge fans of DeLallo's products. They are offering a free tote on their website here

Swag Bucks

If you are a Swaglover make sure you check out facebook now.


Search & Win

Mail Today



  1. Free Glamour Magazine
  2. Coupon for FREE SUAVE product
  3. $5.00 Survey Spot Check

Don't forget I keep a running total of all those little survey checks and gift cards here.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Swag Bucks

I am a huge fan of Swagbucks. Make sure you check their site all over for codes especially their random polls. Hint Hint to all of you new Swag Addicts


Search & Win

March Mail


Today was an okay mail day

  1. 1 FREE Delmonte 100 Calorie canned Fruit
  2. 1 Rachel Ray Nutrish Dog Food Sample
  3. 1 Always Infinity Sample with $1.00 off coupon.
( not pictured)
  1. Kraft Game Day Win that arrived at my parents house
  2. Huggies Coupons that went to my parents house
  3. Underjams sample and $2.00 coupon that also went to their house.

Also I received another $5.00 Amazon Gift card from Swagbucks

New! Ziploc® Brand Fresh Shield™ Freezer Bags.



Costco has a free sample of Ziploc Fresh Shield on their website, available through startsampling.com and is available directly here

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Cheap Pea Coats



$5.99 Pea Coats! ( Thanks to Babycenter's Bargain Board)

http://www.tulle4us.com/jackets%20and%20coats/S7199

March Mail Today


  1. Viva Paper Towel Sample from Walmart with a $1.00 off 2 pack or 6 pack coupon
  2. Free Kiwi Magazine
  3. Free Lego Magazine
  4. 1 $2.00 off 2 Boxes of Nabisco 100 Calorie Oreo mini Caksters
  5. 1 $1.50 on one Pack of Jello Sugar Free Rice Pudding
  6. 1 Sea Pak Recipe Booklet that contains 4 $1.00 off any two Seapak items ( and it smells like breaded / fried shrimp) ( promotion code is E1M2A3L)

Monday, March 2, 2009

Free Reusable Nature's Source Tote Bag **First 18,000**

Free Reusable Nature's Source Tote Bag **First 18,000** http://www.rightathome.com/offers/200903-offers/



If you have won a gift pack from Right@Home™ in the last 180 days, you are not eligible for this month's offer.
Step into Spring Gift Pack
Heading to the grocery store? Picking up a few things at the pharmacy? Bring along our new reusable Nature's Source™ tote bag, perfect for grocery shopping, errands and more. It's also made from a recyclable fabric that is both durable and environmentally friendly.
If you’re one of the first 18,000* to respond, you’ll receive a free reusable Nature's Source™ tote bag.
Learn more about Nature’s Source™ products.
For other handy and reusable storage options, try Ziploc® Brand Flexible Totes, a versatile home storage solution. They’re durable, yet flexible enough to fit under beds or on shelves, and come with built-in handles and an easy-close zipper.
Also try Ziploc® Brand Big Bags to organize, protect and transport - anything, anywhere. The bags have the flexibility to fit in places where rigid bins can’t. The Double Zipper seal protects contents from dust, moisture and pests. Store and transport seasonal clothes, linens, sports gear, and more.

†Terms & Conditions
First 18,000 people to respond will receive a Step into Spring Gift Pack. For your chance to receive a gift pack, simply complete all required information on the form below by March 31, 2009, 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time (CT). Offer available to U.S. residents only. Gift packs available until March 31, 2009, or while supplies last. Only 18,000 gift packs available. Limit: one (1) gift pack per household/address. S.C. Johnson is not liable for any typographical errors in the offer or any illegible, lost, late, damaged, separated, misdirected, incomplete, stolen or nondelivered email or redemption requests. Gift packs will be mailed by May15, 2009.
Gift pack offers are available to Right@Home™ members only.

Mail Today

  1. 2 $0.50 off Minute Rice Coupons and Recipes
  2. $3.00 Pinecone Research Check
  3. $1.50 off any Sargento Salad or Potato Finishers coupon
  4. 2 certificates for Free Protege Lip Gloss
  5. Coupon train from Babycenter

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Earth's Best Amazon Deal

Earth's Best Formula and Kids' Food: Save up to 30%

Save up to 30%. Save an additional 15% instantly when you purchase select Earth's Best products sold by Amazon.com. Enter code EARTBE23 at checkout. Plus, save an additional 15% when you combine this instant rebate with your Subscribe & Save order--bringing the total savings to 30%. Offer valid through March 31, 2009. See rules and restrictions.


Click here for the deals


Annie's Home Grown

This was on slickdeals.net

Amazon has Annie's Homegrown Products on Sale. Save an additional 30% with code ANNHOME5. You may also save another 15% when you select the "subscribe & save" option. Thanks xfatwalletuser1

Note: You will need to cancel your subscribtion to subscribe & save when you have decided you don't want to automatically receive more shipments