One the heel of the Brita rebate fiasco, Facebook is once again a buzz with news of a fraudulent Kingsford coupon found yesterday on Coupons.com.

For a while now, I’ve been making excuses for companies.  While coupons have been around  since 1887, they have become increasingly hot in the past few years.  Many companies, eager to give their customers savings, jumped on the coupon train before fully doing their research.

Couponing isn’t going away.  It’s only getting more popular.  And, with so many well publicized mistakes, it’s time for companies to step up and educate themselves and their employees on how coupons work.

Common Coupon Mistakes Companies Make

Releasing a PDF coupon. While some companies like 3M have mastered this art and almost always have PDF coupons available on their website, many companies don’t understand the ramifications.  PDF’s can be saved to computers, emailed, uploaded to other websites, and printed multiple times.  You can’t control a PDF and once released, that PDF coupon will be making rounds on the internet until it expires.

“Hidden” Links to Coupons. Often companies decide to reward their certain people, like their loyal fans, Facebook followers, or new customers, with a coupon. While the link won’t be available from their main page, it may be available from their Facebook page or email newsletter.   Without unique codes for each person or requiring members to log in, the link to that coupon can be shared.  And, if someone accesses the coupon by direct link, instead of through the original promotional page/email, they may not realize the coupons true intent.

Not including restrictions. Without restrictions on a coupon, such as size, brand, product, flavor, or even location, that coupon may be used on a variety of products at a variety of stores.  This allows savvy couponers to pick up FREE trial-size and smaller-size packages.

Screaming Fraud

When a simple coupon promotion gets out of control, companies sometimes scream fraud.  They quickly contact the CIC and stores, altering them not to accept the counterfeit or fraudulent coupon.

When shoppers try to use the coupon, they’re accused of using fraudulenet coupons and sometimes even made to feel like a criminal.  It’s embarrassing and it’s uncomfortable.  And, it’s uncalled for.

Later, when these angry customers come home, they call bloggers, like me, who share deals, frauds and scams as well, since that’s where they heard about the coupon in the first place.

There is a solution!

After so many years of coupon use and so many situations of coupon promotions gone awry, you’d think companies would be smart about releasing coupons.  These things do not have to happen.

Use coupon technology. Sites like Coupon Network, Coupons.com, Red Plum, SavingStar, and Smart Source offer companies a way to release coupons in a controlled environment.  Yes, you do have to pay, but the services can control how many coupons are printed, when the coupon is released, and when the coupon is removed.  Companies, if you decided to save money and skip using a service like this, you may end up paying a lot more in the long run.

Be specific. If you don’t want a coupon redeemed for smaller size packages, a specific flavor of product, or in a certain state, simply say that on the coupon!  Coupons are contracts and as a consumer it’s our responsibility to read and redeem them correctly, since we are agreeing to the contract by using the coupon.

Don’t call a mistake a fraud. I have more respect for a company that stands up and says, “I’m sorry.  We made  mistake.”  I’d even respect them if they admitted, “We just don’t have the budget to cover the coupons that were released, but to make it up, we’ll release lower value coupons to all our customers who got the coupon with the mistake.”  Just don’t call a mistake a fraud or a counterfeit, because making customer feel like criminals is not good business practice.

The Bottom Line

I hope I’ve taught you well enough and you know the difference between a fraudulent or counterfeit coupon and a real coupon, and even have the tools to help you spot a fraudulent coupon.  But here’s the bottom line:

• A real coupons is not a fraudulent coupon.
• A fraudulent coupon is a coupon that is not real.
• A mistake does not make a coupon fraudulent.

So, what is this about Brita and Kingsford?

Both operated by Clorox, Brita and Kingsford are both facing some coupon fiasco backlash right now.

Brita released a high-value $10 Brita rebate on their own site.  The coupon was supposed to be only for those who registered through the Brita site to control the amount of rebates released.  However, well meaning bloggers and customers shared the direct link to the rebate, instead of the link to the sign-up form.

Brita didn’t expect the high response they got, or for the rebate to be shared, and weren’t able to pull the rebate before the print limit was hit. They didn’t use that coupon technology mentioned above, but instead released it as a PFD on their own website.  In response, they announced they would not be honoring the rebate, even though it was a legitimate rebate that didn’t expire until March 2012.

In a very professional move, Brita later came back to admit their error and decided to honor all of the rebates currently in the hands of customers.

Next, a coupon for $5 off any Kingsford product was released on Coupons.com, a well known legitimate coupon distributor.  The coupon was listed as a manufacturer coupon without restrictions and mentioned it was available at Lowe’s, but not that the coupon could only be redeemed at Lowe’s.

When news of the great coupon started spreading, Kingsford announced the coupon was unsolicited.  While Kingsford never said the coupon was a fraud, this is what many interpreted their response to mean, causing customers to start to worry about Coupons.com.

Coupons.com is a legitimate coupon site that distributes coupons in a controlled environment at the request of the manufacturer or store.

For a fraudulent coupon to be available on the site, that would mean:

A.) A hacker would have had to hack the system and put the fraudulent coupon up on the their site.  I think we would have heard about that from Coupons.com.

B.) Someone would have wanted to screw over Kingsford so badly that they paid to release a Kingsford coupon on the Coupons.com site and somehow managed to convince Coupons.com that they were Kingsford.

Did Kingsford release the coupon and forget to add restrictions?  Did Lowe’s release the coupon and mistakenly label it as a manufacturer coupon, instead of a store coupon?  Or did Coupons.com make a mistake in the release of the coupon?  Either way, the chances of the coupon being a fraud are low.  Instead, this is probably a case of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and/or  mistake.

In the end, Kingsford threw deal and frugal bloggers under the bus for the incident.  While I didn’t monitor the Kingsfords Facebook page, the links on their page that I saw were to blogs who were promoting the coupon on Coupons.com.  Kingsford actually deleted many of these legitimate posts at the peak of the incident.

Companies, please, let’s stop pointing fingers and making accusations.  It’s time to own up to your own mistakes and use some sense on marketing campaigns.

Important Note: Coupon fraud is real and it does happen.  Keep your eyes open for real counterfeit and fraudulent coupons.  But, not every coupon that is called a fraud is really a fraud.

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How much time on Pinterest is to much??  Well I’m sure I am over the limit, but it has been fun.

This week’s top 10 things on Pinterest:

10.  Make your own Taco shells. Looks like they would hold a little more the the store bought ones.

9. I would need to make this a little larger to hold all my single socks.  Cute idea though.

8. This is a great way to reduce the clutter.

7.  Rainbow Slush Punch made from freezer pops.  Looks Yummy!!

6.  Remember this the next time you hug someone and hug a little tighter and longer.

5. I love grapefruit juice and now I can have it with a little kick.

4.  Looks like it is time to visit Goodwill or some yard sales.  This will look great in my bedroom.

3. Healthy sweet treats.  Fruit and juice or Crystal Light.

2.  You could make these to match any outfit so easily.  All you need is buttons and elastic thread.

And my number one find on Pintrest this week…

1. Oh my!!  These looks delicious.  Add a little peanuts and they would be like a Buster Bar.

Want more? Follow Susan and Beth on Pinterest for frugal recipes, FREE printables, ideas for  organizing your home, stuff that makes us laugh, and more!

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Well it is Monday again.  Hope you all enjoy your day!!

Free David Yurman Perfume Sample

You can get a free sample of David Yurman Perfume. The Essence Collection.

Muffin Tin Monday
While enjoying my Pinterest adventures I came across Muffin Tin Mom and Muffin Tin Mondays. Cute quick meals served in a muffin tin.  I am even thinking about packing my lunch for work this way.  A cute muffin tin with a variety of foods seems like a great way to brighten up your day and control your calorie intake.  Well I probably won’t make my food look like animals or creatures (people might start to talk :o) But the Grandkids would love this.

Old Navy
Check out OldNavy Clearance and get an extra 15% off any purchase or 25% off you purchase of $100 or more. Use discount code ONBIGSAVE at checkout or print this coupon for instore savings.  This sale ends today.   I bought this shirt the beginning of the season and love it and now it is on sale for $6.97 before discounts.                                                                          

Help With Housework

Parent Squad has a list of 43 jobs kid 18 months to 7 years can do.  Yes, still at the age where most kids think it is cool to help around the house.

Before you shop online, always search the online coupon code database for FREE shipping coupons and other great retail coupon codes to help you save.   Need more frugal ways to pamper mom?   Indulge in the latest magazine offers and restaurant deals!

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Well, Since I have become a “Pinterest addict” I thought I would share a few of my favorites each week.  Maybe since I am posting them for you is will justify all the time I have spent pinning all of these great finds.

Here you go. Hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

I love the smell of coffee in the mornings!!  Great aroma therapy.

This could make our card game time much shorter. Those little hands always have a hard time holding the cards.

So true.  Live for the future and don’t dwell on those unpleasant things that happened in the past.

Well  its the simple things that you never realized could make life easier. I can think of so many uses for this.

Jet Packs!!  -  I think Daelan would love these. I can just picture him flying around the house.

Great way to recycle those plastic grocery bags.

This looks delicious and so easy to make.  Like a big blueberry muffin.

Wow!! Cook the bacon in the oven while you make everything else. Cuts down time and mess.

Cute nail design you can do very easily at home.

Hey! A good use for all those free Aspirin I have in my stockpile. Aspirin Facial.

Want more? Follow Susan and Beth on Pinterest for frugal recipes, FREE printables, ideas for  organizing your home, stuff that makes us laugh, and more!

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This sponsored post was written by me on behalf of eCampus.com. Regardless of compensation, all opinions are 100% my own.

At college, I always bought used books at a store on the Ball State Campus.  I compared prices between the two local book stores and made sure to go early to get my books at the lowest possible price.  I thought I was being so frugal.

I don’t have kids in college yet, but I clearly remember the shock I felt when I saw that college textbooks were a lot more than any other book I’d ever bought in my entire life.  So, when my kids hit college, I don’t even want to image what that price will be!

A lot of bookstores, even those on campus, offer different options to help you save – buy new, buy used, rent new, or rent used.  So, you’d think that you’d get the best price right there, locally.  At least, that’s what I assumed.

When eCampus asked me to write a bit about saving money with services that let students rent college textbooks online, I was skeptical to be honest.  But, I tested it out by searching for books for a few basic classes and compared the prices at the bookstore I shopped at Ball State University to eCampus.

The truth was painful – I wasn’t so frugal after all.

Can you believe some of those price differences? And it seemed, at least for me, that the more advanced the courses got the more expensive the books were.  Especially, since most of those books weren’t available to rent or sometimes even used. But, on eCampus.com, it seemed the exact opposite for the books I searched.  Many that I would have to buy at the local bookstore, I could simply rent on eCampus for a fraction of the price.

Then there’s the end of the year.  I would always rush to sell my books to get money back, but sometimes those books weren’t being used again and they bookstore wouldn’t buy them.  I’d be stuck with a book, I’d probably never open again.  But, with eCampus, you aren’t stuck with books at the end of the year ever!  They always go back.  But, if you really want to sell used textbooks, you can do that on eCampus too!

Oh, and did I mention that shippings is FREE for all purchases of $59 or more? That’s about the costs of one college textbook, so it won’t be hard to hit that minimum.

What’s the most expensive textbook you bought in college?  Can you remember?

Sponsored by eCampus.com and conducted by In Good Cents. For more information, please read our terms & conditions and disclosure policy.
*Prices compared to T.I.S. College Bookstore on Ball State University Campus.

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Dave Ramsey is amazing!  He has brilliant ideas and can teach you things that really will help you overcome debt and live a more financially-healthy life.  Right now, download his audio lesson “Dumping Debt” FREE!

Protect yourself! I highly recommend using a FREE Google talk voice-only phone number and alternate FREE e-mail address, like GMail or Yahoo, when signing up for FREE stuff online to avoid spam and unwanted calls.

Who said that nothing in life is FREE? Checkout the FREE stuff & FREE samples to get more stuff for FREE!

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TLC’s Extreme Couponing is back for a 2nd season tonight and you know what that means…

• Unrealistic shopping trips
• Stores waiving their policies for the show’s guests
• Some questionable (and sometimes illegal) coupon practices
• And, stores freaking out and tightening their coupon policies (with good reason, I might add)

To be honest, I never watch the show, because it makes me want to throw stuff at my television and violence is never the answer (just kidding… I do have more control than that).  But, since the show always brings a rush of visitors who want me to teach them how to get $1,000 worth of groceries each week for only $3, I do have a few things to say on the subject.

TLC’s Extreme Couponing is a “reality” television who with very little reality.  Is it realistic to expect to save 100% every time you grocery shop?  No!  Is it realistic to expect to save 90% every week?  No!  Is it realistic to expect to save 50-60%? Yes!  And, that’s my own personal goal when I shop.

Extreme couponing takes a lot of time and a lot of money spent on extra newspapers and purchasing coupons.  Is all that invested time worth it?  I’d much rather spend that time with my family.  By using realistic couponing and  spending  about an  hour preparing to shop each week, plus the time shopping, I’ve estimated that I save about $60 or so an hour.  For me, that’s a great hourly wage and definitely worth it.

Before you check out TLC’s Extreme Couponing, check out the videos below to help you learn to coupon the right want and with grace.

More Resources

• Saving Soiree: FREE Grocery Couponing eCourse
• That’s Coupon Fraud!
• Ethics: Couponing with Grace

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The following is a guest post from Lori, owner of the Indy Kids Consignment:

We are heading into the consignment shopping season. Prepare yourself to find tremendous bargains!  Here are IKC’s top five tips cool moms need to know about consignment shopping:

1.) Shop for a season.  At consignment sales you can buy a season’s worth of clothing for your kids at about 90% off the retail price. And, because there is such a huge selection, your kids won’t be wearing what all the other kids are wearing. Holiday and special occasion clothing are great buys at consignment sales. Christmas and Easter clothing as well as Halloween costumes are usually in excellent condition because they have only been worn once.

2.) Toys are a bargain.  Toys are, of course, are another great bargain at consignment sales. We all know that kids are picky when it comes to toys. They play with some over and over while others just sit in the corner and see very little play time. The selection of toys at most consignment sales is so huge that you are bound to find something your child will like and even if it does turn out to be one of those toys that doesn’t get much play time, you will be glad that you only spent $3 on it.

3.) Prepare for Gift Giving. Many people don’t think to look for at consignment sales are gifts. All sales will have tons of items that are brand new with tags still on. Think outside the box and make a list of the gifts you might need in the next several months. Birthdays, Christmas, baby showers, etc. and you will be able to cross some of those gifts off your list.

4.) Go Green! Consignment shopping is cool and green. More and more savvy moms are jumping on the consignment bandwagon because it’s such a practical and green approach. Americans waste so much each year and consignment shopping is a great way to reduce and reuse.

5.) Shop with a Friend. Consignment shopping is so much fun to do to with girlfriends. We get excited for each other when we find great bargains. So, if at all possible leave your kids at home. If you do bring them make sure you check out the sales website. Many sales have times when kids and strollers are not allowed.

Mark your calendars! Indy Kids Consignment will be holding its 12^th sale at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville, IN on September 15-17^th, 2011 and expects to have over 300 consignors with 40,000 bargain items to choose from.

About the Author: Lori has been involved with Indy Kids Consignment for seven years and been a part of running it for three years.  She is a thrifty mom and loves helping to provide the community with great consignment opportunities.

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The following is a guest post from Elizabeth Blessing. If you  missed it, you  may also read Go Organic Without Breaking the Bank (Part I).

As you make your transition to organic foods, you can start by narrowing down organic splurges to a few of the wallet-friendly essentials:

Unfortunately, due to cost and availability, organic food is not an option for every family. But there are ways to consume organic products on a budget. The Environmental Working Group put together a ranked list of the 49 most purchased produce items, based on laboratory tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pesticide Testing Program. If you can’t buy organic all the time, this list lets consumers know what foods are the safest and which should be avoided. Below is a list of the “dirty dozen” and the “clean 15.”  Visit www.ewg.org to view the entire list.

Dirty Dozen:  Buy these organic:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Clean 15:  Lowest in Pesticides

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

You’re already on your way to organic (and financial) bliss! Check out even more healthy eating tips from Green B.E.A.N. Delivery before your next grocery shopping adventure.

About the Author: Elizabeth Blessing, co-owner and chief nutritionist for Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, has a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

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The following is a guest post from Elizabeth Blessing:

It’s practically old news by now: more and more celebrities are “going vegan” while everything from cars to homes to businesses are “going green.” The American diet is certainly no exception to this environmental frenzy. What’s the unstoppable force infiltrating today’s supermarkets? Organic.

Scientific evidence proves that eating organic is no passing fad. From fruit to milk to eggs, many of today’s commercial brands are practically doused in harmful substances. By avoiding foods laden with pesticides and other toxic chemicals, we’re doing both our bodies and the environment a huge favor.

While organic food is better for us than conventionally grown food, there’s a general perception that eating organic isn’t as friendly to the health of our wallets. Good news, bargain hunters: With some planning and research, eating organic can actually be easier and more affordable than you think.

Consider these tips from Green B.E.A.N. Delivery to benefit your health and the environment without breaking the bank:

• Buy in season. Seasonal foods are more affordable. Asparagus in the spring, strawberries in the summer and apples in the fall. Eating out of season means the food has to travel further to reach your table, which costs more money.

• Head to the farmers market. Farmers markets are a phenomenal source of fresh local produce. A newly picked organic tomato from a local farm is tastier than a tomato that’s traveled thousands of miles before reaching a supermarket shelf—not to mention cheaper and fresher!

• Do your research. There may be more choices for organic food in your community than you realize. Organic associations and organizations in your state are good places to start. Just type the name of your state and the word “organic” into a search engine and see what pops up.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t see a sign saying the produce is organic, be sure to ask. Some farmers may be making the transition to organic farming, or they grow organically but don’t have the certification

• Buy in bulk. No matter where you’re buying organic foods, buying in bulk is a great way to stretch your food dollar. For beans, grains, lentils and nuts, head straight for the bulk containers. Just make sure you have a cool, dry place in your kitchen to store your dry goods for a few months.

• Minimize packaged products. Organic lasagna may be quick and easy, but it is also expensive.  Cooking from scratch takes more time, but will save you money in the long run. When cooking from scratch, make large batches so leftovers can be used for lunch or dinner later in the week.

Stay tuned for more tips to Go Organic without Breaking the Bank!

About the Author: Elizabeth Blessing, co-owner and chief nutritionist for Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, has a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

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Hello everyone.     This is Susan (Beth’s Mom) and I am sending my dilemma out to all of you in hopes of finding a good, FRUGAL solution.

I am in charge of collecting money and buying Coffee, Creamer, Filters etc for the department I work in.   With the price of coffee and the number of employees on the rise, I am finding it hard to keep up.

We are a little picky about our coffee (almost always drink Folgers – Strength #2 or 3)   I last bought at Sams Club -$14.88 for 48 oz canister, but usually buy Walmart – $9-$10 for 33.9 oz. canister.     The 25 cent off coupons help a little but not as much as I need them to.

We use one of the 33.9 oz canisters per week.   I am from Terre Haute, IN,   but do make frequent trips to Indianapolis.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good deals on coffee, where I could buy in bulk at a discount, etc?

Thanks for your help in advance

Susan

Have a question about couponing, In Good Cents, frugal living, sticking to a budget, or saving money?   I’m here to help,   ask! Many probably have the same question.   It may be featured and answered on In Good Cents or, if I can’t help, turned over for the readers to answer!

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Did you catch my money saving tips in this weekend’s Indianapolis Star?   EAch week, Beth of In Good Cents gives you 5 ways to save in the Locals section, so make sure to check it out.

Looking for some ways to save this week and stretch your budget?   You’ll find wonderful ways to have fun without spending a fortune.   Here’s a few of my favorites for this week:

Free Eats

Visit your favorite restaurant online and sign up for their newsletter, mailing list, or mobile texts.   Many now offer a free appetizer, dessert, or some other favorite just for joining!

Picture This!

Sign up for accounts with popular photo sites, like Kodak Gallery.   Many offer 25-100 4×6 photo prints free to new members!

Magazine Deals

Oops… if you   missed the article, you did miss this one…

Use the coupon code WKLYSPEC to snag 1-year subscription to Elle Decor Magazine for only $4.76 or Maximum Fitness for $3.76 on Best Deal Magazines.   Or, use the coupon code PXCJ724 to take 15% off any other discounted magazine.   These coupons expire at the end of the day today!

It’s All About Apps!

Stop by Amazon to add to your digital media collection for free!   They now have free apps for your smart phone, free e-books for your mobile readers, and free music  for your MP3 player every day.

Cool Off with a Coupon

Oops… if you   missed the article, you did miss this one…

Check out Marsh this weekend!   If you spend over $50, you’ll get free Nestle Drumsticks with the coupon found in their circular this week.   It good until the end of the day today.   They offer a new 4-day freebie every Thursday through Sunday with an additional $50 purchase.

Get these money saving steps delivered to your door step every Sunday with an exclusive discount subscription though In Good Cents!

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I’ve mentioned that it’s a great idea to subscribe to the largest metropolitan newspaper to make sure you’re getting the highest value and most coupons possible!   For me and many of you, that’s the Indianapolis Star.   That’s why I’m please to tell you that In Good Cents has partnered with the Indianapolis Star to get the best possible subscription price available!

Choose from:

• Sunday & Thursday: $4.35 per month (54% Off)
• Thursday – Sunday: $8.65 per month (37% Off)

That’s as low as $1 per week or as low as $0.50 per newspaper.   You can’t find the Indianapolis Star at an affordable rate that low at any newsstands!   In addition, you’ll receive The Thanksgiving Day edition at regular Sunday newsstand price if released during your subscription period.

This price is good for the first six (6) months of your subscription, after which your subscription will continue at regular published rates.   However, you may cancel at any time.   Valid in the Indianapolis Stars nine (9) county metro regions to new subscribers only and not valid with other offers.   Counties include:

• Boone
• Hamilton
• Hancock
• Hendricks
• Johnson
• Madison
• Marion
• Morgan
• Shelby

The discount is only available online using EZ pay, which is automatic monthly payments via check or credit card. Remember, the Indianapolis Star inserts include Smart Source, General Mills, Proctor & Gamble, and other assorted coupons found in circulars, ads, the newspaper pages, and U.S.A. Weekender.   However, it no longer includes the Red Plum insert.   This is delivered free of charge by mail to most Indianapolis Star subscription-area homes.   Inserts vary by week and are not included in some holiday-weekend issues.

This offer expires December 31, 2011.   Visit the Indianapolis Star for more details and to subscribe now!

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Our Family Tent

Since I was a little girl, my family always took me camping in the summer.   It was one of my favorite things to do.   Sure, it’s not the cleanest vacation, but for kids, that’s not a problem!   We’d tour Indiana, visiting all the campgrounds and State Parks.

Now, that I have my own kids, I do with them.   I love sitting by a campfire stuffing myself with S’Mores and hot dogs cooked over an open fire.   I love walking on trails, exploring, sleeping outside with the sound of crickets, and playing games on a picnic table with the light of a lantern and lightening bugs all around.   There is something freeing about not being able to get an internet connection no matter what!

S'mores are so good!

But, if you’re new to camping, it can be overwhelming.   What do you take?   What do you cook?   Where do you go?   As an experienced camper, I have some important tips for you!

Where to go?

I’m a big fan of Indiana State Parks, because they have great campgrounds with lots of stuff to do for the whole family.   There are activities at the Nature Center like searching ponds for crawl dads and tadpoles, horseback and pony rides, trails, pools or beaches, and canoeing.

But, what are my favorites?

Chain O’ Lakes: For families with young kids, Chain O’ Lakes is great.   Everything is close together, so you don’t have to hike to get anywhere, there is a great small beach, and the lake is very calm, so there is no age requirements for canoeing, paddle boats, or other water recreation!

Turkey Run: If you have older kids or need a bit more adventure, head to Turkey Run!   Turkey Run has great trails that go over bridges, through creeks, and even up ladders.   If you’re old enough, you can float down Sugar Creek in an tube or in a kayak or canoe.   And, families can horseback ride through the woods.   If you’re going, make sure you check out Trail 3.   It’s so much fun!

Brown County: Prefer a cleaner spot?   Brown County offers camping, but also cabins, if you want to enjoy nature a bit more civilized.   Plus, there is a picturesque town nearby with restaurants, candy shops, and even a winery!

How to pick your spot?

When you pick a camping spot on the Indiana State Park website, it can be intimidating.   You get to see a map of campground with numbers and some details about each spot.   But, what does it all mean?   Well, I will admit, there is a bit of guess work involved, but here’s some things to make sure to check.

• Site Type: Personally, I prefer electric, since I can plug in a fan, music, a coffeemaker, and even charge my phone, if needed.
• Max Number of People: Make sure the maximum will include your whole family, you’ll have to get two spots!
• Looking for Category: Make sure your preferred method of camping (e.g. tent, trailer, etc…) is listed!
• Alerts & Important Information:
  • High Traffic Site: This means it’s a place where cars and people go by.   High traffic doesn’t mean it’s going to rival an interstate, but if you are bringing little ones who may be riding their bikes in the street, you may want to avoid high traffic sites just for safety purposes.
  • Grass, Sand, Dirt, or Asphalt Site: I prefer grass, because sand or dirt means my kids won’t be able to stay clean for a second and if it rains, it will become a mud pit.   But, asphalt for the kids to ride their bike and to park is nice as well, so look for a combo, depending on your needs.
  • Yards To: How far is the spot from the bathroom?   If you have a just-potty-trained toddler, you   might want to stay close.   I know from experience!   Or if your kids are old enough to venture by themselves, but not old enough you want them venturing far.   Plus, how far is the spot from the water, showers, and playground?   That’s all important, depending on your needs.
  • Sun/Shade: This is another important one!   If it’s August, you may want to avoid an all sun spot or you won’t be able to escape the heat.   A little or full shade is always nice.

What to take?

Camping isn’t like staying in a hotel.   There are bathrooms, showers, and a spot with grass.   That’s about it.   So, if you don’t bring it, it won’t be there (unless you shop at the camp store). Maggie shared her thoughts on “Camping for Rookies: What You’ll Really Need” and she’s right.   You don’t need much.

However, if you plan on staying for longer than one or two night, you may need a more extensive list.   Here is our family Camping Check List.   It’s a lot, I know, but it’s a list compiled for years upon years of camping vacations.

What do we do?

Yes, you’re in the middle of no where with nothing but a fire and a tent, but it’s not boring.   Relax and make the kids put away their iPods, Nintendo DS systems, and all that.   Here’s what you do…

• Explore trails
• Ride bikes
• Play board games or cards
• Play outdoor games (Corn-in-the-Hole, badminton, catch, etc…)
• Swim
• Canoe or Kayak
• Read
• Catch lightening bugs, bugs, frogs, lizards, etc…
• Fish (or catch fish in a cup)
• Visit the Nature Center
• Check out the calendar of Park Events & Activities
• Ride horses
• Go bird watching (or animal spotting)
• Take a nap (You’ll need it!)
• Have a water gun fight
• Play in the dirt
• Climb on the playground
• Meet your neighbors (campers are really friendly usually!)
• Practice skipping rocks in the creeks or lakes
• Put together a jigsaw puzzle
• Have a picnic
• Play Pooh Sticks (Ask your kids if you don’t know what this is or check out Wikipedia)
• Visit the local town
• Bond as a family or couple!
• Go to bed early (you’ll need this too!)
• Relax and let go of your stress!

Anything else I need to know?

You’ll learn as you go, but some things I’ve learned over the year include:

• Racoons can open coolers!   So make sure your food is well stored before you go to bed, or you’ll wake up with none.
• Burn your trash to keep your fire going and reduce waste, but not while you’re cooking!   Burning plastic doesn’t add the best taste to your chicken.
• Plan on using about one bunch of firewood a day and one bag of ice from the camp store.
• Bring diaper wipes.   You won’t believe how many times someone will need themselves or something wiped off.
• Avoid poison ivy or other unknown rashes by washing off your legs and arms when your return from hikes.
• Don’t feed the animals, no matter how cute they may be, or they’ll never go away!
• Arrive early, because putting up a tent in the dark is not so easy.   In fact, you may want to practice once at home before you go.
• Bring shower shoes or you’ll come home with itchy feet!

And, most importantly, have fun!

Make sure you check out the Summer Fun in Indiana series for more ways to save this summer on family fun! Enjoy your summer!

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

By couponing, there are many times when I can get brand name products less expensive than store brand products.   However, that’s not always the case, especially when it comes to our first aid needs.   With one who recently decided to leave the training wheels behind, another who is still figuring out the steering on her big-girl bike,, and one who thinks he’s part monkey, even though he’s yet to perfect walking, we go through more than our fair share of bandages, antibiotic cream, and other first aid necessities.

There’s often coupons available for brand name versions products found in the pharmacy, but even with a coupon, I find that the price is higher than the store brand and the store brand works just as well.   Our families most in-demand first aid product is bandages… they fix everything (or so my kids believe).   And, while I may have a great $1/1 Band-Aid coupon, I can get more Walgreens Bandages and spend less.   That means, I can let my kids put one on every single mosquito bite they got while camping last week if it makes them feel better (and stops the scratching!).

Did you realize with every purchase of Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products, Walgreens contributes funds to local community wellness programs through their Walgreens Way to Well Fundâ„¢?   So, you get to help others every time you look into the huge teary eyes of the little kid who is showing you their invisible boo-boo and say, “Yes, I think that definitely needs a bandage.”

My kids may be going through their days patched up with kisses, cuddles, and store brand bandages, but they seem to be turning out pretty well (if I do say so myself).

You can try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products yourself by entering to win a Walgreens gift card from one of the wonderful bloggers currently hosting Walgreens gift card giveaways.

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It can be overwhelming when you start working to cut your budget and often the Marsh 101: What You Need to Know to Save is packed with too much information.   However, I highly recommend knowing your stores before you shop, to get the most for your money.

So what’s the most important information you need to know about Marsh?   Here are 10 things you should know before shopping at Marsh to make sure you maximize your savings!

1. ) You need a Marsh Fresh I.D.E.A. Card! You’ll need to sign up for the Marsh Fresh I.D.E.A. Card to get sale prices, use many Marsh store-coupons, get your coupons doubled, and get special deals.

2. ) Marsh has MANY different weekly circulars. You get a Marsh weekly circular in the mail, but that’s not the only circular released each week.   Look on their website for the Marsh Exclusive Cyber Savings circular and sometimes has a special in-store circular that has even more savings.   In Good Cents lists deals from the Marsh Weekly Circular in-mail and the Marsh Exclusive Cyber Savings circular online each week.

3. ) Marsh has a nationwide coupon policy and it’s available online! You may want to print it out and keep it in your coupon binder and/or coupon holder to refer to in store.   Marsh coupon policy states that they:

• Double “cents-off” coupons valued up to $0.50 or under every day, excluding coupons for alcohol, tobacco, cigarette products, prescriptions, and lottery tickets.
• Only double coupons from newspapers, magazines, legitimate internet website, and/or received by mail.   Therefore, some coupons, such as Catalina, do not double.
• Have a limit of 2 identical coupons for two identical items will double.   All other identical coupons will be redeemed at face value.
• Redeem coupons valued at $0.51 or more at face value.
• Only accept coupons when purchasing the product specified on the coupon, including size specified.
• Accept coupons from legitimate websites such as Coupons.com, Red Plum, Smart Source, Coupon Network, and manufacturer websites.
• Accept coupons on regular stocked items only.   There are no substitutions or rain checks on coupon items.
• Only accept internet coupons in the approved industry-standard format.   They do not accept photo copies, blurred, or illegible internet coupons.
• Do not accept internet coupons for FREE products, unless it is an authorized coupon from Marsh.
• The amount of redeemed coupon can not exceed the price of the item.   Therefore, you do not get cash back.   However, the cashiers typically adjust the price of the coupon down to match the price of the product, in my experience.
• They reserve the right to ask customers for ID when accepting internet coupons.

4.) Marsh Store-Coupons and stacking to save. You can sometimes find Marsh store coupons in your local circular, in the Marsh e-newsletter, ValPak home mailer, in-store, and on the Marsh website.   Keep in mind, the coupons on the Marsh website are a mixture of store and manufacturer coupons.   Some manufacturer coupons have been “fed” from Coupons.com, which means if you print them on the Marsh website, you’ll be unable to print them on the Coupons.com website and vice versa due to print limits.   You can only stack coupons specifically marked as “Marsh Store Coupon” with manufacturer coupons.

5.) Marsh Mail = Exclusive Savings! Just because you got a Marsh Fresh I.D.E.A. card does not mean you’re signed up online!   Make sure you submit your e-mail address to get Marsh Mail.   Marsh Mail via e-mail often includes exclusive coupons, deals, tips, and more information to help you save money.

6. ) Marsh 4-Day FREEbie is Thursday – Sunday. Recently, Marsh has been offering an online exclusive Marsh store coupon good for a 4-day FREEbie printable coupon.     A new coupon is released each Wednesday and is good Thursday through Sunday with an additional purchase of $50 or more.   Limit 1 coupon per household.   I’m not sure how long this will last or if it’s a new permanent offer, but since most easily spend $50 or more on groceries, you definitely print out this hot coupon to get an extra FREEbie.   You can always donate it, if it’s not something your family will use.

7. ) Marsh offers rain checks on out-of-stock sale items. If an advertised product is out of stock, head to customer service to get a rain check for that product.   Rain checks are offered on out-of-stock advertised sale items only unless the advertisement states “while supplies last”, “no rain checks” or “quantities limited”.   Rain checks expire after 14 days.

8. ) Marsh has a scan-right guarantee. While not often advertised, the Marsh scan-right guarantee states that if a product rings up incorrectly (e.g. higher than the advertised price found in the circular and/or on the corresponding price tag in-store), you get that product FREE and every additional identical product purchased will be adjusted to the marked or in-ad price.

9. ) Marsh Kids’ Club = FREEbies for Kids (and in-store entertainment)! Sign up your kids for the Marsh Kids’ Club for fun FREEbies.   They’ll get a FREEbie each week when they show their card.   Every other week, the freebie is often an activity sheet with fun things to keep them busy while in-store and hanging out in the cart.   On alternating days the FREEbie is typically a fun product.   My kids have received a toothbrush, M&M’s, cookie, juice box, and so much   more   They love it!

10. ) Marsh Drugstore Rewards = FREEbies for You! Use the Marsh pharmacy?   Every time you fill a prescription at Marsh, you earn 1 point.   Get 10 points to get a FREE $10 Marsh Reward coupon that can be applied to your next grocery trip.

11. ) Marsh Baby Club = FREEbies for Baby! If you have a baby or toddler and spend a lot on formula, diapers, wipes, and baby food, make sure you pay attention to your receipt.   With each purchase of participating products, you’ll earn points and when you get 200 points, you earn a $10 Baby Club Reward FREE!

12. ) Marsh Fresh Ideas for Education – FREE Money for Schools! Make sure you register your Marsh Fresh I.D.E.A. Card with Fresh Ideas for Education and select a school to sponsor if you shop at Marsh.   While it won’t save you money, you will earn points for your school by simply shopping at Marsh.   Your school can redeem the points earned in their honor for cash, helping you make FREE cash donations to your school.

13.) Marsh participates in the UPromise Program = FREE Money for Education! Make sure you sign up for the UPromise Program and register your Marsh Fresh I.D.E.A. Card.   By doing so, you can earn FREE money for educational expenses for you, your kids, your niece, your neighbor, or whoever you’d like to help out.   If you shop at Marsh, you should definitely sign up and make use of this great program.   Plus, UPromise has special e-coupons that stack with any other coupon and/or rebate. The value of the coupon is not taken off your price, but is instead deposited into your UPromise account.

New to Marsh? Read Marsh 101: What You Need to Know to Save to get learn how to save at Marsh!   Also, check out more deal at Marsh and more store deals.

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Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting over at Delighting in the Days about making frilly and fun (and, of course, frugal) flip flops with and for your kids, and I’m excited to welcome Amy from Blogging with Amy to In Good Cents:

I consider myself frugal although not quite as adept at saving money, finding deals and using coupons as Beth! Like so many other families, we are very grateful for one income that pays the bills, but it doesn’t leave us a whole lot of cushion.

In our quest to pay off our mortgage early, I started exploring ways to not only decrease our spending, but increase our income. The internet is full of great opportunities to accomplish both. Beth does an excellent job of showing you how to save money and she has also talked about ways to make extra money. I thought I’d add a few more to her list:

1. Sell books (especially textbooks) on Amazon.

My husband and I have moved 7 times in 14 years of marriage and books are always a challenge to move. Several years ago, I realized we had been carting a bunch of our old textbooks around and those things are monsters! So, I became a book seller on Amazon and sold our used books. You’ll have to decide which books are worth selling and which are not, but I got $50 for some of those textbooks!

2. Sell on craigslist.

Are you sittin’ on cold, hard cash? Look around your house and in your garage. Do you have anything you could sell? If you’re like me, you’ve got a small pile of items you’re saving for that garage sale you’re going to have someday. The problem is, a garage sale takes a fair amount of work to pull off. I can never seem to muster up the oomph to make it happen. In the meantime, why not choose one thing from your stash — just one — and put it on craigslist? You might be surprised at how easy the process is and how quickly you could turn your pile of stuff into cash without a whole lot of garage-sale-sized effort! Need some craigslist selling tips? Try these and these (an older article, but still some good insight). My favorite tip is to arrange a sale not at your home but in a public place just to be safe.

3. Sell on Etsy.

If you’re a crafty type, why not sell your wares on a site like Etsy? I’m afraid I lack in the creativity department, so this is not something I’ve done personally, however, if you are good at your craft (and can take irresistible photos of your craft!), this might be a great option for you. Etsy makes set up and process of your storefront super easy. I’d recommend promoting your products through other means as well, such as providing complimentary items to bloggers who can review your product on their blog or hold a giveaway.

4. Start a blog.

I’m amazed at how many stay-at-home moms have created income as bloggers. (Check out Beth’s blogging tips if you haven’t already!) The thing I love about blogging is that virtually anyone can do it and the overhead is almost nothing. The internet is full of great resources to get you started and there are countless ways to create income (often referred to as “income streams”). There are companies you can sign up with who will pay you a little bit when you promote their products or campaigns (a.k.a affiliate marketing). You can also sell ad space on your blog, sell a service or produce your own product. A blog gives you an online presence around which you can build a business.

There’s no doubt about it, the internet has opened up a whole host of possibilities to increase income, even if it’s just a little at a time. All those cents certainly add up!

Amy Lynn Andrews is a stay-at-home mom turned work-at-home entrepreneur. She teaches others how to blog for profit step by step at BloggingWithAmy.com.

Visit Life…Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!

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In Good Cents is growing once again and to make sure I meet your   needs, I’m offering new ways to subscribe, so you don’t miss a deal!   Read over all the options and pick the one that best fits your needs.

Make sure to check out the More Ways to Follow and Get News for additional updates, exclusive news, and other information not found on In Good Cents.

RSS for Feed Reader

Subscribe to a lot of blogs, want instant updates, or prefer not to get updates by e-mail?   Then an RSS Subscription for your Feed Reader is for you!   You’ll get instant updates as they are posted to your selected Feed Reader.

New to RSS, but ready to give it a try?   Here’s are my favorite Feed Readers for you to try:

Feed Demon: If you like to organize, like me, I highly recommend Feed Demon.   It’s my favorite and what I personally use.   You can organize all of your subscriptions, just like e-Mails in your inbox.   Delete the ones you’ve already read, keep the ones you’d like to read later, move them to new folders, categorize them, or whatever you’d like.   It’s very powerful.   Plus, it integrates with Google Reader, so you can get your news on the go too!   Oh, and it’s FREE!

Google Reader: This reader is part of the Google collection.   You’ll visit Google Reader to see the latest updates for any blogs to which you subscribe.   Get instant updates as new updates are posted.   You can organize your blogs in folders, star your favorites to read later, see all updates, or choose only to see those you haven’t read yet.   Plus, you can get your news on your Android phone.   If you have an GMail account, you’re just have to activate Google Reader.   Oh, and it’s FREE too!

Daily e-Mail

The Daily e-Mail features all new deals listed in the past 24 hours.   Subscribers receive one e-mail per day from In Good Cents. e-Mails are distributed daily between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Any deals posted after 4:30 PM will be included in your e-mail on the following day.

Daily e-Mail for AOL or Prodigy Users

Often AOL and Prodigy users have issues receiving the In Good Cents e-Mails.   I now have an alternative Daily e-Mail for AOL or Prodigy Users for you!   This Daily e-Mail includes all new deals listed in the past 24 hours. Subscribers receive one e-mail per day from In Good Cents. e-Mails are distributed daily between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM Eastern Time.   Any deals posted after 3:30 PM will be included in your e-mail on the following day.

On-Demand e-Mail

If you prefer to get hot deals as more frequently, you may sign up for the On-Demand e-Mail. Every half hour, the system will check for new updates and if any are found, send on-demand subscribers an e-mail. You may receive approximately up to 12 e-mails per day, depending on how how many new deals are available that day and how frequently they are posted.

More Ways to Follow & Get News

Facebook: If you’re on Facebook, make sure you “Like” In Good Cents!   Not only do I post status updates when In Good Cents is updated, so you can get updates on your Facebook Wall, I also post reminders about deals that are ending soon, ask questions to get your opinions, discuss money saving ideas, answer questions, and sometime post exclusive deals you won’t see on the website, especially if they are deals that will be gone quickly.

Twitter: Fellow “Tweeps” can follow In Good Cents to get instant updates to their Twitter Feed when In Good Cents is updated with the title, as well as a link to the post.   With Twitter, you can get instant updates on your Smart Phone too.   I also post reminders about deals that are ending soon, share articles I’m reading on the web, share other deals I find from “Tweeps” I follow, and sometime post exclusive deals you won’t see on the website, especially if they are deals that will be gone quickly.

Tumblr: What to know what I’m reading on the internet?   I have many interests.   I may be reading articles on blogging, frugal living, parenting, or whatever else strikes my fancy.   I share what I’m reading through Tumblr.   You can get my Tumblr updates instantly by subscribing to In Good Cents on Tumblr on your Feed Reader or following on Twitter.

YouTube: Want to see me in action?   If I can get my kids to not scream in the background and ask me a billion questions while attempting to tape tips and advice, I share it on YouTube.   You can visit the In Good Cents YouTube Channel and subscribe for updates on new videos!

Cent Saving Daily: Want to see what’s going on in the Frugal Blogging World?   Subscribe to the Cent Saving Daily to see what is hot across the web from my favorite money-saving and frugal-living bloggers.   It’s released every morning, so you’ll get a daily update.

Important Note: If you are changing from the Daily e-Mail to the On-Demand e-Mail or making another e-mail subscription change, you may unsubscribe from your current e-mail delivery method by scrolling to the bottom of the your most current e-mail and using the “unsubscribe” link.

What’s your favorite way to follow In Good Cents and your favorite blogs? Looking for more subscription options or ways to follow In Good Cents, let me know!

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This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
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That painting pictured above… my extremely talented Grandma painted that by hand.   She is very artistic.   She paints designs on her wall and repaints things in her home.   That talent, unfortunately, skipped me.   I can’t draw a straight line without a ruler and even then, the final result will be questionable.   But, I got something else from her.

She loved decorating her home and making it beautiful.   Unfortunately, they didn’t have very much money when they first started out.   That didn’t stop her though.   She simply made her old things new.

Now, when the urge to redecorate strikes her, she calls me and usually drops off the things she’s getting rid of, just in case I want them.   We have completely different taste.   While she loves gold, I prefer silver.   While her house is done in deep maroons and navy, mine has a lot of black, baby blue, yellow, and brown.

At first, I would look through her items and say, “Grandma, I love you, but I really don’t like any of this.   It doesn’t even match my house!”   That’s when she taught me her greatest design secret.

Spray paint!

You can buy a can of spray paint at Walmart for only $0.98 in glossy or matte and with one or two coats turn a fading wooden table into a stylish modern black table.   Trust me.   I’ve done before!

I’m currently redoing a room in our house and want one of those beautiful walls full of family photos with different size frames, so I took a basket of random frames that my Grandma was getting rid of.   They were light wood, gold, dark wood, silver, and one was even maroon.   I simply bought one can of spray paint at Walmart and now they are all black, which will just pop against my light green walls, and I’m about to have that beautiful wall of photos that cost may others a small fortune.   And, I also snagged an old basket and even spray painted it to put in in the room.

And this is an metal shelf set that my Grandma had in her garage holding extra junk.   It was dirty from being in the garage and covered with chipping white paint.   While I was at it, I even spray painted that planter on the shelf black.   It used to be purple!

I’ve used spray paint to turn white lamp shades pink for the girl’s bedroom.   Old, but sturdy dark wooden small shelf white for a baby’s room.   And so many other things, I’ve lost track.   My   husband thinks I’m a bit nuts, dragging things outside to spray paint, but he doesn’t complain about the finished look, since it usually spruces up a room that was getting a bit boring.

So, that beautiful painting at the beginning of this article.   My grandma may have painted it, but that faded and chipped wooden frame around it was spray painted by me, along with a few others for only $0.98.

I do recommend keeping in mind the cost of buckets of paint.   At Walmart, a quart of black gloss paint cost over $8.   If you’re going to paint some thing large that will take a few coats, you may have to take the slow route and hand paint it to save money.   However, spray paint is so quick, gets into the cracks, and covers it perfectly, that it’s perfect to change the color of the accents in your room or small furniture.

Any affordable tips to spruce up rooms that need a change?   Share!

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I’m so excited to announce that coming in early June, I’ll be hosting the Summer Fun in Indiana series!

The Frugal Indy series has been so popular, especially with parents, that I wanted to expand.   So many of you   looking for ways to entertain your family this summer.   When it comes to family tips and outings, we all know that staying close to home is one big way to save money.

Join me as I not only share some of my   favorite   family-friendly places to visit in Indiana and, of course, tell you ways to save on your visit, but also give you an opportunity to win prizes, like a tickets to visit, family memberships, and more!

This is going to be one fun summer in Indiana!

So, fellow Hoosiers… What’s your favorite place to visit in the summer?   Favorite summer festival?   Favorite summer event?   What do you hope will be featured in the Summer Fun in Indiana series?

** Coming in Early June **

Want more changes to win?   Make sure to check out The Average Parent’s Indiana Tour & Giveaway Bash for more chance to win big on fun family-friendly things to do in Indiana!

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With the popularity of TLC’s Extreme Couponing, couponing is on the rise, along with coupon fraud.   Many techniques used to save on the show are in question and the Coupon Information Corporation, who policies coupon fraud, is responding to and looking into allegations.

A lot of questions have been coming my way.   Some want help “extreme couponing”, others simply want to learn to save, and some just have questions, but it’s obvious that the show has caused some serious confusion.   As I’ve been reading through the drama online, I’ve been Tumbling articles that interest me, so you can read them as well.

I wanted to take some time today to help you navigate through all the confusion and help you avoid coupon fraud.

An Important Note about TLC’s Extreme Couponing

The shopping trips shown TLC’s Extreme Coupon are not typical results.   Store policies on coupon limits were waived and some questionable   couponing tactics were used.   If you watch the show, watch it for entertainment purposes only, but check any techniques before you try them yourself!

What is coupon fraud?

This definition is taken from the Coupon Information Center:

Coupon fraud occurs whenever someone intentionally uses a coupon for a product that he/she has NOT purchased or otherwise fails to satisfy the terms and conditions for redemption, when a retailer submits coupons for products they have not sold or that were not properly redeemed by a consumer in connection with a retail purchase; or when coupons are altered/counterfeited. These activities are almost always in violation of Federal, State or local laws.

Why Understanding & Avoiding Coupon Fraud is Important

1. It’s illegal!
2. The Coupon Information Center has not lost a case since they began in May of 1986, so you don’t want to be up against them.
3. 3-5 years in prison is a common sentence for committing coupon fraud (longest sentence: 17 years)
4. Fines are often in the excess for $200,000 (highest fine: $5 million)
5. Coupon fraud hurts everyone – the stores, the manufacturers, and   consumers.

How to Avoid Coupon Fraud

Coupons are a contract and the controlling barcodes are merely a method of processing coupons, so any use of a coupon to produce a product other than stated in the plain language of the coupon is considered fraudulent.

-Bud Miller, Executive Director of Coupon Information Corporation

The text on a coupon is a contract.   By using that coupon you are agreeing to the terms and conditions and legally   responsible if you choose to redeem that coupon against those terms.

To avoid coupon fraud read the coupon and redeem as specified.

Common Examples of Coupon Fraud

Many don’t realize their committing coupon fraud, but here are a few common examples:

1. Using a scanner, printer, or copier to make copies of coupons.
2. Using expired coupons, unless the store specifically states in their coupon policy that they do accept expired coupons.
3. Using coupons on products other than the product specified in the print (e.g. using a coupon for Original Cheerios on Honey Nut Cheerios).
4. Using a coupon for a product or size excluded by the fine print on the coupon (e.g. using a coupon that says “excludes trial size” on a trial size product).
5. Using the coupon when purchasing a different quantity than specified on the coupon (e.g. using a coupon for $0.50/2 on a single product instead of 2).
6. Altering and/or modifying a coupon in any way.
7. Using a coupon any way other than how it is specified on the coupon.

More Resources

• Extreme Couponing vs. Realistic Couponing
• Deciphering the Coupon’s Fine Print
• Tips to Spot a Fraudulent Coupon
• Coupon Ethics: Couponing with Grace

On a side note… If you haven’t read, the Coupon Information Corporation and other industry experts have offered to work with TLC to make Extreme Couponing more educational and help them avoid teaching questionable and illegal techniques on their show.   TLC declined.   That tells me that they are more interested in the drama of the show, then actually teaching families to save.

Are you still watching TLC’s Extreme Couponing? It hasn’t gone over well with me from the start and I only watched one episode after many of my readers started talking about it.   But for me, saving money is more about common sense, getting what we need, and helping others.   So, I’d going to waste my time watching Modern Family instead.

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I got an e-mail today   from a website I love that offered FREE coupons and samples, so I signed up and was taken to one of those dreaded never-ending spam offer pages.   You know what I’m talking about.   The ones where you have to fill out long surveys and click “Next”, “Now”, and “Skip” when it’s available… and you do it again, and again, until you either give up and leave the site or eventually get to whatever you were trying to see in the first place.

Well, I never got past the registration.   Instead I was redirected to another website that wanted me to sign up for more FREE samples that I knew was a site that would launch into another round of never-ending spam offers.

This is the 3rd time this week I’ve ended up with a not-so-great deal that was more work than help.   So, while I’m ranting, here’s a few warnings for you.

• ShoppyBag:   This “exclusive” social shopping site won’t let you register on their website.   Instead, when your friends sign up using their GMail e-mail address and password, it uses their account to send automatic invitations to everyone in their contact list stating that your friend “tagged you in a photo”.   To stop these e-mails, click “unsubscribe” at the bottom of one you receive.   And just so you know, there’s no photo of you on the site.

• HomeRun: While not as sneaky as ShoppyBag, HomeRun is also racking up some bad reviews!   Like ShoppyBag, you sign up with your e-mail account, giving them access to your entire contact list.   However, instead of just sending e-mails to your friends, they tempt you to opt in by saying you’ll get a FREE gift by sharing with your friends.   Your friends will get an e-mail saying you sent them a FREE gift, but they have to sign up, give Homerun access to their contact list, and share too.   From what I’ve read, their daily deal site is legitimate and you may get a FREE gift out of it.   I’m just not sure it’s worth it.

I think we may all need to read this article to remind us about do’s and don’ts when online.   It gave me a laugh!

So, to sum this up, if you want to spend a lot of time to get FREE coupons and samples, please let me know if you ever get past the registration to the actual page or if it’s just an endless loop of bad offers.

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Before I shop online, I always check for coupon codes to save even more.   Representing over 2,500 stores, DealTaker.com is a great source for savings like Overstock coupon codes and daily hand-picked hot deals online.

It’s simple to get started.

1. Visit the website at DealTaker.com.
2. Where you see   “Type your search here…” type the name of the store you’re shopping, like “OshKosh”
3. You’ll “Coupon Results” with example coupons.   Click the store logo to see all the deals and coupons available.
4. Then scroll down and view the coupons available.
5. Before selecting a coupon, I always like to read the comments to see if anyone had had problems using the coupon or has found any special restrictions.
6. When you select your coupon, click “Get Coupon”.   You may be directed to the website where your coupon or deal is automatically applied, or you may receive a coupon code to use upon checkout.
7. You can “Like” coupons to share them with your friends on Facebook, share them on Twitter, or e-mail them to friends and family!

You can also check out the “Deals” tab for retail and internet deals found or visit the forums to discuss deals.

Another wonderful feature is the “Travel” tab which is full of deals on hotels, flights, and everything you need to go on vacation, just in time for spring break!   I’m currently researching discounts for our trip to Chicago for our American Girl Adventure this summer.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored on behalf of DealTaker.com.   Regardless of compensation, all opinions are my   own.   For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.

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First, for those of you who haven’t been following my Monday Meal Plans, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is a produce delivery service in the Midwest, specializing in organic and locally grown produce.

I’ve been trying hard to get our family on a healthier diet, including more fresh fruits and vegetables in our meals.   When Green B.E.A.N. Delivery asked me to work with them, it was perfect timing.   However, I wasn’t sure how frugal the idea of having organic vegetables delivered to your home would be.

You can select a bin size based on your needs – Small, Medium, or Large.   For a family of 5, I selected the Large Bin to be delivered every other week for $49.   In addition to bins, you can also add organic and local groceries to your order from meats to dairy and everything in between.   They even have Weekly Specials, where you can see what’s on sale for the week, adding to to your order.

My kids and I are produce lovers, but I married a man who only eats fruits and vegetables by force.   So, when our first bin arrived, my heart dropped.   It was full to the brim with the most appetizing vegetables I’d ever seen.   The asparagus was huge, the apples were out of this world delicious and perfectly shaped, and even the mushrooms (I hate mushrooms), were delicious.   I knew I was going to love this and scared my husband wouldn’t.

Shockingly enough, after the first week, even my vegetable-hating husband said, “We can’t get asparagus like this at the grocery store.”   And he was right.   Maybe if I drove to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, but it’s far from my home and not convenient when I’m lugging around 3 kids who tire of shopping quickly.

The frugal side of me had to know if we were paying a fortune for home delivery.   So, I did some research and I found that the prices of the produce was comparable or less than the cost at a organic grocer.   I was sold.   And, shockingly enough, that vegetable-hating husband of mind, reminded me to make sure I continued our delivery just this morning!   In fact, since I was trying to buy more fresh product, I was already spending $25 a week of our $50 budget in the produce section.   During the month of March, we alternated grocery shopping and having the produce delivered… and it worked, not effecting our budget at all.   I’m still in shock about this, but it’s true.

Bottom line: We’re continuing our service, because we can’t find produce of this quality at grocery stores within a reasonable distance from our home and the convenience of home delivery is such a something I can’t let go of now.

Benefits:

• Organic, Locally Grown, and/or Sustainably Grown Product
• Delivered straight to your door in a refrigerated container, so you don’t have to be home to accept your delivery
• Customizable, if you’d like to change your bin
• Additional groceries available and weekly sale specials for good deals
• High-quality produce
• Outstanding customer service (that’s important to me!)
• Easy online auto-payment options

Want to try it out?   Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is available in the following areas:

• Indianapolis
• Cincinnati
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Louisville
• Fort Wayne (Coming Soon!)

And make sure to mention that you were referred by In Good Cents!

Disclosure: Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is kindly providing me with two trial weeks to share my opinions with you.   Regardless, as always, my opinions are 100% honest and my own.

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Today, I’m taking some time to introduce you to my wonderful Blissdom sponsor, Cheep! and tell you how they can save you time and money online!   Watch this video to see how you can sign up and how it works for you.

Sign up for Cheep! at getcheep.com/signup?t=ingoodcents and you can follow me on Cheep! at http://getcheap.com/user/ingoodcents!

Make sure you’re following In Good Cents on YouTube Channel for e-courses, savings how-to’s, grocery trip examples, and more!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Cheep!, however all opinions are, as always, my own.   For more information, please check out my Disclosure Policy.

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Diapers are a big expense for families.   The average child wears 6 diapers per day for 3 years!   That’s 6,570 diapers per child that you’ll buy, not including the diapers that you don’t use, because your baby outgrows them too quickly.   You could end up paying as much a $3,000 for diapers for one child.

Today we’re going to look at the cost of diapers and because my youngest is in a size 4 and pees through everything, except Huggies Little Movers, that’s what I’m going to use to show you why I buy a lot of jumbo pack diapers.   This is one example of a product I’m brand-loyal to, like many parents.

Below is a slide showing different package sizes of Huggies Size 4 Little Movers available and the average price in my area.   The final line tells you how much you’d pay per year, if you always bought that box of diapers.

First, I’d like to point out that this is a perfect example of “bigger isn’t always better”.   See how the prices go down, until you get to the Large-Size box.   Then, prices start to go up again.   Looking at this, buying Large-Size packages of diapers would be your best value.   In fact, you’d spend a little under $2,000 purchasing that box of diaper for 3 years for your child.

Now, Huggies is great about coupons.   They often offer $3/1 coupons online and if you sign up with them, you get $1.50-$3 coupon by mail monthly.   Every time a $3/1 coupon is available, I print as many as possible, because I’ll use them.   The slide below shows you if you apply that $3/1 coupon to a typical sale price that’s often found, how much you’d save.

Suddenly, those jumbo pack diapers are looking a lot more appealing, aren’t they?   Often, applying a large   coupon to a small product, saves you the most money.   Imagine if you factored in Extra Care Bucks, rock-bottom prices, and other great deals, how much you could save.   However, simply switching from the Large-Size to Jumbo-Size and using a high-value coupon with a typical sale price, will save you almost $600 for one child.

Yes, that’s only $200 a year or $16 a month, but imagine if you applied this principle to everything you purchased – toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc… You’d really start to see the savings add up.

Take Away

1. Calculate unit prices after a coupon is factored in to find the best value.
2. Often applying a high-value coupons to a smaller-size package will save you the most.
3. Bigger is not always better.

Don’t forget to checkout Examining Costs: Buying Chicken for the Family to find out how to save more.

P.S. Yes, I realize I’d save even more if I used cloth diapers :)

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One of my favorite ways to have frugal family fun, is Family Movie Night.   To keep it entertaining for everyone, we alternate who picks the movie each week.   Each person gets a chance to select the movie we all watch as a family.   The only rule is that it has to be “family appropriate”.

This means, that every time it’s my 3-year-old’s turn, we watch a princess movie, with my 6-year-old we enjoy a lot of Barbie movies, and my husband gets us watching the more recent kids movies, like Toy Story 3.   So, what about me?   I love sharing old classics with my children.   While some, like the black and white version of Miracle on 34th Street, completely flop, others, like Annie, have become their new favorites!

So, step one is to keep it frugal!   We make popcorn at home with our trusted air popper.   The kids fill it up too full and laugh as   popcorn shoots out and missed the bowl.   We make our own pizzas and breadsticks, which is messy fun for the kids.   And, we use Swag Bucks to get FREE movies on Amazon On-Demand, rental codes to get FREE movies from Redbox or Blockbuster, or pick up movies from Blockbuster or Redbox for only $1.

Each movie night can be an adventure and just getting ready is half of the fun!

The Food

1. Handmade Personal Pizzas
2. Kiddie Kabobs
3. Waffle Sandwiches
4. Home-Popped Popcorn (try adding fun flavors to see what you get)
5. Homemade Cookies
6. Baked Chicken Strips
7. Baked Chicken Nachos
8. Breakfast for Dinner (eggs, pancakes, etc…)
9. Hot Dog Spaghetti
10. Make-Your-Own Snack Mix

Getting Affordable Movies

1. Your Personal Movie Library
2. Disney’s 8:00 Movie (check line-up for dates/times)
3. ABC Family   8:00 Movie (check line-up for dates/times)
4. $1 Redbox Rentals (or FREE with code)
5. $1 Blockbuster Rentals (or FREE with code)
6. Amazon On-Demand (p.s.a. $0.99)
7. Your Local Library
8. Borrow or Trade with Friends & Family
9. On-Demand From Your Cable Provider (Mine has some FREE and super cheap!)
10. Yard Sales & Consignment Sales

And, from my family to yours, here is our top Family Movie Night movie recommendations to get you started:

Izy’s Top 10

1. Sleeping Beauty
2. The Little Mermaid
3. Beauty & The Beast
4. Tangled
5. The Little Mermaid: Return to the Sea
6. Santa Paws
7. Barbie & The Diamond Castle
8. Barbie & The Island Princess
9. The Princess & The Frog
10. Aladdin

Ady’s Top 10

1. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (or ANY, she says!)
2. Barbie in a Mermaid’s Tale
3. Barbie in a Fashion Fairytale
4. The Santa Claus (1, 2, AND 3)
5. Snow White
6. Camp Rock (1 AND 2)
7. High School Musical (1, 2, AND 3)
8. Alice in Wonderland (original)
9. Alice in Wonderland (2010 Version)
10. Annie

Scott’s Top 10

1. The Incredibles
2. Hook
3. Finding Neverland
4. The Sandlot
5. Up
6. Cars
7. Toy Story (1, 2, AND 3)
8. Finding Nemo
9. Monsters, Inc.
10. Pinocchio

Beth’s Top 10 (it’s really the BEST one!) }

1. Anne of Green Gables
2. The Princess Bride
3. Charlotte’s Pig
4. The Parent Trap
5. Little Women
6. The Sound of Music
7. Willow
8. Short Circuit
9. Batteries Not Included
10. The Last Unicorn

Can you tell we’re a Disney family?

You’re turn! Want to brag about your latest shopping trip, share your frugal story, offer a tip to save money as a family, teach us a fun thrifty craft, or some other frugal family fun?   Send your story to ingoodcents@gmail.com or submit it online!

Don’t forget to fill out the Reader Survey to tell me about you, what you love, and what you’d enjoy!

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I mentioned that, even though we have been buying necessities, I’ve slacked on truly shopping and saving for a while.   I guess I just needed a break.   We all do and it’s okay!   Now, we’ve almost completely depleted our stockpile. and I’m working to replenish it.   With a stockpile on hand, I can use my budget each week to keep the stockpile stocked well without paying full price.

I’ve mentioned before that to stockpile you simply need enough to get you through to the next great sale, so approximately 6-12 weeks.

Step one, is to reorganized my coupon stash.   Many of you have seen my no-clip organization system, which works for me and saves me time.   With a good stockpile, I was okay not getting every deal and letting a few things slide by, if I didn’t happen to clip the coupon.   If it was something I really wanted, I could always come back later.   However, to replenish our stockpile quickly, I need all my coupons with me, so I won’t miss a great deal.

Here’s how my daughters and I worked together to take my massive pile of inserts and organize them into a cute CD holder I found for $7 at Walmart!   It took A LOT less time than I expected, thanks to my crazy daughters who like to clip coupons.

Make sure you’re following In Good Cents on YouTube Channel for e-courses, savings how-to’s, grocery trip examples, and more!

Stay tuned… my grocery trip is coming soon.

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Chicken is a popular food, since it’s a healthy meat, most people enjoy it, and it can be easily cooked in a variety of ways.   In fact, the average American family of four eats 241.6 pounds of chicken per year.   Lets think about that a bit.

I’ve mentioned before, that I buy whole chickens, normally priced around $0.88 per pound at Kroger or Sam’s Club.   I can use the chicken for multiple meals and to make chicken stock for other recipes.   Sure, it’s not as easy as buying chicken breasts.   It’s definitely more work.   Is it worth it?

Taking a looking at this, the average family could save $265 per year by buying whole chickens, instead of chicken breasts.   Yes, it’s not going to help you retire early or send your kids to collage, but it’s just a start.   You can apply the same principle to other poultry, like turkey.

Meat freezes well for up to 6-12 months, if properly sealed.   When shopping for turkey, pork, chicken, ham, and beef, I try to aim for $0.99 per pound or lower.   That’s not always an easy price to find for all meats, especially if you want quality, but it does happen.   When it does, I buy a lot and it saves me a lot!

Note: The prices above are based on the average family of four consuming 241.6 pounds of chicken per year.   That would be 4.64 pounds per week.   I’ve used a “good” sale price in my area for both, so if you don’t shop sales, you’d be paying more. Averages prices do vary by location.   Prices used are typical sale prices in Indiana.

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Looking to track your finances and save more this year?   Mint.com, owned and operated by Quicken, is a FREE online financial management system that I would highly recommend you try out!

For absolutely FREE, you can:

• Create a Budget
• Set & Track Goals
• and More

Mint.com actually tracks your spending, then will automatically classify purchases for you into your budget categories.   You can even get alerts when any suspicious activity occurs with your accounts.

Check it out.   Like I said, it’s FREE!

Who said that nothing in life is FREE?   Checkout the latest FREEbies to get more stuff for nothing!

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The number one New Year’s resolution this year is to lose weight!   It’s my husbands.   Not surprising, since it’s always been a popular one, but unfortunately 25% of New Years resolutions fail within the very first week.

I’m not a dietitian, so I don’t have the expertise to help you lose weight.   My area of expertise is saving money and I can tell you that you don’t have to spend more to get healthier food.

If your resolution this year is to lose weight or eat healthier, here’s some helpful tips & resources, to also help you save money!

• Register online for manufacturer newsletters!   You can get coupons and exclusive savings via e-mail or snail mail.
  • SlimFast Meal Planning   Tools & Exclusive Savings
  • Adkins Exclusive Savings & Tools
  • Lean Cuisine Printable Coupons & Exclusive Savings
  • Kellogg’s Special K Printable Coupons & Tools
  • Weight Watcher’s Smart Ones Exclusive Savings & Tips
  • South Beach Exclusive Savings & Tips
• Keep your eyes peeled for weight-loss FREEbies this time of year!
  • Slim-Fast FREE 2-Week Sample Menu Plan
  • 3 FREE Atkins Bars & Weight-Loss Kit
  • FREE Lean Cuisine Lunch Tote Rebate
  • Weight Watchers: Registration-Fee Waived Through March 3rd
  • South Beach FREE Diet Profile
• Also, check out this list for Organic & All-Natural Coupons, since simply eating right is a healthy way to get your body in shape.
• Many gyms will have discounted membership and other enticements to get you to sign up.   If it motivates you and you have the funds, go for it.   However, remember you don’t have to go to the gym to lose weight.   Play tag with your kids, dance in your home, run up and down your stairs, and go for a walk with your family (when it gets warmer).
• Cook more and eat a home.   It’s frugal and much healthier!
• Order water and fun salads at restaurants to save money and eat better.   Maybe add some lemon to that water for more flavor.
• Don’t buy snacks and sweets.   If you don’t have it in your home, your craving for chocolate tends to disappear a bit easier if you have to drive to the store to get it.

Hopefully, you and my husband succeed!   Me?   I am a failure typically when it comes to diets, especially fad diets.   But, no one knows me better than I do.   I love sweets and cereal, so the Kellogg’s Special K diet is the one that I tend to stick with and works best for me.   The Special K Vanilla Almond cereal is so good, I could probably live off of it for an indefinite amount of time.

If you wanted diet advice from me, it would be to not try a diet that doesn’t appeal to you.   If it’s too much work and miserable for you, you’ll definitely end up quitting.   So, take some time to think about what you enjoy and how you can use that to lose weight and eat healthier!   You may have to get creative, but it will be much more fun than forcing down low-carb meals for weeks on end.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

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• Are manufacturers or stores losing money through coupons?
  
• Is all of this too good to be true and soon they’ll stop handing out coupons and offering such great deals?
  
• Are you worried about hurting stores and manufacturers by using coupons?
  
• Someone has to be losing money on this, don’t they?
  

I get asked this a lot in one form or another.   In fact, my own husband often asks when I come home from shopping, “Don’t you worry that someday they’ll figure out you’re getting stuff for free and stop you?”

My answer, “Umm… no.   Not really.”

So, why don’t I worry?   Well, I was in marketing before I became a stay-at-home mom, so I understand how things work behind the scene.   And, I know stores and manufacturers wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t profitable.

First coupons have been around since 1894 and usages fluctuates up and down each year.   In 1975, an average of 65% of households used coupons in some fashion, so by now it’s a well thought out process by most big-name companies.   There’s a reason you always see big brands like P&G and General Mills releasing coupons and even their own inserts.   They’ve realized it’s a money maker and great advertising.

While coupon usage is up and extreme couponing has become popular, many stores and manufacturers are hopping on board. For them, it’s promote brand awareness.   Even if consumers pass the coupon by, they still see the product in the ad.

Fictional Example

Let’s say a company wants to promote it’s new razor.

Note: Keep in mind, I completely made these prices up just for an example!   I inflated coupon usage to make it more visible.

Now, in all actuality, the percent of coupons actually redeemed is lower, so really you’d see a lot less coupons and a lot more profit.   Plus, we haven’t factored in those who bought refill blades to go with their new razor.   And, of course, I’m leaving out a lot of the logistics, like paying employees, the company who sorts all of those coupons and the mailing for them, and all those extra costs.   But, you get the picture.

So… now who lost money by me and you picking up a FREE razor?   I’d say no one.

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Need some new tips to help you become a Savvy Shopper?

Proctor & Gamble is amazing when it comes to helping you save money!   They have coupons everywhere – online, in newspapers, in magazines, and so many other places.   Plus, they are always a participating item in in-stores Mega Sales and Gift Card Deals.   That’s just one of the reasons their products are so popular.   And, it doesn’t hurt that as a trusted brand, you know you’re going to love what you buy.

Now, they are giving you a new way to save by offering tips to help you take your savings to the next level!   For the next two weeks, “Like” P&G Everday Solutions on Facebook to get tips from me as their Featured Guest Blogger!   This week, I”m sharing ways to take your savings to the next level and next week, I’ll be sharing ways to make saving even more fun.

Don’t miss a Savvy Shopper Secret!   Plus, check out a few of my favorite P&G Brands:

Love saving?   Make sure you haven’t missed any great coupons recently!

Disclosure: By request, I am participating as P&G Everyday Solutions Featured Guest Blogger this week, however as always, all opinions and tips shared are my own opinions regardless of affiliation.

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I’m so excited!   Cyber Monday is Monday, November 29th, so it’s time to get you ready for the deals.

First, since 1/3rd of shoppers still don’t know about Cyber Monday, let me explain.   Cyber Monday is like Black Friday online.   Each year, hundreds of online stores offer discounts to holiday shoppers online for one-day only.   Some stores may offer the exact same deals as they did in-store on Black Friday, while others may offer new deals.   Some may be better than Black Friday and some may not.   But, either way, there will be some very hot deals appearing online!

Just like with Black Friday, I’ll be here scouting deals and posting them as I find them!   Some deals will only be available for a limited time.   To take advantage, you’ll have to be ready.

Here’s my tips to help you shop savvy on Cyber Monday:

1.       To make sure you don’t miss a limited-time only deal, subscribe with a Feed Reader via RSS or check the Cyber Monday Hot Finds List often throughout the day, since some deals are only available for a limited time.   Also, follow via Facebook or Twitter, since I’ll be sharing a few smaller deals there!

2.       Just like with Black Friday, make a shopping list and include regular prices for comparison.

3.       Check out the list of Coupon Codes and Sales available for Cyber Monday before shopping.   Many exclusive deals are available through the links provided.

4.     Looking for something particular?   Share what’s on your list by leaving a comment, Tweet it to @ingoodcents or let me know on Facebook and, I’ll know what deals you’d like to see!

5.     Sign up for Cash Back Programs to save even more by getting money back when you shop online.

6.   To be a Savvy Shopper, Firefox browsers can install shopper add-ons like Invisible Hand to see if there are better prices on other websites or RetailMeNot to find any coupons available.

7.   Remember, shipping and handling applies.   Many sites will be offering FREE shipping, but make sure to check and factor that in to your price.   If the Pillow Pets (normally $19.99) are $5, but you have to pay $15 shipping, you really aren’t getting a deal at all.

8.   Don’t go crazy!   Remember, not every sale is a good deal.   There will definitely be some hot deals available, but don’t buy things you don’t need, won’t use, can’t afford, or are unsure about!   Buying something just because it’s cheap, is usually not a good deal!

9. Be safe! Remember to only shop through trusted sites, don’t shop on public networks, and be smart when shopping online.

10.   And finally, if you find a great deal, share it with me, so I can share it with everyone else!   Or send it to me via Facebook or Twitter!

Happy shopping!

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The following guest post was written by Dana of Not Made of Money:

Save on Winter Heating with These Three Tips

As the colder weather of winter sets in, you may be thinking of a couple of different things. On one hand, if you’re anything like me, you’re thinking ahead to the holidays and planning special events for your family. On a less exciting note, though, you probably find yourself starting to worry about the hefty heating bills that come with the colder weather. Whether your home uses electricity, propane, or natural gas to heat itself, you can bet that you’re going to see higher utility bills in the coming months.

If the thought of trying to fit higher utility bills into your monthly budget is causing you to freak out a little, try not to panic. Although nothing will completely insulate you from having higher utility bills in the winter, you can follow these three easy tips to try to minimize your increase.

Check for drafts. The biggest threat to your home’s utility heating efficiency has to be the cold air from outdoors. Thoroughly inspect your home, focusing around windows and doors especially, for any gaps or air leaks. Use caulk to plug gaps and install weather stripping around doors to keep your heated air inside the house and the cold air outside the house.

Set your thermostat and leave it alone. Once you’ve chosen the appropriate temperature for your home (we try to stick to sixty-eight degrees), don’t be tempted to bump the thermostat up a degree or two on chilly days. You should also avoid turning the thermostat up when you’re in a hurry to heat the house. Turning up the thermostat won’t make your house heat any faster. (If you have a programmable thermostat, however, you can program the thermostat to drop the temperature in the house when it’s empty or everyone is in bed.)

Use your home’s window dressings to make the most of Mother Nature’s heating system. Open the curtains on southern-facing windows during daylight hours. As soon as the sun sets, though, close the curtains back up to keep the cold night air from chilling the room.

Save On Winter Heating With These Three Tips was reprinted with permission from NotMadeofMoney.com

Dana Joseph (otherwise known as Mrs. Not Made of Money), is a  SAHM  to 4 adorable kiddos.   She writes the personal finance blog “Not Made of Money” with her husband where they share  money saving tips to help people live a debt free life.

Love hearing from new viewpoints & experiences?   Read more great guest posts on In Good Cents or find out how to be a guest blogger to contribute too!

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For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Those wonderful Black Friday Deals I told you about are on their way.   Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year!   If you’ve never been before, it can be overwhelming and it’s even stressful for us old pros.   But, is it worth it?   It can be.   Like with all sales, Black Friday has it’s ups and downs.

Packed stores, slashed prices, mass chaos, crazy shoppers, full parking lots, insane hours.   It’s all part of Black Friday.   Here are my tips for surviving and saving on Black Friday!

Note: Black Friday is Friday, November 25, 2010, followed by Cyber Monday on Monday, November 28, 2010.

Make a List. Black Friday can be a rush.   You’re flying from store to store, the aisles are littered with enticing products, and everyone is grabbing stuff off the shelf.   It can be hard to even think in these conditions, so make sure you don’t have to!   Sit down before Black Friday (like now) and start making a list of everyone you have to buy for, along with ideas of what you’d like to buy them.   Also, research regular prices for these items and jot them down on your list, so you know what is really on sale.

Devise a Plan of Attack. To make the most out of Black Friday, be organized!   Read those circulars cover to cover to know when doors open, any special sales notes (for example, some stores offer and extra 10% off for shopping before a certain time), and what you’d like to buy at each store.   Try to buy as much as you can in as few stores as possible, so save yourself from running all over town.   Now, map out a route, taking into consideration when stores open and what is most important on your list.

Bust the Doors. If you are really going to shop Black Friday, then you are REALLY going to have to get up early.   Lines form outside some stores before it’s light outside, so if there is something big that you really want inside that store, you’d better be there too.

The Look. Here’s an embarrassing secret.   The night before Black Friday, I take a shower, pick out comfortable clothes, set shoes on my dresser, and go to bed.   Then my alarm clock goes off at a time that shouldn’t even exist, I put those shoes on, brush my teeth, put my hair in a ponytail and go.   No one is looking at you.   They are looking at the sales, so be comfortable.   Dress light, so you don’t over heat.   Wear comfortable shoes.   Carry the circular, a calculator, your plan of attack, and a that all important list I had you make.

Shop Alone. Many will tell you that the buddy system is the way to go, but I don’t believe it.   In my opinion, the buddy system will slow you down, since you’ll have to wait for someone else.   To get in and out of stores with everything on your list, leave the family and friends at home to brag to later and head out alone.   If you have to bring a friend, tag team your list and make sure you’re really helping each other.   Yes, it’s less fun, but it is more efficient.

Be Patient. You are going to wait in line.   You’re going to wait in lines to get into stores, you’re going to wait in line to get down aisles, you’re going to wait in line to check out, and you’re going to wait in line in the parking lot.   So, take a deep breath and accept it.   Then, take a page from my book, and talk to everyone in line with you.     It makes time go faster and you may make a new friend.

Hide Inside & Shop Online. Want another great secret?   98% of Black Friday sales are happening online too!   So, if you don’t want to wade through crowds of shoppers and get up so early that even coffee won’t help, don’t.   Just hit your computer and check out the same or similar sales online.   And, don’t forget.   After Black Friday comes Cyber Monday, which is like the equivalent of Black Friday online.

Keep Proof! When you get home, sit down and wade through what you bought.   Hopefully, you were smart, buying from your list and didn’t get so caught up, you ended up with more than you know what to do with.   However, keep your receipts and gift receipts just in case you have buyers remorse or someone you bought for needs to make a return.

Will you be hitting the stores this Black Friday or hiding in bed?

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This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #12 sponsored by Peter Pan, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Our #12 challenge was to give!

As I mentioned, the more you manage your budget and learn to save, the easier giving is for you.   When you’re struggling, giving things away can be so hard.   But, when you start getting a few FREEbies and snagging amazing deals, suddenly, it’s not so hard to give a bit of it away to those who need it.

I must say, when we started this, we didn’t know how it would go.   I hoped to help others save and I got chills reading their final posts.   I’m so proud (LOL!).

But, how did our challengers do? Read on to find out and check out their sites for full details! And don’t forget to link-up your own wrap-ups!

- – Alli ‘n Son – -

Alli is still working on this week’s challenge, as she gathers great deals together to donate.   She loves the way it feels, making someone else’s life a bit easier, without causing financial strain to her family.

Quote from Alli ‘n Son -
“Some of the challenges took a lot of work and pre-planning at first. But I’ve found that the more I do them, like coupon/sale shopping and rewards programs, they become more second nature. And the more money they save me.”

“I’m putting together a box of items {including a jar or two of Peter Pan Peanut Butter, who graciously sent me 4 jars for taking part of this challenge!} that I will be donating to our local food pantry or woman’s shelter in a month or two. Once I’ve accumulated enough items to make it donation-worthy.”

Find out what Allie’s goals are as she continues to cut her budget!

- – Better in Bulk – -

Laura is feeling more confident now with her budget!   She not only donated to her children’s school this week, but also to a homeless shelter.

Quote from Better in Bulk -
“And now? Three months later, I am feeling more confident with my budget and I am saving money. I use a hand full of coupons at every shopping trip, and I am finally convinced that coupon shopping is the way to go (when combined with in-store sales, of course). I love reading my receipts after each shopping trip and seeing that I am saving around 50% on each visit. I am well on my way to mastering rolling rewards, and I am determined to keep going with it. And best of all, my cupboards have food on them and I’m using those items and wasting less.“

“I was thrilled to find a donation box at my kids’ elementary school where I could donate some of the extra school supplies that we gathered by shopping the back to school sales. Yes, believe it or not, although I shopped for 5 kids’ back to school supplies, even I ended up with extra folders, notebooks, pencils, and erasers. And composition books. Don’t forget the composition books.”

Find out what else Laura donated!

- – The Good-Son Family Journey – -

Mitzi is excited, now living on one income, to continue to saving and can’t wait to see her savings!   She did amazing this week at Babies ‘R Us!   Even I’m impressed!!!

Quote from The Good Son Family Journey -
“I am so happy to have been a party of such a wonderful & amazing teaching challenge; just the other day I had my greatest saving moment yet.   I walked into Babies R Us & purchased a 140 count box of Pampers, 2 new silverware sets for B & some new hangers & paid ZERO DOLLARS!!!“

“This week we had to give something away so I cleaned out my closet & gave what I had to a local battered women & children’s shelter.   I also used my coupon savvyness to get some of the more personal items that they are always in need of from CVS, Walgreens, & Kroger.”

Find out how Mitzie plans to continue saving on one income!

- – Rudy Family Rukus – -

Brandie’s excited she made through and learned a lot.

Quote from Rudy Family Rukus -

“I realized that not only can I save money but I can also live greener and teach my kids great habits as well.  We are eating more healthy and here at home. ““We did eat out today but it was a special occasion.  We met our “daddy” for lunch.  I was thrilled that the restaurant we chose was having a buy a fortune cookie for $2 and get the chance to donate to St. Jude’s Hospital (Children’s Cancer) and possibly get your meal for free.  That fit perfectly with the challenge for this week to give back or donate.”

Find out what Brandie’s fortune said and how she plans to continue saving!

- – Giveaway Winner – -

And the winner’s, chosen randomly through Random.org, of the Peter Pan Peanut Butter giveaway are -

1. Paula!

Check out Peter Pan for some seriously delicious peanut butter.   But, don’t get the whipped, or you’ll just sit with a spoon and eat it all in one day (not that I’d know from experience!)

- – Wrap-Up Link-Up – -

Note: There is a link-up widget embedded into this post. RSS and e-mail readers, click here to link up your own experiences!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

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This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
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This is Challenge #12, sponsored by Peter Pan, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. Visit Mummy Deals to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway! If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

I’ve been waiting for something before I posted this and today I think I’ve found it.

This week’s challenge is the final one, sponsored by Peter Pan, one of our favorite brands.   Honestly, we’re peanut butter addicts here!

The challenge…

Give!

With all you’ve learned cutting your budget, hopefully you’ve snagged a few FREEbies or know how to snag a few.   Or maybe you have some extra money.   Or maybe, all you have is a bit of time and that’s okay too.

As we improve our budgeting skills, we find out that we actually have more than we need and, therefore, more to give.   You can donate an extra tube of toothpaste, you can volunteer your time or expertise, or you can give a little money.   Whatever works for you.   It’s an easy challenge and one that makes you feel good.

Peter Pan sponsors Feeding America, which contributes to over 200 food banks and 63,000 charitable organizations across the nation.

Peter Pan believes no child in the United States should grow up hungry, so they are donating the equivalent of more than one million meals to fight child hunger in America.

So, today, we’re going to help them out.   For every purchase made on Groupon today using the link in my Groupon post earlier or below, I’ll make a donation to Feeding America.   So, check out the Groupon in your city and buy to give!

• Indianapolis: 51% off Indiana Sate Museum Membership
• Philadelphia: $23 Ticket to NASCAR Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway
• New York: $30 Ticket to Get Real NY Craft, Beer, & Food Festival
• And others including magazine subscription, restaurant discounts, and more!

Plus, head over to Mummy Deals to find out how to enter the giveaway!   You could win 4 jars of Peter Pan peanut butter.   Trust me, they are delicious!   My family (embarrassingly enough) just ate the whipped with a spoon it was so good.

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #11, sponsored by CVS, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.. Scroll down to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway! If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Are you ready for the next challenge in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp? Here it is!

- – The Challenge – -

Roll Rewards

One of the tricks many of us deal seekers and coupon pros use it rolling our rewards.   What does that mean?   Well, when we go into CVS to pick up shampoo and for our purchase, we get Extra Care Bucks, we use them wisely.   Instead of going back in and splurging on that $50 hair straightener, we use it later to purchase something we need that will also produce Extra Care Bucks, helping us stick to our budget.

To best understand it, it helps to see it in action, so check out my YouTube video about rolling rewards.

Rolling rewards can be both rewarding and stressful to many newbie couponers.   Here’s my top 5 tips for rolling stress free -

1. The goal is to save, not to become an Extra Care Buck millionaire. If you need formula, but it doesn’t produce more Extra Care Bucks, that’s okay!   You’re still saving on something you need and helping your budget.
2. Plan your transaction before you go to the store, but also add a few things you’d buy if something is sold out or unavailable.
3. Know your store. Make sure you know when your reward expires, how you can redeem it, and the stores policies, so you don’t end up losing your reward without using it!
4. It’s okay to take a break for a week or a month, or 6 months.
5. Start at one store and get comfortable, before you expand to trying it out at many stores.

While CVS is my favorite place to roll, there are many options, so read up on the stores to find out which stores offer rewards and check out Clair’s rolling ideas for more help!   Plus, here’s a few resources -

• VIDEO: Rolling Rewards
  
• TRAINING VIDEO: The Transaction Calculator
• DOWNLOAD: The Transaction Calculator

Come back on Wednesday to find out how our Challengers do and hear their experiences!

- – Giveaway – -

This week’s challenge is sponsored by CVS! CVS is by far my favorite place to roll rewards, because it’s where I learned.   In my area, CVS is so friendly, that they not only didn’t make faces at my piles of coupons, but they actually rearranged them to make sure I was saving the most I possible could.   Imagine that!   A store that wants to help me to spend less.

Here’s a few reasons why you should be taking advantage of the CVS ExtraCare Rewards Program!

• Members of CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare Rewards program earn back 2% of nearly every dollar they spend in-store or online, and $1 for every two prescriptions filled. These rewards are then paid out four times a year, at the end of each quarter, delivered on the bottom of store receipts in the form of Extra Bucks coupons. Extra Bucks are basically store credit, or CVS/pharmacy dollars. In addition to these automatic quarterly rewards, each week special items are marked with instant Extra Bucks offers in the store sales circular and on store shelves. Shoppers that purchase qualifying products are rewarded with instant Extra Bucks coupons that print out right on their receipt at the end of that very shopping trip, as well.

• Extra Bucks can be spent just like cash at CVS/pharmacy. Whether you’re spending your quarterly Extra Bucks that are paid out four times a year, or using instant Extra Bucks earned through weekly promotions, after receiving the coupons you can redeem these Extra Bucks on your next shopping trip to save on just about anything in the store, including things like cosmetics, toiletries, lotions, toys, diapers, snacks, etc.

• In addition to Extra Bucks, CVS/pharmacy stores accept one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item purchased, so customers can really stack their savings. Many people combine their coupons and Extra Bucks to shop for free for everyday items.

• ExtraCare Coupon Centers have also been introduced in nearly all CVS stores — they are little red kiosks that let shoppers swipe their cards at the beginning of trips and get personalized coupons they can use right then and there. On your first visit to the store in January, April, July and October, visiting the Coupon Center at the start of the trip means you will also receive your quarterly Extra Bucks before you shop, so you can spend them right away.

Prize:

CVS is offering CVS-Brand Gift Baskets to four (4) lucky winners!   Baskets include -

• Aloe Vera Aftersun Cooling Gel
• Caliber Magnets
• Cotton Ovals for Makeup Removal
• Earth Essentials Biodegradable Extra-Strong Lawn Bags
• Earth Essentials Biodegradable Microwaveable Bowls
• Epsom Bath Salts
• Peas Cold Therapy Pack
• Pet Central Natural Rawhide Twits
• Sore Muscle Soak
• Sore Throat Spray OR Hand Sanitizing Spray for Kids
• SPF 50 Sunscreen Keychain

Required Entry:

What is one product you often “roll” to save money on?   Never rolled before? Then tell us what you plan to purchase to “roll” your rewards!

Bonus Entries:

Each task below that is completed is worth one (1) additional entry. All are option, but give you more changes to win!

1. “Like” the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp on Facebook!
2. Follow @MummyDeals and @InGoodCents on Twitter and tweet – I’m kicking my budget’s butt w/ @ingoodcents & @mummydeals! Could your budget survive? #budgetbootcamp #giveaway http://bit.ly/b1UbEu
3. Add the button for the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp to your website’s sidebar.
4. Blog about your personal experiences with this challenge and link back, so your readers can start kicking their budget’s butt!
5. Subscribe to In Good Cents via RSS or e-mail
6. Subscribe to Mummy Deals via RSS or e-mail

The Fine Print - Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at midnight Eastern. Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org and announced on Mummy Deals on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. This giveaway was sponsored by CVS. We were not compensated for this post, may have received free products for us and/or our challengers. Regardless, as always, all opinions are my own!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #10 sponsored by Sport’s Authority, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Our 10 challenge was to DO WITHOUT!

What do you purchase that you could just do without to save money?   Think about how many disposable products you use and what you could replace them with – paper towels, coffee filters, baby wipes, freezer bags, diapers, or cleaning wipes.   How much would you save if you purchased the reusable brand instead?

Please read my tips for saving, from making your own to borrowing and sharing, plus more!

But, how did our challengers do? They impressed me and made me think about what else we could give up!   Read on to find out and check out their sites for full details! And don’t forget to link-up your own wrap-ups!

- – Alli ‘n Son – -

For Alli, the hardest part was deciding what to do without.   Her family already rarely uses paper towels or plastic bags, plus they are almost past he diaper phase.   Finally, she made her pick – napkins!

Quote from Alli ‘n Son -

“I also don’t like laundry, but really, how much extra laundry does a few cloth napkins make? Answer: not much. In fact, I didn’t even notice the difference.“

Find out if Alli will be sticking with cloth napkins or was eager to get the paper napkins back out!

- – Better in Bulk – -

Luckily for Laura, this challenged matched right up with a household shortage of several items.   However, despite the fact that she’s already frugal, she loves the convenience of many disposable products.   But, since she was already set up, she did without 5 items this week!

Quote from Better in Bulk -
“Ok. So I stopped using the Purex sheets this week. And guess what? My laundry got cleaned. No one noticed or complained that their clothes didn’t smell quite so nice (really, it’s just me who cares about it). Laundry didn’t take me any longer than it usually does (that’s not saying much, really!). We survived.“

Check out what else Laura’s family did without this week and how they managed!

- – The Good-Son Family Journey – -

Snacks!   I’m not sure how they did it, but Mitzi’s family cut snacks out this week and amazed me.   And, they lived to tell about it!

Quote from The Good Son Family Journey -
“Without purchasing any snack type foods & really only buying things that were on sale or that I had a coupon for I saved a ton this week & it really was a great feeling & I think the most that I have saved during a single shopping trip………that was the best feeling!!“

See if Mitzi is going to continue living without snacks or if she’s giving into cravings!

- – Rudy Family Rukus – -

Brandie not only thought about her budget, but also the environment, mentioning several products like body wash that comes in plastic bottles that are bad for the environment.   Her family has given up many similar items to save money and go green.

Quote from Rudy Family Rukus -
“This week I went without my face wash.  I ran out and thought why not go without it and see if I can survive!  I did survive I used a Dove bar soap and I also  tried an avocado facial and it was perfect.  So I saved money and the environment this week.“

Check out Brandie’s environmentally friendly “do without list”!

- – Giveaway Winner – -

And the winner’s, chosen randomly through Random.org, of the Sports Authority Umbrellas are -

1. Nicole
2. Hannah

Check out Sports Authority for your sporting needs from golf to running and everything in between!

- – Wrap-Up Link-Up – -

Note: There is a link-up widget embedded into this post. RSS and e-mail readers, click here to link up your own experiences!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #9, sponsored by Yoplait Splitz, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.. Scroll down to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway!

Did we challenge you to do it yourself?   Well, sometimes, that doesn’t always go a planned.

Well, I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth!   Actually, I blame my father completely.   You see, when we were young, he was the type of Dad who gave you tools and materials if you said you wanted a treehouse.   He stood there, watched you build it, and helped a bit, but for the most part made you do it yourself.   I’d complain, whine, insist I couldn’t do it, and drag out the process.   But, in the end, I’d love whatever I built more and be so proud of it, because I knew every inch of it and built it with my own hands.

I took the lesson with me into adulthood and the outcome was someone who doesn’t hesitate to start pulling things apart or throwing things together to fix, build, improve, or change things.   Without my Dad, I started small, changing my own car battery or putting together our home entertainment center.   Then, I got braver, installing a new garbage disposal, taking apart the outside water faucets, and not giving up until I did fix our wacky stove when the door locked and refused to open.   And now I apparently got a bit braver.

You see, after years, our swingset that I cheaped out on, finally gave up on us.   Ady was hanging on the monkey bars, when one snapped in half and the entire swingset literally split in half right down the center!   It was kind of shocking.   The wood was rotted completely.   I found a great bargain on a much better set and picked it up.   My husband works full-time and I was impatient, so instead of waiting for him, I enlisted 3 young assistants to help me out. (Yeah, I’m nuts!)

It took us 5 full days, but with good time management, we got it done and you didn’t even miss me during that time.   Then I went crazier and decided to build a sandbox around it, so my husband wouldn’t have so much trouble mowing in and out of all the poles.   I thought, how long could that possible take?   1 hour?   2 hours?   And wood and sand is cheap, right?

Ugh! Could I have been more wrong?

Lets just say… I learned a lot.

1.   Don’t listen to Home Depot and buy bags of sand to fill in a large sandbox, since trucks deliver it for more than half the cost (I won’t even share how much money I lost here… but I think when I say 70 bags of play sand that will give you an idea)!

2. Don’t plan construction projects that involve 50 pound bags of sand after your husband has surgery on his right hand and can’t be much help.

3. When sand appears, those 3 young assistants will likely become distracted and a lot less help.

4. Don’t invite a bunch of kids over for a birthday party and promise a sandbox, when you’ve never built one before or you may underestimate how much time it will take and be unable to accomplish anything else for a few days with fear of disappointed those kids!

5. Don’t forget you will have to stain it before the sand goes in, or you’ll end up doing one very rushed stain job and probably stain yourself from head to toe in the process (the Oompa Loompa look is in, right?).

I made a lot of mistakes!   I got too much wood, but we decided to make it work and now about half our backyard is a sandbox.   I didn’t get enough sand and now we have to order more.   70 bags didn’t even half fill the massive sandbox I built and I’m trying not to think about how much we’re going to spend to order more.   However, we love it and the kids are having a blast with it… and now I’m scrambling to catch up on all I should have done while I was attempting insane construction projects in my backyard!

But, the birthday party did go great!

Oh yeah, that was once a football cake I also made myself… but   not so much any more.

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #9, sponsored by Yoplait Splitz, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.. Scroll down to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway! If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Are you ready for the next challenge in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp? Here it is!

- – The Challenge – -

Do-It-Yourself!

Why? We all know that usually homemade and doing it yourself saves you money!   But, what should we do ourselves?   That really depends on you and your skills and talents, but almost everything you pay for, you can save money doing at home by yourself.

What I Do Myself -

• Make my own baked goods (bread, hot dog buns, cinnamon rolls, pita pockets, and more!)
• Makes store bought meals or products at home (hot pockets, granola, barbecue sauce, and more!)
• Teach myself to do many home improvement projects from installing a new garbage disposal to erecting my kids’ million piece swing set
• Make my own cleaning products with simple ingredients
• Sew hairbows, designer flip flops,   and more for the children and myself

What Clair Does Herself -

• Makes her own cleaning products (laundry soap or dishwasher soap)
• Makes beauty products to pamper herself
• Makes her own liquid hand soap
• Cooks at home and enjoys homemade baked goods too!

Come back on Wednesday to find out how our Challengers do and hear their experiences!

- – Giveaway – -

This week’s challenge is sponsored by Yoplait Splitz! Picnicking is a wonderful way to get out of the house as a family and still save money, instead of heading to a restaurant.   And Yoplait Splits are delicious!   They are like a sundae on the go.

You can get a $0.75/1 Yoplait Splitz coupon to try them yourself!

Prize:

Yoplait Splitz is offering Yoplait Splitz Picnic Pack to one (1) lucky winners including 1 coupon for FREE Yoplait Kids Yogurt, 1 Picnic Tote, and 1 Picnic On-the-Go Blanket.

Required Entry:

What do you do yourself to save money?

Bonus Entries:

Each task below that is completed is worth one (1) additional entry. All are option, but give you more changes to win!

1. “Like” the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp on Facebook!
2. Follow @MummyDeals and @InGoodCents on Twitter and tweet – I’m kicking my budget’s butt w/ @ingoodcents & @mummydeals! Could your budget survive? #budgetbootcamp #giveaway http://bit.ly/b1UbEu
3. Add the button for the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp to your website’s sidebar.
4. Blog about your personal experiences with this challenge and link back, so your readers can start kicking their budget’s butt!
5. Subscribe to In Good Cents via RSS or e-mail
6. Subscribe to Mummy Deals via RSS or e-mail

The Fine Print - Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at midnight Eastern. Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org and announced on Mummy Deals on Wednesday, September 1, 2010. This giveaway was sponsored by Yoplait via MyBlogSpark. We were not compensated for this post, but did receive free products for us and our challengers. Regardless, as always, all opinions are my own!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #8 sponsored by Staples, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Our 8th challenge was to make an extra meal and freeze it!

Personally, this is one of my favorite tricks, since knowing I have a back-up meal in the freezer stops me from calling my husband and begging him to pick-up food on the way home or heading to a restaurant on long days when I don’t feel like cooking.   However, it also saves money on my budget, since I can use those meals to cut down on what I need for the week.

But, how did our challengers do? Read on to find out and check out their sites for full details! And don’t forget to link-up your own wrap-ups!

- – Alli ‘n Son – -

Alli has been making meals and freezing them already, so she was relieved to get an easier challenge this week.   Does it take extra time? Alli says it depends on what you’re making.

Quote from Alli ‘n Son -
“Freezing works for me for a few reasons. Some days, I just don’t want to cook. We arrived home later than planned, and there’s no time to get the nights meal ready. Or maybe we need to cut back on groceries one week, eating from the freezer is a great way to do this.“

Read more about what Alli likes to freeze and her tips!

- – Better in Bulk – -

Laura is feeling proud that she used over $30 in coupons this week and got back a $10 certificate for a FREE gift card!   She feels couponing is getting easier for her.   She taught a class on freezer cooking, so for her, this week’s challenge was a cinch.

Quote from Better in Bulk -
“There are several ways to tackle freezer meals, but the concept is the same: Prepare your food when you have the time so that you will have the food ready when you don’t have the time. Brilliant, isn’t it?“

Find out about Laura’s great shopping trip and see the picture of her bounty!   Plus see what she made and get her tips for freezer cooking.

- – The Good-Son Family Journey – -

Mitzi’s coupon collection is growing, so she hopes to   accomplish something she can brag about when she sees prices dropping in her Grocery Price Book.   She loves having frozen home cooked meals on hand, so enjoyed this challenge.

Quote from The Good Son Family Journey -
“I always said that I was going to start doing that again so thanks to this challenge I am finally doing it.   This is not only going to help make sure that Brayden, Lance & I all get a home cooked meal but it is also going to help cut back on  buying Brayden “filler” meals as I like to call them!“

Find out what Mitzi made this week to freeze!

- – Rudy Family Rukus – -

Brandi accomplished this week’s challenge and went a step further!   She did make a large batch of one dinner and froze half of it, but she also formed a neighborhood freezer meal group.   Personally, I’m jealous.   I can’t seem to find others who are crazy enough to freezer cook like me and want to swap!

Quote from Rudy Family Rukus -
“I took this challenge one step further and joined a with a group of women in my neighborhood and formed a freezer meal group.  We are having a meeting this week and we will start doing freezer meals the first of September.  I can’t wait to see the $$$$$ (savings).“

Find out everything Brandie made and see how her Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting turned out!

- – Giveaway Winner – -

And the winner, chosen randomly through Random.org, of the $50 Staples Gift Card is -

Debbie (twoofakind12@…)

- – Wrap-Up Link-Up – -

Note: There is a link-up widget embedded into this post. RSS and e-mail readers, click here to link up your own experiences!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #8, sponsored by Staples, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Clair is kicking off this week’s Budget Boot Camp Challenge, but you’ll have to come here for the wrap up on Wednesday to see how our challengers did!

This week’s challenge is to make one extra meal and freeze it for later use.   Check out Clair’s tips for freezing foods and why it saves her money, plus my Freezer Cooking Series to get some help to make your attempt a success!

Plus, enter to win a $50 gift card from Staples that will go perfectly with all these back-to-school deals!

Plus, don’t forget to enter to win a 3-Month Membership to Zoodles for your young one this week too!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #7 sponsored by Hit Entertainment., in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Clair is wrapping up this week’s Budget Boot Camp Challenge, so head on over to see how our readers did, who won, and more!   Did you   make a grocery price book this week?   Or do you track prices?   Do you find it as helpful as our challengers did?

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

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This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #7, sponsored by Hit Entertainment, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.. Scroll down to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway! If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Are you ready for the next challenge in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp?   Here it is!

- – The Challenge – -

Create a Grocery Price Book

Why? The trick to truly saving money is purchasing items when they hit rock bottom prices and buying enough to get you through until the next rock bottom sale.   That’s right, you don’t have to stockpile enough to get you through months or years, just until the next amazing sale.   If you can master this, then you’ll always be paying incredibly low prices.   But, to do so, you’ll need to know what those rock bottom prices are.

I’d love to sit here and tell you rock bottom prices, but it varies.   It varies by brand, region, store, and so much more.   It depends on if you’re brand-specific, only live near one store, don’t have stores that double coupons, or are open to buying whatever is cheapest!   I’d have to know the price for every product at every store and I’m just not that good!   But, you can figure out what you need to know yourself easily.

How? The 6-Week Cycle is a term used to describe the sale cycles.   Most items we purchase go on sale at rock bottom prices every 6-12 weeks, so if you track prices for 12 weeks for the items you buy, you’ll know how low they go.   That’s where a Grocery Price Book comes in handy!   Keep in mind, you will have to update it about ever 6 months or if you notice a price change in your area.

What? You can create a grocery price book however you’d prefer.   You can keep track with a paper or pen.   However, I have a tool (yes, the spreadsheet addict has a spreadsheet) you can use and an example of how to use it!

• DOWNLOAD: Grocery Price Book
• DOWNLOAD: Grocery Price Book Example

Come back on Wednesday to find out how our Challengers do and hear their experiences!

- – Giveaway – -

This week’s challenge is sponsored by Hit Entertainment! They create entertaining content and rich characters to engage your child’s imagination, such as Thomas the Train, Bob the Builder, Barney, and so many more favorites!

Prize:

Hit Entertainment is offering 3 Children’s DVDs to one (#1) lucky winner!

• Being a Friend
• Thomas & Friends Creaky Cranky
• AND Music Music Everywhere

Required Entry:

What products do you most need to track prices for, so you don’t continue to overspend on them?

Bonus Entries:

Each task below that is completed is worth one (1) additional entry. All are option, but give you more chances to win!

1. “Like” the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp on Facebook!
2. Follow @MummyDeals and @InGoodCents on Twitter and tweet – I’m kicking my budget’s butt w/ @ingoodcents & @mummydeals! Could your budget survive? #budgetbootcamp #giveaway http://bit.ly/bbAmAl
3. Add the button for the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp to your website’s sidebar.
4. Blog about your personal experiences with this challenge and link back, so your readers can start kicking their budget’s butt!
5. Subscribe to In Good Cents via RSS or e-mail
6. Subscribe to Mummy Deals via RSS or e-mail

The Fine Print - Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at midnight Eastern. Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org and announced on Mummy Deals on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. This giveaway was sponsored by Hit Entertainment. We were not compensated for this post, but may have received free products for us and our challengers. Regardless, as always, all opinions are my own!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #6 was sponsored by P&G, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Our 6 challenge was to only purchase products on sale with a coupon! It’s tough.   Even for us pros, but it’s the best way to save money!   And, if you can stockpile enough that you only need to shop each week to replenish your pantries with what is on sale and has a coupon, it’s much easier.

But, how did our challengers do? Read on to find out and check out their sites for full details! And don’t forget to link-up your own wrap-ups!

- – 3 Under 4 – -

Despite pregnancy cravings, Kristina did quite well.   She only filled her cart with sale items, excluding splurging on some Pepsi, which I have to understand.   For us, it’s Mountain Dew and Cherry Coke!

Quote from 3 Under 4 - “Truthfully, it went quite well.  This week due to feeling pretty lousy (read: like crap) and not feeling the love of taking three perfectly behaved hooligans out in public, I did a whirlwind shop of yogurt, produce, lunch meat, and cheese at Aldi’s.  These items, even though they weren’t on sale, are staples in our house, so I HAD to buy them.“

Read more about Kristina’s experiences and combating pregnancy cravings on a budget!

- – Alli ‘n Son – -

Though Alli did master looking through the sale ads for the best deals and pairing them with coupons this week, it was time consuming and unfortunately, didn’t see much of a different in her budget.   However, she did learn a lot!

Quote from Alli ‘n Son - “So for me, stacking sale items and coupons just didn’t work out. At least for food purchases. Or maybe I just didn’t have the right pairing of coupons to the sales available. But I am keeping my eye out for some up coming sales on hair products, deodorant, body wash and lotion. I have some mega coupons that need to be used up by the end of the month. I think that it is this type of item where I will really seem the most savings.“

Check out the Top 10 Things Alli Learned and read more about her challenge experience.

- – Better in Bulk – -

Laura was able to use more coupons this week and paid better attention to sales before she even hit the stores.   She even stuck to her list, but worries finding enough coupons and sale matches to feed her large family is a huge challenge.

Quote from Better in Bulk - “I was successful in that I was able to use more coupons as well as pay better attention to the sales before I set foot in the store. I even carried the store’s circular in my purse to remind myself of the things that my store was featuring that week. I stuck with my list, and didn’t wander up and down aisles. I consider that a huge success.“

Find out where Laura found coupons and more about her experience!

- – The Good-Son Family Journey – -

Mitzi had the challenge of feeding 6 brand-specific adults, 3 picky kids, and even 4 dogs for a family picnic this week.   They did well on the meat, since the stockpiled on Costco, but since she had to buy specific things to satisfy her visitors, it did add up.

Quote from The Good Son Family Journey - “I don’t think that indulging in specifics is bad all of the time but if you look at the cost comparison you will see a big difference in the pocket book over time.   I am happy that I can eat the “off” brands & not really care but I do have to admit I made myself a sandwich to take to work today & used the “Dukes” mayo on it & it was I think the best sandwich I have had in quite a while!“

Find out what Mitzi bought and how she’s going to have to start searching for a few more coupons!

- – Rudy Family Rukus – -

While Brandy said this challenge was “almost impossible”, she promises it can be done.   In fact, she borrowed a secret from someone to help her get though!   She saved big this week on razors and even got FREE body wash!   Plus, as suggested, she only picked up fruits and vegetables priced around $1 per pound or under.

Quote from Rudy Family Rukus - “The razors were a huge savings I got 4 Gillette Sensor razors for my husband normally $8.99 and I got them for about $2.49 a piece.  I also got my razors and replacement blades for a great deal.  I also got my favorite body wash for FREE.  I was so excited!!“

Find out Brandy’s secret that helped her make her menu plan and save money this week.

- – Giveaway Winner – -

And the winner’s, chosen randomly through Random.org, of the P&G Gift Basket is -

Ranidai

- – Wrap-Up Link-Up – -

Note: There is a link-up widget embedded into this post. RSS and e-mail readers, click here to link up your own experiences!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #6, sponsored by Proctor & Gamble, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp. If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Challenge 5 ended yesterday.   Make sure to read the wrap up to see how all of our challengers did.

This week we’re moving on to Challenge 6 where we get serious about saving.   This week’s Challenge -

Coupons + Sales.   That’s how you save the most money, so this week to buy it, it must be on sale and have   coupon, excluding meat, dairy, or product which rarely offer coupons.

This our challengers can do it?   It’s tough at first, but saves big in the end.   Head over to Mummy Deals to get Clair’s tips for success and enter to win a goodie bag from Proctor & Gamble including a large box of Tide, Tampax Tampons, Pringles Cups, and Olay Gift Set!

Miss anything? Find out what’s new with Budget Boot Camp!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

This is Challenge #5, sponsored by McDonald’s, in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp.   Scroll down to find out how to enter their exciting giveaway! If you’re new, find out how you can join to kick your own budget’s butt!

Are you ready for the next challenge in the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp? Here it is!

- – The Challenge – -

Organize those coupons!

We gathered coupons last week, now it’s time to get them in order.

Why? Without a coupon organization system, you’ll be less likely to use them and more likely to completely forget about them or avoid them, because you can’t find anything.   Plus, with your coupons organized, you’ll be able to quickly plan your shopping trips.

What? Do you need a fancy coupon holder to organize your coupons? NO!   In fact, most won’t keep up with you, if you plan to seriously coupon.   So, when choosing, make sure you take into consideration the following -

1. How many categories does it have and is it possible to add more?
2. How many coupons will it hold?
3. Can your children easily dump your coupons?
4. Is it easy to carry and something you definitely won’t mind lugging through stores?
5. How much time will it take to keep your coupons organized?

How? There is no right or wrong way to organize your coupons.   It’s all about what works for you!   Will you actually spend time clipping them or will you often be backed up with a pile of unclipped coupons?   Will you carry around a big binder or will you often leave it at home because it’s too much?   Think about how you function and try a few styles to see what works best for you.

Check out Organizing Coupons for popular ways to organize your coupons, container ideas, pros and cons of each   method, and popular bloggers who use each method!

Come back on Wednesday to find out how our Challengers do and hear their experiences!

- – Giveaway – -

This week’s challenge is sponsored by McDonald’s! In fact, it’s actually sponsored by the following locations, so if you’re in my area, stop by to say thanks for supporting the Budget Boot Camp!

Prize:

McDonald’s is offering one (1) $5 Gift Book to three (3) lucky winners!   Each gift book includes five (5) $1 gift certificates to use.   Think 5 FREE large sweet teas (my favorite), yum!   And, speaking of coupons, head over to get a $1/1 Real Fruit Smoothie or Frappe coupon to organize too.

Required Entry:

Share with us your style.   If you organize coupons, how do you organize them?   If you don’t organize your coupons yet, which style do you think you’d like to try out and why?

Bonus Entries:

Each task below that is completed is worth one (1) additional entry. All are option, but give you more changes to win!

1. “Like” the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp on Facebook!
2. Follow @MummyDeals and @InGoodCents on Twitter and tweet this – I’m kicking my budget’s butt w/ @ingoodcents & @mummydeals! Could your budget survive? #budgetbootcamp #giveaway http://bit.ly/d24Y3C
3. Add the button for the 90-Day Budget Boot Camp to your website’s sidebar.
4. Blog about your personal experiences with this challenge and link back, so your readers can start kicking their budget’s butt!
5. Subscribe to In Good Cents via RSS or e-mail
6. Subscribe to Mummy Deals via RSS or e-mail

The Fine Print - Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at midnight Eastern. Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org and announced on Mummy Deals on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010. This giveaway was sponsored by McDonald’s. We were not compensated for this post, but may have received free products for us and our challengers. Regardless, as always, all opinions are my own!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Alli is a Chicago-based stay-at-home mother of two who turned to couponing in order to stave off the monotony of the day and found a new passion. She runs Couponing for 4, where she discusses the weekly grocery and drugstore deals, tips for money saving, online deals, sweepstakes, and other ways to make extra income.

Being a stay-at-home mother of two, I don’t get a lot of time to myself. I have had to find a hobby that could calm, interest, and remove me from my everyday craziness all in the random five minute spurts that I get throughout the day. The day that I realized this is the day I fell in love with sweepstakes. I LOVE to sweep and if you have a few minutes to try your luck every day, I’ll bet you’d love it too.

I have been playing actively for about two years and have won a bunch of things. With the help of my auto-fill program (you will want to download one free for your browser!), I enter about 60-80 sweepstakes per day. In the last two years I have won -

• FloTV with 6 months free service
• $50 gift card to Express
• $125 gift bag from Rachael Ray
• $25 gift card to Dave & Busters
• $10 gift card to Starbucks
• $10 gift card to Blockbuster
• 10 jars of salsa
• $50 cash, a holiday floor rug
• Ipod Nano
• And more!

All for playing in random 5 minute spurts throughout the day.

Sweepstakes basically come in two different forms: Prize Drawing Sweepstakes and Instant Win. When a company has a prize drawing, entries are accepted daily and prizes are mailed out at the end of the sweepstakes period. You will not know you’ve won until you receive a prize. Instant Win games, on the other hand, will tell you if you’ve won immediately. Many companies host both at the same time, in the same game. So, just because you didn’t win the Instant game doesn’t mean you won’t get an Ipod Nano in the mail a few weeks later (like me!).

Anyone with a computer connection can play sweepstakes, but there are several things that you need to know in order to win. First, you have to know where to start! There are many websites out there that can direct you to active sweepstakes, but you’ll have to make sure it is a site that is sending you to legitimate places. My favorite site for finding sweepstakes is Sweeties Sweeps. Wendy is awesome and updates daily. She weeds out the sweeps that she recommends and posts the rules to playing. I also do a sweepstakes series on my site, Couponing For 4. I post and update a running list of the most winnable and/or easy sweepstakes to enter. Whatever sweepstakes referral site you use, though, make sure you investigate the it before giving all of your information. I prefer blogs for that reason – I can read/subscribe fairly anonymously and they don’t require any of my personal information.

Now, let’s talk about strategy -

The most important key to winning is entering daily. I can’t stress that enough. If you enter a sweepstakes once that is fine, but remember that if you can enter once per day for the entire entry period, there are hundreds of people out there who have eighty entries to your one. Who’s more likely to win?

Next, you have to read the rules. If you are 17 and the sweepstakes requires you to be 18 to win, don’t think that you can scam the company. You will be wasting their time and yours. Make sure to enter sweeps that you can win! There are sometimes other odd rules that you need to pay attention to. For example, the sweep may be limited to only 9 states or the entry period is 24 hours, but it’s based on time of entry during the day instead of calendar day. All things to pay attention to.

Some people feel that time of day is important to winning. If there are predetermined instant win prize times that the company has set, you are more likely to win if you play in the middle of the night because less people are playing. I would have to agree with that, but I have never played in the middle of the night (I have to get through the day with two little kids!) and I am doing just fine prize-wise.

Lastly, have fun with it! No one wins every day and there are very dry weeks and months, but if you enter every day, don’t expect to win, and play because there is a possibility that you’ll get a nice surprise, you’ll find that you will. Have fun!

Beth’s Note: I know, you can’t win if you don’t enter!   And I’m bad about this.   On one hand, it’s a wonderful way to get great things FREE, but I rarely spend time entering.   But, Allison’s post has me intrigued.   She’s won so much, I’m thinking I should try it out.   What about you?   Do you play the Sweeps?

Read more great guest posts or find out how to be a guest blogger on In Good Cents!

©2012 "In Good Cents". This feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support this site. Thank you!
For more information, please read my disclosure policy.