January 1, 2010

Save Money By Ordering Free Stuff Online

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One of my favorite perks of the internet is the mass amount of freebies I can order. When I’m in the mood and have a few minutes, I type “free samples”, “freebies”, or “free ___” into my search bar. Each time I am able to find get free stuff that I haven’t ordered before.

What do I do with my freebies? I let them save me money and try new products for free. I don’t waste money on buying a bottle of shampoo I might not like, instead I request a sample first from the manufacturer and make sure I will be satisfied.

At the end of the month when your budget is empty free samples come in handy. I save my free cereal samples and snack samples for when we run out of the regular stuff. I order samples of toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and toiletries that come in handy when I need to wait until payday to make a purchase. This may sound nuts to you, but samples allow me to stay within budget for the month, put off purchases until needed items go on sale, and get lots of mail!

What kind of freebies are available? All kinds!

  • -Cosmetics
  • -Toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, diapers, and other toiletries
  • -Cereal, dried boxed foods, candies, and non perishable items
  • -Office supplies, calendars, pens, stickers, postcards, stationary
  • -Pet foods and supplies
  • -Things you don’t really need (but are still fun) like key chains, magazines, books, ebooks, cookbooks, posters, kids stuff, and other goodies.

One of my favorite freebies was from Betty Crocker and House Party. I signed up through the House Party website to host a Betty Crocker party and received 10 Betty Crocker spoons, 10 fridge grocery pads, a cookie recipe book, 2 packages of cookie mix, a $10 gift card for baking supplies, a Betty Crocker apron, and more. That was all in one box, and on the same day I received a HUGE freebie package from Aveeno Baby and Bzzz.

The next time you have a few minutes (or an hour as freebies are addictive), search for freebies that would allow you to save a little money. Find websites for your favorite products and request a sample by email or phone. You may be surprised at the goodies that will come your way. As always leave a comment if you have a spare moment!

 

December 28, 2009

Shop Christmas Clearance To Save Money

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That’s right, now is the time to buy holiday items and decorations you will need next year. If you get your items at the right price it will be more than worth storing them in the closet for a year. Buying now can save you big bucks, and is one of my favorite frugal tips.

Wrapping paper is one of the main items to look for as you fight the after Christmas crowds. You use a lot of it wrapping all those gifts, and at $2 or more a roll you end up spending more than you realize. Most stores have their holiday merchandise marked down 50% and soon you’ll be able to get items 75-90% off. You can afford the pricey $5 wrapping paper at 90% off, that’s only .50!

Sweaters and jackets should be going on sale now also. Most people have already bought what they need this year and stores know that. If you find a super cheap jacket don’t be afraid to buy it now and save it.

Tree trimmings can be found at below bargain prices. Stores know that consumers aren’t going to pay full price, and if they don’t practically give their tree decorations away consumers won’t buy them.

Steer clear of edible items unless you plan to eat them soon. Cookies and fruit cake will spoil before next year. If you buy Christmas themed foods enjoy them now.

Merchandise that was geared to be holiday gifts will also go on clearance. Pick up inexpensive marked down items and use them as birthday gifts throughout the year. Stores got in way to many foot warmers and fleece throws that would make nice non-holiday presents.

If it’s a good deal and will save you money the buy. Don’t buy stuff just because it’s on sale. Only buy items that will save you money in the long run. It’s easy to get sucked in with a giant red clearance sticker. Ask yourself if the item is even worth the sale price. Got a comment, question, or tips? Leave a comment! We love to read them!

 

December 26, 2009

2010 New Year Resolutions

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With 2010 less than a week away New Year’s Resolutions may be on your mind. What are your goals for the new year? Some of the most common resolutions are to save more, spend less, be more frugal, lose weight, get a better job, get out of debt, and spend more time with the family. You may have one or two of those items on your list or they may all be on your list.

When starting off the new year with your new goals the first step is to gather support. If you want to lose weight you may need to join an online support group, or find a friend who wants to lose weight right along with you. When it comes to spending less you may only need Wwhow to point you to your local deals.

Some goals may come hand in hand with other goals. Spending less may allow you to save more and/or get out of debt. My main goal this year is to spend no more than $200 a month on groceries for my family of 5. We were spending close to $600 a month including fast food and I have been able to cut it down to $300-400 a month including fast food. I want to take it a step farther and cut it down to my new goal of $200 a month. I have it worked out to $40 a week, with an additional $40 a month to cover school lunches for my 6 year old and to allow a cushion in case I slightly go over. Sounds crazy right? Feel free to follow along with my on my grocery blog.

No matter what your goals are this year, here are some simple tips that will help you save money, and hopefully allow you to reach your new goals:

  • -Clip coupons and comparison shop (.50 coupons add up fast!)
  • -Drive less, only run errands when you have several close by stops to make
  • -Take your lunch instead of eating out
  • -Downgrade your cable
  • -Switch to a cheaper phone plan
  • -Set your thermostat a few degrees cooler to save heating costs
  • -Use less of everything (cut out 1 can drink a day and you’ll have 7 extra a week)
  • -Re-use what you can (print on 2 side of the paper instead of 1)

Hopefully you’ll be able to keep your 2010 goals. Hopefully I will too. You still have a few days, so make a plan that will help you reach your goals and find your support groups. What are you New Year’s Resolutions? I’d love to hear about them! Please leave a comment if you don’t mind sharing.

 

December 25, 2009

Things To Consider When Returning Christmas Gifts

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Christmas is about family and traditions. Chances are even though the gifts you received were thoughtfully purchased with love, there are still a few you want to return. Either the sweater from your aunt was too big or you just don’t need another universal remote. Whatever the gift in question may be, you plan to take it back.

If you’re taking back a $3 item standing in the return line for 45 minutes might not be such a great idea. If you decide your item is worth the wait in line keep in mind that each store has their own return policy. To make your return as easy as possible take the gift receipt if you have it or the original store receipt if you have the guts to ask the giver for it. If you don’t have either a gift receipt or the store receipt, the store doesn’t have to take back or exchange your item.

Things to keep in mind when returning items:

Is it in the original condition? If the tag is missing from clothing most stores will not take the item back. Often if electronics are opened stores will only give you the exact same item, and only if the original item was damaged.

Is it a valuable gift? Stores might not have a problem taking back a $15 gift without a receipt, but they might be very hesitant about taking back a $500 TV. If you don’t have the receipt for your pricey item be prepared to be turned away.

Was the item ever on sale or clearance? If so don’t expect to get the full value back. Stores often will only credit you the lowest sale price.

Was it re-gifted? If the item wasn’t sold by the store in the last 30, 60, or 90 days you may be stuck with it. If the gift giver had your new holiday candles in her closet since last Christmas you might be embarrassed when you try to return them to the store.

Before heading to return items ask yourself the questions above. Will you be embarrassed at the store if they return to take your items? Is your item worth standing in the return line for? Being frugal doesn’t just apply to your money, but also your time! Have any gift return tips? Leave a comment!

 

December 17, 2009

Free Classes & Activities For Children Ages 0-12

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Winter break is starting, it’s cold, and you and your kiddos will be cooped up in the house. Being Christmastime your budget is probably non-existent, yet you still want to plan some fun family activities that your children will never forget. It is possible, if you do a little research now.

There are many children’s gyms and learning centers that are offering free trial classes right now. Call your local children’s centers and see if you can bring your child to a trial classes. Call places that offer cheer, dance, gymnastic, karate, kids art, skate lessons, or any other place that offers lessons for children.

National centers currently offering free trial classes include Gymboree, Kindermusik, and The Little Gym. Many centers have age ranges that they cater too, such as 0-5 or ages 1-12, so be sure to ask before you schedule your free class.

Gymboree – From the Gymboree website click on “music & play”. Classes currently offered by Gymboree include:

  • -Play & Learn ages 0-5yr
  • -Music 6 mo-5yr
  • -Art 18 mo-5yr
  • -Sports 3 yr-5yr
  • -Family 0-5yr
  • -School Skills 3yr-5yr

Kindermusik – Classes currently offered include:

  • -Family Time 0 & Up
  • -Village Newborn to 18mo
  • -Sign & Sing 6mo-3yr
  • -Out Time 18mo-3yr
  • -Imagine That 3yr-5yr
  • -Young Child 5yr-7yr
  • -Adventure Camps 0-7yr
  • -ABC Music & Me 2yr-6yr

The Little Gym – The Little Gym offers classes for babies age 4 months to children age 12! Classes include:

  • -Parent/Child Classes
  • -Pre-school/Kindergarten Gymnastic
  • -Grade School Gymnastics
  • -Karate
  • -Sports Skills Development
  • -Cheerleading
  • -Dance

These are just three resources available that offer a free trial class. Don’t forget to call your locally owned businesses and see if they also offer a free trial. Even with a non-existent budget, you and your child can have a blast on your holiday break. If you know of any other free activities for kids or just want to say hi, please leave a comment!

 

December 13, 2009

Frugal Snack Ideas That Save Money

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As a stay at home mom of three we go through a lot of snacks. Snacks can be one of the main budget busters on your grocery list, as some snack foods are more expensive than regular meal foods. What’s a mom on a tight budget to do? Plan ahead and buy only lost cost snack foods.

Inexpensive snack foods include:

Popcorn-Comes in butter, light, seasoned, and more flavors then I could possibly list here!

Saltine Crackers-Available in salt, no salt, whole wheat, light, and more. Smear on a little peanut butter or add a little cheese for some variety.

Toast-It’s not just for breakfast! Eat it alone, with butter, jam, peanut butter, or anything else your kiddos might like.

Dry Cereal- It’s a great safe finger food for toddlers.

Bananas-They’re always less than .50 lb in my area, but I usually get them on sale for .35 lb. Serve them whole, slice them up, or dip them in chocolate and freeze them. Yum!

Pretzels-They come in HUGE bags and are super cheap when compared to chips.

Popsicles- They came in huge boxes and bags for just a few dollars. They’re a life saver in the Summer!

We spend the most money on snacks when we’re running errands I have forgotten to bring a snack along. I usually end up pulling through a drive through for a drink and something for each of my kids from the dollar menu. That’s $5 bucks out the drive through window! I realized I need to keep store brand granola or fruit bars in my purse at all times. They’re small, light, and the kids love them.

Buying plastic baggies for snacks on the go is convenient, but if you spent $3 a month or baggies, that’s $36 a year. $36 is a lot to throw away. A more frugal option is to buy cheap snack size storage containers from the dollar store. They last forever if you take care of them. Online you can buy fabric snack and sandwich bags for a few dollars that are super cute and also last a long time.

While snacks can take a chunk out of your grocery budget you don’t have to skip them altogether. If you choose low cost options you, your budget, and your kiddos can all be full happy snackers. Do you know of a great low cost snack or have a tip to share? If so leave a comment!

 

December 4, 2009

Get The Most Out Of Your Holiday Shopping Dollars

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After making a list of who you need to buy for and perhaps what you need to buy, spending your money is not the next step. In between the shopping list and the actual purchasing of gifts you should take time to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your holiday buck.

Comparison shop. Check out store ads before you even leave the house. You can view most retail store sales ads from websites. Also check out the ads in Sunday’s newspapers. You might be surprised to find that the electronic gadget on your list van cost you $10 more at the store you were planning to visit. Don’t be shy about calling stores and asking them how much certain items are. Stores want your money and employees shouldn’t mind telling you the price of a product.

Look for store coupons. Stores such as JcPenny, Michael’s, and JoAnns often put out weekly coupons in the Sunday paper. Coupons can save you anywhere for 20% off your total purchase to 40% off a single item, or even more! One coupon I found in my mailbox yesterday was for $5 off and $25 purchase at a national chain store. Using coupons is the fastest and easiest way to stretch a dollar.

Consider purchasing online. Sometimes online prices are lower than in store prices. Plus, many stores are offering free holiday shipping. Not only will you save a few bucks but you won’t have to spend gas money or time driving to the store and waiting in line. Don’t forget to do a quick online search for coupon codes to see if you can save even more on your online purchase.

Lastly, don’t forget to take advantage of sites such as Wwhow that alert you to special deals and savings. There could be an amazing deal on an item on your shopping list, but if you don’t check for specials you will miss out.

Check out dollar stores that guarantee that nothing is over $1. I was able to find Wii baseball bat controller snap-ons, head phone, little radios, and great stocking stuffers at my local chain store. I also bought Disney wrapping paper, scissors, and tape for holiday gift wrapping.

Each dollar you save is a dollar you can use somewhere else. By taking a moment to comparison shop, look for coupons, and check out sites such as Wwhow you can guarantee that your holiday dollar will go farther than ever. Don’t forget to leave a comment and say hello!

 

December 2, 2009

Save Money With OAMC Once A Month Cooking

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OAMC or Once A Month Cooking is becoming very popular with today’s busy moms, dads, and caregivers. After working all day many parents just don’t have the time or energy to cook a traditional family meal and are turning to OAMC. Even stay at home moms are turning to this cooking method as in between cleaning, driving the kids around, and running errands they stay just as busy as working moms. 

If you are rushed this holiday season, spend a day making several freezer meals so that you can relax at dinner time for the remainder of the week. Those that are really strapped for time are spending one to two days cooking up meals for an entire month! While you don’t have to go to that extreme, you can give it a whirl. Cooking once a week or once a month can add up to big savings in several ways. 

If you choose to make meals that share common ingredients you won’t be spending as much at the grocery store. When choosing freezer recipes look make sure you go with something your family will like. There are a lot of choices out there, from casseroles to sloppy joes to soups to mini meat loaves. Skip over recipes with expensive ingredients and choose recipes that you already have some of the ingredients for. If chicken goes on sale at your grocery store, pick up ten pounds. Pick a day to cook up all ten pounds and turn it into several frozen dinners. You’ll save money by buying ingredients on sale. 

Another way to get a nice stockpile of foods in the freezer is to make a double batch at dinner and freeze half of it. Do this every night for a week and you won’t have to cook dinner next week. Leftovers can also be stored in the freezer and eaten a week or two (or three) later.  See the photo?  That’s 1/2 of the double batch of Mexican Casserole I made and froze.  It tasted just as good two weeks later as it did the first time. 

Tips 

Don’t store a big batch of food together if you aren’t going to eat it in one meal. If you make five pounds of mashed potatoes split it up before freezing in manageable sizes. This may mean single servings or family size servings. 

Focus on making one kind on meal at a time. Pick one day and make breakfast burritos, muffins, etc. Spend a different day cooking up that ten pounds of chicken. Don’t wear yourself out in one day, stretch your cooking sessions out if needed. 

Pasta will soften when froze. Freeze pasta slightly undercooked so it will come out perfect! 

Try to pick recipes that cook at the same oven temp. You’ll be able to cook several items at once and save money. It costs a lot less to cook three or four meals in the oven at once than to cook those same meals separately. 

Some foods don’t freeze well. Examples include egg whites, frosting, and fried foods. 

Now that you’re feeling motivated find some yummy recipes your family will enjoy and get to planning. Invite a friend to try OAMC with you for added fun! If you have a tip, suggestion, or just want to say “hi” please leave a comment!

 

November 29, 2009

Stretch Your Christmas Budget By Making Homemade Gifts

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Now that Thanksgiving is over the rush to get Christmas gifts has official begun. Before you start spending make a list of who you need to buy for and work up a budget. If money is a little tight, or you have almost no budget but need gifts for many, one option is to give homemade gifts. A homemade gift is from the heart, and can make the receiver of the gift feel extra special.

Easy, Quick, and Thrifty Homemade Ideas:

Gift mixes in a mason jar. There are hundreds of web sites out there with directions for gift mixes in a jar. Buy a case of mason jars from Walmart and use up fabric scraps from the craft basket. I’ve given out both chocolate chip cookie and sugar cookie mixes, but you can give out mixes for pancakes, soups, bread, cakes, or something completely different. Mixes in a jar go together super quick and people love to get them!

Personalized feed sack towels. Stores such as Walmart sell packs of 5 ot 6 flour sack towels super cheap. They white, soft, and are what our grandmothers used. Pick up a bit of stabilizer and use fabric scraps to appliqué on initials, fruit, little birdhouses, or anything you think the receiver might like. If you can’t appliqué you can embroider the towels, cross stitch on the, or even dye them. Get crafty, the possibilities are endless!

Baked goodies are a traditional homemade gift. Whip up a batch of cookies or banana bread but consider allergies and special diets.

Quick sewn items. Fabric coasters, coffee cup sleeves, table runners, aprons, potholders, valances, and more can be sewn up in less than an hour. If you have fabric on hand it’s almost like a free gift.

Quick Homemade Gifts For Kids:

Handmade no-sew tutus! What little princess wouldn’t love a new tutu. Type in “no sew tutu” in your search bar and you’ll get everything from simple instructions to elaborate videos. All you need is scissors, elastic, and tulle. They’re cheap and can be made in less than an hour.

Felt play food. There are tons of free patterns out there. Whip up everything from play pizza to play donuts. Felt is super cheap and simple to work with.

No Sew Gift Ideas

-A set of handmade cards and envelopes from scrap booking paper.

-A personalized wreath.

-Personalized address label made on your computer.

-Homemade magnets made with photos, buttons, or anything you want to make into a magnet with glue.

Homemade gifts made with love and the recipient in mind can be just as great, or even better, than store bought items. Making gifts at home can also keep your stress levels under control as you won’t be overspending, fighting crowds, or have to worry about keeping receipts organized for returns. If you have a great homemade gift idea or just want to say hi be sure to leave a comment! We’d love to hear from you and hear what kinds of gift you plan to make this holiday season.

 

November 22, 2009

How To Get Shopping Deals on Black Friday

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Black Friday is the shopping day that you either love or hate. You may dread the traffic, the crowds, or the extra work involved if you work in retail. People that love Black Friday really love the experience. They love the rush of the hunt, getting a good deal, and being involved in this national day of spending frenzy. My point is, some people like myself crave Black Friday all year long like chocolate.

Here are some tips to survive Black Friday if you’ve never experienced it before:

  • -See if the deals are available online first.
  • -Consider Cyber Monday, it’s safer and you don’t have to leave the house.
  • -Comp all your items at one store.
  • -Team up with a friend or co-worker.

What if you hate the crowds and traffic? Most shoppers aren’t aware that you can get some of the same deals in store online on Black Friday. Two years ago I went to Walmart at 1am to stand in line for a red Jeep Powerwheels for my son. Little did I know I could buy the same Jeep online at Walmart for the same price, without the line, lack of sleep, and crazy person standing beside me. Walmart sold them online the entire weekend and I felt silly.

If you aren’t able to find any deals online on Black Friday it could be because your favorite store is holding out for Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is just like Black Friday, only all the sales are online. Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Many people think they need to drive all over town and buy their DVDs on sale at one store and their toys on sale at another. Try to shop at a store that comps other stores sale ads. Collect your Black Friday ads and just visit one store. You can live through one store. Make sure you ask your store ahead of time if they will be comping sale items on Black Friday so you don’t waste time and gas.

To make Black Friday more fun and safer, invite a friend along. You two can fight the crows together and get great deals. Another option is your friend goes to one store while you hit another. She can buy what you want at the toy store while she picks up items on her own list while you get both of your items from the electronics store.

Buying items that are on sale on Black Friday can save you a bundle. Try your very best to buy all your gifts that day and you won’t have to paddle through the holiday shopping crowds again. If you have any tips for surviving Black Friday or any Black Friday stories leave a comment! We love to read comments!

 

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