I have heard people say, “Oh, it’s too much trouble to use coupons.” Or, “It’s just not worth it.” Really? Since the beginning of the year, I have been keeping track of how much money we have saved using coupons and coupon codes. My Year to Date savings is $6,167.34 My rule of thumb was, if I had to go to some extra effort to save money, such as clipping a coupon or hunting down a coupon code when shopping online, I notated the savings. In my opinion, that kind of savings is definately worth the effort!
Monthly Archives: December 2012
Free Credit Reports – Know What’s On Your Credit Report
Did you know you can request a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months? It is important to verify the information on your credit report periodically. If you have excellent credit, don’t assume everything is okay. If you have less than perfect credit, review your report to make sure everything is correct, and use it as a tool to see where you stand. Knowing what you owe is an important step in getting out of debt.
There are three nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Get you free copy of each report from AnnualCreditReport.com. This is a FREE service, not to confused with sites that require a membership.
Please see my disclosure policy.
Using Credit Wisely
As the New Year starts, many people are setting goals, and some of those goals are financial. While I am not a financial adviser, I want to share some of the things that have worked for me and my family.
I am getting a very tired of hearing about how horrible it is to use credit cards. I don’t know how many times I’ve read that if you want to live debt-free you should get rid of your credit cards. Here is my unsolicited opinion….use credit wisely. Yes, we use our credit cards and get bills in the mail each month, BUT we pay those bills off in full each month. We use our cards to their fullest advantage. Each of the cards we use has some type of reward associated with it.
Years ago, I had a Barnes and Noble credit card. I earned certificates to get free merchandise at the bookstore. Given how much I love to read, this was right up my alley. Well, they decided to discontinue the program. I stumbled onto Chase and their Amazon.com Rewards credit card. At the time, I knew Amazon sold books, so that was a good incentive for me to apply. Since then I have acquired hundreds of dollars of merchandise from Amazon at no out of pocket expense. I use this card for almost everything. The catch is, I pay off the entire balance each and every month. Yes, the credit card companies probably hate me because they are paying out roughly $20 in reward money each month and they are not getting any interest out of me, but I don’t care.
A few months ago, I shopped for my daughter’s birthday gift. I found the bike on Amazon for $80. I checked again, the price and it was $65 (+ shipping). I checked my credit card rewards and I had $20+ in Amazon reward points available, plus $5 in a gift certificate. By the time I was done, I bought a bike for my daughter that could have cost us $80, but instead it was only $45 out of pocket.
Our Fry’s (Kroger) stores have advertised their branded credit cards for awhile. I gave it a lot of thought before deciding to apply. Since I shop at Fry’s weekly, and I can get additional grocery and fuel savings, I decided to go for it. I only use this card for my trips to Fry’s and the fuel center, but the points add up. When I reach a certain number of points, they send me a $5 check to use in store toward purchases. Why would I turn down free groceries? Like the Amazon card, I pay off the balance each month.
Target is another place I find myself each week. I was reluctant to get a Red Card because it would mean I would earn fewer Amazon reward points. However, doing the math, the additional 5% off each purchase made with the Red Card is more beneficial.
I’ve heard people brag about not owing anyone because they don’t have a single credit card in their name. That is wonderful. I certainly don’t suggest taking on mountains of debt. These same people then complain because when they do need credit (for a car loan or home loan) they have trouble because they don’t have a strong credit score.
My suggestion is live within your means. Only purchase things you can afford. Find a credit card with a reward that will benefit you. You don’t need to get rid of all of your credit cards, you just have to learn to use them wisely!
Please see my disclosure policy.
P&G Coupon Book – $17 in Coupons
Be sure to request the newest P&G Home Made Simple Coupon Book – Organize in Style. Over $17 in savings, plus budget-friendly organizing ideas you can do in a day. These usually go pretty fast.
Please see my disclosure policy.
$17 for iPhone 5 Cable w/Wall and Car Chargers – Eversave
If you are still in need of an iPhone 5 cable, check out Eversave’s deal. $17 for an iPhone 5 Lightning connector cable with car and wall chargers.
- Syncs and charges iPhone 5
- USB plug connects directly to laptop or adapters
- Cable length: 36″
- Use car’s cigarette lighter to charge your phone
- Compatible with iPhone 5, fifth generation iPod Touch, 7th generation iPod Nano, 4th generation iPad, iPad Mini
- Choose from black, green, hot pink, light blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white or yellow
The voucher will be available immediately after purchase and needs to be redeemed at: http://www.all4cellular.com/product/iphone-5-lightning-connector-cable-with-car-wall-chargers-promotion.html
- May buy up to 5 Saves – Customers must redeem one code at a time.
- Valid for one iPhone 5 cable with car and wall chargers
- Not to be combined with other coupon codes
- Free shipping – Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery after redemption.
- Shipping available to physical addresses in the 48 contiguous US states only (no P.O. boxes)
- Code available immediately after purchase on Eversave
- Promotional value expires on Feb 10, 2013.
Please see my disclosure policy.
$3 Build-A-Bear Coupon – Facebook Offer
If you (or your little one) has a Bear Buck$ gift card, be sure to check out Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Facebook page. The have an offer for Save $3 when you redeem your Bear Buck$ gift card in store! Offer expires 12/30/12.
Please see my disclosure policy.
2013 Coupon Insert Schedule
For those intersted to know what coupon inserts to expect in the Sunday papers, here is the 2013 schedule:
January Coupon Inserts
- 01/06/2013: (2) Redplum, (3) Smartsource, (1) Target Johnson & Johnson
- 01/13/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 01/20/2013: (1) Smartsource
- 01/27/2013: (2) Redplum, (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
February Coupon Inserts
- 02/03/2013: (1) Redplum, (2) Smartsource
- 02/10/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 02/17/2013: (1) Redplum
- 02/24/2013: (1) Smartsource
March Coupon Inserts
- 03/03/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
- 03/10/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 03/17/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 03/24/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 03/31/2013: (1) P&G
April Coupon Inserts
- 04/07/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 04/14/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 04/21/2013: (1) Smartsource
- 04/28/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
May Coupon Inserts
- 05/05/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
- 05/12/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 05/19/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 05/26/2013: No Inserts (Holiday Weekend)
June Coupon Inserts
- 06/02/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
- 06/09/2013: (1) Smartsource
- 06/16/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 06/23/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 06/30/2013: (1) Redplum
July Coupon Inserts
- 07/07/2013: (1) P&G
- 07/14/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 07/21/2013: None
- 07/28/2013: (2) Redplum, (2) Smartsource, (1) P&G
August Coupon Inserts
- 08/04/2013: (2) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 08/11/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 08/18/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 08/25/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
September Coupon Inserts
- 09/01/2013: (1) P&G
- 09/08/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 09/15/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 09/22/2013: (1) Smartsource
- 09/29/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
October Coupon Inserts
- 10/06/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
- 10/13/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 10/20/2013: (1) Smartsource, (1) P&G
- 10/27/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
November Coupon Inserts
- 11/03/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 11/10/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 11/17/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 11/24/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
December Coupon Inserts
- 12/01/2013: (1) P&G
- 12/08/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 12/15/2013: (1) Redplum, (1) Smartsource
- 12/22/2013: NO INSERTS
- 12/29/2013: (1) P&G
Please see my disclosure policy.
Disney Movie Rewards – 5 Points
Be sure to take the time to log into Disney Movie Rewards today and get 5 free points with the code: 25DOC12.
Please see my disclosure policy.
$50 iTunes Gift Card Only $40 – Today (12/26) ONLY
Today (12/26) only, you can grab a $50 iTunes Gift Card for only $40 from eBay. This is a great way to save on something you may find yourself needing later when deals are hard to find.
Please see my disclosure policy.
10 Pampers Gifts To Grow Points
Pampers has given us another 10 Point Gifts to Grow code: FBCHD11XMASKH12 (Exp 12/31 11:59pm CT).
If you are not familiar with Pampers Gifts To Grow Codes, codes can be found on Pampers diapers, pants, and wipes. If you use any of those products on your little ones they can add up pretty quickly. Promotional codes are released quite often, so even if you don’t have little ones, you can still earn points and get rewards.
Just sign up HERE and start entering codes. Promo codes can often (especially on holidays) be found on Pampers Facebook page or their Twitter page.
Rewards often include such things as prints or cards from Shutterfly, magazine subscriptions, toys or DVDs, and sometimes they offer gift cards.