I remember one Christmas my mom used green stamps (remember those?) to get all our Christmas presents. Genius!
If you've been racking up rewards points, there are a few ways to use them to get extra mileage when Christmas shopping.
1) You could order an actual gift from the rewards catalog, like the bumble bee shaped flashlight I just ordered for my little one.
2) You could order a gift card to give as a gift.
3) You could order a magazine subscription as a gift.
4) You could order a gift card that you use to do your Christmas shopping.
However you slice it, getting those rewards can take as much as 6-8 weeks! So, now's the time to order because the 8 week mark puts the calendar near Thanksgiving (yikes!). Putting off an order will leave you with no time to try to resolve any issues if things don't arrive in 6-8 weeks. And if you're planning to shop with your gift card, you want to get it in enough time to hunt up the best deals, and Black Friday.
The one exception to all this being a gift magazine subscription. Order those in mid-October so issues don't start arriving before the holidays. Your gift might start arriving with the December issue, but more likely, with the January one.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Going-out-of-business sales might not make for the best deals
Ultimate Electronics and some Borders stores in St. Louis are closing their doors, but before they do, liquidators are on hand marking down prices. This may sound like savings rally call, but it could be with a horn that’s a little out of tune.It’s important to remember that the point of liquidation is to make money. Sound contradictory?
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Going-out-of-business sales might not make for the best deals - St. Louis Frugal Living | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/frugal-living-in-st-louis/going-out-of-business-sales-might-not-make-for-the-best-deals#ixzz1ELixQA9d
Thursday, February 17, 2011
$8 Tshirts plus free shipping on at DisneyStore.com
If you're shopping for a toddler, the XXS is a 2T-3T and the XS a 4T. So there are T's to fit toddlers through older kids.
If you use ebates, go to disneystore.com through their link and you'll get 5% cash back on your purchase. If you don't use ebates, you can sign up and you'll get $5 credit for signing up plus the 5% cash back. You just have to go to disneystore.com through their link. I've used ebates for at least 10 years, so I can vouch for it. In fact, I just got a check in the mail yesterday!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Stock up on red wrapping paper to save time, money and space
How? Think of red as the beige of wrapping paper. As a wrapping paper, red can be combined with other ribbon or bow color combinations to fit the occasion. That package of multiple colored bows in the closet that only gets used at the Holidays will get new life being combined with red paper.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Fox 2 News' Deal of the Week
Each Wednesday, during the 11am newscast, Fox 2 News announces a new 2-for-1 or half-off deal for the week. This week’s offer comes from El Paisano, a Mexican cuisine restaurant on Watson Road, just south of Arsenal in South City. (Map it)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Remember the Herbal Essense Facebook Coupon???
Mine just came today, and I almost missed it because my mailbox was full of junk and this almost got lost in the mix.
If you are expecting one...
Be looking for a postcard with 2 coupons - the coupon for a freebie, plus a $1.00/1 coupon.
If you are expecting one...
Be looking for a postcard with 2 coupons - the coupon for a freebie, plus a $1.00/1 coupon.
You saw the ads, now find out what Groupon is all about
My new Examiner.com article Groupon, Living Social, Mamapedia, oh my! will give you a basic overview of how these "daily deal" sites work.
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Dollar General $5/$25 Coupon Info
I just started using the Dollar General $5/$25 coupons last month. I've done this 4-5 times now and here's what I've learned.
1) DO NOT shop at the S. County store on Tesson next to Old Navy (near Sams). Long story, but in 2+ years of couponing, I've never been in a more "coupon unfriendly" store - and I mean of any stores not just Dollar General!!!
2) Ask the cashier to key in the coupon code, not scan it. From experience, when scanned it will beep like the coupon has been accepted but nothing will be deducted. But for some reason keying in the code works every time.
3) Most stores will accept the $5/$25 coupon before other coupons, however I've been told by 1 cashier that they can't use it with any other coupon and another cashier that it is supposed to be $25 subtotal after all other coupons are deducted. However, both times the manager let me use it.
4)My Dollar General will not adjust down the value of a manufacturer coupon, so you can't get a free item if the coupon value is higher than the item price.
5) The $5/$25 deducts a percent from all the items you've purchased. Not a big deal except for #4 above. If you have a manufacturer coupon that makes an item free at regular price, it won't work with the $5/$25 coupon.
1) DO NOT shop at the S. County store on Tesson next to Old Navy (near Sams). Long story, but in 2+ years of couponing, I've never been in a more "coupon unfriendly" store - and I mean of any stores not just Dollar General!!!
2) Ask the cashier to key in the coupon code, not scan it. From experience, when scanned it will beep like the coupon has been accepted but nothing will be deducted. But for some reason keying in the code works every time.
3) Most stores will accept the $5/$25 coupon before other coupons, however I've been told by 1 cashier that they can't use it with any other coupon and another cashier that it is supposed to be $25 subtotal after all other coupons are deducted. However, both times the manager let me use it.
4)My Dollar General will not adjust down the value of a manufacturer coupon, so you can't get a free item if the coupon value is higher than the item price.
5) The $5/$25 deducts a percent from all the items you've purchased. Not a big deal except for #4 above. If you have a manufacturer coupon that makes an item free at regular price, it won't work with the $5/$25 coupon.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Should I Print That Coupon?
See my guidelines for making sensible decisions about printable coupons and save on paper and ink.
http://www.examiner.com/frugal-living-in-st-louis/should-i-print-that-coupon
http://www.examiner.com/frugal-living-in-st-louis/should-i-print-that-coupon
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Went Buck Wild At Walgreens
I don't normally get out on Sunday morning, which means I usually end up frustrated because none of the scenarios I have planned end up working because things are already sold out. Well, I HAD to get out this morning for other errands and went a little overboard!
Spent: $20.86 Out of Pocket (because I forgot to use the $2 Register Reward I already had)
Price before sales/coupons/register rewards: $112.22
Saved: 82% and I left with another $11 in Register Rewards
Spent: $20.86 Out of Pocket (because I forgot to use the $2 Register Reward I already had)
Price before sales/coupons/register rewards: $112.22
Saved: 82% and I left with another $11 in Register Rewards
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