tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82041988152518895132024-03-05T21:32:34.410-05:00Ann's Crazy WorldA glimpse into the crazy world of Ann - a wife and mom of two girls and a little boy. I love God and saving money. You'll find realistic ways to save money with coupons and other frugal tips.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.comBlogger536125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-52847319491674000872013-02-21T18:55:00.001-05:002013-02-21T18:55:54.212-05:00Frugal Living Tip #50 - ShopAtHome.com ShopAtHome.com
I mentioned in two posts last week about ways to save by shopping on-line. In case you missed them you can find them here under tips #44 and #45.
Shopathome.com is a site that offers you a rebate that is a percentage based on the amount you purchase from the on-line retailer. The amount varies, but once you have accumulated $20 in your account they will send you a Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-84140329752617288322013-02-21T18:49:00.001-05:002013-02-21T18:49:55.248-05:00Frugal Living Tip #49 - Restaurant.com Certificates Restaurant.com Gift Certificates
If you haven't checked out restaurant.com yet, you need to. They offer gift certificates to local restaurants at discounted prices. The inventory changes periodically, and so do the prices. Several times a year they will offer $25 vouchers for only $2! I have snagged a few of those over the years. Make sure you subscribe to their site to find out when Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-85068790237629398692013-02-21T18:41:00.001-05:002013-02-21T18:41:41.530-05:00Frugal Living Tip #48 - Grocery Store Fuel DiscountsGrocery Store Fuel Discounts
I have vivid memories from the summer of 2008. I was home adjusting to life with a newborn and a very active 2&1/2 year old. I was going stir crazy in the house - it was too hot to be outside for long with a newborn. Gas was hovering close to $4 a gallon. It cost me over $60 to fill up my SUV. (I know some things have a way of repeating themselves.)
Well, my Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-79742189492218308792013-02-21T18:25:00.001-05:002013-02-21T18:25:39.480-05:00Frugal Living Tip #47 - Use a Water FilterUse a Water Filter
This is a topic that can cause great dissension, because it comes down to personal taste.
Steve has no problems drinking the tap water at our house. I swear it has a "taste" to it and can't drink it unless I get it from the refrigerator water filter. I can even tell when it is time to change the filter before the light comes because the water starts to get a taste.
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-89034394874871139082013-02-21T18:12:00.001-05:002013-02-21T18:12:27.731-05:00Frugal Living Tip #46 - Produce Box Delivery Produce Box Delivery
I have mentioned several times over the last few years about my bi-weekly produce box delivery from Dominion Harvest. I love it!
I first met one of the owners about 2 years ago at the expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k. He explained to me that his business is a little bit different than a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) co-op. The biggest differences Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-64935400967820015062013-02-14T19:32:00.001-05:002013-02-14T19:32:57.981-05:00Frugal Living Tip #45 - On-line Coupon Codes On-line Coupon Codes
I mentioned in my post about prepaid phone cards that by purchasing them from an on-line site that I get them for less than the actual value. I also discussed the pros and cons to on-line shopping in the previous post.
If you have ever made a purchase on-line you have probably seen a box when you are entering info at check-out asking for a promo or discount code. It Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-79458634411108885732013-02-13T23:32:00.000-05:002013-02-14T11:32:51.529-05:00Frugal Living Tip #44 - On-line Shopping On-line Shopping
Shopping on-line can save you money compared to shopping in a store. This can be because of the ability of the on-line retailer to purchase in bulk, and not having to operate stores. Just like so many things there are pros and cons to on-line shopping.
Pros:
It can be less expensive
More selection
You don't have to go to multiple stores looking for an item or toAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-32465725603637567292013-02-12T23:29:00.001-05:002013-02-12T23:29:42.895-05:00Frugal Living Tip #43 - Prepaid Phone Cards Prepaid Phone Cards
I have not had a cell phone contract for almost 6 years. I have had a cell phone, I just don't have a contract with a carrier.
You may be curious as to how this works. I realized at the time that I was not maximizing my plan and it was costing over $60 per month. My husband gets his cell phone from his employeer, so we weren't eligible for a multiphone discount. I was Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-75404743523161421772013-02-11T23:10:00.001-05:002013-02-11T23:10:20.436-05:00Frugal Living Tip #42 - Credit Card Rebates Credit Card Rebates
If you are a Dave Ramsey fan you probably think that I am crazy suggesting a credit card. I am not encouraging you to go out and open up new credit card accounts. I also want you to understand that in order to receive the rebates that I am going to be talking about you need to pay your bill in full each month.
We have two credit cards that we routinely use - an Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-30040335274964317852013-02-10T08:41:00.000-05:002013-02-11T22:41:41.028-05:00Frugal Living Tip #41 - Warehouse Membership Warehouse Membership
I know that there is a big divide among people who feel that warehouse memberships are or aren't worth the cost of the membership.
I feel that they can be, but like I have mentioned other times, it is important to know the prices for the items that you buy. I have found that I can find items like ground beef and chicken breast on sale at the grocery store for less than Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-41762967737051775052013-02-09T21:14:00.001-05:002013-02-09T21:14:57.558-05:00Frugal Living Tip #40 - Reusable Containers Reusable Containers
First Day of School Lunch
I have an entire shelf in one of my kitchen cabinets devoted to plastic storage containers. I use them primarily to store leftovers from a meal. This summer when I was getting my oldest daughter ready to start first grade I had a great idea. (Ok, really I saw something similar on Pinterest.). Use a reusable container with multiple sections to Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-36617802455704171332013-02-08T07:10:00.000-05:002013-02-11T22:11:15.005-05:00Frugal Living Tip #39 - Host a Party Host a Party
You are probably wondering where I am going with this. I am referring to hosting a direct sales party. There are an assortment of companies that sell jewelry, kitchen products, bags, organizational items, or food storage. I have hosted parties in the past for Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, and Premier Jewelry. The concept is you invite your friends over, a consultant from the Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-84547146260689232142013-02-07T21:08:00.001-05:002013-02-07T21:08:09.068-05:00Frugal Living Tip #38 - Online Bill Paying Online Bill Paying
We all have bills that we have to pay on a regular basis- mortgage, electricity, phone, cable, just to name a few. The question is how do you pay them? Do you write a check and mail it in a few days before it is due?
My husband actually takes care of our bills, but we have started using online bill pay. He has us signed up now to use an online service - mycheckfree.com.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-26161575742809075522013-02-06T23:02:00.001-05:002013-02-06T23:02:33.833-05:00Frugal Living Tip #37 - Pay With Cash Pay With Cash
I have a confession to make. I talk about saving money on all kinds of things, but I like to get my nails done. There is just something about having a manicure and a pedicure that makes me feel pretty even on the days when I barely get out of yoga pants.
Now you are wondering what on earth does this have to do with today's frugal tip. Even though I am going to the nail place inAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-37950986351145506232013-02-05T22:45:00.001-05:002013-02-05T22:45:32.032-05:00Frugal Living Tip #36 - Oops Paint Oops Paint
Have you ever been in a home improvement store and noticed the shelf of mixed paint that is sitting there discounted? It is usually oops paint. When the paint got mixed it ended up not being the exact color that the person was looking for. Because the original customer doesn't want it, it can be a huge savings for you.
If you have a large area to paint, oops paint probably Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-46296475269029037802013-02-04T19:55:00.001-05:002013-02-04T19:55:15.426-05:00Frugal Living Tip #35 - Open Box Deals Open Box Deals
Open box deals, are items that someone has bought and returned. It could be that it is some type of electronic device that the store can't resell at full price once it has been opened. I recently found a wheat grinder attachment for my KitchenAid stand mixer in Target marked down on a clearance end cap. It was there because it is an item sold on-line only that got returned to Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-55581195894050169572013-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-03T20:37:15.909-05:00Frugal Living Tip #34 - Contacting Manufacturers Part 2 Contacting Manufacturers Part 2
I talked about contacting manufacturers in tip #26 to obtain coupons and free samples. Have you ever had an item that you like, break, and then you can't find replacement parts? Throw them away and buy a new one? Don't do that - contact the manufacturer.
I recently had two OXO plastic storage container bases break. I had had them for several years and knew Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-25568799383326265532013-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-03T20:36:56.349-05:00Frugal Living Tip #33 - Redbox Codes Redbox Codes
Have you ever rented a movie from Redbox and seen where they ask if you have a promo code and wonder how to get one?
It is really easy and there are a few ways to get the codes.
Sign-in to redbox.com and reserve a movie for pick-up on-line. If it is the first time you have taken advantage of this service you will get a code for a free rental when you return the movie.
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-31430038115243867962013-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-03T20:36:32.870-05:00Frugal Living Tip #32 - Bring Your Own Coffee Mug Bring Your Own Coffee Mug
I mentioned several weeks ago with tip #9 that you can save a few cents by bringing your own reusable shopping bags. Well, you can do the same thing when you are getting a cup of coffee.
I generally bring my own coffee mug to places that have self serve coffee because of my picky coffee palate. I like to already measure out my milk and add my sweetener then fill up Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-3169684312342050472013-01-31T23:00:00.000-05:002013-02-01T00:24:12.210-05:00Frugal Living Tip #31 - Kids Eat Free Kid's Eat Free
If you have little ones like me, buying multiple kid's meals, or even one adult entree to split between multiple children can really make a dinner out become even more costly. That is why we have become very familiar with restaurants near us that have special nights where kid's can eat for free.
Just like any promotion there are different rules at each restaurant. There canAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-10458406501409267802013-01-30T13:56:00.001-05:002014-03-09T20:20:29.275-04:00Frugal Living Tip # 30 - Consignment
Consignment
Consignment is something that I have mixed feelings about. I know that there are a lot of people who have great success in finding clothes and accessories at consignment, second hand, or thrift stores. I am not one of them. I have given them lots of chances and tried stores in different areas, but I have difficulty finding things that work for me. I often will find a cute shirt,Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-84913163036305856612013-01-29T13:17:00.001-05:002013-01-29T14:13:32.643-05:00Frugal Living Tip #29 - Swagbucks Swagbucks
When you go on-line do you normally know the URL you are trying to get to, or do you go to a search engine such as google or yahoo in order to find the web address? If you are using a search engine for a lot of the time that you are on-line you may want to look into Swagbucks.
You can earn Swagbucks just from performing on-line searches. You can also earn them from watching Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-17987212243368851882013-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-28T06:00:14.652-05:00Frugal Living Tip #28 - Pampers Gifts to Grow Pampers Gifts to Grow Program
Gifts to Grow Tag
You may not have a little one still in diapers, but you can still take advantage of Pampers Gift to Grow. The codes are found inside the packaging on most Pampers products. The points associated with the code have to do with the Pampers product that you buy. You will earn more points for diapers than wipes and the larger the package you buy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-64983549559083009992013-01-27T16:34:00.001-05:002013-01-27T16:34:22.238-05:00Frugal Living Tip #27 - Social Media Social Media
I am going to assume that if you are computer savvy enough to have stumbled on this blog post, then you have heard of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Even if you don't have accounts with them, you have heard of them.
I first discovered Facebook about 6 years ago. I hate to admit it, but I am in my late 30's now. It was pretty happening for me to be onAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204198815251889513.post-56720034396907261562013-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:002013-01-26T10:00:01.018-05:00Frugal Living Tip #26 - Contacting Manufacturers Contacting Manufacturers
Is there a product that you love, but you can't find coupons for it? What do you do? Do you only buy it on special occasions? Do you ration it out and make sure you use e.v.e.r.y single drop? Do you put it on your wish list for Christmas and birthdays? Have you ever thought to contact the manufacturer?
Contacting the manufacturer is really easy thanks to the Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15736302218231653405noreply@blogger.com0