Scripture Sunday - A Few Drops of Proverbs

 photo credit mine

The Proverbs are FULL of wisdom including wisdom about money.  Take some time and chew on these scriptures.  Pray that the Lord open your heart as you read.


Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent one foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
Proverbs 24:3-4
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms shall be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

The Grocery Game: Pros and Cons

Have you ever heard of The Grocery Game?  I had heard mention of it, but didn't think it would be of benefit to me.  Those on my bargain forums mentioned how they would never spend money when they get the same information through the forums.  A few friends mentioned that they used the Grocery Game and loved it.

Well, call me curious.

I had to give it a try.  I saw they had a free trial, so I decided to hop on board.  I made sure to register under a friend so she'd get credit and potential free weeks.  I started playing The Game.

What is it?

• The Grocery Game is a paid service to help you save money on groceries at various stores.
• A list is issued weekly with the items which are at their rock bottom prices plus the coupon match-ups for those items.
• There are many stores with a list - check your area to see what stores are listed for you. I can get Kroger, Rite Aid, Target, CVS, and Giant Eagle.

 Why use it?

• The list helps you purchase items at their lowest price. 
• By stocking up at the lowest price, you save hundreds per year.
• The hard work is done for you already.

 How much does it cost?

The cost for a 1 store membership is $10 every 8 weeks. That works out to about $1.25 per week. A 2 store membership is $15 every 8 weeks, a 3 store membership is $20 every 8 weeks and so on.

 So, did I like it?  What are the pros and cons?

 Pros:

• The legwork is done for me
• Saves me precious time when hunting deals
• Does help to save money
• Is a remedy for "mommy brain"
• Has a nifty print feature so you can print just the items you intend to purchase
• Has a coupon printing links

Cons:

• Must sign in to access list - not emailed to me (I actually forgot I had signed up for several weeks)
• Is an auto-renew service so you must cancel before the next renew date (more on that later)
• Prices are not 100% accurate for every area - my area tends to run $.10 - $.50 higher on just about all items on any list service, not just the Grocery Game.
• Costs money
• Works best if you have several weeks worth of coupon inserts saved already

Any Problems? Will I keep using it?  Do I recommend it?

I made one very deliberate shopping trip using my list.  If I hadn't made a mistake (user error!) by not counting my mega sale items accurately, I would have saved close to 75% on that trip by buying just the things on the list (not other essentials).  The list works.

I did have a problem.  I was using the free trial.  I increased my stores to just about all.  If it were a paid subscription, it would be $25 per cycle.  I marked the end date on my calendar.  We lost power.  We lost cable. We lost internet.  I forgot.  I didn't see my reminder and didn't cancel in time.  I was charged the $25.  When I finally remembered, I emailed Terri to try to get a refund.  Refunds are not possible, however, she downgraded my service to just one store and extended my time through December to  make up for my mistake.  I appreciated her willingness to work with me.

I will keep using the Grocery Game - it's paid through December!  I have a few months to find out exactly how much I can save using the game to see if I will pay for another cycle. 

As a busy mom, I no longer have the time to scour blogs and forums for every great deal.  The Grocery Game puts everything right at my fingertips.

If you would like to try the free 30-day trial, just click here.  You will need to enter credit card information.  I would greatly appreciate if you enter my email as your referral: penguinelk at yahoo.com (just format it like a normal email address).

Have you used the Grocery Game?  What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.

I am not an affiliate for the Grocery Game.  The opinions in the review are entirely mine.  I was not paid in any way to write this post.

10 Ways to Save Money in the Kitchen - Guest Posted on Frugally Marisha

I feel so loved!  Frugally Marisha graciously asked me to write a guest post for her blog!  How exciting is that!  I decided to begin a series on her blog and continue it here.  I began in the kitchen.

In an effort to write an eBook (with a lot of help from you - check this past post!), I challenged myself to create a list of ways to save money in each room of the house.  My lists are by no means exhaustive.  That's where you come in.  Help me fill in the blanks and write a fantastic eBook which will, in turn, be offered FREE to all readers!

So, with that said, take a trip on over to Frugally Marisha.  Check out my post.  Check out her blog!  Leave her some bloggy comment love!

Money Minute - 5 Quick Money Saving Tips

Have you ever wondered what little things around the house you could do to keep more green in your wallet?  I've got 5 quick tips for you. These have made a difference at our house!

1. Plan It - Use the sales circular each week to plan out meals.  Buy just what you need and stick to it. I plan 2-3 extra meals per week in case our finicky taste buds decide they don't want what was planned. Menu planning alone has cut $50 - $75/month off our grocery budget.
2. Unplug It - After charging electronics, unplug the cord.  To make this easier, try using a surge strip.  Plug electronics into surge strip.  When charged, unplug the whole surge strip rather than single electronics.
3. Cut It - See where you can cut back with the amount you use.  Can you use just a little less shampoo each time? Can you use half the fabric softener? Can you use that razor just ONE more time?  It's amazing how much the little things add up.
4. Hoof It - When you are shopping at open air malls or shopping plazas, park in a central location.  Make a quick trip back to the car between stores but don't move the car until it is just too far to walk.  Save on gas and wear on the car. Help your starter last a bit longer! Burn a few calories in the process.
5. Maintain It - By spending a little to properly  maintain your vehicles and appliances, you will improve performance and efficiency, extend the life, and avoid expensive catastrophes.

How do you save money around the house?  Let me know in the comments!  I may use your tips in my upcoming eBook and I will give you credit and link to your blog!

This post is shared at We Are THAT Family as part of Works For Me Wednesday.  Check out more great tips there!

Scripture Sunday - Widow's Mite

I absolutely love this passage although it challenges me each time I read it.  Am I giving sacrificially?  What is the condition of my heart as I give?

Mark 12:40-44 (New International Version)

⁴⁰They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

The Widow's Offering

 ⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,^[a]worth only a fraction of a penny.^{[b]  43}Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."


What do YOU take away from this verse?  Please share in the comments.

Do You Know Where Your Money Is?

Make sure you enter my giveaway for a $40 gift card good at 200 online stores!

I have always hated budgets, well, until we took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.  Dave doesn't call it a budget, he calls it a spending plan.  The key is to not only know where your money is going but to TELL it where to go.

I have used Quicken for years.  I thought it was a great way to track and budget.  It started to get expensive to buy it when we replaced computers.  The newer versions seemed too cumbersome for me to use.

Enter Mint.  Mint is a FREE secure online budgeting tool.  Mint will automatically download your transactions from your accounts into the software.  Mint does not save passwords and has no way of entering your accounts.

Track your spending.  Create spending categories.  Make  your money work for you.

Here's what Mint has to say:

Mint is fresh, free, and intelligent online money management software. Over 1 million people already use Mint's online money management and budgeting software today, and they're adding over 3,000 users every day. Mint.com is tracking $175 billion in transactions, $47 billion in assets and has identified more than $300 million in potential savings for its users.

I have used Mint for several months and am quite happy with it.  The only problem I have had is that my account settings do not work with my bank.  I need to re-enter a lot of information each time I log on.   It's a problem on my bank's end (don't even get me started on my bank!).

Go ahead - give Mint a try.  Show your money who is boss!





*post may contain affiliate links. See my Disclosure policy for more information.

Making Money Online: Expo TV

ExpoTV/Tryology is a unique program.  If you enjoy making videos and enjoy telling people what you think about products, this program could be for you.  ExpoTV is a collection of video reviews.  You can choose any product and create/submit a video review or submit reviews for assignment that are emailed to you.  Some products will earn you points by reviewing.  Email assignments offer points until the quota is reached.

Points can be redeemed for prizes such as gift cards.  Tryology is a branch of ExpoTV.  Tryology sends you products to try and review on video.  Videos are generally just around 2 minutes long.  If you have the technology, this can be a very lucrative program.  Points add up quickly for prize redemption.

I just recently got serious about doing video reviews and within just 3 short weeks, I had enough points to cash out for a $25 iTunes gift card!

Tryology has been awesome - I have been sent many full-sized products to review and keep!  That is in addition to the points I earn for the review.   I also love the list of highly requested products - I can search through them and find products I currently use and earn lots of points for doing a short 2-minute video review!

Check it out!

Why Save Money?

This seems like a stupid question - why save money?  Why work so hard to save a dollar here and there?  Is it really worth it?

Chew on this a bit:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New Living Translation)
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

 I can't answer for you.  I can't tell you if saving little bits of money here and there is worth it for you.  I know for some, the effort just isn't worth the sacrifice in time with family.  I CAN tell you why I save money.

1. We don't have a lot of surplus in the budget. By saving a little money here and there, we are able to do more as a family.
2. I have the time to clip coupons and work out deals and travel to various stores.  I will say that it takes a LOT less time now (after the initial learning curve) than it did in the beginning.
3. I believe we are stewards of the money God has given us.  I want to stretch the funds He gives us as far as I can without doing it at the expense of our family.
4. I love to give things away and bless others.  By couponing and deal hunting, I often get many items super cheap or free that we don't need or won't use.  I am able to bless others in need by donating to local charities.  We don't have the finances to give tons of money to charities.  I can give through my time and my shopping.

Do you save money?  Why or why not?  How "hard-core" are you with saving money? 

Earn Money with Twitter

Do you tweet?  I'm just learning how to use it.  I get mixed up with all the symbols and such.  I need a middle schooler to teach me how!  That's how I learned how to text on my cell phone!  A student of mine taught me!  Haha!

Anyway, if you use Twitter, you can actually make money with it.  I just signed up for Sponsored Tweets and wanted to let you know that this program is out there.  It does not just randomly tweet people.  If you have over 100 followers, you can set your price per tweet and select advertisers.  If you have under 100 followers (and have been on twitter more than 60 days),  advertisers may contact you.  You can accept or decline so you won't just be randomly spamming your friends.

Hey, it's worth checking out!  Click here to learn more about this interesting program.

Black Friday Survey

Hi all!  Do you shop on Black Friday?  Have you in the past?  Are you considering it this year?  What about Cyber Tuesday? 

I didn't do any shopping on those days last year because Little Man was just born, but I may shop some this year! 

Hot Coupon World is opening a dialogue between retailers and shoppers regarding the early release of Black Friday ads.  Many retailers are upset about their ads being leaked early. Some retailers allow early release and some strictly forbit it.

I know that I love planning ahead.  I like using Thanksgiving as a day with family, not a day to plan my shopping trip. I prefer to use the online sites where ads have been leaked to plan my shopping ahead of time so I am free for family time on Thanksgiving.

Click over and help Hot Coupon World with their dialogue with retailers by taking their survey.  It is in two parts - one before Black Friday and one after.  Those who complete both parts will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card.  A few respondents will be chosen for a phone interview and will be compensated with a $100 Amazon gift card.

Thanksgiving Dinner, Free Recipe eBooks, Thanksgiving Coupons and more

Well, quick update from yesterday's post.   Hubby and I woke up this morning, went on a family walk, came home and discovered that the fraudulent charge was gone - it just dropped off of our account!  Woohoo!  Now, I will be contacting multiple fraud departments, the detective, and the FBI internet crimes division to let them know.  It is unfortunate that we cannot get a few pieces of vital information because it never posted to our account, but now we don't have a mess to clean up.

On to the deals!

Walmart is offering a Thanksgiving feast for 8 for just $20!  Here are some details:

According to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, last year’s average cost of a turkey was roughly $1.19 per pound. Beginning today, select Grade A turkeys are available for 40 cents per pound at Walmart.* These gobblers are part of Walmart’s $20 Thanksgiving menu guaranteeing family favorites will be on the dinner table this holiday season. Walmart’s $20 Thanksgiving feast includes:

• One 12-pound Grade A turkey*
• Three 11 to 15.5-ounce cans Green Giant vegetables
• Two 14-ounce cans Ocean Spray cranberry sauce
• Three 6-ounce boxes of Stove Top stuffing
• One 5-pound bag of red potatoes
• One 12-count package of Sara Lee dinner rolls
• One 22-ounce pumpkin roll cake

See some coupon matchups and print some other great holiday coupons by visiting KC Penny Pinching Mama.

Snag a free sample of FLIX - dental picks that are faster than flossing.

Do you like tea?  Twinings is offering a great deal on their glass chest filled with tea plus free shipping.  These would make great gifts.  Click on over to Hip to Save for all the details.

Free eBooks!
Grab a free copy of the FREE Thanksgiving Recipes eBook from Quality Health:



Laura, at Heavenly Homemakers, is offering some sweet ebooks completely free!

For the Love of Pie ebook has 31 great recipes sent by her readers.

Also, grab a copy of Fun, Fabulous, and (mostly) FREE Preschool Projects - a compilation of great ideas from many moms.

Happy bargain hunting!

Fraud Update

Good Grief.  I've never been through fraud before.  I'm sure many of you have not either.  I'll walk you through our adventure so far so you have an idea what to expect should you ever be caught in this problem yourself.

The Beginning

This ordeal all started when I was checking our bank account on Monday.  I check it online daily.  I was specifically looking to see if our mortgage check had cleared.  I noticed that our pending debits was an amount I was not expecting at all.  Imagine my surprise when I found a charge for about $650 listed as pending.  After talking with the bank (which I called IMMEDIATELY), I got a little more information - the company the charge was for plus a contact phone number.  I was assured my account would be monitored so I would not overdraft (we're in the middle of refinancing our home) and we closed the debit card that was stolen (only the number was stolen - we still have our cards) and reissued new ones.

The Chaos

Our bank hasn't entered the new milennium yet.  It's up to me to investigate.  So far, I have contacted the offending company (I know they didn't cause the crime, but I don't know how else to identify them without using their name) and their fraud division.  I have filed a police report.  I have reported the fraud to the bank.  I am working with a detective.  This detective had me file an internet crimes report with the FBI.  The charge is for a shipping company so this crime is not simply local.

What Now?

Since our bank is behind the times, we are stuck when it comes to our account.  The fraudulent charge will cause us to be overdrawn if it processes.  We cannot get important details in the case until it processes.  Since the charge is pending, we cannot access our "overdrawn" checking account.  We're in a holding pattern.  Hopefully I can work with the bank tomorrow to gain access to our money again.  I have been told by friends who work in banks that fraud issues like this are normally handled within a day or two without much legwork by the customer. 

What Should YOU do if this Happens to You?

I hope and pray you are never robbed in this way.  Unfortunately, with increased internet banking and purchasing, this crime is becoming way to common.  Should you find yourself in this situation, take these steps:

1. Contact your bank immediately.  It is so important to check your account regularly - no less than once per week, daily if possible.  Many banks will refund the money within 48 hours if deemed fraudulent.  
2. File a police report.  This gives authenticity to your fraud claim plus gets more people in to help catch a criminal.
3. Keep very detailed records.  Mark down who you talk to and when at what phone number.  Keep track of every conversation.  Hang on to copies of any paperwork.  I kept very detailed records and the police were very thankful when they came to do the report.
4. Stay on it.  Don't let a day go by without talking to your bank until the issue is resolved.  
5. Consider signing up for some sort of credit monitoring/repair service - a service that would correct errors after fraud or identity theft.  I am looking into purchasing the service endorsed by Dave Ramsey - Zander Insurance.
   

Have you been through fraud or theft?  What advice would you give?

Christmas Gift Ideas - Sale It To Me, Toys r Us, and more

Christmas is upon us.  Well, the shopping part, anyway.  I will be giving you some ideas for maximizing your dollar during this shopping season.  First, some tips!

1. Decide who will get gifts this year and  set your spending budget.  You may choose to set a limit per person or just an overall limit.  Don't forget the small gifts:  teachers, postal workers, office gifts, etc.
   
2. Set aside a receipt envelope.  I use 1 envelope for all my holiday shopping - it helps me stay on budget and makes it convenient when someone needs to return or exchange something.
3. Don't be afraid to think outside the box for gift ideas.   I tried this for my brother's birthday this year.  Through normal conversations, I learned of some random items he really needed that were not traditional gift ideas (rechargeable batteries for his xbox and a new razor for his head since he shaves bald).  He never gave me his usual idea list.  He said he's never giving me a list again - he loved the randomness of the gifts.  I was able to spend very little and use some of my stockpile of freebies and he enjoyed it.  
4. Remember, it's not about the amount you spent, but the thought that goes into the gift.

Now for some ideas!

If you shop online, try shopping through a rebate site and get money back for each purchase.  UPromise is a great site - the money you get back goes into a savings account for college for your kids (or to pay off your own student loan).  My favorite rebate site is Shop at Home.  Get $5 in your account just for signing up.  Print out coupns for restaurants and groceries and earn money for using them.  Shop online and earn up to 30% cash back.  Click the picture below to check it out.



If you need toys for Christmas, check out the Toys r Us Secret Saturday sale.  Don't forget to sign up for their free rewards program.

I love good clothes.  I love being able to give nice clothes as gifts.  I hate paying full price.  With Shop It To Me, you decide what items you normally buy and receive a daily email alerting you to sales on those particular items!  As a bonus, get a $10 gift card when you have 10 friends sign up under you!  I am working toward a $10 iTunes gift card for a stocking stuffer.  Shh - don't tell Hubby!

Lastly, don't forget about the 2010 Entertainment Book.  It's a great gift and a great way to save money!

Target Deals, 7th Gen. Coupons, Printables and More

What a great day for deals!  I won't waste any time.  Well, except to say we REALLY need these deals right now - we just dropped our 1996 car off to be inspected.  From the noises it makes, it may take a small fortune to keep it on the road!  Bring on the deals!

Degree deodorant and body sprays - use the $1.50/1 coupon (use your back button to print two) with the $3/2 Target coupon for a total savings of $3 EACH - nearly free at Target!  (thanks Hip to Save)

Use this $1 Method coupon at Target for some great savings - many Method products are currently on sale (my Target often has them on clearance for 50% off!).  This coupon can be used anywhere, not just at Target.  (thanks Coupon Chick)

Register with 7th Generation to gain access to great coupons!

A little while ago, I created  a post about YouData as a way to earn a little money.  Now, they haven't had many offerings lately, but I still recommend signing up with them and checking back each day or so to view any ads and get paid!  It's super easy and pays each Friday into Paypal!

Check out my review blog for a review of another moneymaking opportunity called CloudCrowd.

It's not too late to sign up for AlikeList and get a $25 gift card!  Just review 20 businesses and have 3 friends sign up under you by October 20th, and you're set!  Check out all the details on my previous post.

Lastly, with all the dreary weather, you may enjoy these pictures from a recent walk Baby and I took at a local resort - the colors are amazing!

Gratituesday: Hard Working Bloggers

I am lazy. I am just a lazy person. I could do so much more throughout the day, but I like to sit and relax. I have been a stay at home wife/mother for just a year now and it feels like I should be prepping for another year of teaching. This past year just felt like one very long summer break and I have treated it that way. Now that school is starting up, I am getting the itch to get organized and to get a ton done.

With all that said, I am so thankful for all the ladies that spend hours putting together blog after blog of shopping deals and coupon match-ups. Through these blogs, I have learned how to shop at various stores. I have learned how to stock my pantry so I spend the least amount on groceries. Through these blogs I have shaved about $100 off my monthly grocery budget. I hope to shave another $50 off within the next few months. There is no way I have the time or energy to do all these myself. What a wonderful gift to give others - to teach them to be wise stewards of the resources God has entrusted them with.

I am especially thankful after my Monday shopping trip. I spent a total of $3.oo out of pocket. I purchased one 10-pack of men's athletic socks at Kohl's and paid $.53 after using a $10 gift card that came in the mail with an advertisement. Our next stop was CVS #1. I spent about $1.25 out of pocket. I used $2 in ECB's from a previous deal. I got $8 back in ECB's! I bought 6 Johnson & Johnson Travel First Aid kits for $.99 each and used a $1.00 coupon with 5 of them (the 6th beeped and the cashier would not let me use it although I have used many in the past no problem) and got $6 ECB's. I also got 2 packs of filler paper for $.99 each with $.99 in ECB's back. I was hungry so I got a candy bar. On to CVS #2. I didn't get my favorite cashier. I got one more first aid kit with the same $1 coupon (cashier tried to tell me I could not use it saying the travel pack was a trial size - Johnson and Johnson has sent out emails saying it is fine to use this coupon - she finally pushed it through), a beach ball for Baby, a pack of pens with a raincheck ($.99 with $.99 ECB's) and another candy bar for me. I used $2 ECB's and paid about $1.50.

Money has been really tight with me staying home. We would not be able to afford simple luxuries like cable tv and internet and would not have been able to replace a car with a van if I was still shopping like "normal" people. I am so thankful for these ladies and how they have helped our family! What a blessing!

Freebies, Deals, Coupons

Here's a list for ya!

• Free Veggie Tales DVD when you register and sign up for the newsletter from BigIdea.com.
• Great deal on Family Fun magazine - just $5 through Amazon! Get it free with a Swagbucks gift card!
• Lots of great coupons to print from coupons.com!
• Re-load your savers cards at cellfire.com, shortcuts.com, and pgesaver.com
• Johnson & Johnson coupons to print here
• Desitin coupon to print here
• Aquafresh coupons and free sample here

Swagtastic!

Have I told you lately I love Swagbucks?

I have been using Swagbucks as my search engine since April. I have downloaded the toolbar and I became a fan on Facebook. I occasionally do Swagcode hunts for extra points. I have a few friends under me who net me points as well. I could follow Swagbucks on Twitter and participate in Twitter promotions, but I have not done that yet. I have received $20 since I started and I am waiting for $10 more to clear in the next few days! Once I hit 45 bucks, I "cash out" and buy a $5 Amazon gift card.



Is this hard? No. Bucks are randomly awarded during normal web searching. Do I have to get an Amazon gift card? No. There are thousands of prizes you can choose! How else can I earn bucks? You can shop online at regular stores by starting with Swagbucks. A certain number of bucks will be awarded per dollar you spend at the participating store. You can trade in old video games, cell phones, and ipods for bucks. These items will be safely recycled. Does Swagbucks spam? Not at all.

There is one element that has confused me recently. My account says I have 48 points, but I was not able to cash out. I discovered that other sites offer swagbucks that can only be used on their sites. These bucks are listed separately on the account page.

Last question - is it worth it? Totally! Between surveys and Swagbucks, I have earned over $60 in Amazon cards. This has really helped our gift giving budget!

Happy swagging!

Grocery Budget Challenge

At the start of the month of June, I challenged myself in the area of the grocery budget. We normally spent around $350 on groceries for the three of us (Baby was mostly nursed so not much went to him). I knew I could do better. I challenged myself to cut back to just $200 for one month. I did my last grocery trip of the month and wanted to report on how that challenge went.

I am pleased to say that I cut our grocery spending by a little more than $100 this past month! I DID go over budget, but honestly, that was a conscious decision during my trip today. I looked at what we needed and knew I could bring us in under budget. I also looked at how Kroger is my weak spot and that I need to limit the number of my trips. I spent $50 extra dollars today to get the things we needed to get through the first week in July. I was pretty happy with this total!

As we approach July, think about how much you can cut out of your grocery budget! Our budget will be different this coming month because of a week of vacation. Our budget for groceries will be about $200 (I am leaving a little wiggle room for the next K-Mart super double promotion) but our eating out budget will greatly increase. We have been saving up for just this occasion.

Let me know how you are cutting back this month!

Here are some links to help you cut that budget:

• shortcuts.com - add coupons directly to your shopper card
• cellfire.com - more coupons to add directly to your shopper card
• pgesaver.com - even more coupons to add directly to your shopper card

Remember to give your shopper card to the cashier first! You can also use paper coupons with the electronic coupons for more savings! One example - today I bought a jumbo pack of Huggies diapers. They were on sale for $8.99. I used a $1.50 coupon plus had another $1.50 electronic coupon. That brings the total to $5.99. I can also send my receipt to Caregivers Marketplace for a $.75 rebate on this purchase. My total for that pack of diapers is a sweet $5.24 or $.15 per diaper.

Gratituesday

I love Gratituesday.  It's a great way to remember to be thankful for all we have.  We are so incredibly blessed in so many ways.  

I am so thankful for God's provision financially.  We had a rocky past year.  We sold a home and lost a little money on the deal.  We moved across the country.  We had our first baby.  We adjusted to me staying at home.  We adjusted to a slightly higher mortgage payment. We replaced a transmission.  We sold a car and bought a van.  It's been quite a year.  

Little by little, God has been providing for us to dig our way back to financial freedom.  We have taken Financial Peace University and long for that freedom again - not that we've been completely out of debt, but I digress.

I am grateful that Hubby was able to teach a summer course at his University.  I am even more thankful that Friday is the last day of the class and that Hubby gets paid shortly after class ends!  I am so thankful for Hubby.  He has worked so hard to become a professor.  He works so hard at his job, always striving towards excellence.  He is such a good provider - he takes on extra jobs any chance he gets.  He is an excellent role model for our little baby boy!  Happy first Father's day, sweetie!

General Shopping Tips

I am currently enjoying a weekend with family celebrating my Aunt's birthday. Two of my cousins are in town to meet Baby for the first time. Both are completely petrified of babies. It was a hilarious meeting!

Anyway, I wanted to post some basic general shopping tips to help get you going on your way to savings. Remember, as you know better, you do better. Every little bit counts. At first I got quite discouraged because I wasn't seeing the savings that I thought I should. Now I realize that bargain hunting is hard work. It takes time and energy and LOTS of careful planning to get the best deals. I don't always have that time or energy. Sometimes, my time is worth more than the savings I would see. Here are some ways to save without going crazy.

• Keep any coupons where you will remember to take and use them.
  
• Don't be afraid to buy the store brand if it is cheapest - most of the time the quality is great).
• Don't grocery shop on an empty stomach.
• Bigger isn't always better. For example, the largest pack of diaper may have the lowest cost per diaper before coupons, but often the smaller packs end up having a lower cost per diaper after coupons.
• Track your spending - give yourself a budget.
• Remember, if it isn't free and you won't use it, you don't need to buy it.
• Remember, deals will always come back around in some form or another. If you miss one big sale, don't worry - there will be another one.
• Get the Sunday newspaper for coupons and clip the ones you will use (or file in your own system)
• Print out the coupons you will use. Try coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, and couponbug.com.
• Take a break from deal hunting every now and again for your own sanity!

Happy bargain hunting!

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