In today's Interview With a Couponer, I'm interviewing 247 Mama from Carter Chaos.
How long have you been couponing? What got you started?
Since January. I saw a few blogs that got me excited about couponing! I had couponed before but never like this- price match ups, etc.
Why do you feel couponing is important? What has it allowed your family to do?
God gives us stewardship over money. It's our "job" to be good stewards financially. We are tweaking our budget and have a vacation planned soon.
What has been your favorite coupon deal?
I love getting free items like pasta & butter!
How large is your family? What is your grocery budget and has it changed since you started couponing?
We are a family of 4. I'm still tweaking our budget but we are right about $100 a week for household/ groceries. I'd like to get it down to $50-$75. I know it's doable!
Are you teaching your children the value of couponing?
Yes! They are both getting very familiar with the terms and phrases. My 6 yr old is helping me in the store and she is learning about saving money.
Do you stockpile? If so, where do you keep it?
Yes! We live in an older home and are blessed with TONS of storage! A pantry in our bathroom, one in the kitchen, and a large laundry room holds my stockpile.
Are there any products you've tried because of a coupon that have become regular purchases for you?
So many! I was very "brand" snobby before. Now I am trying all different products, and I have been pleasantly surprised! I am loving Purex Crystals and Glade Sense & Spray right now!
Have you been watching Extreme Couponing? If so, what do you think about the show? What impact do you think it will have on couponing, if any?
I have watched a couple of episodes. I'm concerned that there will be a negative impact. Like many reality shows, it just isn't realistic. I fear many newbies will have impossible couponing goals. I also worry about stores making tougher coupon policies and a shift in coupon values due to the show.
What one item are you guilty of buying too much of?
Deodorant! My husband and I both have TONS! I now have a list in my coupon binder of "Items to only buy if FREE!" Amazingly I keep getting it free though!
If you could give one bit of advice to new couponers, what would it be?
Organize, organize, organize! You don't have to start with a binder but at least begin with an accordian file. You want to carry them with you and be able to quickly put your hands on the coupon you need!
Be sure to get to know 247 Mama better on her blog and Facebook
Blog- http://carterchaos-ecarter.blogspot.com/
FB-http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carter-Chaos/146788642051098
Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/247mama
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sweet Cutlery Deal - Today Only
Get this great cutlery deal for just $24.95 shipped!
Farberware®
10 Piece Cutlery Prep Set
This Farberware 10 Piece Cutlery Prep Set is ready to handle all of your cutting and chopping food preparation needs! Each knife in the set is quality-crafted from high-carbon stainless steel for strength and durability and features ergonomically designed handles for a comfortable grip. Set includes: 4-1/2 inch Santoku knife, 6 inch Santoku knife, 8 inch chef's knife, 5 inch utility knife, 3 inch paring knife, 8x10 inch polypropylene cutting board with nonslip accents, poultry shears, bent shears, kitchen shears, and household shears. Cutting board is dishwasher safe; all other items are hand wash only.
Click Here to get this deal today only
Farberware®
10 Piece Cutlery Prep Set
This Farberware 10 Piece Cutlery Prep Set is ready to handle all of your cutting and chopping food preparation needs! Each knife in the set is quality-crafted from high-carbon stainless steel for strength and durability and features ergonomically designed handles for a comfortable grip. Set includes: 4-1/2 inch Santoku knife, 6 inch Santoku knife, 8 inch chef's knife, 5 inch utility knife, 3 inch paring knife, 8x10 inch polypropylene cutting board with nonslip accents, poultry shears, bent shears, kitchen shears, and household shears. Cutting board is dishwasher safe; all other items are hand wash only.
Click Here to get this deal today only
GiveAway Reminder - Maui Volcano Oil Ends Tuesday
Don't forget to get your entry in for the giveaway for Maui Excellent Volcano Oil. This stuff is awesome for muscle or joint aches and pains. I can't say enough good stuff about it. You can read my full review and enter the giveaway here.
Today's Free Android App on Amazon AppStore
If you haven't already downloaded the Amazon Appstore to your Android phone, be sure to do so. Then check there daily for a new free (premium) app. These are apps that usually have a cost, but for that day only they are free.
Today's free app is a great one if you are wanting to lose weight, or just track your weight/ exercise or calories.
Cardio Trainer Pro
is an awelsome little app with several free plugins to help you track your workouts. It even acts as a pedometer to help you track your walks/runs whether on a treadmill, on a track, or just outside on the road or on trails. When you download the original free app (which you will be prompted to do), you'll find that it sets up daily reminders for your workouts, encouraging you to keep on your plan. Then be sure to add Calorific to track calorie intake and set those goals. I started using this app as soon as I downloaded it and already used it to monitor my treadmill walk. The accuracy is not perfect (as far as your speed and end time), but the end result was pretty much spot on. This is one app I'm happy I came across and even if it wasn't free, it would be worth paying for.
Today's free app is a great one if you are wanting to lose weight, or just track your weight/ exercise or calories.
Cardio Trainer Pro
is an awelsome little app with several free plugins to help you track your workouts. It even acts as a pedometer to help you track your walks/runs whether on a treadmill, on a track, or just outside on the road or on trails. When you download the original free app (which you will be prompted to do), you'll find that it sets up daily reminders for your workouts, encouraging you to keep on your plan. Then be sure to add Calorific to track calorie intake and set those goals. I started using this app as soon as I downloaded it and already used it to monitor my treadmill walk. The accuracy is not perfect (as far as your speed and end time), but the end result was pretty much spot on. This is one app I'm happy I came across and even if it wasn't free, it would be worth paying for.
No Coupons Today!
Don't go running out and getting stressed that you can't find coupons in the papers today, there aren't any! Typically, holiday weekends are coupon free. This makes me sad, but next week should make up for it with the likelihood of at least 3 inserts (it should be P&G week).
Friday, May 27, 2011
Earn $30 Groupon Bucks for Referring Friends
Right now, Groupon is offering quite a deal for referring your friends, you can get $30 in Groupon credits for each friend you refer (3x what they normally give). So this is a good time to share your referral link on Facebook and email your mom about them :)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Know Your Policies
I've worked my way up to shopping 5 different store when the sales are right. I've been shopping at Kroger, Schnucks, CVS, Walgreens and Wal Mart. I haven't had any major issues with any of those stores until yesterday. Wouldn't you know it, my problem was at Wal Mart. Before I go to any store, I make sure that I know their couopn policies, and in Wal Mart's case, their new Ad Match Policy. I've also made it a point to carry a copy of their policy with me in the envelope that I carry my coupons in for that stores trip.
I've been taking advantage of Wal Mart's Ad Match Guarantee a lot lately. Unless I get to the drug stores first thing Sunday morning, the sale items that I want, are usually gone by the time I get there on Tuesday (which is when I used to do my drug store shopping.)
Yesterday, I wanted to Ad Match the Buy 1 at $2.99 Get One Free Oscar Mayer hot dogs that were in this weeks Walgreens ad. On Wal Mart's corporate website, it specifically states that they will match "Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price." Even though its no longer required, I still bring in the competitor's ad with me, because my Wal Mart still doesn't take your word on the Ad Match.
I do my shopping, get up front and get ready to check out. I put my ad match items at the end so she could scan the rest of the order first and then we could go over my ad matches. (I was also matching the Purex that was on sale at CVS for $1.99, doing that plus my $1/1 Q made those .99 each!) The Purex goes off without a hitch, but when I pulled out the Walgreens ad and tried to get her to do the match on the hot dogs, the cashier wasn''t sure how to ring it up, so she found a manager that was close by to help her. The "zone manager" Monica came over and told me that I couldn't do that ad match and that it was on the sign at the register. (It wasn't.)
So out came my trusty Ad Match Policy from their own corporate website, and I tried to show her it. She looked at me and was like I have no idea where you got that (My answer walmartstores.com, your corporate website) but we don't do that type of ad match, we never have, we never will. I then asked her if she was fully trained on the new policy, because in this case she was incorrect. She insisted that she was fully and properly trained and that I was in the wrong. Mind you, I kept my cool through out this whole thing. It's really important to stay calm when you are challenging management. If you coupon in a store for a period of time, they know who you are. You always want good relationships with the management and clerks of the stores you shop at. Having an adversarial relationship with a store won't make your couponing easier. Unfortunately, with the hype that couponing has gotten recently due to the TLC show, couponers as a group are being scrutinized even closer. As long as we are ethical and are doing everything right, there's no reason to be made to feel bad or even embarrassed to use our coupons and build our stockpiles.
I took note of her name and let her know that I would be calling corporate to inquire about this. She told me "You go ahead and do that ma'am." I paid for my order and left the store. I got the number for Wal Mart's Corporate Customer Service (800-925-6278 and its programmed into my phone now too!) and called. The customer service agent I got on the phone was kind, courteous and even sympathetic. I explained to her exactly what had happened and also the general attitude of the manager Monica. She said that she was sorry and that I was correct regarding the Ad Match policy. She also apologized for Monica's defensive attitude, and then took my name and number so that a member of management could call me about my situation.
I figured it would be a few days if ever before I got a call from upper management. Imagine my shock when an hour and a half later, I got a call from Julie, an assistant manager at my local store. She let me know that she spoke with Monica regarding my Ad Match, and that I was correct regarding my Ad Match. Julie also let me know that the cashier was also told that this type of ad match could be done also. She was very apologetic about the general attitude I had gotten while trying to discuss the policy with Monica.
So the moral to this story is this:
1. Always read and know your store's policies.
2. Keep a printed copy of the policy with you when you are shopping a specific store.
3. Keep your cool if you are being told you aren't able to do something, when you know that you are in the right.
4. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe is correct. You'd be amazed at how many cashiers and even managers are not educated on their own store's policies.
5. Don't be afraid to call the corporate or district office for a resolution.
I've been taking advantage of Wal Mart's Ad Match Guarantee a lot lately. Unless I get to the drug stores first thing Sunday morning, the sale items that I want, are usually gone by the time I get there on Tuesday (which is when I used to do my drug store shopping.)
Yesterday, I wanted to Ad Match the Buy 1 at $2.99 Get One Free Oscar Mayer hot dogs that were in this weeks Walgreens ad. On Wal Mart's corporate website, it specifically states that they will match "Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price." Even though its no longer required, I still bring in the competitor's ad with me, because my Wal Mart still doesn't take your word on the Ad Match.
I do my shopping, get up front and get ready to check out. I put my ad match items at the end so she could scan the rest of the order first and then we could go over my ad matches. (I was also matching the Purex that was on sale at CVS for $1.99, doing that plus my $1/1 Q made those .99 each!) The Purex goes off without a hitch, but when I pulled out the Walgreens ad and tried to get her to do the match on the hot dogs, the cashier wasn''t sure how to ring it up, so she found a manager that was close by to help her. The "zone manager" Monica came over and told me that I couldn't do that ad match and that it was on the sign at the register. (It wasn't.)
So out came my trusty Ad Match Policy from their own corporate website, and I tried to show her it. She looked at me and was like I have no idea where you got that (My answer walmartstores.com, your corporate website) but we don't do that type of ad match, we never have, we never will. I then asked her if she was fully trained on the new policy, because in this case she was incorrect. She insisted that she was fully and properly trained and that I was in the wrong. Mind you, I kept my cool through out this whole thing. It's really important to stay calm when you are challenging management. If you coupon in a store for a period of time, they know who you are. You always want good relationships with the management and clerks of the stores you shop at. Having an adversarial relationship with a store won't make your couponing easier. Unfortunately, with the hype that couponing has gotten recently due to the TLC show, couponers as a group are being scrutinized even closer. As long as we are ethical and are doing everything right, there's no reason to be made to feel bad or even embarrassed to use our coupons and build our stockpiles.
I took note of her name and let her know that I would be calling corporate to inquire about this. She told me "You go ahead and do that ma'am." I paid for my order and left the store. I got the number for Wal Mart's Corporate Customer Service (800-925-6278 and its programmed into my phone now too!) and called. The customer service agent I got on the phone was kind, courteous and even sympathetic. I explained to her exactly what had happened and also the general attitude of the manager Monica. She said that she was sorry and that I was correct regarding the Ad Match policy. She also apologized for Monica's defensive attitude, and then took my name and number so that a member of management could call me about my situation.
I figured it would be a few days if ever before I got a call from upper management. Imagine my shock when an hour and a half later, I got a call from Julie, an assistant manager at my local store. She let me know that she spoke with Monica regarding my Ad Match, and that I was correct regarding my Ad Match. Julie also let me know that the cashier was also told that this type of ad match could be done also. She was very apologetic about the general attitude I had gotten while trying to discuss the policy with Monica.
So the moral to this story is this:
1. Always read and know your store's policies.
2. Keep a printed copy of the policy with you when you are shopping a specific store.
3. Keep your cool if you are being told you aren't able to do something, when you know that you are in the right.
4. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe is correct. You'd be amazed at how many cashiers and even managers are not educated on their own store's policies.
5. Don't be afraid to call the corporate or district office for a resolution.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Don't Forget - Memphis Area Free 3 month Pink Palace Museum Membership
I just got this deal in my inbox this morning! Every summer the Pink Palace Family of Museums offers a FREE 3 month membership that's good for unlimited access to the Pink Palace Museum and the Lichterman Nature Center. You also are eligible for discounted tickets on IMAX and Planetarium tickets too. I took my kids last summer and they had a blast! Go HERE to register, registration is May1-31. They also have a Summer Membership FAQ section also for any questions that you might have. Don't miss out on this!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Quick Review: Yoplait Greek Yogurt
I've been trying out various Greek Yogurts lately, trying to find one that I really like. I posted an opportunity a couple of months ago for you to get a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Greek Yogurt, I hope you took that opportunity. I did.
I finally cashed in my coupon yesterday. Having gotten burned by at least one Greek yogurt in the past, I only bought one cup (just in case) and I tried it this morning.
I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. Yoplait Greek Yogurt is a "fruit on the bottom" style yogurt, so I opened it up and mixed the blueberry from the bottom into the rest of the yogurt, then I tasted. WOW! It was really good and didn't have that really sharp bitter taste that many Greek yogurts have. It was actually sweet and creamy, everything a good yogurt should be! Tasting it, I thought for sure that the sugar content would be higher in this yogurt than in the other Greek yogurts I'd tried, but it wasn't. It's just 20 grams of sugar and 25 total carbs (most others I've seen are closer to 30 sugars). With just 150 calories and 0 fat, that's a nice combination, and did I mention the 14grams of protein! This is good stuff. I think I finally found a Greek yogurt that tastes good, is good for me, AND that won't break the bank!
I finally cashed in my coupon yesterday. Having gotten burned by at least one Greek yogurt in the past, I only bought one cup (just in case) and I tried it this morning.
I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. Yoplait Greek Yogurt is a "fruit on the bottom" style yogurt, so I opened it up and mixed the blueberry from the bottom into the rest of the yogurt, then I tasted. WOW! It was really good and didn't have that really sharp bitter taste that many Greek yogurts have. It was actually sweet and creamy, everything a good yogurt should be! Tasting it, I thought for sure that the sugar content would be higher in this yogurt than in the other Greek yogurts I'd tried, but it wasn't. It's just 20 grams of sugar and 25 total carbs (most others I've seen are closer to 30 sugars). With just 150 calories and 0 fat, that's a nice combination, and did I mention the 14grams of protein! This is good stuff. I think I finally found a Greek yogurt that tastes good, is good for me, AND that won't break the bank!
Father's Day Gift Idea
Get free standard shipping and 20% off Cross pens and accessories by using the discount code “SHOPCROSS” on cross.com
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