Thursday, April 7, 2011
Dual Incomes Need Coupons Too
We've done really well in the last 6 months. We took Financial Peace and during the course of the class we were able to build our Emergency Fund not only back to where it had been, but to where it needed to be. We are at risk for my husband losing his contract this summer, so we have continued to pile extra cash into the Emergency Fund. The funny thing is we don't even notice it anymore, we are so used to living within our budget. My pay goes straight into the EF account. We live off his, this includes having to pay OOP for all of my meds (luckily we do get reimbursed for most of it, but the 6 weeks we wait could really hurt if we weren't prepared). Our budget also includes and adequate amount for us to go out and have fun. Our "Dining & Entertainment" envelope is just that, an envelope. We put a set amount in there every 2 weeks and that's what we go out to eat on or go to the movies or do other fun things with. There have only been a couple of times where we've gotten to a point where we were out of fun money and still wanted to do something. We also each have our own personal envelope that we use for things we need throughout the week, whether it's buying ourselves lunch, buying clothes or just buying something for each other. We also use a cash envelope for Groceries. This (as I've posted many times) is probably the hardest area for me to stay within budget and that's mainly because I have cut the Grocery budget many times since we started. It's now at 1/4 of what we originally started at, and in my opinion two people should be able to live off of $50 a week in groceries, especially with the stockpile we have. So the over-spending is all on me.
I knew when I started this blog that if I kept it up for 6 months I'd end up changing the name, although I had no idea what I'd change it to. Growing and changing is part of life, and I want this blog to grow and to help others. As I've read many other blogs from others sharing their insight on saving money, using coupons, etc the one that struck me is that most of them are Moms reaching out to other Moms. Often, they are mom's who have chosen to stay home with their kids and their couponing (and blogging) is their way of financially supporting their family. I applaud that!
There are always tons of deals out there for the Moms, deals for kids. I don't have kids. We are DINKs (Dual Income No Kids). So while I know that a great deal is a great deal for anyone and I hope to help the Mom's who want to save too. I really wanted to reach out to those who I can relate to the most. Those of us with two incomes, plenty of income and way too much outgo. Just because you have dual incomes doesn't mean you don't need to save money, and it certainly doesn't mean you can't use coupons. Dual Incomes Need Coupons Too!
If you are a dual income family, and especially if you are a child-free family this will be the blog for you. I won't be posting deals for kids stuff or baby stuff, or mom stuff. But, I will post deals. I will post deals that appeal to me (just as I"ve always done) and hopefully in the process they will be deals that will appeal to you. I'll also post my thoughts on how DINKs can become DINKS with money by using coupons!
And the Winner Is....
The winning entry of the Random Samples Giveaway was #24
- I'm a FB follower too!
Thanks :) I'll be emailing you in just a moment to get your mail details.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
New Coupons Available on Cellfire
Keep in mind if you are a Kroger shopper that they are no longer allowing stacking of digital and paper coupons. If your paper coupon is better, don't load the digital one. That said, here are some of the new coupons you'll find to load onto your card at Cellfire.
- Green Giant boxed Save $.60
Save $0.60 when you buy THREE any variety Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables. - Totinos Party Pizza Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy FIVE any flavor/variety Totinos® Crisp Crust Party Pizza® Products.
- PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40
Save $.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls. - Pillsbury® Crescents Save $.50
Save $.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls. - PB Refrig'd Grands! Save $.30
Save $.30 when you buy TWO any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits - PB Italian Meal Brd Save $.40
Save $.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust). - Totinos Pizza Rolls Save $.40
Save $.40 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any flavor/variety Totinos® Rolls Snacks. - PB Cookie Dough Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough. - Total® cereal Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Total® cereal listed: Whole Grain Total®, Total® Raisin Bran, Total® Cranberry Crunch, Total® Blueberry Pomegranate, Total® Cinnamon Crunch, Total® Plus Omega-3s Honey Almond Flax. - Trix® Cereal Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Trix® cereal. - Honey Nut Cheerios® Save $.55
Save $0.55 when you buy ONE BOX Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal. - Cookie Crisp® Cereal Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Cookie Crisp® cereal. - GG Bagged Vege's Save $.40
Save $0.40 when you buy any variety 19 OZ. - 24 OZ. ONLY Green Giant® Frozen Bagged Vegetables. - PB Holiday Cookies Save $1
Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Holiday Cookies. - Select Cheerios® Save $.75
Save $0.75 when you buy any ONE BOX Cheerios® cereal listed: Frosted Cheerios® ,Apple Cinnamon Cheerios®, Banana Nut Cheerios®, Fruity Cheerios®, Chocolate Cheerios®, Cheerios® Oat Cluster Crunch, Yogurt Burst Cheerios®, Cinnamon Burst Cheerios®. - GG Valley Fresh Stmrs Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® frozen vegetables. - BC Potatoes Save $.50
Save $0.50 when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker® boxed Potatoes (Except Potato Buds® and Betty Crocker® Pouch). - PB Toaster Strudel® Save $.60
Save $0.60 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® Pastries.
Free Samples from FreeFlys
There are several new FREE SAMPLES available from FreeFlys, so be sure to fly by and grab yours :)
My Publix Shopping List - 4/6
I thought I'd try something new this week and share with you my personal shopping list for this week's trip to Publix (along with any coupons that I know of to go with it).
A couple of things to keep in mind if you are new to shopping at Publix.
- Navel Oranges $.99/lb
- White Seedless Grapes $1.69lb
- Florida Cucumbers 2/$1.29
- Red Grapefruit 5lb bag $2.50 (although I did not see this in my local ad it was on previews, so I'm hoping).
- Glass Plus Glass Cleaner BOGO $2.49
- -$0.50/1 Glass Plus Product
- =.25 each
- Jell-O Snacks 3 for $6
- -$0.60/1 Jell-O Refrigerated Snacks 4/3/2011 SS Insert (exp 5/3/2011)
- -$1/1 Jell-o Snacks 4/3/2011 SS Insert (exp 5/3/2011)
- -$1/1 Jell-O Temptations (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
- -B2G1 FREE Jell-O snacks Target Q (I don't think it's still available)
- Final Price Will Vary Depening on which items are purchased
- Wish-bone Dressing BOGO $2.63
- -$0.40/1 Wish Bone Dressing
- -$1.50/2 Wish-Bone Salad Dressings TARGET coupon Target.com (exp 4/30/2011)
- = .50 Money Maker wyb 2 and use both coupons, unfortunately I can only find the Target Q
- Post Selects or Great Grains Cereal BOGO $3.29
- -$1/1 Post Great Grains Cereal 4/3/2011 SS Insert (exp 5/15/2011)
- =$.70 each for Great Grains cereals
- Arnold Bread BOGO $3.99
- $1/1 Arnold Bread - sent in response to direct request for coupons from Arnold Bread
- $1 each
- A1 Steaksauce BOGO $4.19
- -$1/1 A1 Steak Sauce 3/6/2011 SS Insert
- =$1.10 each
- V8 V-Fusion Vegatable & Fruit Juice - BOGO $3.99
A couple of things to keep in mind if you are new to shopping at Publix.
- Their BOGO sales vary regionally. In some areas it is equivalent to 50% Off, meaning that you don't have to buy 2 to get the deal (that is the case in my area).
- Most Publix stores double manufacturer coupons up to $.50
- Most Publix stores accept competitor coupons, which stores they consider a competitor will vary regionally.
Last Day To Enter Giveaway!
Today is the last day to enter my giveaway for a box of sample items! This box has actually grown in the last week since I started this giveaway and I'll have to put everything in a new bigger box than I'd planned!
To enter go to the original giveaway thread and see the entry requirements.
To enter go to the original giveaway thread and see the entry requirements.
Speaking of Coffee!
Don't forget to enter Green Mountain Coffee's daily sweepstakes - Choose It, Brew It for a chance to win free coffee and other prizes.
FREE Coffee Sample!
I LOVE Free Coffee Samples. Even though I have a Keurig, I'm perfectly happy to use my MyKCup to brew whatever coffee is available. This week, we have another free coffee sample, this time coming to us from Joe Ragan's Coffee & Office Supplies. Just head over and "like" them on Facebook and fill out the form for a free sample.
GiveAway : Random Free Samples
I decided to do another giveaway, this time of some random free samples that I've accumulated, over the last couple of months and some coupons to go with them. I've got samples from Covergirl, Eucerin, Vasoline Intensive Care, an adjustable measuring spoon from Red Gold, chicken soup, SalonPas, Crest and quite a few more and I've put them all together in one big envelope for one lucky winner.
This giveaway will run through April 6 at midnight, at which point I will use Random.org to choose a winnner. There is one mandatory entry and 3 optional ways to enter. Post a comment for each one of the below that you do.
Mandatory: You must be a public follower of Money Saving Mode on Google Friend Connect (look to the right side of the page and you'll see the "follow" link (if you aren't already following). After you've followed, post a comment below with your email address (use the form email at email dot com - example julie at yahoo dot com, instead of julie@yahoo.com - to avoid spammer bots).
Optional 1: Like Money Saving Mode on Facebook. Comment below to let me know you did (if you already did, just comment below telling me so).
Optional 2: Share Money Saving Mode on Facebook with your friends and invite them to follow. Comment below letting me know you did this.
Optional 3: Tell us about the best free sample you've ever received in the comments below. For the record my favorite still is the Green Mountain K-Cups with a travel coffee cup!
Have fun and thank you for entering!
This giveaway will run through April 6 at midnight, at which point I will use Random.org to choose a winnner. There is one mandatory entry and 3 optional ways to enter. Post a comment for each one of the below that you do.
Mandatory: You must be a public follower of Money Saving Mode on Google Friend Connect (look to the right side of the page and you'll see the "follow" link (if you aren't already following). After you've followed, post a comment below with your email address (use the form email at email dot com - example julie at yahoo dot com, instead of julie@yahoo.com - to avoid spammer bots).
Optional 1: Like Money Saving Mode on Facebook. Comment below to let me know you did (if you already did, just comment below telling me so).
Optional 2: Share Money Saving Mode on Facebook with your friends and invite them to follow. Comment below letting me know you did this.
Optional 3: Tell us about the best free sample you've ever received in the comments below. For the record my favorite still is the Green Mountain K-Cups with a travel coffee cup!
Have fun and thank you for entering!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)