You can find coupons for pizza all over the place, but what about those Mom & Pop restuarants in your area? Check out restaurant.com, search your zip code, and try a new place to eat!
These gift certificates are printed just before you go, right off your computer, so there's no need to wait for the mail to come.
You can save if and only if you are frugal about what you spend. Check to see what the minimum is on the certificate, and be sure to spend JUST that amount. If you go crazy with appetizers and desserts, you'll find you didn't spend much of anything. In reality, if it's a $25 certificate off of $35, you should only be spending $15 or so at the end (depends if your alcoholic drinks are included, and this is before taxes).
As for other chains, make sure you keep your eyes open to see if they have a "club" you can join (for free) to earn points. T-Bones and Smokey Bones are a few I know of. For Smokey Bones, you can join their email club to ge coupons, but I'd join the rewards club too. You get a point for each dollar you spend and when you've reached 100/200 points, you will get a $10/$20 gift certificate towards your next dinner there!
At the very least, visit the websites of those restaurants you like to visit and sign up for their email list. Most will occasionally send you coupons, especially on your birthday (so have diffent members of your family sign-up so you get coupons throughout the year!).
Happy eating out!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Coupons Galore!
Get your coupons from more than just the Sunday newspaper... visit these websites to get in on all the action...
www.coupons.com
www.SmartSource.com
www.RedPlumm.com
www.RightAtHome.com
www.valpak.com
www.pgeverydaysolutions.com
You can also visit specific brands websites for coupons on their products. Just search for the brands you buy week after week to see if they offer coupons on the items you use.
www.coupons.com
www.SmartSource.com
www.RedPlumm.com
www.RightAtHome.com
www.valpak.com
www.pgeverydaysolutions.com
You can also visit specific brands websites for coupons on their products. Just search for the brands you buy week after week to see if they offer coupons on the items you use.
Savings at Walgreens and BJ's
Please be aware that some stores, including Walgreens and BJ's allow you to use one of their coupons in addition to a manufacturer coupon for the same item - that's double the savings! Thanks to a tip I found on moneysavingmom.com, I just went to Walgreens and bought 3 boxes of Huggies wipes (72ct) for $0.97 each! I used the Walgreens 15% off "Friends and Family" coupon, another Walgreens $1 off 1 box of Huggies coupon (which they automatically ring in as $1 per box ($3 total) and a $2.50 off 3 boxes of Huggies manuafacturer coupon from SmartSource.com.
I usually go to BJ's and buy the 616ct box of Luvs wipes for $12.99 minus their $3 coupon, and sometimes minus a $1 or $2 manufacturer coupon with that.
These 2 deals come out the the same ultimate price (actually, without a Luvs manufacturer coupon at BJ's the Huggies deal was better at Walgreens). Either way, a steal over paying full price for wipes normally, even at Walmart's low price.
My suggestion is to stock up on Huggies during the great deal (see moneysavingmom.com for more details and to get your hands on the coupons you'll need, along with other great deals) and when you run out of Huggies, grab hold of your BJ's coupon book and go for the Luvs. In my opinion, Huggies are better wipes than Luvs, but I'd take Luvs over the Sesame Street wipes at the Dollar Store anyday (those are too rough).
If you know of other stores that honor store coupons AND manufacturer coupons, let me know so we can share!
I usually go to BJ's and buy the 616ct box of Luvs wipes for $12.99 minus their $3 coupon, and sometimes minus a $1 or $2 manufacturer coupon with that.
These 2 deals come out the the same ultimate price (actually, without a Luvs manufacturer coupon at BJ's the Huggies deal was better at Walgreens). Either way, a steal over paying full price for wipes normally, even at Walmart's low price.
My suggestion is to stock up on Huggies during the great deal (see moneysavingmom.com for more details and to get your hands on the coupons you'll need, along with other great deals) and when you run out of Huggies, grab hold of your BJ's coupon book and go for the Luvs. In my opinion, Huggies are better wipes than Luvs, but I'd take Luvs over the Sesame Street wipes at the Dollar Store anyday (those are too rough).
If you know of other stores that honor store coupons AND manufacturer coupons, let me know so we can share!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
NH & MA Local Events and Deals
Looking for something fun to do with the family? Check out your local Parks and Recreation website for free local events.
For southern NH (Nashua area) you might try: GoNashua.com
For Boston I found: Free Fun Fridays
Boston also offers inexpensive swan boat rides in Boston Common, and across the street at the Public Garden you can walk through Frog Pond (a wading pool) and ride on the carousel nearby.
Search for zoos in your local area - there are so many more near me than I thought until I started looking - and check their website for a coupon! Don't forget York's Animal Kingdom in York, Maine (see their website for $2 per admission ticket)
and
Southwick's Zoo in Acton, MA (look on their website to find a coupon or buy 1 get 1 free admission for residents of surround states on certain days).
Local playgrounds and parks are a great place for yours kids to burn energy this summer. Go to your town's Parks & Recreation website and look for a listing of parks, and do the same for surrounding towns. If you live in or around Nashua, click HERE. You could find a hidden jewel you never knew existed! (I did.) This is a treat for the kids and gives everyone a new place to play. We even found a playground near a pond where many ducks and geese hang out. My daughter thought it was GREAT! Playing in the backyard is ok, but discovering something new and helping your children enjoy the outdoors can create memories to come.
For southern NH (Nashua area) you might try: GoNashua.com
For Boston I found: Free Fun Fridays
Boston also offers inexpensive swan boat rides in Boston Common, and across the street at the Public Garden you can walk through Frog Pond (a wading pool) and ride on the carousel nearby.
Search for zoos in your local area - there are so many more near me than I thought until I started looking - and check their website for a coupon! Don't forget York's Animal Kingdom in York, Maine (see their website for $2 per admission ticket)
and
Southwick's Zoo in Acton, MA (look on their website to find a coupon or buy 1 get 1 free admission for residents of surround states on certain days).
Local playgrounds and parks are a great place for yours kids to burn energy this summer. Go to your town's Parks & Recreation website and look for a listing of parks, and do the same for surrounding towns. If you live in or around Nashua, click HERE. You could find a hidden jewel you never knew existed! (I did.) This is a treat for the kids and gives everyone a new place to play. We even found a playground near a pond where many ducks and geese hang out. My daughter thought it was GREAT! Playing in the backyard is ok, but discovering something new and helping your children enjoy the outdoors can create memories to come.
Start With the Basics
Groceries. Everyone needs them. NOT everyone needs brand-name items. Coupons are great, but if you compare carefully, you might find, like I did, that many store-brand items are less expensive than brand name items, even when using coupons. I'll admit...there are certian items I just can't go generic on. Q-tips, for instance. I've tried the generics, but just can't stand them. BUT for most things, especially ingredients that will be mixed together to make a meal, generic is the way to go. Would you really know the difference between the store-brand flour and a name-brand flour? This goes for lots of items. My best recommendation would be to buy the store-brand version of all items and at least give them a try. THEN decide if you are ok with it or not. The flavor may not be the same, but you might find it to be good. You may think you're "only" saving $10 or $20 a week, but when you add it up over a year's time, it REALLY makes a difference.
With this idea comes my other thoughts. Don't go chasing sales at different stores. Yes, you could save money in the long-run, but I'd rather save my time. Pick the local store that is less expensive OVERALL. Maybe a couple items are more expensive or the same, but if MOST of the items are less expensive, it's worth it. These are the grocery stores you probably hate to shop at - because they're small and crowded and not as fancy-looking. It's ok. Go on different days and times until you find a time that is not nearly as busy. You might even find a way to take "grocery shopping" off you weekend to-do list. More time (and money) to spend with your family.
With this idea comes my other thoughts. Don't go chasing sales at different stores. Yes, you could save money in the long-run, but I'd rather save my time. Pick the local store that is less expensive OVERALL. Maybe a couple items are more expensive or the same, but if MOST of the items are less expensive, it's worth it. These are the grocery stores you probably hate to shop at - because they're small and crowded and not as fancy-looking. It's ok. Go on different days and times until you find a time that is not nearly as busy. You might even find a way to take "grocery shopping" off you weekend to-do list. More time (and money) to spend with your family.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Welcome to My Blog!
When I was a teenager, I had a sense for saving money, but if I wanted something, I bought it, and didn't necessarily search for the beat deal. Now that I have a home and family, it's a more sensitive issue. Seems like I only purchase something after researching the best value for my money and checking to see if I have a coupon for it. At first glance, it may seem like a waste of time, or at the very least, a pain in the behind. BUT, I have to admit, I feel great afterwards, knowing I got the best deal I could. Spending needlessly makes me feel awful...like throwing food away. It's such a waste. Why give someone else my hard-earned money if I can get the same item or a similar item for less $$? In this blog I want to share some thoughts I have and some great deal finds. Many will apply to NH and MA because that's the area I'm from, but you might be able to apply the same principles in finding your own local deals. To thank you for following my blog, I'd like to start by turning you on to some great money-saving websites, which you may already be aware of...try checking out Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org. You can find lots of great deals or even free items that can come in handy...it's like an online yardsale...one person's trash is another person's treasure! Why pay full price for brand new, when you can buy it used and clean it up to make it look like new?!? I have especially used this theory regarding baby/toddler toys, gear, and clothes. I figure they will grow out of it in a few months anyway, so why do you need it to be new? Most people selling their items have only used them a few months, so they are practically new anyway. Besides...when you go to pick up the items, you have the option to change your mind if you decide it's not what you wanted, or not as described (not in good working order). Saving your money by using these sites will allow you spend it in a way that really counts...paying bills, taking the family out for the day, or going for a massage. Doesn't that sound nice? Oh - and an extra bonus - if you need to de-clutter, these sites are a great place to list items and maybe even make a few dollars. Either way, whether you're buying or selling, you can feel good about recycling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)