Related posts:

1. Quick! I need frugal/money related quotes I'm working on a fun little bit of script inspired...
2. Cloth diaper giveaway and promo code I've posted about my favorite diapers - they're super cheap...
3. Save when you file your taxes There are plenty of free options available for preparing and...

The challenge question is tweeted at 3pm ET.  Last week's question was, How many Hampton Hotels in D.C. are listed on Hampton.com?

Follow Hampton's tweets for a chance to answer first tomorrow: http://twitter.com/hamptonfyi

Related posts:

1. 10 Frugal Gifts I’m Giving Whew! I just crossed the last item from my Christmas...
2. Surprisingly simple tactic for finding the perfect gift It's almost too late this year, but I'm going to...
3. Family Feasts for $75 a week: author interview and giveaway update: Comments are closed and a winner has been chosen. ...

AWESOME Shoe Carnival Deal! Get a $5 off coupon to use on any purchase of $39.98 or more during the Shoe Carnival Spring Sale, going on now!

PLUS, with any purchase between March 24th & April 3rd, you’ll get a card that lets you BOGO When You Want 2 (while supplies last)! This card give you the power to have Buy One, Get One ½ Off deals whenever you want, through the end of the year. It’s like a special savings pass you can use as often as you want on whatever you want (excludes Super Values). Don’t miss your chance to earn BOGO status! http://www.shoecarnival.com/BOGO.aspx

Related posts:

1. Five Secrets to Maximizing Your Coupon Savings Five Secrets to Maximizing Your Coupon Savings, a guest post...
2. 21 Ways to Score Free Stuff I'll be the first to admit that many of these...
3. Create A Free Website With Google Tools Y'all, I have fallen in love with Google's free publishing...

DaveRamsey.com is having a buy one get one free sale.

Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace, Financial Peace Jr., various dvds and audio books are all currently BOGO, and some are marked down as much as 40% so you can save up to 80% off the cover price when you buy a pair.

Free shipping is included on orders or $65.  These books make great wedding or graduation gifts so stock up if you have some extra funds.

Sale ends 3/31/2010

ht to The Happy Housewife

Their 6 day Spring Savings Sale ends Saturday, March 20.  This includes some of our personal favorites - the real cream of the crop!

• So Much More for $6 - Not just for grown daughters who live at home.  I learned a lot about the history and influence of feminism from this amazingly well-researched book written by 2 teens.
• Princess Adelina for $6.30 - our family project last year!  We discovered this old gem and prepared an updated manuscript for Vision Forum to republish.  Our daughters created a new map, glossary, and helped with the overall project.
• Passionate Housewives Desperate for God for $5.60 - encouragement for discouraged or overwhelmed wives
• The Widow's Might DVD for $10 - a shining example of what Christian film-making should be.
• How to Disciple Your Family for $38.25
• Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed DVD for $13.50 - not from a Christian perspective, but a devastating expose' of the evolutionary bias inside the science community.
• The Birkenhead Drill for $2.40 - a precursor the Titanic tragedy.  Every boy used to know the story of the sinking of the Birkenhead and the selfless sacrifices of the men on board for the sake of women and children.

Those are just a few of the deals that caught my eye from the first couple of pages.  There are far, far more.  This would be a great time to set aside some gifts for future occasions...

No related posts.

Advertise here

Save up to 90% at your favorite local businesses with Groupon

© KimC for Frugal Hacks, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: dave ramsey

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Swagbucks

If you're not using Swagbucks to get free stuff yet, now is a great time to get on board!  Just take a moment to sign up (use the code at the bottom of this post to get a bonus!) and then use the Swagbucks search engine at http://swagbucks.com for your normal searches - you'll be awarded Swagbucks that you can redeem for free stuff like Amazon gift cards.

You can easily add the toolbar to your favorite browser or even make it your default search engine so that you can type your search terms right into the address bar.

Why is this a great time to join?  Swagbucks is celebrating the launch of a bunch of new features with swag codes and giveaways galore to kick it off!

Even old members like me can earn lots of extra bucks this weekend!

1) More ways to earn Swag Bucks every day: With Swagbucks.com 3.0 users will be able to earn by having their toolbar visible on their browser and also by simply viewing our 'No Obligation' special offers.   This means that in addition to all the regular ways to earn, the more you are engaged with Swagbucks.com, the more you will earn!

2) New look home page and Swag Store & rewards store:  Swagbucks.com 3.0 will include a revamped, cleaner interface that will provide a better user experience.

3)  Launch of the Swagstakes Portal: As you may know we currently run about a dozen on-going sweepstakes (called Swagsttakes) at any given time.  With the launch of 3.0 we are going to have a brand new, fully stocked Swagstakes portal in which there will be dozens of Swagstakes running at all times! Some contests will be limited entry (meaning a set number of entries will be offered) so the odds for a user to win are greater.  The tentative list of items that will be offered during initial launch should include: $100 Amazon Gift Cards, Sony Bravia 32" TV, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPod Touch, Flip Ultra HD Camera, Panasonic Blu Ray with Remote, Apple iPad, Sopranos Complete Series Box Set, Rachel Ray 10 piece cookware set, Playstation 3 system + games bundle, Canon Powershot Camera, Seinfeld Complete Series DVD box Set, Viziio 22" LCD TV and plenty more!

Ready to join? It's fast and easy, and if you use the exclusive code below you'll start off with 6 Swagbucks.

Exclusive Swag Code for new users:

FRUGALHACKS1 (case sensitive) - expires 3/4 at 6AM PST.

Related posts:

1. Swagbucks codes for everyone! There are quite a few ways to earn money and...
2. Cloth diaper giveaway and promo code I've posted about my favorite diapers - they're super cheap...
3. 21 Ways to Score Free Stuff I'll be the first to admit that many of these...

I say that partly because we have used their online software for several years with no complaints.

I also say it because this year I put our very complicated tax info into The Big Three of the online tax services - HR Block, Turbo Tax, and TaxAct - and HR Block found the biggest refund for us.

And lastly, I say it because Frugal Hacks reader Johnny H. sent a link to the coupon below.  I can't use it because we're not new customers, but based on the small print it looks legit to share by posting on the web.  Let us know if you use it!

To print the H&R Block coupon below, just right-click on the image.

Related posts:

1. Giveaway: H&R Block tax software Comments are closed on this post and 3 winners have...
2. If you must eat out… Do it like this.  Be sure to read the fine...
3. Quick! I need frugal/money related quotes I'm working on a fun little bit of script inspired...

3 free Atkins bars: Not a coupon, but the actual bars themselves will arrive in your mailbox.  Even if I'm not trying to lose weight, I still feel best when I stick to a lower-carb diet.  These 3 free snack bars will make a great snack to carry in my purse!  I received mine very quickly in the mail, just over a week after registering.

Free Redbox DVD rental: You can search the internet for free rental codes nearly anytime (Retail Me Not is a good place to start), but here are two longstanding freebies: DVDONME and BREAKROOM.  Each is good only for one use per customer.

Do you know of any better-than-average freebies?  Share!

Related posts:

1. 10 ways to cut your grocery bill Inspired by The Simple Dollar's article on Trimming the Average...
2. New on the Frugal Blogroll We added 6 new members to the Frugal Blogroll for...

I've posted about my favorite diapers - they're super cheap all-in-one pocket dipes from China.  They do the job adequately and the price can't be beat.  All in all, they're the best fit for our budget and situation, but I won't hesitate to admit that I love the more expensive diapers when I can get them at a good price.

Thanks Mama is giving away 3 Kissaluv cloth diapering items on their blog!  There are 10 ways to enter so do as many as possible to really increase your odds of winning.

They're also having a great sale on Thirsties, and shipping is always free on orders over $60.

I couldn't help but notice that they also carry my favorite-ever baby carrier, the Ergo, at a competitive price. It's not cheap, but so worth it! I love mine, and it's so ergonomically well-designed that my skinny 8yo can adjust it to fit herself in seconds, and can carry the 35 lb. boy in it with ease. It's truly amazing!

Too many temptations?  Use the code below to save 5% on your order and remember that orders over $60 get free shipping.  Be sure to tell them KimC sent you.

5% off promo code: mama

Related posts:

1. Cloth diaper questions from the mailbag I received this question from Shannon, Hi KimC, I've scrolled...
2. Exclusive Swag code for new users Swagbucks paid for Christmas in our house last year and...
3. Cloth diapers: why I shunned them for 15 years. Why we switched. I have 9 children now, and I used disposable diapers...

I didn’t realize she was talking to me, at first. Undeterred, she tapped me on the shoulder and repeated her emphatic question, “How did you DO that?”

"That" was checking out with two carts overloaded with groceries with an initial total of $498 and then paying only $187 for all of it while receiving a handful of coupons from the cashier.

I looked at my questioner's shopping cart with a few store brand items and then back into her imploring eyes and I knew what she was thinking. I had been there myself only a few months before. But that was before I learned the five secrets to taking home carloads of brand-name products for much less than I used to scrimp and save on generics.

Though I had some dairy products that I needed to get home quickly, I was able to quickly share with this desperate mom a few of the secrets I had discovered.

1. Buy low

It’s the classic investment strategy: Buy low – Sell high. With a slight variation. In this case, you’re going to buy low and USE high, meaning: You will use the products you bought at a low price later, when the price is higher.

Every week, grocery stores drop a portion (about 1/12) of their merchandise to its lowest offered price. Over a three-month period, almost the entire store goes to its rock-bottom price. And that’s when you should buy your groceries from that portion of the store.

You’ll use it later; when the price has gone back up.

2. Stack savings

Multiply your savings by using a store coupon in conjunction with the rock-bottom price. Throw in a manufacturer’s coupon for more savings. Use a store loyalty card, store rebates, and manufacturer rebates, to stack on even more.

All of these savings can be stacked on one product, making your groceries pennies on the dollar!

3. Buy more than you need

When you need it right now, you’re willing to pay more for it. But if you can plan head and buy all you can use between rock-bottom trends, when you need it, you will already have it.

Known as stockpiling or food storage (though many more items than food can be stored for future use), buying more than you need is simply a continuation of “buy low.” You don’t want to run out of something before that low price cycles back around, so buy more than you need, but not more than you will use.

4. Use a coupon for every item

Leave no product un-couponed. Even on “free” items, use a coupon. When you’re taking advantage of a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal, you are getting two products; use two coupons. Although it seems you’ve already gotten one item for “free,” what you really have is two products that have been marked down 50%. You can realize additional stacked savings by using a coupon for each item. Alternately, if you have a “save $ on two” coupon, you can use it in a BOGO deal because you have bought two items.

Bonus: if your coupon is a manufacturer BOGO and the store is offering a BOGO sale, both items are free. This works because the store marked it down 50% and the manufacturer gave you 50% off, for a total of 100% savings!

5. Understand the fine print

Stacking savings is great, but not always allowed. Understanding the fine print on your coupons will let you know when you can—and can’t—stack savings.

One coupon per customer means you can only use one coupon, regardless of how many items you purchase, or how many transactions you go through. But, do you have other “customers” in your family?

One coupon per transaction means you can only use one coupon per payment. Check with your store for their preferred method of allowing you to make multiple transactions to multiply savings. Typically, you can make multiple transactions during one visit to the checkout counter.

One coupon per purchase means you can only use one coupon per item. An individual item is a purchase, not your entire shopping cart, and not everything you ring up in one transaction. If you buy two bottles of shampoo and have two “one coupon per purchase” coupons, you can use one on each bottle of shampoo; each of which is a single purchase.

Not to be combined with any other offer means any other “offer” from that entity. In this case, you wouldn’t be able to stack a manufacturer coupon with a manufacturer rebate. But if the store puts it on sale, a manufacturer coupon is still redeemable with the store’s “offer.”

Now that I have it typed up, I’m going to print this list and keep some copies with me when I go to the store, for the next person who asks, “How did you DO that?!”

To learn more about maximizing your coupon savings, watch a free screencast at http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStartedReplay.

Jim Bob Howard

www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com

Related posts:

1. Shoe Carnival: $5 off and Buy-One-Get-One-Free A hot tip from reader Lauren: AWESOME Shoe Carnival Deal!...
2. 2 Huge Sales! DaveRamsey.com is having a buy one get one free sale....

I often get my produce by the case downtown at the produce terminal.  If you live near a big town, you might have this option too.  If you know of one, I would love to hear from you so I can compile a list.

They are wholesalers, but willingly sell to anyone who is willing to buy case quantities.  We get great deals there and enjoy the challenge of eating 25 lbs. of peaches, plums, apples, or tomatoes in one week.  We're pretty good at it.  Our friends will tell you we're big eaters.

When I don't want to buy full cases - or I don't make it downtown by the 2:00 closing time - I go across the street to their retail outlet, where they sell in more convenient quantities at slightly higher prices.  I still think I get fantastic deals, and it pains me to pay retail prices for produce at a grocery store.

I went to the retail outlet today.  Here's what I brought home:

• 15 lbs. of finger bananas, also called baby bananas.  Very cute.  I pounced on these as soon as I walked through the door.  Not everything is this cheap.
• 2 extra large heads of cauliflower
• 3 heads of iceburg lettuce
• 3.5 lbs. of tomatoes
• 4 large cantaloupe
• 10 lbs. potatoes
• 1 bunch green onions
• 4 large cucumbers
• 3 green bell peppers
• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 2 bunches of celery
• 3 nice fat heads of garlic.  They weigh 1/2 lb in total.
• 4 - 1lb. clamshell cartons of strawberries
• 6 oz. clamshell of raspberries.  This was a rare splurge because they are a favorite of Deanna, who was with me.   These are not in the photo because they didn't make it home.
• 10 lb. bag of ice, which I used to keep the produce cool for the rest of day.  This also isn't in the photo, because...well...the ice would have melted and run off the table and that wouldn't have made such a good picture.

This filled my grocery cart to the very top, and I suspect it will do the same with my refrigerator.

What do you think I paid for all perishable goodness?  Give your guess in the comments, and the closest (or first correct) guess will win a copy of Backyard Homestead, one of my favorite new books from Vision Forum!

Related posts:

1. I want to go shopping with you! A few days ago I asked you to guess the...
2. Goodwill Outlets: Clothing By The Pound Strategies Goodwill Outlet stores are popping up in chains all over the...
3. Giveaway: H&R Block tax software Comments are closed on this post and 3 winners have...