About
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| Photo Credit: Photos by Mare |
Welcome to In Good Cents, designed to help you save money on every day necessities, so you can enjoy the more exciting things in life.
I’m Beth, the owner and author. While I love saving money, I also love sharing all the wonderful deals I find and helping others cut their own budgets. I’m a stay-at-home mom and while I do work very part time at my church, I feel a big way I can contribute to the family budget is to save, save, and save!
My Family
Of course, there is much more to my life than coupons! I met my husband, Scott, in 2002. I actually bought my husband (well, kind of) and I didn’t even have a coupon! I had just moved to Indianapolis after college and got an e-mail from Match.com with his photo and a little bit about him. Something about what he wrote caught my eye and I ended up paying $24.95 to join Match.com and write him! It was something I never thought I’d do, but it does make for a great story. Two years later we were married and not long after that, Ady, our oldest daughter joined our family.
Ady was a BIG surprise, since I was told when I was young that I’d never be able to have children. I guess God works in mysterious ways and, obviously, that doctor had made a mistake, because after Ady, we also added our daughter Izy and our son Daelan to our family. Along with our 3 children, we’re also crazy enough to have 3 HUGE dogs – 2 weimaraners and 1 vizsla.
My family is the most important thing in my life, but when they aren’t around and I’m not blogging, I do have other interests! I have an uncontrollable addiction to books, I love to dance and listen to music, I have a warped sense of humor, I talk way too much, and I enjoy baking.
How I Got Started…
I didn’t start out to be a “savings educator“. In fact, I just did’t get it at first. One day a friend of mine was sitting with me at the park and asked, “Did you get your free chocolate and toothpaste at Walgreens this week?”. I looked at her like she had lost her mind and said, “Yeah right, Walgreens is giving away chocolate and toothpaste.” She patiently explained to me and handed me some coupons.
I was scared out of my mind. I left my children at home, in case they accused me of stealing and I had to make a run for it. But, they happily took my coupons and I took the chocolate and toothpaste paying only $0.34 tax out-of-pocket! I was in shock, but still scared out of my mind and totally confused on how this could possibly be legal. I told my mom who became a professional deal shopper over night, while I was still hesitantly snagging up the free items each week at CVS and sometimes Walgreens. It took me a while to get where I am now, but I did it and you can too!
My Wonderful Team
As In Good Cents grows, I find I can’t manage it all alone, so I have some wonderful helpers who also share great deals:
Getting started can be overwhelming. If you have a question, please contact me! I’d be more than happy to help you out.
When Beth went from the busy world of Marketing to the even busier world of SAHM, she refocused her energy into
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
I was so happy to find your blog. I some how ended up here from Bargain Briana. I live in Kokomo, IN and just started my first money savings and deals blog. It is a work in progress but I am enjoying it even if it has only been 4 days. If you have a minute please look at my blog and give me any advice. I am unsure how I should give credit for deals I have found on other blogs. I think I am doing it right. But would love to have some one who know and has an established blog. Hope you can help me out. Thanks, Beta
Just found your site through Bargain Briana and I’m so excited to know there’s a fellow couponer so near to me! I often have trouble finding Kroger matchups through mommysnacks, since she’s located in OH and they’re always a few days off with their sales. I’m glad to see you’re so close! I’m in downtown/ near eastside Indy, and Kroger and CVS are my places to shop. I used to think I was saving money by shopping at Wal-Mart and Sav-A-Lot, but I’ve found this last year that I save way more money by just doing Kroger. Coupons take more time, but I don’t get distracted by clothes or home decor like I would at Wal-Mart and I don’t have to drive as far – - so it evens out.
This last year we averaged $40/week for groceries! We do have WIC – - so that helps with milk, cheese, etc. – - but I’m so amazed by what couponing does for our budget! Plus, as a pastor’s wife in the inner-city, it’s great to have a stocked pantry to share with others when emergencies arise.
Anyway, welcome to my bookmarks toolbar, Beth!
Courtney, thank you! I’m glad to see you found your way here. I have a $40/wk grocery budget as well for a family of 5. It’s amazing how much coupons can save you!
Fishers girl here! Thaks for your blog, glad to find one in my area. We are adding a baby to our family by adoption in the next few weeks! I want to eventually save enough to stay at home :)
I’m so glad you found me then! I just had a baby in July. He’s 6 mths old now, but still my newborn (since he’s my last). I cut my budget to $40/week for a family of 5… sometimes I go up to $50, but it has helped me stay home. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
I am so excited to have found your blog. I am a true coupon queen who is moving to the Indianapolis area from South Carolina. Right now, I use southern savers to do my coupon match up, and I am so happy that I will be able to use your site to do my match ups once I am up there.
BTW – I just started couponing in May of 2009. Our families weekly meal budget went from $120 to $50, but I rarely spend more than $30 a week. Can’t wait to get up there and see how the coupon policies are at different stores!
Only a true couponer would be excited about finding out the coupon policies in a new state :) My husband just doesn’t get it, but getting a $200 worth of groceries for $50 or better yet $25, feels amazing! Congrats on cutting your budget. Let me know if you have any questions and I’d be more than happy to help you out!
I just found your blog from The Frugal Map! So glad to find a blog in the area!! I graduated college last May and moved to Indianapolis. I’m thinking I should join Match.com?? =)
LOL, well it worked for me :) I NEVER thought I’d do something like that, but it turned out wonderfully. Honestly, Scott (my hubby) and I are complete opposites but we make it work. On our… I think it was our 3rd date, he took me to and IU game. I was the only one wearing pink in a sea of red. But, I have learned too much about sports over the years with his guidance.
Welcome to the blog and let me know if you have any questions!
Beth,
I thought I had read your bio before, but I must not have because I had no idea that you were the proud owner of 2 Weimies! As you might have guessed from my site header, I am too. Well, actually I only have one Weim, but I’m fostering one too. You have exceptional taste in pooches :)
Forgot to add…love your new site re-design!
I went ahead and added your button to my blogroll too :)
Thank you Julie! I just updated my page a few days ago, so you probably saw the old one. I love our dogs, but boy are they HYPER :) I’ve looked at your site 1,000 times and never noticed the dogs! I’m observant apparently.
Your story sounds a lot like mine. I met my husband through American Singles on line and like you, I was told very early on children would not be possible. At least not without some kind of medical assistance in that area. Low and behold, in 2006, my daughter arrived and two years and 2 days later in 2008, my son arrived. Doctors are just guessing most of the time! There is a plan and they are not in charge of it!
And like you, I am big on being frugal and making the most of my money, so I started a blog to help others out on Long Island, where we are from.
I love your blog, I love sharing your stuff with my readers by sharing your posts on facebook and twitter right from your posts. I share with everyone, even if it is not on my blog! I figure we are one big family and if I can share your blog posts, it is sort of the same thing as if it came from my own blog. Thanks for all your great finds!
Just found your site through Bargain Briana and I’m so excited to know there’s a fellow couponer so near to me! I often have trouble finding Kroger matchups through mommysnacks, since she’s located in OH and they’re always a few days off with their sales. I’m glad to see you’re so close! I’m in downtown/ near eastside Indy, and Kroger and CVS are my places to shop. I used to think I was saving money by shopping at Wal-Mart and Sav-A-Lot, but I’ve found this last year that I save way more money by just doing Kroger. Coupons take more time, but I don’t get distracted by clothes or home decor like I would at Wal-Mart and I don’t have to drive as far — so it evens out.This last year we averaged $40/week for groceries! We do have WIC — so that helps with milk, cheese, etc. — but I’m so amazed by what couponing does for our budget! Plus, as a pastor’s wife in the inner-city, it’s great to have a stocked pantry to share with others when emergencies arise.Anyway, welcome to my bookmarks toolbar, Beth!
Abner, glad you found me!
I am trying to order the all you magazine that is advertised on your page but am not able to get to it. Can you give me any information how to get in touch with the organization so I can order, and help them out also? I live in Arizona but would rather help someone than to just order, also price is good. Thank You
Lisa, it’s fixed now. It appears I was having an issue that’s causing a few of my ads to not function properly. You shouldn’t have a problem now.
But, just order here: http://www.efundraisingonline.com/ingoodcents
Hey Beth!
It’s your next door neighbor, Erin! :) I didn’t want to bother you at home… but I have a question. I was trying to place an order on ebags.com and I didn’t get the free shipping and the promo code didn’t work…
Can you help?
Thanks, Erin
LOL, my kids fell asleep insanely early and Scott’s a BW’s watching football with a friend so I’m in my PJ’s doing nothing. You wouldn’t have bothered me. But, try this coupon – CATAHDYA27. It should give you 20% off and free shipping. It expires December 21, 2010. The other was only good on Free Shipping Day (December 17th). If not, I may have another one to help you out. I have a few specific coupon codes, like 10% off X brand bad or 20% off $50, etc… And another free shipping link.
HI! I’m working on your Coupon Blog Review today! I really am enjoying looking all around at everything you have to offer!! I will send you a note when it’s complete, or you can check back on my twitter or website! Thanks!! Keep up the good work!
Hello from Fort Wayne! I am a (mostly) stay at home mom as well. Our kiddos are 6,4 and 10 mos – so I can relate to your days! I am trying to find ways to keep our budget down so I can send our kids to a local Christian school…I can use all the help I can get! Would most of the deals here in Fort Wayne be similar to yours in Indy? On a side note, we had a Weim as well – he was the best dog ever! He was our baby before our babies! Toby would go camping with us and he also really loved visiting the kids at the local teen shelter – what a sweetie! We miss miss him dearly. We now have a boxer/mastiff/jungle gym for the kids! Keep up the good work Momma!
Lori, yes, many of the store prices are the same or very similar! In fact, my Step Mom and Dad live in Fort Wayne, and my Step Mom uses my site to shop.
Can you please email me! We just moved to Indy this year and I have couponing classes set up at the library branches here in town and would love to talk to you about couponing!!!!
loved the artical in the Star!
Hello….I just found your web-site tonight & I’m so happy – I had to do the COUPON HAPPY DANCE! Just to finally be able to relate to someone in the state of IN is won-der-ful, plus it’s about COUPONING which I started doing in April 2011. There is just so much to learn and deals that have blown my mind…..like where have I been all of this time, under a rock? My favorite store is KROGER for huge savings, & WALGREENS…..but I have yet to attempt the BOGO offer(s)…..something about that just doesn’t seem to calculate right in my mind – plus I want to be more confident when I attempt that deal. I’m in Southern IN so I usually get the Sunday (Courier Journal) but sometimes the Star too. I never dreamt I’d be buying more than 1 Sunday paper (smiles).
I loved your story about how you & your husband met & then the part about GOD working in mysterious ways…..& BLESSING you with 3 beautiful children. I know alot about what GOD can do as he has done so much for me & my family! I look forward to visiting your site every day now.
Glad to have you here! I will try to break down the Walgreens BOGO for you. I am assuming you’re referring to how BOGO sale plus BOGO coupon gets both for free? Okay, on a BOGO coupon; you pay for one and the MANUFACTURER pays for the other through the coupon. One the store BOGO; you pay for one and the STORE pays for the other. So when the two meet up on an awesome sale, the way it works, is the store looks as the coupon as the one YOU would have to pay for through their sale. So the store gives you one for free from them through the sale and looks at it as if the manufacture is paying for the one you would have had to pay for without the coupon. So 1 free from store + 1 free from manufacture = you get both for only paying tax! :) Hope that helps. Walgreens will allow this scenario to happen but most other stores will NOT allow it! But there are quite a few stores that will allow you to use two $/1 coupons when there is a BOGO sale, so it’s really important to get to know your stores coupon policies so we all know we are following the rules correctly! :) Happy Shopping! :)
I live in Sheridan, just north of Westfield. Just wanted to let you know how much I have grown to appreciate your website. I love getting the daily emails about the new ways to save and really like that all of the deals are for our area. I’ve been using coupons for a couple of years, but just the past 4 months or so, I have really become an “extreme couponer”. So much so, that I am leading a couponing group at my church and trying to help some awesome ladies learn the ways! Thanks so much for all you do!
Thank you so much, Marcie! You’ve just made my day. I love hearing that. It’s why I do what I do. I hope your coupon group does well!
Great job ladies. I love your site and would like to know more about you. Where are you located in Indiana? I am in the central part of the state and would enjoy attending a meeting if you are near me. I started couponing in March 2011. I am still learning but understand alot better now. I have not attempted to spend only $40 or $50 yet at the store as I am stockpiling but that sounds like a wonderful goal. I need to do a better job of meal planning I think. I first learned about your site at Meijer last week when I met a young wife and mother who told me about you. I am so grateful I ran into her that day. I am a recently retired teacher who needs a hobby so I took up couponing. It saves me money and is fun. Thanks Deb
Deb, so glad you found the site!!! We LOVE helping people save money. And yes, we are located in Central Indiana! :-) Beth isn’t currently doing any classes but I am teaching FREE coupon classes at the Indianapolis Libraries. You can find the schedule here. Make sure you call to register. The classes have been filling up really fast! I hope you can make it to one of them! I would love to meet you in person!
Did I miss something? In Thursdays shhop local I tried to get free auto mag to no avail:
http://igcgo.com/autoweek-mag
Thanks, Stan
Stan, I don’t have the current copy of the newspaper to see if there is a typo, but it should be http://igcgo.com/auto-week-mag. There’s a – missing in your link. If you ever need a freebie, you can search the Free Stuff database too!
Hey Beth,
I have a question….I live in Carmel and was wondering how you get more than 1 copy of the Red Plum? I only get mine in the mail and have tried to find them in a paper, without luck. Decided I would ask someone with more knowledge than me. Thanks for your help!!!
Kim
Kim, I don’t. I actually admitted in an old post that I only get one newspaper (http://ingoodcents.com/2010/03/asked-answered-getting-multiple-inserts.html) and that’s it. But, Red Plum did this on purpose. When asked they said that stopping consumers from getting multiple newspapers was one of their reasons behind the change. Your only options are A) Drive to Greenfield where you can get a newspaper with a Red Plum in it. OR B) Ask friends and family to save inserts for you.
Hope that helps! Sorry it’s probably not the answer you wanted.
I don’t get it!! I’ve tried to coupon but still end of spending 120.00 plus every week for a family of 3 with one on the way!! Help please!!!!:)
Kristie, start by checking out the videos and lessons in “How to Extreme Couponing“. There are a few tricks to it, but I get if you see my examples that will help and if you have any questions, let me know!
I am a member of couponer club in Noblesville. Have been reading your article in the Star and just read that you will be speaker at May meeting. I have been couponing for 45 plus years and it’s the best hobby ever. Many old couponers/rebaters also do sweepstakes. You never know what your going to get in the mail next with these hobbies. Looking forward to meeting you.
Sandi, I do list a roundup of sweepstakes available on every Sunday morning for everyone to enter. Many don’t want to waste the time, because you have such a low chance of winning some, but my friend who plays sweepstakes a lot is always getting something cool in the mail. Sometimes high-priced items.
They announced me as a speaker in May? I did get an email from someone organizing it, but haven’t responded, because I haven’t been able to rearrange my schedule to be available on that evening, though I am trying. I hate to let down people, so I wish they hadn’t done that. Thanks for the heads up on that.