March 12, 2013
December 13, 2011
We are still here
Dear readers,
I am still alive and kicking, I got busy with this past quarter and had a few minor bedrest episodes. The baby and I are doing great. We founf out recently that we are having a boy, and we are excited.
I am attempting an experiment in the next week or so on homemade laundry detergent and dishwasher soap. I have hear many wonderful things about these homemade recipes and I thought I would give it a whirl. If everything goes as planned I will be posting the experiment and how much I saved.
Happy saving!
I am still alive and kicking, I got busy with this past quarter and had a few minor bedrest episodes. The baby and I are doing great. We founf out recently that we are having a boy, and we are excited.
I am attempting an experiment in the next week or so on homemade laundry detergent and dishwasher soap. I have hear many wonderful things about these homemade recipes and I thought I would give it a whirl. If everything goes as planned I will be posting the experiment and how much I saved.
Happy saving!
September 7, 2011
It's the most wonderful time of year
Yes folks it is that time of year when children go back to school. It is time to go out and spend your hard earned money on school supplies for a whole class! Luckily we only have a preschooler and our next child in the line is still in the womb so no supplies needed, YET! I was looking over the list of supplies for my husbands niece and nephews and the lists are very long and you also have to pay a supply fee. HMMM I think it is time for the Stingy Student to put their foot down.
While I was looking for supplies for my husband and I for another quarter of college, I came across a few deals online. Check out Walmart.com, composition books that a lot of kids need and some adults, you can find a set of five for 40 cents, and they will ship to store for free. Some other tricks we are planning on using this quarter is:
1. Check your school bags, house and couch for supplies that may have found a black hole. We went through at the end of the last quarter and found we had dozens of pens, pencils and highlighters all over. We shouldn't have to buy any for the next two quarters.
2. Check the notebooks and binders you have already. I salvaged several packages worth of loose lined paper by going through all our used notebooks and pulling the good paper. We also had several binders that were still in good shape and barely used.
3. Backpacks? We have been pretty lucky, we haven't needed to buy a new one for awhile. But, check clearance racks this year for next. I found several good packs on clearance at Kmart and I put them in our Christmas Layaway!
The trick with supplies is use what you have and buy when things are on sale. Have you ever noticed in the Sunday paper a brown paper bag from Office max? They normally run a sale that when you get a percent off of whatever you can fit in that bag. I stock up when they run this deal. Also check out your local dollar stores and clearance racks at your favorite stores.
Happy hunting!
While I was looking for supplies for my husband and I for another quarter of college, I came across a few deals online. Check out Walmart.com, composition books that a lot of kids need and some adults, you can find a set of five for 40 cents, and they will ship to store for free. Some other tricks we are planning on using this quarter is:
1. Check your school bags, house and couch for supplies that may have found a black hole. We went through at the end of the last quarter and found we had dozens of pens, pencils and highlighters all over. We shouldn't have to buy any for the next two quarters.
2. Check the notebooks and binders you have already. I salvaged several packages worth of loose lined paper by going through all our used notebooks and pulling the good paper. We also had several binders that were still in good shape and barely used.
3. Backpacks? We have been pretty lucky, we haven't needed to buy a new one for awhile. But, check clearance racks this year for next. I found several good packs on clearance at Kmart and I put them in our Christmas Layaway!
The trick with supplies is use what you have and buy when things are on sale. Have you ever noticed in the Sunday paper a brown paper bag from Office max? They normally run a sale that when you get a percent off of whatever you can fit in that bag. I stock up when they run this deal. Also check out your local dollar stores and clearance racks at your favorite stores.
Happy hunting!
August 17, 2011
Aldi's
Before I met my now husband and became a mother. I had shopped at Aldi's but I never loved it. I thought the food was good quality but I hated how the store was laid out. I would only go in there for certain items and get out and never near the first of the month. I never realized how much I saved until we moved to an area that did not have one, then my wallet felt the pressure. When we moved back to an area that had one a went back to my money saving store in a flash. I shopped it like there was no tomorrow, then I found couponing and found I can get just as great deals at other stores. But I still shop my Aldi store for select items. I pick up most of my staple type items there, such as: milk, cheese, butter, flour, sugar and other baking needs.
If you happen to adventure into an Aldi's bring a quarter for your cart and your own bags. The way they keep the costs down is they don't need a cart wrangler if you pay a quarter for your cart you will take it back to get your quarter. They also do not give bags for free, they do sell bags. We usually go with a cooler we leave in the car and a few bags. As we shop we also pick up a few boxes they use to stock they are free and work wonderfully to take your groceries home.
I am interested in hearing from you! Tell me about your trip to Aldi's or Save-A-Lot.
If you happen to adventure into an Aldi's bring a quarter for your cart and your own bags. The way they keep the costs down is they don't need a cart wrangler if you pay a quarter for your cart you will take it back to get your quarter. They also do not give bags for free, they do sell bags. We usually go with a cooler we leave in the car and a few bags. As we shop we also pick up a few boxes they use to stock they are free and work wonderfully to take your groceries home.
I am interested in hearing from you! Tell me about your trip to Aldi's or Save-A-Lot.
July 28, 2011
To All OSU at Marion Students....
I am excited to announce everything is a go for a class to be held about couponing. I love talking to others about how they can use some of my trick to save money and maybe learn a few tricks they may have. Who doesn't want to save money with gas prices where they are? I sure do! If the class is a hit we may expand it to include other money savers like freezer cooking, book lending and many more. So be on the look out.
Don't forget to use your student ID to get discounts all over, and if they don't offer it ask them if they do. It never hurts to ask if they offer discounts. Don't be shy there is no shame in saving money where you can, most places offer them but don't advertise!
Happy Saving
Don't forget to use your student ID to get discounts all over, and if they don't offer it ask them if they do. It never hurts to ask if they offer discounts. Don't be shy there is no shame in saving money where you can, most places offer them but don't advertise!
Happy Saving
July 13, 2011
Rumors
I have been hearing a lot of rumor recently about store changing their policies. You know what I say? Wait it out! The stores are changing their policies so they don't loose money while still take care of their customers. I have always supported RESPONSIBLE COUPONING AND SALE SHOPPING, this means get what you need, donate what you wont use, send extras to our military fighting to keep us safe as well as don't hurt your local merchants. With these new changes we all will just have to learn to economize with the new policies. To all my followers: it will be ok, we all will still save tons of money and be successful "Stingys".
June 27, 2011
Kids say the weirdest things....
After I nervously posted my first ever post, my daughter comes up to me and says "Mommy are we the coupon ladies?". Well hmmm I didn't really want to be labeled but I replied, "Do you want to be a coupon lady?". Lovingly she says "Oh, yes mommy I like cutting coupons with you and we make people smile in the store!". I simply told her "Well then we are the coupon ladies". I did not have the heart to tell her people don't always smile they normally are biting their tongues or grinding their teeth because they got in line behind us. But if it makes her happy I am all for it. She loves to look at the colorful ads and help me "sort" the outdated coupons for the military. If you are thinking of taking your little one(s) to the store with you to shop for those larger hauls remember a few things:
1. Make sure everyone has eaten and is dressed comfortably
2. Let your couponers-in-training help you count out what you are buying or help hold the list (involvement is key to stave off the crankies)
3. If all else fails bring something for them to play with.
I have been lucky with my daughter's behavior. I tend to shop where there are fun carts for her to ride in. Although they are fun they don't always have a lot of space to put product in, but if she is content it makes for a good trip. I have to say GOD BLESS Meijers. They have this amazing cart that for the low price of one dollar My daughter gets into a car attached to my cart, where she gets locked in from the outside and she can watch cartoons in the cart. These carts do have limited space and can be a bear to maneuver but, she loves sitting in there watching Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob.
Most shoppers would not pay a dollar for a cart but, think about this you may be shopping for a while (if you are like me), how much would you have to pay a sitter? With the amount of money generally save one dollar is a wonderful investment.
1. Make sure everyone has eaten and is dressed comfortably
2. Let your couponers-in-training help you count out what you are buying or help hold the list (involvement is key to stave off the crankies)
3. If all else fails bring something for them to play with.
I have been lucky with my daughter's behavior. I tend to shop where there are fun carts for her to ride in. Although they are fun they don't always have a lot of space to put product in, but if she is content it makes for a good trip. I have to say GOD BLESS Meijers. They have this amazing cart that for the low price of one dollar My daughter gets into a car attached to my cart, where she gets locked in from the outside and she can watch cartoons in the cart. These carts do have limited space and can be a bear to maneuver but, she loves sitting in there watching Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob.
Most shoppers would not pay a dollar for a cart but, think about this you may be shopping for a while (if you are like me), how much would you have to pay a sitter? With the amount of money generally save one dollar is a wonderful investment.
June 26, 2011
Saving money while going to College
Back in 2009 I had lost my job working for a good company. I wasn't sure what to do, because each way I turned I was over qualified. All I wanted to do was work and have an income for my family. I turned to a regional campus for The Ohio State University. It has been one of my greatest things I have ever done. I am getting the OSU education for a "Stingy Student" price. Large campus all over Ohio have regionals where you can get quality education for a much lower price. You can also later go transfer to the main campus after you meet qualifications.
There are so many perks to the smaller regionals.I get a hands on approach to my education. I know my Advisors and all my Professors. I tend to have classes with the same students and always have a study buddy.
Books! Things we don't always think about when you think about college is how much books cost. Even used books can still cost over fifty dollars for a one time use book or a book that wont be discussed. I have found several websites that have reliable books at rock bottom prices. I whole heartily recommend: Cheggs.com, textbooks.com, bn.com, amazon.com and when all else fails I rely on my nook. My e-reader has become my friend for classes and for fun. I have been able to purchase some of my books or rent for a fraction of the cost. If you are going to purchase a book or rent it from online, go by the ISBN NUMBER not the title. Sometimes a book has different versions or has the same title as another.
Supplies aren't hard to come by when you check the clearance racks or drugstores. The other thing is buy your supplies when they go on sale during back to school time. A student does not always need the most decorative supplies no one really cares what notebook you are taking notes in during a lecture, they are hopefully listening to the Prof.
College can be pricey but if two no-traditional student with a little girl can do it anyone can. There are so many places you can cut costs and get a wonderful education.
There are so many perks to the smaller regionals.I get a hands on approach to my education. I know my Advisors and all my Professors. I tend to have classes with the same students and always have a study buddy.
Books! Things we don't always think about when you think about college is how much books cost. Even used books can still cost over fifty dollars for a one time use book or a book that wont be discussed. I have found several websites that have reliable books at rock bottom prices. I whole heartily recommend: Cheggs.com, textbooks.com, bn.com, amazon.com and when all else fails I rely on my nook. My e-reader has become my friend for classes and for fun. I have been able to purchase some of my books or rent for a fraction of the cost. If you are going to purchase a book or rent it from online, go by the ISBN NUMBER not the title. Sometimes a book has different versions or has the same title as another.
Supplies aren't hard to come by when you check the clearance racks or drugstores. The other thing is buy your supplies when they go on sale during back to school time. A student does not always need the most decorative supplies no one really cares what notebook you are taking notes in during a lecture, they are hopefully listening to the Prof.
College can be pricey but if two no-traditional student with a little girl can do it anyone can. There are so many places you can cut costs and get a wonderful education.
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