Not in school? No kids in school? No 529 Plan for your younger kids? No problem, UPromise is still for you! Originally set up as a savings account for college or a way to pay off existing student loans, UPromise now also lets you request a check for all of your savings to use for anything you want. It is really easy to use too. Sign up for a Upromise account, register your participating grocery store loyalty cards and your CVS ECB card. Every time you buy a participating product using your registered card, you get money deposited into your account. They also have monthly coupons that you load onto your card. However, instead of getting the money off at the register, you get it deposited into your account when you buy the product (limit of 1 per product) using a registered card. Yet another reason to get a Homeland One card since homeland is a participating grocery store!
You can also register your credit cards to get money in your account when you use your registered credit card at a participating store or restaurant.
Upromise also offers money back if you shop from online retailers through their links.
Unless you buy a lot of products or do a lot of online shopping it won't make you rich, but every little bit helps!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Website to Check Out: Ebates.com
Okay, let me say it. It is stupid not to join a free rewards site which pays you money for shopping online. It's free money. Say you were going to do your Christmas shopping at Walmart and Best Buy this year. Your plan is to pend $200 total, $100 at each store. You can go to the store to find your stuff, wait in line, pay your $200 and leave with your stuff and be done. Or you can do what I do and order online and select to pick up at the store. Best Buy has half an hour pickup where you pick up your item the same day after a 30 minute processing period. Walmart offers free ship to store (i.e. no shipping charging) and takes a week or two. Sounds good right? Well, let's make it even sweeter. Instead of going directly to the retailers website, you first went to ebates.com and then clicked on their link to the retailer (after first looking at the coupon codes ebates offers to see if there are any you want to use to get a better deal).
Walmart is offering 2% cash back which means you would get back $2. Best Buy is currently offering 1% cash back. That means you will get a dollar back for your $100 that you spent if my math is right. Not the best deal in the world, but still 3 dollars more than you would have had. You may also want to check another site to see if you can get a better deal for either store. However, for sake of argument lets assume you did decide to go through eBates. They cut a check (or send paypal) once a quarter so long as you have at least $5 accumulated. If you aren't an e-bates member, you can join by clicking here. They are currently offering a $5 signup bonus which means you are gauranteed a check this quarter. Also check out other stores before you shop online. Some stores will give you a larger percentage of your cash back (i.e. 6-10%). I joined eBates in 2007 and have gotten back over $80 from doing the same shopping I would have done anyway. Again, free money. I personally feel $80, or even $3, is worth a couple extra clicks.
Walmart is offering 2% cash back which means you would get back $2. Best Buy is currently offering 1% cash back. That means you will get a dollar back for your $100 that you spent if my math is right. Not the best deal in the world, but still 3 dollars more than you would have had. You may also want to check another site to see if you can get a better deal for either store. However, for sake of argument lets assume you did decide to go through eBates. They cut a check (or send paypal) once a quarter so long as you have at least $5 accumulated. If you aren't an e-bates member, you can join by clicking here. They are currently offering a $5 signup bonus which means you are gauranteed a check this quarter. Also check out other stores before you shop online. Some stores will give you a larger percentage of your cash back (i.e. 6-10%). I joined eBates in 2007 and have gotten back over $80 from doing the same shopping I would have done anyway. Again, free money. I personally feel $80, or even $3, is worth a couple extra clicks.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Website to Check Out: Mypoints.com
Since you can earn mypoints through Bzzagent, I thought mypoints would be the next logical site to visit. The way mypoints.com works is that you accumulate points and then trade them in for gift cards. You can get a $10 GC for about 1500 points and a $25 GC for about 3800 points.
There are lots of ways to earn points. If you shop through their vendors, you get points (based either on dollars spent or a flat rate. Most sites give between 2-5 pts per dollar spent, though others do give you a set amount for a purchase if the minimum is met (i.e. 750 points if you spend at least $50.00). Just make sure you go through the link on mypoints homepage so you get your points!
You can also get points for reading e-mails and taking surveys. Mypoints will send you e-mails (I get between 2-5 per day) and most will give you 5 points for reading the e-mail and clicking the link (you also get additional points if you actually purchase an item after following the link). I also get between 2-5 survey opportunities per week. You can earn 60-75 points if you qualify for a survey or 10 points if you don't. One thing to remember is that it usually takes 30 days for any points you earn from shopping or surveys to be credited to your account (they are provisionally added for 30 days) and you can't spend them until they are actually credited.
I get asked a lot if it REALLY works and my response is yes so long as you only buy items you would have bought otherwise. If you buy stuff just to get points, its not a good deal. I have been a member since 2000, and I do the e-mails and the surveys and sometimes buy items through mypoints (but only after I compare to make sure I can't get a better deal through one of my other rewards points). In that time I have earned just under 100,000 points which I have cashed in for about $800 in GCs to Walmart, Walgreens, Target, CVS, Chilis and Panera Bread.
Anyway, I encourage you to consider joining if you aren't a member. I would also appreciate it if you would send me an e-mail with your first name and e-mail so I can send you a referral e-mail.
There are lots of ways to earn points. If you shop through their vendors, you get points (based either on dollars spent or a flat rate. Most sites give between 2-5 pts per dollar spent, though others do give you a set amount for a purchase if the minimum is met (i.e. 750 points if you spend at least $50.00). Just make sure you go through the link on mypoints homepage so you get your points!
You can also get points for reading e-mails and taking surveys. Mypoints will send you e-mails (I get between 2-5 per day) and most will give you 5 points for reading the e-mail and clicking the link (you also get additional points if you actually purchase an item after following the link). I also get between 2-5 survey opportunities per week. You can earn 60-75 points if you qualify for a survey or 10 points if you don't. One thing to remember is that it usually takes 30 days for any points you earn from shopping or surveys to be credited to your account (they are provisionally added for 30 days) and you can't spend them until they are actually credited.
I get asked a lot if it REALLY works and my response is yes so long as you only buy items you would have bought otherwise. If you buy stuff just to get points, its not a good deal. I have been a member since 2000, and I do the e-mails and the surveys and sometimes buy items through mypoints (but only after I compare to make sure I can't get a better deal through one of my other rewards points). In that time I have earned just under 100,000 points which I have cashed in for about $800 in GCs to Walmart, Walgreens, Target, CVS, Chilis and Panera Bread.
Anyway, I encourage you to consider joining if you aren't a member. I would also appreciate it if you would send me an e-mail with your first name and e-mail so I can send you a referral e-mail.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Website to Check Out: Bzzagent.com
All savvy shoppers should join Bzzagent. It's a great site where they will match you up with products based on your interests. They will then send you some of the product to try along with (usually) coupons and samples for your friends. I've been a member for about 2 years and in that time I have gotten to try tons of great products like Chili's (smokehouse burgers and guiltless grill, the latter of which I still eat to this day), assorted glade air fresheners and aveeno nourish shampoo and conditioner. Usually I love the products they send me so they are easy to buzz about. I try and keep a couple coupons and samples in my purse so that way when I am out with my friends and the topic comes up I have them available to pass out. My friends love that I am a bzzagent because they know they will get the benefit of the coupons and samples. It's a simple premise. Try out the product and if you like it, talk about it to your friends, family and co-workers. Don't be obnoxious, you aren't a salesperson for the product, but if you genuinely like it tell your friends about the product so they can try it too!
Anyway, check it out. Bzzagent.com and tell them bzzagent iluvcoupons sent you. It's totally free and you get to try out products before you buy them!
Anyway, check it out. Bzzagent.com and tell them bzzagent iluvcoupons sent you. It's totally free and you get to try out products before you buy them!
The experiment has ended, but the savings continued...
Hello all my money saving friends! It's Thanksgiving day, the beginning of that holiday rush where we all spend way more money than we want to! However, as we all know, there are ways to economize and still put together a great holiday...you just need to have a budget, know what you can spend, and stick with it.
I decided to reload some of my favorite "extreme couponer" posts from my $45 in a month challenge I did earlier this year. I am not saying you have to do something that extreme, especially because it is not healthy since you have to eat too much processed foods. However, it does demonstrate how easy it is to save money with a few cost savings measures.
I'm off to dinner now, but for the next month I will be posting my favorite money savings tips, points sites I use and deals I find to help you be fiscally responsible this month so you don't regret your decisions next year!
I decided to reload some of my favorite "extreme couponer" posts from my $45 in a month challenge I did earlier this year. I am not saying you have to do something that extreme, especially because it is not healthy since you have to eat too much processed foods. However, it does demonstrate how easy it is to save money with a few cost savings measures.
I'm off to dinner now, but for the next month I will be posting my favorite money savings tips, points sites I use and deals I find to help you be fiscally responsible this month so you don't regret your decisions next year!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Planning menus by sales...
One of the most important lessons I have learned during my years of couponing is trying to plan your menus based on what is on sale and what is in your stockpile. That great sale on hamburger will do you no good if you let it get freezer burned and buying blueberries out of season at $5.00 for a half pint is a good way to sink your budget. As I am trying to demonstrate this month, you really can eat well with a little bit of effort and some creativity.
I used this strategy for dinner tonight which was chicken tortilla soup. The best part is it makes a huge pot which I'll be able to eat off all week. My decision to make this was inspired by the sale I found at Homeland for Red Gold tomatoes. They are on sale BOGO (2/$1.45) and I had a coupon for $.75/2 which resulted in free tomatoes after doubling. It was an internet printable coupon on the Red Gold website if you would like to print it off too.
I started off which a carton of progresso chicken broth ($2.99 -$1/1 doubled = $0.99) and a carton of swanson's chicken stock from my pantry. I added one can of red gold diced tomatoes (with juice) and 1 can of rotel w/ green chiles from my pantry (I always stock up on rotel whenever I see it on sale!) and simmered it will some cut onion. I then added a package of steam fresh brown long grain rice from the freezer (bought on sale for $1 - $.35/1 doubled = $0.30) and a bag of green giant steamers corn ($1.04 - $1/1 = $0.04). Lastly I added two cooked chicken breasts which I diced into small pieces. Once it was done I ladled it into a bowl and topped with some cheddar jack kraft shredded cheese (I had stockpiled this, but it is on sale this week for $2.49 - $.75/1 blinkie in front of cheese doubled = $1.00 package). For under $4.00 I made at least 8-10 servings or $0.50 per bowl. When I get bored with it I can freeze it and have it later this winter as a quick mid-week meal.
Later on this week I'll probably also make some corn bread ($.49 package of corn bread mix w/ 1 can of green chilis ($.79) and some of the cheddar jack cheese.) Or if you prefer sandwiches, use some of the cheddar jack cheese or velveeta (if you have it) to make a grilled cheese.
I used this strategy for dinner tonight which was chicken tortilla soup. The best part is it makes a huge pot which I'll be able to eat off all week. My decision to make this was inspired by the sale I found at Homeland for Red Gold tomatoes. They are on sale BOGO (2/$1.45) and I had a coupon for $.75/2 which resulted in free tomatoes after doubling. It was an internet printable coupon on the Red Gold website if you would like to print it off too.
I started off which a carton of progresso chicken broth ($2.99 -$1/1 doubled = $0.99) and a carton of swanson's chicken stock from my pantry. I added one can of red gold diced tomatoes (with juice) and 1 can of rotel w/ green chiles from my pantry (I always stock up on rotel whenever I see it on sale!) and simmered it will some cut onion. I then added a package of steam fresh brown long grain rice from the freezer (bought on sale for $1 - $.35/1 doubled = $0.30) and a bag of green giant steamers corn ($1.04 - $1/1 = $0.04). Lastly I added two cooked chicken breasts which I diced into small pieces. Once it was done I ladled it into a bowl and topped with some cheddar jack kraft shredded cheese (I had stockpiled this, but it is on sale this week for $2.49 - $.75/1 blinkie in front of cheese doubled = $1.00 package). For under $4.00 I made at least 8-10 servings or $0.50 per bowl. When I get bored with it I can freeze it and have it later this winter as a quick mid-week meal.
Later on this week I'll probably also make some corn bread ($.49 package of corn bread mix w/ 1 can of green chilis ($.79) and some of the cheddar jack cheese.) Or if you prefer sandwiches, use some of the cheddar jack cheese or velveeta (if you have it) to make a grilled cheese.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Playing catch-up again!
So clearly this daily update thing is not going to work! I keep meaning to log on, but them get busy and forget. I'll try to give more updates this weekend. I have to admit this is starting to get hard (a week in!) because I can't eat out. Also, for anyone thinking of doing this, eating the same thing is by choice, not necessity. I tend to eat the same thing for 3-4 weeks until I get bored with it and not eat it again for a couple of months. Next week I am going to try for more variety though, just to show that it can be done. This week, the meals have basically been:
Breakfast:
Some combination of cereal, toast, milk and juice
Lunch:
Sandwich on wheat bread (just used the last of the free bread! :-(
Dinner:
Chicken Breast w/ mashed potatoes or pasta or rice and frozen veggies
All days have come in under budget and all have been tasty and healthy. Of course, I wanted to scream when Kristen said she wanted to go do Chinese...I loved getting Chicken Fried Rice at Snow Pea and now I can't do that for a month! Ugh!
Breakfast:
Some combination of cereal, toast, milk and juice
Lunch:
Sandwich on wheat bread (just used the last of the free bread! :-(
Dinner:
Chicken Breast w/ mashed potatoes or pasta or rice and frozen veggies
All days have come in under budget and all have been tasty and healthy. Of course, I wanted to scream when Kristen said she wanted to go do Chinese...I loved getting Chicken Fried Rice at Snow Pea and now I can't do that for a month! Ugh!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Recap from 1/5/09 and new post for 1/6/09
Sorry I missed posting yesterday, I totally forgot to log on when I got home last night! Here is a quick recap.
Breakfast:
~~(1) Chocolate Covered Mint Oreo (yummo!) another clearance sale: $0.02
~~(2) slices of wheat toast w/ LOL canola Oil Butter. I got the bread with a free coupon and the butter was in my stockpile so $0.00
Lunch:
~~Chicken and Beef coldcut sandwich with spicy mustard on whole wheat bread: $0.05
~~Pretzel Rods (courtesy of work) $0.00
~~Fresca (work) $0.00
Dinner:
~~BK Burger $1.00
~~Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup (1/2 can) : $0.25
Total for Day: $1.32
Okay, that brings us up to date, so this is what I've had today:
Breakfast:
~~(2) slices of wheat toast w/ LOL canola Oil Butter. I got the bread with a free coupon and the butter was in my stockpile so $0.00
Lunch:
~~Chicken and Beef coldcut sandwich with spicy mustard on whole wheat bread: $0.05
~~Goldfish Crackers $0.05
~~Fresca $0.00
Tonight's dinner should be good. I thawed out what I think is chicken (it was wrapped in foil so I am guessing!) A few weeks ago I grabbed a couple of bags of frozen chicken on sale for $5.99. I also had a $3 off WT so that brings my cost down to $3.00. There were about 10 breasts in each bag so that would make the cost $0.30 per breast. I am going to grill up a breast and mix it will some green giant steamers broccoli and cheese sauce ($1.24 bag - $1 coupon = $0.24) and some ronzoni healthy harvest rotini ($1.69 - $1 coupon doubled = overage of $0.31). If I use 2 breasts the cost would be $0.84 and will make probably 3 servings so $0.28 per serving. Pretty good dinner if I say so myself!
Today's the last day of this week's homeland sale so I also need to stop by there on my way home. On my list:
~~Buddig Coldcuts 10 oz on sale $2.29 - $1 (doubled) =$.29 for 6 servings
~~Farmland Bacon: on sale 2/$4 - $2 = FREE
~~Progresso Soup: on sale 2/$4 - $1/2 doubled = $0.50 per can
Breakfast:
~~(1) Chocolate Covered Mint Oreo (yummo!) another clearance sale: $0.02
~~(2) slices of wheat toast w/ LOL canola Oil Butter. I got the bread with a free coupon and the butter was in my stockpile so $0.00
Lunch:
~~Chicken and Beef coldcut sandwich with spicy mustard on whole wheat bread: $0.05
~~Pretzel Rods (courtesy of work) $0.00
~~Fresca (work) $0.00
Dinner:
~~BK Burger $1.00
~~Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup (1/2 can) : $0.25
Total for Day: $1.32
Okay, that brings us up to date, so this is what I've had today:
Breakfast:
~~(2) slices of wheat toast w/ LOL canola Oil Butter. I got the bread with a free coupon and the butter was in my stockpile so $0.00
Lunch:
~~Chicken and Beef coldcut sandwich with spicy mustard on whole wheat bread: $0.05
~~Goldfish Crackers $0.05
~~Fresca $0.00
Tonight's dinner should be good. I thawed out what I think is chicken (it was wrapped in foil so I am guessing!) A few weeks ago I grabbed a couple of bags of frozen chicken on sale for $5.99. I also had a $3 off WT so that brings my cost down to $3.00. There were about 10 breasts in each bag so that would make the cost $0.30 per breast. I am going to grill up a breast and mix it will some green giant steamers broccoli and cheese sauce ($1.24 bag - $1 coupon = $0.24) and some ronzoni healthy harvest rotini ($1.69 - $1 coupon doubled = overage of $0.31). If I use 2 breasts the cost would be $0.84 and will make probably 3 servings so $0.28 per serving. Pretty good dinner if I say so myself!
Today's the last day of this week's homeland sale so I also need to stop by there on my way home. On my list:
~~Buddig Coldcuts 10 oz on sale $2.29 - $1 (doubled) =$.29 for 6 servings
~~Farmland Bacon: on sale 2/$4 - $2 = FREE
~~Progresso Soup: on sale 2/$4 - $1/2 doubled = $0.50 per can
Sunday, January 4, 2009
January 4, 2009...I really do like eating the same stuff all the time!
I feel like I am typing the same thing every day...tomorrow we'll have to try to shake up the menu a little!
Breakfast:
~~Special K w/ strawberries and Sugar Free Koolaid ($0.04)
Lunch:
~~Turkey Sandwich on wheat bread w/ mustard ($0.05)
~~Goldfish Crackers (I love clearance sales!) ($0.05)
~~Sugar Free Koolaid
Dinner:
~~Leftover Tortellini (free) $0.00
~~Leftover Garlic Bread $0.50
~~Sugar Free Koolaid
Total for day: $0.64
My goal for this week is to try to add in some veggies. I got a good deal on some frozen steamed veggies so it shouldn't be that expensive.
Breakfast:
~~Special K w/ strawberries and Sugar Free Koolaid ($0.04)
Lunch:
~~Turkey Sandwich on wheat bread w/ mustard ($0.05)
~~Goldfish Crackers (I love clearance sales!) ($0.05)
~~Sugar Free Koolaid
Dinner:
~~Leftover Tortellini (free) $0.00
~~Leftover Garlic Bread $0.50
~~Sugar Free Koolaid
Total for day: $0.64
My goal for this week is to try to add in some veggies. I got a good deal on some frozen steamed veggies so it shouldn't be that expensive.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
January 3, 2009...back on the trail!
Yesterday's fall off the budget wagon made me doublely (is that a word?) determined to stay under budget today.
Breakfast:
Breakfast:
- Special K w/ strawberries (1 serving, 8 servings in box) @ $.005
- Sugar-Free Koolaid (free)
- Total Breakfast OOP: $.005 (less than a penny!)
Lunch:
- Mona's Cheese Tortellini (free w/ coupon I traded for. I have 2 more coupons I'll have to trade in...yummo!) $0.00
- Garlic Bread @$0.50
- Sugar Free Koolaid $0.00
- Total Lunch OOP: $0.50
- Total for the Day so far: $0.505
I went to homeland today to pick up a prescription and bought another tub of buddig meats. It's on sale for $2.29 and all packages have a $.55 peelie. In addition, some packages also have $1/1 coupons in the package. I keep buying the packages with the $1/1 coupon and pay only $0.29 a package for cold cuts.
Dinner:
- Sandwich on whole wheat bread w/ spicy brown mustard. Bread = free, mustard = pantry item, meat = $.0483 (1/6 of $0.29)
Total cost for the day: $0.5533
Total cost for the month so far: $$3.1771
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2, 2009...the journey continues
Well I am now in day 2 of the $45 in 30 days experiment. Today is easier because (a) I'm at work so I don't really have time to think about it; and (b) its bagel and donut day which means free breakfast! Here is the roll so far:
Breakfast:
Breakfast:
- Plain bagel w/ cream cheese
- Orange juice mixed with Fresca
- Total OOP :$0.00 all provided by work
Lunch:
- Corn beef and cheese tortilla wrap
- Pretzel Rods
- Fresca
The price breakdown is as follows:
- Tortilla. $2.82 -$1.99 coupon = $.83 / 8 tortillas = $.10375
- Corned Beef. $.56 - $.56 free product coupon = $0.00
- Cheese. $2.00 bag - $1/2 coupon = $1.00/bag divided by 8 servings = $.125
- Pretzel Rods. Free (provided by work)
- Fresca. Free (provided by work)
Total Lunch OOP: $0.22875
Current Total OOP for Day: $0.22875.
Well, 2 days in and a day over budget...probably not the best thing. I wasn't feeling well last night and couldn't stand the thought of cooking, so I went through the drive-thru and got a happy meal. Cost before tax: $1.99
Total for the day: $2.21875
Total for the Month: $2.62375 (still about $.37 under budget)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
January 1, 2009...the experiment begins!
First off, happy New Years everyone! Here is hoping 2009 is much better than 2008! Starting today I am going to blog about everything I eat (and how much it cost) for the next 30 days. I REALLY hope I don't have any huge hunger spells! LOL
The responses to my request for coupons are starting to come in. Little Debbie said that they don't send coupons. Dannon said they don't usually send coupons but sent me a "courtesy" envie with a free coupon (for yogurt or drinkables) and a $.25/1 coupon. If Homeland has Dannon yogurt on sale this month, that $.25/1 coupon will equal a free yogurt. I also got a free product coupon for Hostess/Wonder (can use for bread or sweets). I also got some coupons from Land O Lakes which I can combine with with sales (hopefully).
Once I get off the computer I am going to have the following breakfast:
The responses to my request for coupons are starting to come in. Little Debbie said that they don't send coupons. Dannon said they don't usually send coupons but sent me a "courtesy" envie with a free coupon (for yogurt or drinkables) and a $.25/1 coupon. If Homeland has Dannon yogurt on sale this month, that $.25/1 coupon will equal a free yogurt. I also got a free product coupon for Hostess/Wonder (can use for bread or sweets). I also got some coupons from Land O Lakes which I can combine with with sales (hopefully).
Once I get off the computer I am going to have the following breakfast:
- Special K w/ strawberries (1 serving, 8 servings in box)
- 6 oz cup of yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 oz juice
The price breakdown is as follows:
- Special K: $.005 (as I mentioned yesterday, I got 2 boxes and half a gallon of milk for $.08. I'll call the milk free and assess $.04 to each box of cereal. 1/8 of $.04 = $.005 or half a cent)
- Yogurt: FREE with coupon
- Milk: FREE with coupon
- Juice: 1/16 of the bottle @ $.50 bottle = $.03125
- Total Breakfast OOP: $.03625 (i.e. less than $.04!)
Lunch:
- Corn beef and cheese tortilla wrap
- Sugar Free Koolaid
The price breakdown is as follows:
- Tortilla. $2.82 -$1.99 coupon = $.83 / 8 tortillas = $.10375
- Corned Beef. $.56 - $.56 free product coupon = $0.00
- Cheese. $2.00 bag - $1/2 coupon = $1.00/bag divided by 8 servings = $.125
- Koolaid. $2.00 - $1/1 coupon = FREE
- Total Lunch OOP: $0.22875
- Current Total OOP for Day: $0.265. That leaves me with $1.235 for dinner.
Well day 1 is now complete (wooo hooo! 1 down, 29 to go! LOL) Dinner was tasty, healthy and cheap!
- Cheeseburger on toast w/ sugar free koolaid. The burger was made from the 96% lean hamburger I bought last week. It was $3.56 for a package and I used a $3 off meat WT which brought it down to $.56 for the package. I used a quarter of the package for a price of $.14. The cheese was free from the buy 3 koolaid get cheese free coupons (those were great coupons!) The bread was free using a hostess/wonder coupon that expired 12/31/08.
- Total Dinner Price: $.14
- Total for the Day OOP: $0.405 (40 and a half cents) Pretty good start if I say so myself!
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