Helping Those Affected by the Tornadoes

We are at a hotel in Nashville for the night.  While our city is finally starting to see a return of power, after 4 days, we expect it to be the end of the week (at least) before we have it our house.  We did have a small tornado go through our backyard and take out a few trees.  It did more damage throughout our neighborhood, taking out at least 1/4 of the power lines in the neighborhood and leaving trees on at least 6 houses.  However, in comparison to the some of the pictures and stories I've seen of other areas, we were so very lucky. 

For those of you who would like to help in some way, Laurie over at PassionatePennyPincher has put together a great list of how and where you can donate time, money and goods to those in need in Alabama.  Right now, for the most part, they are asking that you not send things like clothes and furniture that will only clog up the system. However, non-perishable foods and water will be highly appreciated by the many still without power.  Please head over to PPP to check out the list that Laurie has put together.

I don't expect to be back up posting regular updates till next weekend, but I will try to check in via Facebook, as I can.

Memphis Area - FREE Pink Palace Family of Museums 3 month 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!

Have You Hugged Your Swag Today?

It's Friday, and you know what that means!?  It's Mega Swagbucks Day!

So what's the deal with Swagbucks?
Basically, they give you points for doing things online that you'd be doing anyway, like searching the internet.  Just use their search engine and you could win points.  They also give you points for other things like surveys or even for buying deals on Groupon or Living Social.  You can even get points for printing and using coupons! How bout that?


Normally, Swagbucks starts out  new users with 30 Swagbucks, but right now they are running a promotion to encourage new users (and everyone else) to Help Japan.  When you join Swagbucks,  and enter the code HelpJapan they will give you a bonus 50 Swagbucks (through midnight May 2), for a total of 80 Swagbucks to start (you only need 450 to snag a $5 Amazon card).


So what's the Help Japan thing about? Right now you can donate your Swagbucks (any amount) to Help the victims of the Japan earthquakes.  Swagbucks is collecting them and will add them all up and make a huge donation.

Free Sample of Dove Ultimate Go Sleeveless Deodorant

Go HERE to get a free sample of Dove Ultimate Go Sleeveless Deodorant. Grab it before they are gone!

Be Prepared

As I'm sure you all know, the Southern US has been smacked with some very bad weather this week resulting in alot of destruction and sadly some loss of life.  Julie is in one of the areas that was affected, but she and her husband are safe and have no property damage.  Their neighborhood got hit pretty badly though. There are downed power lines and some of her neighbors have damaged homes from falling trees.  The power company is saying that it will be 4-5 days before her county gets power back, and possibly longer for Julie's neighborhood. Posts here at Money Saving Mode/Dual Income Need Coupons may be a bit slim for a few days.

If there was a natural disaster in your area, would you be prepared?  As we develop or are developing our stockpiles, we need to keep in mind that we also need to have an emergency kit prepared too.

Ready.gov is a wonderful resource for preparing for an emergency.   Below is the basic list for an Emergency Supply Kit. 

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust Mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charge

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Of course, this list will differ from household to household, based on the people that live there's needs and the area of the country that you live in.

As I look over this list, these are things that most of us are currently stockpiling or have in our homes already.  In Julie and her hubby's case, they have plenty of non-perishable goods.  They are using their gas grill to cook the perishable goods that they have, hopefully before they spoil.

Seeing as this is affecting our friend Julie and countless other people across the Southern US, I thought that this was the right time to remind everyone to just be prepared.  You never know when this might happen in your neighborhood.  Mother Nature can be so fickle.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of the people affected by this.

Extreme Couponing: Coupon Diva Desiraeh

On tonight's episode of Extreme Couponing, our friend Desiraeh will be featured.  You had a chance to ask her some questions, and here are her answers.  Be sure to share your thoughts here, and any questions you have for her after you watch tonight's episode.

Coupon: $2 Off Ribs

Get $2 off pork ribs when you buy KC Masterpiece bbq sauce from grilling.com

Interview With The Couponer: Passionate Penny Pincher

Today we are interviewing Laurie from Passionate Penny Pincher, she has a great site that focuses a lot on the savings to be had at Publix, while still giving a broad grasp of the deals available in many forms and sources.  She also does a great little series on her blog to help us remember to do those little cleaning jobs that seem to so often get swept under the rug.  Laurie is also in my local area, although we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.

The Interview

Julie:  How long have you been couponing? What made you decide to start?
Laurie: I've always been a frugal girl, and even tried couponing when my hubby and I were first married fifteen years ago. Back then I'd always get frustrated because after spending time to clip my coupons, I'd get to the store to find the generic items cheaper than the items with coupons! Five years ago, my best friend introduced me to "super" couponing, and now, thanks to the internet, it's easy to find out what the best prices are and which coupons coincide with the top grocery deals!

Julie: Could you explain what you mean by "super" couponing?
Laurie: I guess before the term "extreme" couponing came out, I learned the term "super" couponing (I'm sure some blogger out there started it!) Basically, it's matching up the sale price with a coupon so that you get the benefit of both!

Julie: What is your grocery budget? How has it changed since you started couponing?
Laurie: Our family spends about $50-$60 each week on groceries. When I first started couponing it was substantially less - maybe $40 a week. But as my family as grown (and my time to spent clipping coupons has become less frequent!), I've chosen not to get every deal in town just to save my sanity.

Julie: That's a relief.  I think new couponers can often get the idea that they just aren't saving enough and can never keep up.  So the idea that someone as involved in couponing as you would "back off" and "slow down" a bit on couponing and even increase her grocery budget, makes me feel better, anyway.


Julie: How large is your family? Are you teaching your children the value of couponing?
Laurie: My husband and I have three children, aged 4, 8, and 11. My kids definitely know the value of a coupon, in fact when I mentioned to my littlest that her Barbie doll might need some clothes on :), she said "nope. . . we don't got a coupon for dat".

Julie: What do you think is the most important thing for new couponers to learn? What one piece of advice do you want to pass on?
Laurie: START SLOWLY. Find out where the best store in your area is to grocery shop at (with coupons), and learn to shop it well. Be patient and remember that just about every item in the store goes on sale every six to twelve weeks!

Julie: You have a great blog, what made you decide to share your coupon knowledge in this way?
Laurie: My husband's dad became very sick about eighteen months ago. While my husband was away taking care of his dad, I couldn't sleep so I stayed up reading coupon blogs all night long. The thing that I didn't see often promoted on blogs was an encouragement to donate inexpensive or free items, as well as ways to create recipes each week that matched up with the sales ad. So, I started Passionate Penny Pincher! (Well, Publix Penny Pincher at the time.) I also wanted a way to earn money to donate to overseas missions, so God just kind of nudged me this way! One half of the proceeds from Passionate Penny Pincher go towards mission work (and the other half is in my kiddo's college fund!)

Julie: Giving is very important for you, how has couponing allowed you to help others?
Laurie: Giving is really just about the only reason I hang in there some days with coupons (and blogging, to be honest!) Our family is incredibly blessed, and thanks to couponing it really isn't even a big deal to give from our abundance. A few years ago our church handed out $100 to several members, and I spent that $100 to get over $600 worth of food, cleaning products, and toiletries to donate to our local food pantry. Being able to make that kind of a donation to others was just amazing, and giving is what has kept me going on days when I wonder if it's worth the time that it takes!

Julie:  Have you watched Extreme Couponing? What are your thoughts about the show? What impact have you seen it having on couponers and couponing?
Laurie: Ughhhhhhh . . . yes I've watched it. My biggest disappointment is that I don't think TLC is accurately portraying couponers . . . and I wish they'd focus more on the true heart of giving that I believe so many couponers have. I am a little frustrated at watching people clear the shelves, because I've found that our family has plenty without ever having to buy dozens of one specific item. I do think there will be an impact in the near future to couponers (as many of us have seen in the grocery stores), however I believe it will be short-lived as people recognize the amount of work that is involved in that kind of "extreme" shopping.

Julie:  any final thoughts you'd like to share?
Laurie: If you're new couponing, don't get overwhelmed! Start slowly, and create a realistic budget for your family. . . then determine to stick to it. Also remember that groceries are one of the few items in your family's budget that you have complete control over. So, decide to pinch a few pennies to see huge savings at the grocery store!

Laurie, as you can see, is pretty awesome. I suggest you take the time to get to know her better by visiting her blog, as well as her Facebook page.

- if you are interested in being interviewed and sharing your couponing story for this series, please just comment or email me (drunkitty2000 at yahoo.com).  You don't need to have a blog of your own to share your story.

Facebook Freebies

There are two new Facebook Freebies today, head over and
"like" Folgers for a free sample of coffee and then go
"like" Quest Bar for a free bar
"like" Ore-Ida Potatoes for a free bag of Sweet Potato Fries

CVS Shopping Trip - 4/26

One thing I'm finding at my CVS stores around my neighborhood (I have 3 within 5 miles of my house) is that if I don't go first thing Sunday morning or right after their trucks come in the middle of the week, (truck days are Wednesday afternoons at my stores)  the shelves are cleared out of the sale items that I want.  Last week, it was the Reach and Aquafresh Kids' toothbrushes and the Aquafresh Kids' Toothpaste.  This week, its the Dove Men's deodorant.  I make sure that I get rainchecks for the items that CVS is out.  The best thing about CVS rainchecks is that they don't expire!  As long as they get those products in before my coupons expire, I'm golden.

My CVS trip this week was small, but successful. 

(2) Clean & Clear Morning Burst Body Washes 16 oz, $5.79
(1) Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleanser $6.79

Used:
(1)-B1G1 Clean & Clear body wash, max $5.99, SS 3/27
(2) -$2 off Clean & Clear product printable , printable
$1.99, $0.99, $1.00 ECB from prior trips

Total including tax - $5.82
Savings of $13.77 - That's a 65% savings.  Not as good as some of my past trips, but good enough for me!

EDIT - I also earned a $5 ECB for spending $15 on Clean and Clear products.  And I also received a 25% off your total purchase that expires 4/29. Thanks for the reminder Julie.