Walgreens Rocks My World!!!

In today's Walgreens store ad, you can buy 3 Sunsilk products (shampoo, conditioner, etc) at the sale price of 3/$10. Then you send in for the $5 rebate in the Walgreens EasySaver Catalog. That brings the total for 3 bottles of Sunsilk down to 3/$5. Plus, at the time you purchase the Sunsilk, you also use the manufacturer's coupon from today's Sunday Paper insert, which is a buy 1, get 1 free coupon. That brings the grand total down to $1.67 for THREE BOTTLES of Sunsilk shampoo/conditioner, etc. or in other words, a final price of 56 cents apiece. These are regular size 12 oz. bottles, people!!

Now, if you have TWO of the EasySaver Catalogs going at once, like some of us do.....then you are getting this deal TIMES TWO. Assuming, of course, you have multiple buy1/get1 manufacturer coupons. AND, if you are getting your EasySaver Catalog rebates in the form of a Walgreens giftcard, or the money added to your already existing Walgreens giftcard, then you also get a 10% bonus.

SO, that brings the price of my bottles of shampoo down to 39 cents each. Yeah!!!!! They might as well just give it to me for free, right???

Plus, you are paying less sales tax on the total, so really, there is even more savings we haven't even figured up yet.

Even if you don't use Sunsilk hair products......this is how I implement the stewardship part of my savings philosophy.....I can turn around and donate every single one of those bottles of hair soap to the St. Gabriel's Mission at the Basilica. Personal hygiene items is the most wanted thing there. I am able to donate valuable stuff for literally nickels and dimes. And, if I care to add this to my non-cash charitable contributions on my Schedule A on my federal income tax form, I take the retail value of the shampoo ($3.33 ea.), not how much I paid for it (56 cents). See how this works?

Yeah.....love Walgreens.

Books, and other Media

I have to admit....I like books. I like owning books. But since I really internalized a more simple lifestyle mindset a few years ago, I have learned to curb my desire to buy books. The absolute BEST thing I did was to get a Des Moines Public Library Card. I live in Newton, which is roughly 45 miles away and frankly, the Newton library sucks compared to Des Moines. I can order books through the Des Moines library computer system right in the comfort of my home. I can browse their catalog and pick out what books, movies, CDs I want, and they are ready for me to pick up when I get there. I can even go through the drive-through window to get them. Newton has an online system too, but what good does it do me when they nearly NEVER have the books I am looking for? Oh sure, you could request they buy them, but I want to read the book NOW, not in six months. Anyway, the Des Moines library has everything I could ever dream of wanting. We are in Des Moines at least once a week to go to Church, so it is no bother to go to an out-of-town library. And the fact that there is free wireless internet makes the library a good place for us to have a school day on Sundays while we are killing time while my daughter waits for choir, and is in choir, right next door.

Now, the real reason for this entry is to encourage you to always check to see if your library has a "For Sale" shelf. I have bought some amazing books, movies, CDs, and computer software on the sale shelf. For literally dimes and nickels. I just got a good upper body work-out DVD for $2. Sometimes the stuff is brand new, not even opened. I don't know how or why they sell new stuff, but I don't care. And there have been a couple times I knew I could sell a particular item online for a nice profit. It is usually always a win-win situation. I always take a peek at what's for sale when I run in to the Des Moines library. One last thing....the fact that they have an underground parking garage is awesome too. No getting my hair rained on. LOVE THAT.

The motto of this entry is.....don't buy books and other media unless they are used and unless you REALLY feel you must have it (as a reference tool). And be sure to check out your library sale shelf. You never know what you might find there.

Hey man, I am all over it if you say something is "free". I have been using a site for a long time now called Fat Wallet. I generally stick to the free stuff forums. Maybe you have already been the recipient of one of my freebie or sample emails. I try to think of people I can share the info with when I run across something good. If you want to check it out yourself, visit:

http://www.fatwallet.org/c/22/

Hop on the Coupon Train!!

I have been having quite a bit of fun with manufacturer's coupons, these past few months. I have been following the principles in the book, Shop, Save, & Share by Ellie Kay, and this has transformed the way I use coupons. Now, not only do I use them for my own personal use, I also have found ways to use them to benefit others.

Recently, I have explored the idea of joining what called a "Coupon Train". I'll include a brief overview of what this is below. But, the problem is, that I can't seem to find an acceptable group to get on trains at. SO, I thought I'd give it a shot to form a group of people myself who might be interested in trying this concept out with me. So, if I have enough interest, I will start a Yahoo Group for our coupon trains. My big requirement is that only people I know and invite are welcome to join. Now, it would be OK for you to join and then invite someone you can vouch for, to join as well. I trust you. If your friend is on the up-and-up, and is an avid coupon-user, then by all means -- invite them to join! I just don't want a bunch of anonymous people joining our group and then me having problems with them not wanting to keep the train moving, or derailing it or something.

In a nutshell, and very basically, here is how it works -- I am the conductor of the first train. I gather 40 good coupons into an envelope and I mail it to the first person on the list. That person has 3 days to look at the coupons and take out what they want and put the same number back in. Then they look at the member list that came with the coupons, and they send the envelope on to the next person on the list. This goes on and on, and hopefully, after 5 people or so, the envelope gets back to me and I get to pick and choose from what is there that you all put in. Then, I can start the same train back around again.

The only cost to the participants, is the cost of a stamp to send the envelope on to the next person and of course, you put in coupons to replace what you took out.

I think we could have some fun with this. Please send me an email and let me know if you would like to do this with me. If I can get at least 5 people interested, I'll open up a Yahoo Group for it, so we have access to files and databases, etc. and we'll make it more official.

The following info was taken from a website I visit called Grocery Coupon Money Saving Guide. it's just a general "how-to" for Coupon Trains. Our trains would be run however we want them to. This is just general, to get it going.

Let me know if you want to get on the train with me!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Coupon trains are simply a way of exchanging coupons by snail mail. While this is not a new concept and predates the Internet, the Internet has opened up opportunities to better connect savers. This means those “Great Coupons” that aren’t available in your local paper, supermarket, or even mail just may be in someone else’s. That pile of “free” products or coupons you were going to discard may be exactly what someone else is looking for. Add in a few more people, and you may just have a savings Dream Team!

Coupon Trains – The Basics

Every train is different, depending on who needs what, when, why, and where! Whoever starts up a train usually defines the specific goals and rules for that group. There are a few key fundamentals to consider before you decide which train is right for you.

Basic Coupon Trains - The basic coupon train begins with a group of 3 – 6 members at different mailing addresses. An envelope of coupons (typically 40 – 200) is mailed from the “conductor” to the first person on the “train route” (mailing list). That person takes out the coupons they want and replace them with other coupons at least equal to the number they took out. They then mail the envelope (“envie”) to the next person on the route, who does the same.

Ideally each person keeps the envelope for no longer than 1 – 3 days, and pulls out any expired coupons. The train needs to keep moving along, since the idea is to send and receive those much needed coupons before the next sale, or the expiration date.

Key factors in forming a train are members needs and turnaround time.

Opposing Needs - Trains may be formed between people with opposing needs (wish lists): i.e., one needs pet coupons, one needs baby coupons, and one needs a specific detergent while another prefers a different brand. So, when that Pampers coupon shows up in Sunday’s paper, the one member who needs baby coupons knows that all five will be available for her.

Similar Needs - Some trains are formed among people with similar wish lists. Examples would be food only, cleanser only, baby only, organic only. Here the idea is for people with the same interest but different brand needs, babies in different stages of development, or even people on the same “coupon newsletter” lists, to exchange coupons they are the most interested in.

Turnaround Times - Receiving coupons in sufficient time before they expire is just as important. To help with this, trains may be organized geographically. All members may be in a single state, in a region (mid-atlantic, pacific…), or in major cities with major mail hubs. This can also be useful for people wanting to shop at the same store line.

The ideal train combines all of the above. In reality, trade-offs must be made, so know your priorities when forming or joining a coupon train.

Basic Coupon Train Guidelines

There are a few basic guidelines members should commit to:

1. Expired coupons - Ideally members will remove expired coupons, and any that will expire within 20 days of mailing the envelope. So for an envelope sent 4/1, the coupons should be good through 4/20 or longer. This helps to ensure that members don’t receive expired coupons due to postal delays. Take into account holidays and three day weekends, when mail may be running up to a week behind.

There are exceptions to this rule, particularly great coupons or those on someone’s wish list. Again, the rules for each train are different, so check with your conductor.

2. Only Add Acceptable Coupons - There is something exciting about generating and receiving a bigger pile of coupons. However, bigger isn’t necessarily better if they are not coupons other members can use. Bigger piles are also heavier piles, increasing postage costs, which can outweigh (J) the cost benefit of the coupons!

In general, never put in expired coupons! (if you have expired coupons, read this article on how you can use them to help others) Also, store-specific, Catalina (check-out tape), or internet printed coupons are of limited use to others, and can increase postage costs. In contrast inserts, non-inserts, wine tags, peel offs, rebate forms, etc. can add great value.

3. The Numbers Game - Some trains require that members add in only enough coupons to replace what they have taken out. In this case, a train that starts with 40 coupons would return to the conductor with exactly 40 coupons. A member who removes 10 coupons must replace them with exactly 10 coupons. There are advantages and disadvantages to this method. However, in this case only replacing coupons with multiples of the same coupon is not allowed.

The majority of trains do not have this rule. If you have a great coupon, rebate, or other item, every member may want one too! Check with your conductor if you need guidance.

4. Routing Slips - The train should circulate with the routing slip showing mail addresses in order. Even though you may have received the same train before, always check the routing slip for changes to ensure you are sending to the right person. Occasionally people go on vacation, have a family emergency, or may need to leave a train. Always check your routing list before mailing the train!

The routing slip should also have the “name” of the train and the date it left the conductor. While this may seem unnecessary, members may participate in multiple trains. Having the train ID clearly displayed keeps the right train on the right track.

5. The Forum Thread - PLEASE subscribe to the thread for the train you are on. Post updates when you receive and mail the train. Having the train “lost in the great unknown” of the postal service can be nerve racking. Trains do get lost. And, if the train is running a bit behind, members have the opportunity to mail off valuable wish list coupons directly to a member before they expire. The conductor can restart the train, double check addresses, whatever is needed to keep or return the train to it’s tracks. But they can’t do it without your help.

6. Timelines - Envies should be mailed to the next person within 1 – 3 days of receipt. If you receive a train on Saturday, it needs to be mailed the following Monday. If you aren’t able to do so, post or contact the conductor immediately.

Most of all, remember that the coupon train is a team effort! It should be enjoyable, rewarding, and bring SAVINGS to all the members. If you have any questions about your train, just ask!

Kohl's

I don't usually shop in department stores for clothing. I frequent the thrift stores because my money is better spent elsewhere than on clothing. So, good, used clothes suits me just fine. Except, of course, for underwear and shoes. Those, I always buy new.

I was waiting around for my daughter this afternoon, and I had two hours to kill. So, I decided to walk around Kohl's Department Store. They had racks and racks and racks of clearance clothes. I could not believe all the clearance sales at Kohl's. I don't believe I have ever bought anything for full price at that store, there are always good sales. But this takes the cake. I got two nice tops for $11. Cool, huh? I could have bought more, but prudence is a virtue I am trying to develop.

A couple of months ago they had a deal at Kohl's where every $50 spent earns you a $10 certificate. We needed some stuff for the Las Vegas trip, (some clothes, a new purse, & a sale priced vacuum with a $20 rebate), so we ended up purchasing $150 worth of merchandise and got $30 in those certificates. I went back during the week the certificates were good, and purchased a good thermal carafe Cuisinart coffee maker I've been coveting. I got that coffee maker on sale, PLUS the $30 off, plus getting a $20 rebate on the vacuum. So, those were excellent purchases and a good use shopping in a department store. I usually completely avoid those kind of stores.

ING again

By the way.....if anyone reading this is interested in opening an ING account, please email me for a referral code so you can earn a $25 bonus (and I earn $10).

jjlewis@iowatelecom.net

ING Direct offering 1% Cash Back -- COOL BEANS!!

That’s right, from June 1, 2007 to July 31, 2007, when you use your Electric Orange MasterCard® Debit Card to make a signature-based purchase, you’ll get 1% Cash Back, up to $500, on what you spend, anywhere. It’s simple. Just use your Card for every-day purchases like, groceries, clothing, gas, or even to pay utility bills and insurance premiums. It all adds up to a Cash Back reward for you.

Here are some examples of signature-based purchases (transactions completed without using your PIN):

• Any purchase that requires a signature when checking out
• Internet purchases
• A purchase that you select "credit" as the payment option
• Phone or mail order purchases
• Automatic bill payments from your Card, like:
• Cell phone bill
• Electric/Gas bill
• Phone/TV/Cable
• Gym Membership
• Any other bill paid with your Card
  

Your Cash Back reward will appear in your Electric Orange at the end of each month – automatically.

Promotion Rules

FAQ’s

What do I need to do to get 1% Cash Back on my purchases?
Simply use your Electric Orange MasterCard® Debit Card anywhere MasterCard® is accepted to make signature-based purchases and you’ll automatically receive 1% Cash Back.

What is a signature-based purchase?
It’s a Card purchase made without using your Personal Identification Number (PIN) when paying. Most transactions do not involve a PIN, such as restaurant bills, Internet purchase, phone or mail order purchase, and payments directly debited to your card, all of which are eligible for Cash Back.

How do I make a signature-based purchase?
Many merchants (e.g., gas stations or grocery stores) offer you the option of choosing 'Credit' or 'Debit' when making a transaction. To qualify for the 1% Cash Back, you must choose 'Credit'. For all in-store purchases you make, you will typically be given a receipt to sign. Transactions that don’t offer the option of choosing credit or debit are also eligible for Cash Back as long as you don’t use your PIN to complete the transaction.

What transactions are not eligible for the 1% Cash Back?
PIN-based purchases, ATM withdrawals, payments made with Free Bill Pay, Electric Checks, and Paper Checks are not eligible for the 1% Cash Back.

Do my purchases have to be made at select merchants to be eligible for Cash Back?
No - signature-based purchases, made anywhere and on anything, are eligible for 1% Cash Back.

Do my purchases have to be made within a certain time period?
Cash Back is only available on eligible purchases that post to your account between June 1, 2007 and July 31, 2007.

Is there a limit to how much Cash Back I can get?
Yes, you can earn up to $250 Cash Back per month on all your purchases – a total of up to $500 from June 1st to July 31st.

When will the 1% Cash Back appear in my Electric Orange?
The 1% Cash Back reward will be deposited into your Electric Orange at the end of each month.

Are signature-based purchases secure?
Yes. Your purchases are protected by our Orange Security Guarantee and MasterCard’s $0 Liability, which means you will not be liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized purchases. For added security, you can set up free Email Notifications that will alert you when there’s been a purchase over an amount that you’ve designated.

Coupons, revisted

OK, the question was made in one of the comments of my blog is loosely this, "Isn't it only smart to use coupons to purchase items I normally already use?"

My answer is yes and no.

My practice of couponing was revalutionalized when I read the book, Shop, Save, & Share by Ellie Kay. In the book, she talks about clipping EVERY coupon and saving them for when that item might go on clearance or a good sale. Even though it might not be an item your family uses, someone else might need that item. If you are in the habit of "sharing" by donating to worthy organizations, you can take all those tubes of toothpaste you bought for a quarter apiece, and donate them to the battered women's shelter or wherever. We donate personal hygiene items to our church's mission all the time. We don't necessarily use Colgate toothpaste, but poor women and men coming to the mission will. I can donate all of the things I pick up for pennies (using sales and coupons) and donate them at the fair market value and deduct that donation on my Schedule A on my Federal Income Tax return. It is just as good as making a cash donation to the mission.

You'd have to get the book and read it for yourself. But, in putting the principles in the book into practice, we have been able to make tremendous donations to organizations this way. Not to mention how using coupons has benefited my own family in stocking our pantry and medicine closet.

Cold Cereal Heaven!

I was pleased with a cereal purchase I made today.

Walmart had two General Mills cereals on clearance. Cocoa Puffs, and Trix. They were $1.88 a box. I had coupons for $1 off 2 boxes. And, because I had multiple coupons, I stocked up!! I bought several (and I mean several) boxes. They ended up costing me $1.38/box. Now, that is a good price on cold cereal.

Walgreen's EasySaver Catalog

I'm all about Walgreen's nowadays. I have been finding great buys in there. They have this deal called EasySaver Catalog. It's where you buy stuff they highlight in the booklet and some of the stuff is free when you send in the form for it. For example, for May, I am getting rebates on the following items:

Wagreens Maxi Ulta 24pk -- FREE after the rebate

Softsoap Body wash, 18 oz. -- FREE after the rebate

Boost 6 pk (high protein nutritional drink) -- I bought them on sale, 2 six pks for $14, minus the two manufacturer coupons I had ($3 total). I'll get a $5 rebate, so the final price of these drinks will be $6 for TWO SIX PACKS. This type nutritional drink stuff is horribly expensive, so this is a steal.

Buy $15 worth of Coke Products, and get $5 back in rebate. They had 6 pks on sale today for 3/$9 and 2 liters for 1.19. I got $15 worth in a combination, and will get the $5 rebate.

So, when it's all said and done, I will get a rebate from Walgreens of $18.13 and this includes a 10% bonus because I agree to have them put the money on my gift card instead of sending me a rebate check.

NOW, I plan to donate the pads and the soaps to the mission. They need personal hygiene items. And I can deduct the fair value of the items on my taxes (not what I paid for it, but what it's worth).

Now, check out Walgreens EasySaver Catalog!!

The value in having multiple coupons

I haven't had the opportunity to shop much lately because I had some surgery to repair my hernia. I feel like I'm in withdrawal.

I have found a good source to buy coupons. EBAY!!!!! This week I bought a set of coupons from a lady just to see what kind of deal I'd get. I got 100 coupons, all worth at least $1. I paid her $4 for them (that included the postage). I got the coupons today and they are awesome!!! It turned out to be a tremendous deal for me. Lots and lots of valuable coupons I can use. I got way more than my money's worth in that coupon purchase.

Buy coupons, you say? What idiot would PAY for coupons? That's what I used to think too. But when you do the stock up sale shopping like I have been trying to do, having multiples of valuable coupons comes in tremendously handy. Did I tell you about my Dr. Pepper deal?

A few weeks ago, Walgreen's had Dr. Pepper on sale. It was a store coupon that said buy 4 - 12 pks for $10, get one free. So, that by itself is a decent deal. A 12 PK of pop for $2.50. BUT....here's where the duplicate coupons come in.....Walgreen's allows you to use their store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon on the same item. I had manufacturer coupons for $1 off a 12 pk. So, by combining the coupons, and having a LOT of manufacturer coupons, I got 12 pks of Dr. Pepper for $1 for the entire 12 pk. Yes, that's right. $1 or broken down even further, 8 cents per can. AWESOME DEAL!!! I paid seventeen cents for each Sunday paper insert that contained the valuable Dr. Pepper coupons, so if you must add that in, you'd have to say that each 12 pk cost me $1.17. Whoppie. And then that would mean that the rest of the coupons in those Sunday paper inserts I bought were all icing on the cake, because I got my money's worth with the pop coupons. I bought 20 12 pks of Dr. Pepper. We won't need pop here for quite a while, thus diverting that money in the grocery budget to some other category I can stock up on. Whatever the loss leader is this week, or whatever good deal I can get on meat, or whatever. I can easily set aside $30 to put toward next month's Angel Foods because I don't need to buy pop. See how this works? The goal is to never pay full price for anything. Of course, I'd rather have Diet Coke. But if you can learn to not be quite so loyal to all your usual brands of stuff, you can really do some power shopping and couponing and use the savings for something cool. To me, food isn't "cool" anymore. I've had gastric bypass, I could care less about food. But, the rest of the family still likes to eat, so I have to spend some money on it for them .

WHEW! You still with me?

This is why buying coupons comes in handy and if you know what you are doing, you can come out of the deal way ahead. I have a source I buy the entire Sunday paper coupon inserts from , and I also have my lady on Ebay now that I am going to begin purchasing from once in a while. I spend probably $10-15 a month on purchasing coupons, but I promise you, I am making way more than that off those coupon deals, especially when I can combine them with a sweet deal at a store with a store coupon.

Enough about coupons. Now, go use one!!

Angel Food Ministries

Angel Foods Ministries is awesome (so far, anyway). You can check out their info. at:

www.angelfoodministries.com

Today we picked up our first Angel Foods distribution. I bought the "regular unit" for $25 and a "grill box" for $18.00. I am impressed with the food. They say that the regular unit has a retail value of $48-$70 and you only pay $25 for it. I was skeptical, but after actually getting this food, I am inclined to believe it. The only thing so far that is not palatable to us is the box of generic mac and cheese. We really must have Kraft if we are going to eat boxed mac and cheese at all. That's just the way it is.

Here is what my $25 bought today in the "regular unit":

(4) 5 oz. New York Strip Steaks
(1) 4 lb. I.Q.F. Chicken Thighs (IQF= Individually Quick Frozen)
(1) 40 oz. Beef & Bean Burritos
(1) 28 oz. Banquet Beef & Noodle Dinner
(1) 2 lb. Breaded Frying Chicken
(1) 1 lb. Ground Beef
(1) 12 oz. Pepperoni Pizza Sticks
(1) 2 lb. Popcorn Chicken
(1) 1 lb. Bean Soup Mix
(1) 8 oz. Biscuit Mix
(1) 7.5 oz. Mac & Cheese (YUCK)
(1) 12 ct. Corn Tortillas
(1) 26 oz. Pasta Sauce
(1) 16 oz. Pasta (this turned out to be a pound of spaghetti)
(1) 24 oz. Hash Brown Potatoes
(1) 16 oz. Mixed Vegetables
(1) Dessert Item (This turned out to be a frozen peach pie that you put in the oven to bake)

The $18 "Grill Box" consisted of this:

2 8-oz. Ribeye Steaks,

2 8-oz. Sirloin Strip Steaks,

4 4-oz. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Filets,

4 4-oz. Steak Burgers,

1 1-lb. Italian Sausage

The purpose of Angel Foods is to help families make their food dollars stretch farther. So far, I like what I see. However, there was no fresh produce. That is OK, as I joined a CSA this spring, and I will get a share from that each Friday. I'm not sure about the frugality of the CSA, but I will at least be sure of getting fresh produce. I have room for gardening, but frankly, I just don't want to. So, for $250, I'll get ten weeks worth of produce from the CSA. Hopefully it is a good fit for us.

Tips for a frugal Vegas Adventure

I can't figure out how to get the text and the picture together in one blog entry, so you will have to bear with me.....

There are many ways to enjoy a trip to Las Vegas without breaking the bank. I think this was the first trip we've ever taken that did not cause feelings of worry or depression for me, because we were robbing Peter to pay Paul back home. Because we are in control of our finances, we were able to plan, save, and enjoy.

Here are a few of the things we did to make this trip affordable:

1) We flew on a "budget" airline. Allegiant Air flies every day out of Des Moines to Las Vegas and back. There is no "First Class" with Allegiant. Everyone is in the economy part of the plane. The drinks and snacks are not free, but you don't have to buy them if you don't need to. I did indulge in a Starbucks Light Iced Coffee for $4, but it was a choice, not a necessity. I also took snacks in my carry-on. But be sure to buy those snacks *after* getting through security at the airport. You will pay more for them, but if you don't do it this way, you'll have to throw them away before getting through security. You can only take on the plane items bought after security.

2) We also booked an air/hotel package through Allegiant. I believe it is a savings for us, plus our hotel bill was paid in advance and we didn't have a big hotel bill facing us at check-out. We also arranged for transportation through Allegiant from the airport to the hotel and back. All paid for in advance, and no worrying about getting ripped off by a taxi driver.

3) We took advantage of every freebie we could get our hands on. We bought an entertainment coupon book on the plane for $20 that had tons and tons of coupons for free meals, or buy 1 get 1 meals and snacks. We knew we'd have to spend a fortune on drinks and snacks, so we might as well try to get some savings out of it. We did think that the coupon booklet paid for itself and that we got more than the $20 cost out of it. Plus it pretty much "forced" us to get out there and see as many places as possible on the strip.

4) We went on a time-share presentation. Let me tell you....this is not for the weak of heart. This is a high-pressure sales presentation and if you say "no" and keep saying "no", they treat you like CRAP and you have to almost get nasty to get them to give you your free gifts so you can get back on the bus to go back to the hotel. Our 2-3 hour presentation turned into a 4 hour ordeal, but honestly, 4 hours was worth it in order to get all the gifts they offered. We got a free dinner show (tickets cost $50 apiece for that); free $50 in gaming at our hotel (we played on that $50 forever and made HUNDREDS of dollars off that money); free cruise for two (some obscure 2 night cruise on a cruiseline I've never heard of -- I'll believe this one when I see it); free lunch while we were at the presentation (nice cold sandwiches, and cookies, and drinks). So, we ended up getting two meals out of the deal and money to play dollar slots with. I'd say 4 hours well spent, wouldn't you? But like I said, it is hard to get through it. If you're a wimp, don't go on a time-share trip.

5) Tip generously. This might seem *not* frugal, but in the end it really is. You get better service and have a better time overall if you are generous in your tipping. one example is this: the lady bus driver that took us to the time-share presentation was getting ready to leave to go back to the hotel and we had no idea how long before she'd come back for another group to take back and we'd already been there 4 hours. Jerry gave her a nice tip and she waited for us. PLUS a little later in the day, she saw us waiting for another bus to go down the strip and she recognized us, opened the door and told Jerry a better way to get a bus and where to go for it. That help alone was worth the tip he'd given her earlier in the day. So, be generous in your tipping. That is these people's income. If they are helpful, they earned it.

6) If you want to drink, do it for free. If you are playing at the casino, the drinks (both alcoholic and soda) are free. if you go to the bar and ask for one yourself, a bottle of beer is $4.75. So, play your slots slow, and drink for free. If you give the cocktail waitress a tip every time she brings you a drink, then she comes around a lot more often to do so. Yes, that makes the drink now NOT free, but which is better, tipping a dollar to the waitress, or paying $4.75 to get your own?

There are many more ways to enjoy Las Vegas in a frugal way. These are only the tip of the iceberg. I'll add more when I think of them. These are the things that stand out in mind right now.

Las Vegas on the Cheap!

Speaking of Walgreen's.....

Wow is all I can say.

This week's Walgreen's ad is awesome. This store allows you to combine their store coupons with manufacturer's coupons for tremendous savings. The Lady Speed Stick deodorant coupon is $1 each, limit of 4 (means if you buy 4, you get them all for $1 ea.). PLUS I had 2 manufacturer coupons for 75 cents off two. So, I got 4 deodorants, minus the store coupons and the manufacturer coupons for a grand total of 63 cents apiece. If I had more manufacturer coupons, I would have bought them out (again....buying coupon inserts pays
off.....).

Then the Easy Saver rebates on the Soft Soap Body Wash and the Walgreen's brand maxi pads. Both items FREE after you send in the rebate at the end of the month. I bought them to donate to my church's homeless mission. In fact, I'll donate all this stuff, and after all the savings and rebates, I only spent $2.50 and am donating about $30 worth of stuff (I bought multiples of the free ones too, and sending one of the rebates to my daughter in another town).

I am so pumped about coupons and rebates. It is so worth it. The cashier lady was in total awe of this incredible buy. She congratulated me on a job well done. I told her I was donating it all
and she was even more impressed. I told her, "Don't be impressed, copy what I do and donate it somewhere. People need this stuff."

Making these kinds of purchases allows me the opportunity to be more generous that I could otherwise. The mission needs personal care items. Food they can get at the food bank, hygiene items are valuable and in demand. Here is info on the mission we donate to: http://www.basilicaofstjohn.org/St.%20Benedict's%20Mission.htm

It is my hope, that by my sharing my own frugal and couponing experiences, that other people reading this will learn and make their own dollars stretch more as well.

Show Me The Money!!!

I am taking my first stab at blogging and hope that it's fun and that other people will read and like it.

I've been working hard on budgeting these last few months. There are so many *fixed* expenses that we all have, such as mortgage pmt., car pmt., and so on. The grocery or food category is one place where we have some wiggle room. So, I have been learning all about couponing. It's a lot of work. But you can save a lot of money. I think one of the most helpful things I have read is to consider those little coupons are actually money in your pocket. Every time you cash one in, you keep more money in your purse. I'm finding that it allows me to have more money to spend on the entire food category than I would otherwise. It allows us to have more discretionary money for eating out, for example.

Another fun reason for naming this blog "Show Me The Money" is because Jerry and I (Jerry is my husband) are going on our first ever vacation ALONE. Day after tomorrow we are leaving for Las Vegas. Now, what is a budget-minded person like me doing going to "Sin City" or as others have called it, "Lost Wages"? Well, it's where Jerry would like to go. And I am interested in just going somewhere alone with him, so I am all about going too. But the most amazing thing is that we can actually afford to go BECAUSE we're on a budget and we have control of our moolah!!! So, it was a planned out trip, paid well in advance, we shopped for the best prices on a vacation package, etc. No guilt whatsoever. And the house payment is not late because we took a trip. All the bills are paid and on time, I might add. Of course, I would love to win some money out there, but I'm not planning on coming home a winner. I know that I am going to be paying for some entertainment, basically.

Hope you enjoy my blog and as the Spirit moves me, I'll add thoughts and experiences to it. I want it to focus mainly on frugality/simple living/budgeting.