Thursday, February 9, 2012

Fun With Coupons!

I'm so glad to make new friends while vacationing here in Southern California. Here is a recap of our couponing fellowship. And for all other newbies, this is for you too!


I. Getting Started with the Right Mindset
  1. PRAYER – Phil 4:6-7
  2. MOTIVATION - set goals bigger than fears
  3. PLANNING - Meals Around Deals
  4. SAVE, SHOP & SHARE – Acts 4:32-35
 II. Time Management
  1. WRITE IT DOWN – notebook, highlighters, calculator
  2. FILE & CLIP – date coupon inserts, clip coupons & store in labeled envelopes
  3. SHOPPING – laser focus, chew gum, bring snacks, no kids (leftover night for family)
  4. FOOD PREP & COOKING – 5dollardinnermom.com; Once-A-Month Freezer Cooking
 III. Box Stores
  1. WAL-MART – price match even store brands
  2. TARGET – price match, Target Qs, clearance (toys Jan & July), Gift Cards (GC) totallytarget.com Saturday lists best deals
 IV. Drugstores (not just drugs)
  1. Walgreens – get Register Rewards (RRs- manuf. qs) & overage: wildforwags.com
  2. CVS – get Extra Care Bucks (ECBs), get 2% back every quarter: iheartcvs.com
  3. Rite Aid- Single Check Rebates and +UP Rewards: iheartriteaid.com
  4. Easy: visit moneysavingmom.com  Saturday afternoon
  5. Videos: hip2save.com, go to STORE tab, click STORE GUIDES 
V. Grocery Stores (So-Cal)
  1. The Regulars: Vons, Ralphs, Fresh & Easy (click to view)
  2. Produce: Sprouts double ads Tues & Weds; 99cent Ranch
  3. Discounts: Smart & Final, Seafood City, Foodland Mercado 
  4. Moneysavingmom.com- Grocery Deals Tab
  5. Saveathomemommy.com- Store Deals Tab (So-Cal Deals) 
VI. Coupon Hideouts:
Know which coupon inserts are coming at sundaycouponpreview.com
  1. Coupon Database: hip2save.com, moneysavingmom.com
  2. Newspapers & Magazines: Wal-Mart, DollarTree, mailers, All You Magazine
  3. Coupon Printers: coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, target.com
  4. At the Store: blinkie machines, tearpads, register catalinas 
  5. Coupon Alerts & Links: print high value internet coupons ASAP
  6. Coupon Clippers: couponsandthingsbydede.com, ebay beware
 VII. Other Fun Deals
  1. Birthday Freebies – thefrugalgirls.com/birthday-freebies
  2. Swagbucks.com – get $ for searches (450 pts = $5 Amazon GC)
  3. Restaurant.com – local & out-of-town (great for travel); 80% off $25 GC- pay $2 only!
  4. Redbox & Blockbuster Express

VIII. Books
Tightwad Gazette; Shop, Save & Share; The Lazy Couponer; The Sneaky Chef- find on ebay, the library or bookstores!

Search my blog or the web.