Save on Postage, Home Improvement & Gift Cards!

I love saving money, especially in really unique ways.  Here are THREE really cool ways to save a little green!

1.)  Postage Stamps:  Got a wedding, graduation, or reunion coming up and need a bunch (or a little bit of)  postage stamps?  try eBay & search here! not only do they sell them CHEAPER than the post office shipping is usually FREE.  I don't know about you guys but I dread going to the post office!  Go through ebates or mypoints and even earn points OR cash back incentives to make this deal even sweeter!( at Christmas I saved over $8.00 through cash back & buying them through ebay!)

2.) Home Improvement:  Got a remodel coming up?  want to replace an expensive garage door?  washer? Etc.?  to go ebay again here!  look for 10% off coupons to home depo or lowes.  they usually sell for 2-7 dollars but could save you LOTS!  Example if you spent $1,000 that little coupon could save you $100.00!!  And AGAIN if you go through ebates or mypoints you could get some points/cash back!! In my experience Lowes, home depo & menards ALL honored these coupons even if it says to a particular store.

3.)   Gift Cards: Need to buy a gift card or want to sell a gift card?! check out plastic jungle, here  You can sell unwanted gift cards and even buy gift cards at a reduced rate with free shipping! check it out.  i know i'll be ordering an applebees gift card real soon for a night out with my hubby! :-) 

arby's coupon

Arby’s has a great coupon available! Just go here to print a coupon valid for a FREE regular Roast Beef Sandwich with the purchase of any soft drink! This coupon expires on 4/10/2010.  Guess where we ate for lunch?! :-)  works in ames. thanks hip2save!

Bath & Body Works FREE travel size item

Bath & body works has a coupon buy any item get a FREE travel size item.  Think clearance or sale item.  i usually buy a nail file (for $1) or something.  click here for the link.  thanks hip2save!

walgreens highlight!

walgreens is having a few good sales this week and stacked with coupons you could get some good deals.  i've just highlighted a few of the possibilities for a more extensive list please check out www.hip2save.com!

Colgate Pro Clinical Toothpaste 4 oz. $3.99 = $2RR
Use the $1/1 coupon found here (must register)
Final Cost $0.99!

Tums 60-150 count $3.99 = $1RR
Use the $1/1 coupon found here
Final Cost $1.99!
(my hubby eats these like candy!)

Walgreens One Daily Multivitamins 100 count $3 = $3RR
Final Cost FREE!

Dove Shampoo or Conditioner or Styling Products $4 = $4RR
Use the $2/1 coupon found here
(There is also a $1.50/1 coupon available in the 3/28RP)
Final Cost as low as FREE + a $2 moneymaker!









Easter M&M’s 9.9-12.6 oz 2/$5
Buy 3 bags for a total of $7.50
Use the $1/3 coupon from the 3/7 RP
Use the $1/2 coupon from the Walgreens April Coupon Booklet (must be 11.4 oz+); will deduct $1.50
Final Cost $1.67 each!

Playtex Tampons Gentle Glide or Sport 18 pack $3.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the All You Magazine April 2010 issue or found here or here
Use the $1/1 coupon from the Walgreens April Coupon Booklet
Final Cost $1.99!

Halls Drops 20-30 count $0.99 with in-ad coupon
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 3/28 SS
Final Cost FREE!
**Hand over the in ad coupon AFTER the manufacturer coupon to avoid beepage!

 Dulcolax Balance 14 day, 8.3 oz. $10 = $10RR
Use the $4/1 coupon found here
Final Cost FREE + a $4 moneymaker!
(THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT!!)


p.s. the walgreens coupon booklet is usually found by the cashier stand, if you can't find it just ask.

Target w/ coupons exposed!

i heart target, especially when they have good sales.  this is one of those weeks.  you should get to target.  Sunday afternoon i "hit 'em up!"  My total before coupons was $71.00 my total AFTER coupons $22.00!  here is what I got for my 22 bucks:

i stocked up on alot of things, body wash for ryan, deodorant for both of us, parchment paper, baby shampoo (free) tide detergent sample (free) 2 things of baby formula (.65cents each) connect 4 game for $3.00 & two monopoly card games for .55cents each, and dove shampoo. (although i noticed they were a dollar higher at the Ames target than Ankeny)  (we do toys for tots in December so this will help a great cause and won't break the bank!) 

They nitty gritty truth:  I used this website to print all my coupons and plan my route.  click here to print coupons and find how to match a sale with a coupon.  it took me 25 mins to do that.  And then it took me 30 mins. to find and purchase all these product.  to me this is so worth it.  its like i'm paying myself 50/hour for these things! 

Couple of pointers:  

Cashiers:  When i have a boat load of coupons i always scour the cashiers and always choose a young guy usually in college or high school & i always strike up a conversation.  how is their day going, are they in school, what is their major.  for instance my cashiers name was justin, he graduated in december from ISU with a major in graphic design.  is looking for a job and hoping he doesn't have to work at target much longer.  :-)  (i find that they are the most coupon friendly)

Diapers:  I'll admit it:  i'm a diaper snob.  i really love my huggies & pampers, but i really don't like paying the high price.  well, at hip2save's website she'll show you where to get a $3.00 off coupon AND a 1.50 off target coupon (you can use both!) huggies coupon.  that is 4.50 off!!  AND huggies diapers are on sale for 8.99 with the coupons that brings your total down to $4.49!  that is .14cents per diaper. vs. target brand at .18 cents each.  even if you don't have a family, these would make great baby shower gifts!  

hope this helped you get started or inspire you to try some coupons out!  i have a passion for being a good steward of God's money that he has put on loan to us. i really believe if you are faithful and  a good steward with these little things such as saving a a couple of dollars here and there the Lord will bless that.  As a stay at home mom my motto verse I've adopted for myself is:  

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Matthew 25:21–22

blessings,

Ashley

Mypoints

Ever heard of mypoints?  it is such an easy way to accumulate points & earn a gift card to your favorite store! I usually "earn" $40-$50 dollars worth of gift cards in one year.  I usually end up choosing Applebees so me and the hubs can make it a date!  How I use mypoints to work for my benefit is by opening up each e-mail they send me (1-8ish per day) and check on the "earn 5 points" bar.  that way i'm not out anything except the 10 seconds it took to open the e-mail and hit that tab.  so simple. i usually do this while feeding tucker.  what woman doesn't love to multi-task?! :-)  Go here to sign up today!

Here is how it works:

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.

couponing!

 Some friends of ours have been asking what blogs we use  I swear by two &amp here is  why I love them:  It does take some time getting used to all the rules and stipulations, but it is completely worth it (in my opinion)

1.)  www.hip2save.com --  this is a great website for online deals, freebies, and my favorite her weekly videos of "follow me mondays"  where she takes the camera in the store and SHOWS you how she saves money.  She also is completely lovable.  great site to bookmark and check back frequently.  

2.) http://www.couponingtodisney.com  this is another great website to follow.  click on the two links below to see what i mean.  for instance click here to check out the current deals at target for 90 items under one buck and another 22 FREE.  Or here for 121 items under one buck and 17 free!  

i would like to note i don't get myself too worked up if I can't make it to get a deal.  tucker is my number one priority and i don't always get to the store as much as i'd like.  i do subscribe to the des moines register (they recently had a special sign up for six months for 22 bucks and get a 10 dollar applebees gift card)  on sundays and try to get a paper for free on sundays as well. 

happy day to you!
Ashley