News

I like posting links to news stories about frugal living, practical ways to save money/build wealth, and tips that may help my readers.

Here are a  couple stories I've read in the past few days I have really liked:

Eight phony bargains and better alternatives (Yahoo Finance)

Ten ways you are getting ripped off (Yahoo Finance/Forbes)- DH and I do not have cable.  We have a digital converter box and rabbit ears.  We also have high speed internet, a wii and a netflix membership.  Streaming Netflix via the Wii is the best thing ever.

What to buy & not buy at Wal*Mart (Yahoo Finance)

Too Cool to carry coupons? Check this out!

This post is for the gentlemen in my life, who are "too cool" to carry a coupon wallet.

There are sites that you can "load" coupons onto your grocery store club card. Leave your coupons at home! Just swipe and save.

Shortcuts.com is a service of AOL. To see if your local store is participating, check here.

Cellfire.com is another option, and finally coupons.com just started to offer this option. I load all of the available coupons from each source onto my Vons and Ralphs cards- Just in case I might purchase something .  Better to be safe than sorry.  Some stores allow you to also use a paper coupon when you use an E-coupon- YMMV.

With all three, you will have to register you club cards, and your email address.  Your email address will serve as your log in ID.  All three have the option of emailing you when new coupons are available, usually about once a month.

Blue Star Museums Initiative

Thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Museums all over the US are offering free and discounted admissions to active duty military and their families through the Blue Star Museums Initiative.

This program runs from Memorial day through Labor Day.  For a museum near you, please visit the website!

McDonald's McCafe Frappe

It's Friday! And to celebrate I have an awesome deal to share with my san Diego, CA are  friends (sorry, everyone else!).

San Diego, Ca area McDonald's are offering a McCafe club, for those who love their coffee drinks.  Sign up here.  It's quick, it's easy, and a little bird told me that when you do, you'll get a free drink!

And here is a sweet BOGO coupon that my co-worker Kim emailed me this morning!

Win a coupon wallet stuffed with coupons!!

It's true!  Last night, I sat on the couch for 2 hours and clipped and selected and stuffed. The wallet contains about 200 coupons from all categories, all with an expiration date of 6/30/10 or beyond.  Not just insert coupons, my friends!  blinkies, mailers, coupons from stores, Catalinas,  Rebate forms with matching q's, you name it!  I will even be including 1 or 2 free item coupons too!  I will continue to add extra coupons until I pick a winner.

Starting today until June 3th, you can enter the contest each day using any (or all) of the following methods:

1. Leave a comment.

2. Follow this blog on Twitter.  Please leave a comment here that you are a Twitter follower, as well as your Twitter user ID.

3. You can earn a third entry by re-tweeting this tweet: Want to win a coupon wallet STUFFED with coupons? Enter here: http://snipurl.com/wlxge #CACDContest

Please remember to include the hashtag #CACDContest

4.  Post a link on your blog/Facebook/Livejournal/social medium of choice.  Please post a comment with a link, so I can verify.

I will select a winner on June 4th, and the wallet will be mailed on the 5th.  This is just another way for me to thank all of you for reading my blog and allowing me to share my love of saving money!

A great resource- Vistaprint!

If you participate in a lot of coupon trains, or rebates or mail in offers, then you either write your name and address on a lot of envelopes, or you go through a lot of address labels.

Vistaprint has an awesome selection of Postage only offers, including address labels.  I just bought 140 address labels for only $3.11.  That is the cost of shipping only and I should have them in about a week. For me- that's about 2 months worth of labels. I do a lot of swaps!

And for those of you who do MyPoints- log onto mypoints, then come click my link- you earn mypoints with each Vistaprint offer.  Currently it's 300 points per order!

In the past, I have ordered free business cards, address labels, sticky notes, and an address stamper all for postage only from Vistaprint.

Here's a tip:  I always carry a sheet of labels in my coupon wallet.  You never know when you will want to enter a contest.  Simply affix the label to the entry blank instead of writing everything out- it's really great when you go to bridal expos or trade shows and they don't want your business card!

My weekend shopping trips! Walgreens- the first stop...

Sunday was a busy shopping day!

Walgreens was a great trip, spending $2.10 OOP, and receiving $4.50 Register Rewards, so I actually got PAID TO SHOP!

Here is what I bought:

2 Boxes Post Shredded Wheat $1.75/ea - (2) $2.00 coupons They did not adjust it down, so I received .50 OVERAGE!

2 Nivea Bodywash $6.99/ea -$4.00 coupon, and 1 BOGO Free coupon= 2/$2.99

2 Old Spice Body Wash $4.49/ea -BOGO free coupon and I receive a $4.50 Register Rewards slip= 2/FREE after RR (I did pay $4.49 after pocket)

3 Stride mystery gum (I love this stuff!!) $1.39/each-(2) .50 coupons, and 1 B2G1 Free coupon=$1.78/3

4 Stride 2 flavor gum (it's new, why not?) $2/2, -$1 (in store coupon)= $1/2, -BOGO Coupon (the cashier gave me -$1.39 for each BOGO coupon)= .78 Overage (For most of you, this will just result in free gum!!)

Bottle of water $1.99.  My Walgreens has a rule (I don't know if it is all WAGS) that you must buy 1 more item than you have a coupon for.  I was really thirsty, so this water hit the spot.

Subtotal (with tax) $12.08

-$10.00 My Points Wags Gift card

OOP $2.08

Received 1 $4.50 Register reward. For my next shopping trip!

Eating better doesn't have to cost a fortune!

This posting is dedicated to my friend Brooke.

A lot of us are eating better these days, and getting our spouses and kids to eat better can be a challenge.  Healthy food is often times more expensive and often times there aren't coupons readily available in the paper or in the stores for these products.

A little internet sleuthing has lead me to several sources of leading brands of health food coupons!

Horizon Organic - Click on the "coupons" link at the top of the screen, and enter your name and e-mail address to access several printable coupons.

Earth's Best - Choose from two printable coupons: $1 off of two Earth's Best Sesame Street products or $1 off of 10 jars of Earth's Best baby food.

Mambo Sprouts- These coupons are manufacturer coupons good at any store that accepts coupons.

Stonyfield Organics- Yogurt coupons (they also make Oikos!)

Simply Organic- Click on the "Save" link in the left-hand column, and choose the coupons that you'd like to print.

Eating Well (Their Coupons change about once a month- so check back if you don't like what they are offering now!)

Delicious Living (Their Coupons also change about once a month!)

And of course...There is Organic Grocery Deals, which is owned by the ladies who run Hot Coupon World.  There is a whole section of printable coupons!!

Remember to scan the shelves at your local shops for coupons, and on packages for more coupons!

I'm giving away 3 $2.00 off Any Covergirl Product coupons!

As part of the Covergirl ShineBlast and Smoky ShadowBlast Buzz Campaign I have three $2.00 off any Covergirl Products to give away.

To enter, please leave a comment.

You can earn an extra entry by following this blog on Twitter.  Please leave a comment here that you are a Twitter follower, as well as your Twitter user ID.  You can earn a third entry by re-tweeting the tweet I will be posting about this contest.  Please use the hashtag #cacoupondivaCG.

I will announce the three winners on Friday May 14th.

I am a member of Bzzagent, a great WOM (word of mouth) website that helps spread the word on tons of great products.  I received these coupons, as well as Covergirl products (a Covergirl ShineBlast lip gloss  and Smoky ShadowBlast eye shadow stick) for free.

I've been wearing my lip gloss each day for about a week.  I have 825- Smolder.  It's a great nude-ish tone with a hint of sparkle, and a great melon flavor.

I recommend that you check Bzzagent out!

Some rocking new samples and coupons!

The latest Wal*mart Freebies.

Secret Clinical Strength- My Fav Deodorant!  I'm hoping this freebie comes with coupons!

If you have a Wii and it didn't come with Wii remote jackets, contact Nintendo for free jackets.

Sign up for a free $30 P&G coupon book!

4 Free item coupons for trade

I have the follow “free” coupons for trade or sale.

I would like to trade for 1/3 of the value of the item in PP (plus .44 for postage), or for coupons on my Wish list (here's a link to my hotcouponworld wishlist)

Free (up to $9.50) Any Shade of Just For Men exp.11/30/10

Free Armour Sizzle & Serve Product (Valid off 6 oz.-18.5 oz. links, patties or sausage and biscuit items). Exp. 6/30/10 (no value listed and I can’t find them here, so I don’t know the value of this Q)

Free (up to $1.19) One Cup any flavor Yoplait Greek Yogurt exp. 2/20/11

Free any one Let’s Grow Product by Beech Nut (value up to $3.00) exp. 9/30/10

To trade, please drop me a PM. I’ll answer right away. I want these Q’s to find a good home!

Thanks!

My latest Bzz Agent Campaign- Cover Girl!

My latest Bzz Agent Campaign is for Covergirl Smoky Shadowblast and ShineBlast Lip Gloss.

The shadow I received was Silver Sky.  The rounded end (which is grey/silver) is for shading the lid, and the tapered end is a purple-y color, which is for lining the crease and the upper and lower lids.

In order to get the color to apply, warm the stick by breathing on it.  I did not do this and as a result, it caked on and made my eyelids feel like they were covered in lipstick.

After applying it to both eyes, I took a picture. It is Silver Sky, colors number 805. I am not wearing any other makeup, so forgive my blotchy skin. I applied it *exactly* as the directions on the package indicated.  I do not like it. The colors are too bold and not at all smoky. Perhaps I would be better suited for another color set, there are 6 different color sets available for this product.

My eyelids felt very sticky and it was very uncomfortable.  I immediately sanitized the stick with alcohol.  I will be giving this away, probably to a friend at work, whose coloring is better suited for the colors in this stick. The up-side is that it is very easy to remove.

The Shineblast Lip Gloss was a lot better. I received Smolder, Color number 825.

The best part is the contoured applicator, it helped the gloss go on smoother.  Smolder is almost lip colored and has a great amount of shine, and is not very sticky.  It has a great melon flavor too.  I took a picture, but you can't really tell I have gloss on, since it's the same color as my naked lips.  The only down side is it doesn't have a lot of staying power. 20 minutes later, I needed to re-apply.

As part of this Buzz Campaign I have $2.00 off any Covergirl Products to give away.

I will be giving away 3 on this blog.  To enter, please leave a comment.  You can earn an extra entry by following this blog on Twitter.  Please leave a comment that you are a Twitter follower, as well as your Twitter user ID.  You can earn a third entry by re-tweeting the tweet I will be posting about this contest.  Please use the hashtag #cacoupondivaCG.

I will announce the three winners on Friday May 14th.

I am a member of Bzzagent, a great WOM (word of mouth) website that helps spread the word on tons of great products.  I received these products for free. I recommend that you check Bzzagent out!

Online Points programs- Mypoints

Mypoints is my favorite points program.  Here is how Mypoints.com works, straight from their website:

“Earn Points

Earn Points for doing what you already do online: shopping, reading emails, playing games, searching the web, taking surveys, and more!  The more you do, the more Points you'll earn.

Shop or Book Travel

All the stores and brands you already love and trust are in one place, making shopping, booking travel and earning Points a breeze.  Find the best products, prices and deals.



Redeem Rewards

Use your Points to get gift cards for nearly 100 different stores and restaurants -- or enjoy gas cards, airline miles and hotel discounts. You pick the rewards you want.  Gift cards are quickly delivered to your door, free of charge.” (Courtesy of http://www.mypoints.com/emp/u/learnMore.vm.  Accessed 5/10/10)

I have been a member of Mypoints since July 2009, and I have earned over $150 in reward Gift Cards, just by clicking emails and shopping online through the Mypoints.com search engine on their site.  They also have Smart Source and Coupons.com, which I earn points for redeeming at my local grocery store or Mass Merchandiser.  I am very happy with Mypoints, they have eBay in their shopping category, so I earn points for my eBay addiction!

Other companies that are similar:

ebates.com (I do not use ebates, but several friends do, and they love it!)

swagbucks.com ( I have a swagbucks account, but I don't use it too often)

Live in San Diego? Want to be a Jack in the Box taste tester?

DH got a sticker on his Jumbo Jack last week with a link to a taste tester sign up.  I signed up.  You get to eat and they pay you, what could be better?

Visit the link below and sign up (don't comment or email me to sign up- I don't work for Jack in the Box, I am just passing on a great opportunity):

http://www.stratasurveys.com/jibtastetest/

Busy..busy..busy!

We've been really busy around the den, trying to get ready for a family trip at the end of the month, so there hasn't been much activity here or on the Twitter account.

Keep your eyes open on Facebook- many companies are offering freebies and coupons when you friend them. Here is a great Master list that CertifiedFreebieAddict on Hot Coupon World compiled.

Making preserves at home- the ultimate in frugality!

At the grocery store recently I looked at the price of jam- OY VEY! Most jams, jellies and preserves sell for between $3.99-$7.00 PER JAR!!

That's crazy! Now, occasionally there are coupons for preserves, but not too often.

Making preserves can seem expensive at first glance, but let's break down my recipe:

1 6 lb. can of tomatoes (I strained off some of the juice, so it's about 9 cups of tomatoes) $5.00



2 packages of  frozen chopped onions (roughly 5 cups) $2.50

3 tablespoons of butter (about .50 worth)

9 cups of white sugar (next time I'll use less, maybe 7 cups) $2.99

1 whole lemon, chopped .50

1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (about .10 worth)

1 case of 1 cup Mason Jars with lids $5.50 for 12, but I only used 8. I used 2 2 cup jars, I had laying around the house from the last time I canned, so let's say $4.00

[caption id="attachment_402" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="The jars- cleaned!"][/caption]

Carmelize the onions in the butter.  This will take about an hour. During this time, wash the jars and lids in hot, soapy water and dry the jars.  They jars will need to be hit when you fill them.  Put them in the dishwasher on plate heating. when the jam is almost ready to jar. The flat parts of the lid need to be hot too, so drop them in a bowl of boiling water.

[caption id="attachment_392" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Carmelizing the onions!"][/caption]

Once the onions are carmelized, add the tomatoes.

Bring to a boil, add the sugar.  Stir occasionally and lower the heater to medium.  Allow the mixture to cook down (about 2 hours).

My jam didn't get too thick even after 2 1/2 hours of simmering, so I brought it up to a rolling boil, added a little more lemon juice and an envelope of liquid Certo Pectin (per the box directions on what to do when your jam doesn't set up- I didn't add any more sugar, it was sweet enough).



Ladle the hot jam into the hot jars, clean off the mouth of the jar with a clean, damp rag, securely put on the lid, and process for 20 minutes in a hot water bath.

I removed the jars and set them on a clean dish towel inverted on the counter to ensure that they would vacuum seal.

I got 8 1 cup jars and 2 2 cup jars of tomato jam.



It is great on roasted meat and cream cheese and crackers.

The 1 cup jars of jam cost $1.72 each and the larger jars of jam cost $3.43 each.  The larger jars I will keep for my families use, the remaining jars will be given as gifts.

Making preserves is a fun, easy way to make gifts.  It is relatively inexpensive and is pretty impressive.



To make preserves the most frugal way, buy fruit when it is on sale at the peak of it's growing season, or in the winter, buy frozen fruit (sugar free not in syrup). I buy frozen fruit at Costco or Everything 99 Cents Stores.  Here in San Diego, most Everything .99 Stores have pectin available for sale, either liquid or powder form.

Jars can be purchased at Wal*mart or most grocery stores. I have also heard that Lowe's sells canning jars.

Canning jars and their lids can be re-used, provided they are in good shape and the lids are intact.

Shopping in the morning- Tons of deals!

I work 40 hours a week, so I don't get to shop in the morning too often.

This morning I hit up the Ralph's for sugar and onions to make tomato jam, and I browsed the aisles for some bargins.

SCORE! Tons of marked down items- Salmon and bagged salad 50% off.  Yukon potatoes ready to roast  for .99 (saved $2.00!), Pesto for $1.00 (saved $2.99!), and 5 lbs. of Clementine Tangerines for $3.99, which are usually $7.99!  I also picked up Juice (Trop50), Vitamin water, Sugar for jam, and onions for jam.

Tonight's dinner will be poached Salmon with pesto, green salad, roasted potatoes and ice cream.

I saved 65%, and the OOP was only $25.00.