tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28616120669078267982024-03-08T15:43:45.253-08:00Helping Friends Save $Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-80846701798649386852012-04-26T19:57:00.001-07:002012-04-26T20:02:06.318-07:00"Oops Paint"Spencer's therapist told me this morning that most home improvement stores have what's called "oops paint". It's paint that consumers have returned for various reasons and has been steeply marked down.<br />
I needed paint for a project and I went to check it out.<br />
Menards Prices:<br />
pint: .50<br />
quart: 1.00<br />
gallon: 5.00<br />
five gallon bucket: 15.00<br />
<br />
Brands and colors are all hit or miss. But it seems like people were more likely to return the expensive brands.<br />
<br />
The therapist reports that some stores sell the gallon for $1! She also said that sometimes she's seen 50 choices. When I went there were about a dozen.<br />
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If you know the prices of other stores let me know! I have some major painting projects coming up. :D<br />
I should mention the paint is non-refundable.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-57268457929214042832012-04-24T04:21:00.002-07:002012-04-24T04:21:27.993-07:00Homeade laundry soapHas anyone ever made homeade laundry or dishwasher soap? It's been on my to-do list for a long time, and I finally got around to it last week. Here is the link to the site I used. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html">http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html</a><br />
<br />
I'm sure there are different variations out there, but I was happy with this recipe. I also used her recipe for dishwasher detergent. Because the two recipes use most of the same ingredients, what I did was cut each in half so that I could try them. It still made so much that I won't need to buy or make more for months. In addition to being economical, I like that you know exactly what is going into it and there are no fillers. In fact, you only need to use 1-2 tablespoons, because there aren't any fillers. The laundry soap doesn't have a strong scent, but it is pleasant smelling. I was using a hypoallergenic soap anyway, so I didn't really care about that. You can still use scented fabric softeners. <br />
<br />
If you're like me, and have good intentions but think this might just be too much effort, trust me...it isn't! The longest part was grating up the bar soap it calls for. And that only took about 10 minutes. Totally worth it. If anyone tries it, let me know what you think!<br />
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-52080258541943595052012-04-17T12:20:00.000-07:002012-04-17T12:20:11.522-07:00Family Fun SubscriptionI saw this deal and had to share! It's for a FREE 20 month subscription to Family Fun. We get that magazine, and I love it. It's full of fun activities and crafts to do with kids. You can't beat FREE!!! Hurry, it'll go fast!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bargainstobounty.com/2012/04/family-fun-magazine-free-20-month-subscription-while-supplies-last/">http://www.bargainstobounty.com/2012/04/family-fun-magazine-free-20-month-subscription-while-supplies-last/</a>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-2420172069349892722012-03-15T18:38:00.000-07:002012-03-15T18:38:34.732-07:00The ZooNot sure if anyone still checks this site, but in case you do...I thought I'd pass along a great tip someone gave me today. I hadn't even thought about the fact that Potters Park Zoo doesn't charge until April. And if you have checked out the 10 day forecast, you have seen that this gorgeous weather is here for awhile! Pretty awesome chance to go spend the day at the zoo for FREE, and the best part is the animals will actually be active and not lethargic from the heat and humidity! For those of you in other towns, maybe the same is true for your closest zoo?Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-12240785837167831572012-01-29T08:02:00.000-08:002012-01-29T08:03:24.299-08:00Forgot to mention in my last post:Cami's are on sale at Show Biz in theMeridian Mall. They have the extra long regular cami's on sale - huge selection of colors- for $5.<br />
<br />
If you're looking at the laced one's American Eagle has them on sale 2- $16.<br />
<br />
Five dollars sounds perfect to me!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-36983732012089955112012-01-27T11:16:00.000-08:002012-01-27T11:16:37.088-08:00In the Market for Dress Clothes for Adults?Women: <br />
Younkers is having spectacular deals on women's dress clothes. This week I got a $100 dress for $24! I feel like I'm always buying kid clothes. When I do get something for me it's a shirt. It feels kinda nice to have a new dress for church.<br />
<br />
Marshalls has great deals on skirts. Though you have to sort through a little more.<br />
<br />
Men's:<br />
Macy's had good deals on dress clothes for men. Ties are on super clearance right now. You can get a $60 ties for around the $10 mark!<br />
<br />
Burlington Coat Factory:<br />
Love, Love Love this store. In Lansing it's near the Big Lots - bargin shopping heaven!<br />
We get Kurt's dress pants and dress socks here. He recently purchased a pair of slacks for 19.99 org. $50. They have the steep discounts constantly the style changes. Worth checking out!<br />
<br />
We also pick up a dress socks whenever we're there. Kurt has to wear these daily and the wear out fast. At Burlington they sell them 3 for $9!!! Great gifts for missionaries too, they love recieving a new pair of dress socks. This is their regular none-sale price. So you can always count on them being there.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-41612250068290277132012-01-07T19:03:00.000-08:002012-01-07T19:03:46.204-08:00Monster SaleNot talking about my kids... but I'm open to any offers!<br />
<br />
Children's Place is having their Monster Sale 2.99 and up sale. (Though I've often find things way under 2.99) <br />
<br />
If you go to the actual outlet, they have the same things as online, plus a ton of things. You don't have to apy for shipping and you don't have to click on every item you like to find out they don't have it in the size you need.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-24088493286224285152012-01-07T18:54:00.000-08:002012-01-07T18:54:23.705-08:00Clearance DealsLots of good deals to be had in Jan and Feb. I just have to be careful to stick to my resolve to only get items that we actually need! I would love to hear what clearance deals all of you are finding! And I have a request...I need a new Winter coat for Skyler, and would love to get one really cheap. However, I am afraid to wait too long, because they get picked over so fast. So if anyone sees any really great prices, please let me know! I'm not picky about brands or colors. I just want it to be warm, and $10 or less!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-46507663610721175982012-01-07T18:53:00.000-08:002012-01-07T18:53:24.286-08:00Okemos TargetFor those of you that live in the Okemos area, the Target there has a lot of great clearance deals going on. I got the scoop from an associate, because I was trying to find out why a Target in South Lansing was charging twice as much for a certain item. Anyway, she said that they are undergoing remodeling, and therefore are trying to push a lot of their inventory through. A few examples of things I picked up are;<br />
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Sonicare toothbrush (I think these are gone now)<br />
Childrens' boots 70% off (making the really nice brand ones around $8-9)<br />
Slippers for the whole family (I got ones for Skyler for $2.99)<br />
Lots of scarves, gloves, etc. deals. They have 2-packs of those cheap stretchy gloves for $1.00. I like to stock up on those when they are that cheap, to keep in all my coat pockets, and in the car. Am I the only one who loses several pairs of gloves a year? I must drop them in parking lots or something...Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-45584263985881606612012-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:002012-01-03T18:44:54.763-08:00Top 100 Free Kindle BooksAmazon has a new list of their top 100 new books. It's not just novels, it also includes games, recipe book, non-fiction and children's. You don't have to own a kindle. You can read them right off your computer, tablet or phone. some of these books are compatiable with Sony and Nook e-readers but not all of them.<br />
<br />
Here's the instructions:<br />
<br />
Go to amazon home page<br />
Under Shop all Dept's (left side of screen)<br />
Go to: Kindle<br />
Go to: free kindle apps to download an app to allow you to read on alternate device if needed<br />
for the free books go to: Kindle Books.<br />
On the right side of the screen (you'll have to scroll down a little) there's two tabs: Top 100 Paid and Top 100 Free. <br />
<br />
Happy Reading!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-55451510212141217992011-12-21T20:04:00.000-08:002011-12-21T20:05:20.806-08:00A blessing and a curseI am grateful for all the money I save with coupons and good bargains. However, sometimes it can be a curse. I am constantly buying something specifically because I have a coupon, and then forgetting to use the coupon. Or I make a special trip to the store, only to find out the bargain is not as good as it sounded on the website, leaving me with the dilemma of whether or not to make it a wasted trip, or get it anyway. Just yesterday I was putting away my groceries and realized I never took off the peelie coupon to give it to the cashier, so I lost a dollar! And today I went to JCPenney because I had a $10 off $10 coupon, but I ended up wasting so much time wandering around the store. I didn't want to spend much more than $10, but I wanted to get something that someone in our family actually needed. I settled on a 12.99 fleece pullover for Mitch, but I wasn't sure on the size. I got up to the register only to find out if I returned it, I would lose my $10 off, getting only 2.99 back. Rrrggghhh! So stressful! It can seriously be a blessing and a curse. My mom has gently reminded me that I need to just concentrate on the money that I DO save. But I can't help it. Every time I get home and realize I forgot to use coupons, or that I didn't get as good of a deal as I could have, I feel sick. <br />
<br />
I'm glad that I have learned to be more thrifty with my shopping. But once in awhile I miss the guilt free shopping days. Does anyone else have this problem???Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-38345433153868659922011-12-09T04:19:00.001-08:002011-12-09T04:19:59.883-08:00Are you sick of me helping you yet Hope?<a href="http://hip2save.com/2011/12/08/vistaprint-custom-photo-calendar-only-5-67-shipped-2/">http://hip2save.com/2011/12/08/vistaprint-custom-photo-calendar-only-5-67-shipped-2/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
One more link for a cheap calendar. Just be warned, it won't be here in time for Christmas, at least not with the cheapest shipping option. I ordered some return address labels, and they took almost the full three weeks!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-66020916918143437242011-12-08T10:19:00.001-08:002011-12-08T10:20:06.278-08:00Amazon, Melissa and DougA lot of Melissa and Doug toys are on sale for 50% off today only at amazon.com! I'm going to get some play food. <br /><br />And now it's time for me to look into Amazon Mom thanks to Hope's suggestion!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-78257973034031543592011-12-07T17:43:00.001-08:002011-12-07T17:43:41.866-08:00Photo CalendarHope, my Mom told me today that photo calendars are B1G2 free on Snapfish right now. Sounds like a good deal if you have multiple to do! Good luck!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-70119180406360527242011-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:49:50.306-08:00Amazon MomBecoming an Amazon Mom was on of the BEST online decisions I've ever made. I've been a member for 4 months and have saved hundreds! Free shipping and discount products makes it amazing, now we get free instant streaming movie rental and free ebook rental.<br />
<br />
Sign up and you get free prime membership for 3 months, then you can extend your free membership once a month for up to a year, by filling your quota in purchases.<br />
<br />
Subscribe and Save gets you an even larger discount. Don't be afraid to select the subscribe and save to get the extra 35% discount on baby items - and then when your shipment comes in just remember to unsubscribe! I always choose the every 6mo shipment to give me plenty of time to remember to unsubscribe.<br />
<br />
Kind of a brief rundown, feel free to ask questions if you want to know more about this amazing program. There's also one available for students!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-47513570140355884292011-12-07T09:43:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:43:04.978-08:00The Help Coupon and some ScenariosMeijer is having their Santa Bucks sale! Love, love love, this sale - nothing like high dollar coupons to use on basically anything you want.<br />
<br />
The Help - Blue ray combo pack $22.99<br />
<a href="http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=wi&tqnm=ylflees50967618&o=95096&c=QG&p=6jTXworE">$5.00 The Help coupon for any combo pack</a><br />
$3.00 off Santa Bucks any item 14.97 and up<br />
<br />
Making the Blue-ray combo pack only $14.99!!<br />
<br />
The regular DVD version of The Help is $16.99<br />
<br />
Amazon:<br />
$19.99 Combo pack.<br />
$5 Coupon (see link above)<br />
$14.99 Prime Members get shipping freeHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-71178828654994916192011-12-06T16:04:00.000-08:002011-12-06T16:04:15.863-08:00Target DealsI got some great deals at Target today, thanks to the Target coupons that are out right now. For $16.38 I got a sweater, three items from the dollar section for stocking stuffers, four boxes of cereal, and two packages of trail mix. If anyone else is as big of a fan of trail mix as we are, then now is a great time to get some. The Archer Farms gourmet kinds (SUPER yummy) are on sale for 2.50 each, and there is a target coupon for 1.50 off two, making them 1.75 each. Great price for trail mix. Also, there are some good Target coupons for clothing. My favorite is the $4 off a women's sweater. If you can find one off the clearance rack like I did, this makes for a really great deal! Mine was even a bit of a stretch. I got a cardigan (the kind that is longer in the front) off the clearance rack for $7 something. It was cotton, and only 3/4 sleeves, but the guy ringing me up was an older man who didn't even question it being a sweater! So I got it for a little over $3! Score!<br />
<br />
Happy ShoppingStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-7653973245375292132011-12-04T18:33:00.000-08:002011-12-04T18:34:58.373-08:00Snapfish card codeI was a little bummed that I had to create my Christmas cards later than I wanted to this year, but it meant that I ended up getting a better coupon code at Snapfish then I previously had. There are probably better deals out there, but I have been a Snapfish customer for awhile and I love their variety. If you order your Christmas cards through them by 12/11 using coupon code CARDSFS40, you get 40% off and FREE SHIPPING! BOTH! I felt like I got a really good deal. Plus the more sets you buy, the cheaper the individual card. Merry Christmas!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-84038830645851140452011-12-04T11:54:00.001-08:002011-12-04T11:54:28.398-08:00Deal Wanted: Photo CalendarsIf you hear of a deal on photo calendars let me know! I'm in charge of the calendars this year and I have no idea where to start to look.<br />
<br />
Thanks!!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-86591704888623817972011-12-02T18:57:00.000-08:002011-12-02T19:02:40.367-08:00The Children's PlaceHello. This is nothing too fancy, but I have an extra coupon good for 20% off all your purchases through January 2, 2012 for The Children's Place. If anyone would like it, let me know: marinda0109 at hotmail dot com. I've used mine a couple times and it gives a little edge on even the sale priced items.<div><br /></div><div>--Marinda</div>The Wessman Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13780247937124654277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-15252785988598015922011-12-01T18:55:00.000-08:002011-12-01T18:55:02.859-08:00E-Reader OwnersOne of my favorite deals is finding free kindle books. Some "deal blogs" I frequent have them - except like Stephanie said earlier there's so much more junk you have to sort through, plus I find so many more on my own.<br />
<br />
If there are any E-reader owners that would like me to post the free books I find, I'm more than willing to post them! Most of the books change monthly or bi-weekly. I have about 200 books on my kindle (owned it for 6mo) and I've only purchased two both under $1.00.<br />
<br />
But I don't want this to be yet another too many deals to sort through blog, so if not, I'll keep them to myself <br />
: DHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577413267250737025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-91920069740088496552011-12-01T12:39:00.000-08:002011-12-01T12:39:54.090-08:00Meijer TipsOkay this is for Lindsay (and anyone else who would like more tips on saving at Meijer). As I mentioned before, I could use some help in the grocery saving dept, so if anyone has anything to add, please do!!!<br />
<br />
Lindsay, I am so glad you are back by a Meijer! I would definitely miss it if I were to ever move away. I just haven't found a store that compares with the prices and produce quality combined. And since I hate stopping multiple places to get groceries, Meijer is the store for me!<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are my three tips for Meijer:;<br />
<br />
1. <strong>Meijer Mealbox coupons</strong>. You can access this on Meijer's main page. They have coupons that are smaller in value, such as save $1 off four, however they can be used along with a manufacturer coupon. So that makes it great! These are coupons that you actually print out. <br />
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2. <strong>MPerks</strong>: You can also access this on Meijer's main page. If I weren't so lazy I would include the link, but I am trying to stay true to my resolve not to make this blog another place that I spend too much time! Anyway, this is a link to more Meijer coupons, except that you clip these online and never print them. What you do is type in your phone number and password when you are checking out. There is a spot in the corner of the electronic keypad where you use a debit card. As long as you clipped the coupon prior, and then type in your numbers before you pay, the amount will automatically come off. I love that you don't have to print anything. My only downfall is that I sometimes get so caught up in checking out and dealing with the kids, that I forget to push the buttons. I just did this today, and was so bummed because I had at least one coupon on there that I could have used. These are also Meijer coupons, so they can be used along with Manufacturer coupons. Once in awhile they have coupons that are just $2 off your entire purchase. You'll get one of these when you sign up!<br />
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3. I use a couple of websites that list all the Meijer sales, along with the coupons that are out there to use. They will mention if there is a Meijer mealbox coupon or an MPerks one as well. The two that I use are <a href="http://bargainbriana.com/">bargainbriana.com</a> and <a href="http://dealseekingmom.com/">dealseekingmom.com</a>. If anyone has other ones that they like, please share!!!<br />
<br />
Hope that helps you get started!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861612066907826798.post-18172134364836116782011-11-30T07:40:00.001-08:002011-11-30T07:50:03.108-08:00Hello Everyone!<br />
<br />
I've wanted to start this blog for awhile. If you were invited, it means you are someone that I know appreciates a good bargain, and maybe even gets into the couponing, on some scale. As for myself, I have been on all ends of the spectrum as far as couponing and bargain shopping. Okay not all ends...I have always shopped for sales and clearances. However, I have fallen off the bandwagon a little with using coupons at the grocery store. I have gotten frustrated with the amount of time I put into it, often to get to the store and find the shelves either cleared or the deal scenario to not be what it was supposed to. This has evolved into me using less coupons at the grocery store, and though I still shop the sales, our budget could benefit from me doing better. <br />
<br />
This is where this blog comes in. I am notorious for finding out about a great bargain a day too late. Recently a friend of mine told me how Meijer had a two day clearance where every item of clearance clothing was 50% off the lowest price. I wanted to cry, because I had <em>been there </em>that morning, but didn't know to check the clearance clothes. I've also had some of you pass on helpful tips such as great Groupon deals, or free peanut butter at Meijer, etc. I would love to use this blog as a way to pass on those helpful tips to each other. Feel free to do posts asking for opinions on money saving techniques as well. For instance, we have recently switched to a cash envelope system for our budgeting. It's still in the tweaking process, but so far we have seen great results. I would be happy to share more about that, because I was inspired by two friends who do it and one of them has become completely debt free in the process! Katie B, I would love it if you did a post about your thrift store clothing shopping, with some pictures of some of the awesome outfits you have put together!<br />
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I check several blogs whose purposes are to let you know the current bargains, deal scenarios, etc. The problem is, those sites have become so overflown with giveaways, and freebies, and things that I don't care about, that it's annoying to me to try and weed through the posts to find simple good bargains that are helpful to me. So, I am not asking you to share every single deal that you have come across. Rather, please share simple tidbits such as "I was in Target today and noticed their toys just went on 75% clearance," or "Here's a way I scored really cheap toilet paper," etc. <strong> </strong>Other good things to pass along would be the really good scenarios you have discovered, even from other sites, that actually worked for you and the item was stocked on the shelf. I am <strong><em>especially </em></strong>interested if they are uncomplicated, and don't include things like rebates. <br />
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I'll be honest. I don't plan to put a bunch of time into making this blog fancy or "cute." It's also fine with me if it goes days without having a new post. I'm not going to try and think of something to write just for the sake of writing something. The point will be to help each other save money, in a quick and simple way. I hope all of you will contribute, so that we can help each other! <br />
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If you haven't received an invitation to be an author and would like to, please leave a comment with your email address!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210672751020722733noreply@blogger.com3