I love these mystery coupons, actually I just love e-Coupons in general. For me, they are like a nice little bonus when I shop at Kroger (the only store we have locally that has a shopper card). I don't plan them into my grocery plan but they are still there and they just magically stack with my paper coupons.
So, anyway, tomorrow Cellfire is giving away another bonus mystery coupon and all you have to do is log in to get it. Log in tomorrow (Friday March 4) between 3am and 6pm EST to snag your mystery coupon. You could get anything between .50 and $3 off your next grocery purchase!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Having Trouble With Your Mortgage? Know Your Options
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fannie Mae for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
One of the scariest thoughts for me is the idea of missing a mortgage payment or something going wrong that might jeopardize our home. I think in the 8 years I've been a homeowner I've been late on a payment twice and it totally freaked me out. It's kind of like seeing a cop as you are driving; you slow down even if you weren't speeding. Even though I know that nothing is going to happen if I miss ONE payment or if I'm late, it's still a scary thought that something COULD happen.
It usually takes at least 3 missed payments before your mortgage company will even start threatening foreclosure. The good news is that there are options before that even happens (and even if that's already happened).
Know Your Options by Fannie Mae is a website that Fannie Mae (the government sponsored entity that takes care of keeping the housing market stable) has set up to help us know the options that are available to us if you are struggling to make your mortgage payments or facing foreclosure. I'm really glad to see Fannie Mae setting up such an informative site since this is a subject that so many people are dealing with right now.
The good news is that there are options. It really worries me to see the number of people who get so frustrated at their loss of property value that they are willing to just walk away from their investment and lose it completely. If you can afford to pay your mortgage you should continue to do so. Property values are already starting to come back. Like any investment, values will go up and down. The economy is already starting to turn around and the housing market will follow. We just have to be patient.
Personally, I'd love to move RIGHT NOW. But, I know it's not realistic because we wouldn't be able to sell our house for what we have in it. We wouldn't be upside down, BUT we would lose money so it just doesn't make sense to move if we don't have to.
If, however, your situation is such that you just can't afford your mortgage, whether it's because you signed onto an adjustable rate or interest only loan that has come due, or because you lost a job and just don't have the income to pay your mortgage, you don't have to lose your house. The best and first thing to do is to call your mortgage company and let them know what's going on. The better you communicate the further you will get. If you just stick your head in the sand and try to act like nothing is happening, something will happen. A Forbearance may be an option for you if you are in a situation where you've lost a job or had a medical situation come up that is keeping you from making your monthly payments. If you can show your mortgage company proof of what is going on they may be willing to suspend or reduce your payments for a short time until you can get back on your feet. I've had family members who have had to do this in the past following medical emergencies and it may be the only reason they are still in their home now.
KnowYourOptions.com offers consumers a wealth of information about the various options available. Whether you need help staying in your home or need ideas for how to get out of your home without being foreclosed on, you'll want to check out this website. Another important thing that this website offers is their Beware of Scams section. Being an avid Dave Ramsey listener, I'm used to the idea that many of the services that offer to help you avoid immediate foreclosure or CONsolidate your credit are just scams. Avoid companies that want you to pay them to help with debt relief. There are HUD approved agencies that will do this for free (one more reason to Know Your Options).
Not being able to pay your bills is a very scary thing and when you get scared sometimes you act without thinking. Whether you are in this position now, know someone who is, or ever could be, this is a website worth checking out. Maybe you don't need the info but knowing it will allow you to pass it on to someone who may need it (now or later).
Over $50 in Publix Coupons
There's a new sheet of printable Publix coupons available here. For a full list of what's included and the limits, check out PassionatePennyPincher.
- thanks PassionatePennyPincher!
- thanks PassionatePennyPincher!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Great Deal on Swiffer Refills at Walgreens Next Week
If you haven't already used your BOGO Swiffer refills coupon from Sunday's paper yet, you will want to hang onto it till next week.
Starting Sunday at Walgreens.
Swiffer Refills 25% Off (get $3RR wyb $10)
According to their website they are regularly $5.99,
-25% off would make them $4.49
Use BOGO Coupon = 2/$4.49
- Get $3 RR
= final price 2/ $1.49
Starting Sunday at Walgreens.
Swiffer Refills 25% Off (get $3RR wyb $10)
According to their website they are regularly $5.99,
-25% off would make them $4.49
Use BOGO Coupon = 2/$4.49
- Get $3 RR
= final price 2/ $1.49
BOGO Entree at TGI Fridays
Click here to print a coupon for a BOGO Entree at TGIFriday's (with purchase of appetizer).
Airwick & Betty Crocker Coupons Coming Sunday
According to the Sunday Coupon Preview, we can expect some new Airwick and Betty Crocker coupons in the SmartSource insert this Sunday.
We can also expect coupons from Campbell's, Colgate, Classico & Tyson. Looks like this should be a good coupon week.
We can also expect coupons from Campbell's, Colgate, Classico & Tyson. Looks like this should be a good coupon week.
Publix Coupon Book By Mail
Sign up for your FREE Publix coupon book to be delivered by postal mail to you in about 2-4 weeks.
10 Reasons to LIKE Your Favorite Companies on Facebook
You may want to set up a secondary Facebook account to do your company liking with unless you want to end up overwhelmed with seeing them on your newsfeed (or you could hide them individually). I've never found myself spammed by any but I have found myself unable to find my friends in my feed thanks to all the other stuff showing up.
Ben & Jerry's is offering those who LIKE them $1.50 off a pint of ice cream. This should equal some really cheap ice cream if you can match that coupon up with a good sale. The coupon is a Ecoupon good at stores with loyalty / shopper cards like Kroger.
Like Nivea on Facebook and they've got several coupons for you, including $1/1 body lotion
Like the Facebook page for America's Next Great Restaurant and watch a short video preview for the show and get a coupon for a B1G1 FREE meal at Chipotle!
Like Yoplait and get a FREE CUP of yogurt
Join Bob Evans email list on Facebook and they will send you a coupon for BOGO side dishes
Like Cheez-It on Facebook and get a FREE Sample of Cheez-Its
Free Sample of Quaker Life Bar (good till 3/5)
Like SILK on Facebook, then sign up for a $1/1 Coupon for soy milk
Like Eucerin and get a coupon for $1 Off body lotion.
Like Yoplait Smoothie and get a coupon for $1 Off.
Like Clean & Clear and get a $2 Off Coupon
Ben & Jerry's is offering those who LIKE them $1.50 off a pint of ice cream. This should equal some really cheap ice cream if you can match that coupon up with a good sale. The coupon is a Ecoupon good at stores with loyalty / shopper cards like Kroger.
Like Nivea on Facebook and they've got several coupons for you, including $1/1 body lotion
Like the Facebook page for America's Next Great Restaurant and watch a short video preview for the show and get a coupon for a B1G1 FREE meal at Chipotle!
Like Yoplait and get a FREE CUP of yogurt
Join Bob Evans email list on Facebook and they will send you a coupon for BOGO side dishes
Like Cheez-It on Facebook and get a FREE Sample of Cheez-Its
Free Sample of Quaker Life Bar (good till 3/5)
Like SILK on Facebook, then sign up for a $1/1 Coupon for soy milk
Like Eucerin and get a coupon for $1 Off body lotion.
Like Yoplait Smoothie and get a coupon for $1 Off.
Like Clean & Clear and get a $2 Off Coupon
COUPON NEWS: Groupon Sued
According to this article in the Huffington Post, a Chicago man has sued Groupon claiming that the expiration dates are illigal. Evidently, there is state and Federal law that prohibits selling coupons that expire within 5 years. I'm familiar with that limitation on gift certificates (and now gift cards), but I had not been aware it applied to these types of coupons, as well. I had wondered about it when I first started buying Groupon type deals and saw that most of them expire within 6 months. Actually, I think the first one I ever bought expired within about 3 months (which really did annoy me).
Then again, I'm also fully aware that the expiration of the coupon is one of the main selling points for retailers, since it's guaranteed money. From their point of view, hopefully the number of those who don't redeem the coupons before they expire will be high enough to cover the loss they will have from those who do.
So what do you think? If this becomes a class action suit, would you join in? Have you bought a Groupon that has expired before you got to use it?
Then again, I'm also fully aware that the expiration of the coupon is one of the main selling points for retailers, since it's guaranteed money. From their point of view, hopefully the number of those who don't redeem the coupons before they expire will be high enough to cover the loss they will have from those who do.
So what do you think? If this becomes a class action suit, would you join in? Have you bought a Groupon that has expired before you got to use it?
Saving Money at the Grocery Stores: Stockpiling
I have a love-hate relationship with my stockpile. I love it in that I know it has saved me a ton of money (and will continue to save me a ton of money). I hate it because it takes up space and because stockpiling can become a bit addictive.
Here are a few things to remember about stockpiling:
1. Sales come in cycles - My first big mistake in stockpiling was the initial fear that if I didn't get it during THAT sale that I'd never see it on sale again. I was so wrong. Sales go in cycles, anywhere from 1 to 3 months. So, don't feel like you have to complete your stockpile on your first trip.
2. Just because you have a coupon doesn't mean you have to use it - The first time I bought coupons online, I bought 30 coupons for Marie Calender's frozen meals on Ebay. I then used ALL of those coupons during one sale at Kroger. I now have a freezer full of Marie Calender meals all because I felt like I had to use ALL of those coupons. I've learned. During the last Kroger Mega sale I again bought coupons (this time for the Campbell's Chunky soup). I bought about 60 coupons (because they were being sold in lots of 20+). We only used 50 of those coupons. It didn't kill me and I ended up giving the rest of them away.
3. Stockpiles are NOT Built in a Day - When you look at my stockpile (or pictures of other people's stockpiles) the first thought is often "How did they do that?". It takes a lot of trips over time to build a stockpile like that. (Well, except for the Gatorade and the soup, which granted is like 1/4 of my stockpile). Start slow and grab only the best deals to add to your stockpile. Don't buy things just because you want to build a stockpile, buy them because they are a good deal AND they will add to your stockpile and save you money later.
Here are a few things to remember about stockpiling:
1. Sales come in cycles - My first big mistake in stockpiling was the initial fear that if I didn't get it during THAT sale that I'd never see it on sale again. I was so wrong. Sales go in cycles, anywhere from 1 to 3 months. So, don't feel like you have to complete your stockpile on your first trip.
2. Just because you have a coupon doesn't mean you have to use it - The first time I bought coupons online, I bought 30 coupons for Marie Calender's frozen meals on Ebay. I then used ALL of those coupons during one sale at Kroger. I now have a freezer full of Marie Calender meals all because I felt like I had to use ALL of those coupons. I've learned. During the last Kroger Mega sale I again bought coupons (this time for the Campbell's Chunky soup). I bought about 60 coupons (because they were being sold in lots of 20+). We only used 50 of those coupons. It didn't kill me and I ended up giving the rest of them away.
3. Stockpiles are NOT Built in a Day - When you look at my stockpile (or pictures of other people's stockpiles) the first thought is often "How did they do that?". It takes a lot of trips over time to build a stockpile like that. (Well, except for the Gatorade and the soup, which granted is like 1/4 of my stockpile). Start slow and grab only the best deals to add to your stockpile. Don't buy things just because you want to build a stockpile, buy them because they are a good deal AND they will add to your stockpile and save you money later.
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