Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Fan Appreciation Giveaway Winner Announced!

Winner: PrincessJen1140

You won 10 Sunday Coupon Inserts!

An email has been sent to you! Please respond.

Make Your Own Affordable & Loaded Coupon Binder!

Want to get started on your own Coupon Binder? It doesn't have to be expensive! I searched the web today for some of the HOTTEST prices on everything you'd need to start your binder!

25 Ultra Pro 9 Pocket Page Protectors for $5.82

20 (Twenty Pages) - BCW Pro 3-Pocket Currency Storage $6.21 (If you don't like to fold your coupons, especially your printables, these are awesome, but not necessary!)

Sparco Ring Binder Pocket, w/ Zipper for $0.89

Avery Big Tab Insertable Plastic Dividers, 8-Tab Set, 1 Set for $1.99

Case-it W350, 2 Inch Round Ring Zipper Binder with Book Holder on Front for $14.99 (I got a nice Mead Zipper Binder with filing/zipper pockets, and pen storage in-store at Walmart for $9 regular price!)

Average Total Cost: $29.90 when you buy online!

How do I organize my coupon binder?

I like to sort my coupons by non-food & food products. I organize sections by dairy, produce, frozen, dry food, cans, etc.

I have a tab folder for each store I shop at with their ads and store coupons inside.

1. Personal Shopping/Saving Tips:

Before each shopping trip, I look up the store match-ups and pull out or print the coupons for that trip, so that I'm not cutting or rummaging through my binder in the store.

(Unless I see a great unadvertised deal!)

I rarely buy anything without a coupon or sale.

Create a list of what you NEED and stick to it.

You will not save much if you're not willing to try new brands. However, if you just can't bring yourself to do it, contact that manufacturer with your product feedback and don't be afraid to ask for a coupon!

I have a family of 4, so depending on the coupon inserts, I always get 4 Sunday papers.

There are coupons for organics, produce, dairy, and other healthy foods! Check product websites, Facebook pages, or coupon databases!

A general Rule of Thumb is to save at least 50% off or more of your grocery bill!

Just think, with all the recent office supply coupons in the Sunday papers, and Back-To-School sales at Target, Walmart, Walgreen's, Office Depot, & CVS, this price can be cut by 50% at least!!

Did you know that teachers and students can get Amazon Prime for FREE? Yes! You can get Free 2-day on many items, discounted items, instant free videos, and much more! Sign-up here.

Also, if you have Swagbucks, you can use your search points for Amazon e-Gift Cards. That is how I pay for most of my Amazon orders just by searching the web! :)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Why you should start canning.

The purpose of our blog is to help others save money in ways they never considered before. One of those ways is to "Can". Corinne and I both have family members who enjoy canning...really, it can be fun and it's not as difficult as you might think...and it's delicious!

Canning Basics by Bekah

Canning is a great way to not only save money but to save fruit, veggies and many other perishables from going to waste! Here are a few canning basics...

First, buy an easy to understand home preserving book. I recommend “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.” Edited by Judi Kingry & Lauren Devine (Right now $13.43 on Amazon.com)

-This book is easy to understand & starts you off w simple recipes as well as step by step pictures in the back of the book.

Second, buy a “Back to Basics 5 piece home canning kit” (Currently $9.72 on Amazon.com). These can also be purchased @ Wal-mart or your local grocer. Coupons are available in your newspaper for these kits, supplies towards the holidays.

Third, buy a large pot . I use a Granite Ware Stock Pot from Wal-mart. I paid less than $18 for it. You can also use a soup pot that you already own as long as it is at least 3 inches/7.5 deeper than the height of the jars.

Fourth, purchase mason jars & lids. They are usually cheapest @ your local Wal-Mart. Plus “Ball” has been releasing some Awesome coupons which will make them cheaper & could score you some free lids.

Let's get started!

“Ok, so I've bought my supplies! Now What?”

Once you received your home preserving book, start looking for the recipe you want to make first. I recommend starting at the beginning of the book with Strawberry Jam. It is a very simple recipe that anyone can make. :-)

Here's what you will need:

7 cups granulated sugar

8 cups whole strawberries (approx)

4 tbsp lemon juice

1 package (1.75 oz/49 to 57g) regular powdered fruit pectin

*The traditional strawberry season is from June until mid August, but new farming methods extends it from April until mid December. As with any fruit, if you are planning on canning, purchase when there is a sale at your local grocer so you can buy enough to make several batches. Stores like, Homeland, often sell cases of fruit specifically for canning.

*Many coupons are also available for Fruit Pectin. Keep your eyes open for sales and stock up when you see them.

Once all your ingredients have been purchased follow the directions in your home preserving book. Canning is easy and is such a great way to save!

Monday, August 22, 2011

8.19.11 Dash4Cash Twitter Winners!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 8/19 Dash 4 Cash on Twitter! Make sure that you continue to follow the blogs on Twitter, not only because we post awesome freebies, deals, and silly stuff, but it will also save you next time around when our future Dash 4 Cash & Other Prizes are held...and they will be often!!

Here are the winners of the Dash 4 Cash giveaway that was held on 8/19/11! If you’re on the winner’s list, be on the lookout for a Winner email! You have 48 hours to claim your prize after being emailed before another winner will be chosen.

A Proverbs Wife

Name: anji beane

Clever Housewife

Name: tamma ( Williams) Borzotra

Klippin Krazy Koupons

Name: cindy mckean

Have Kids Will Coupon

Name: Melissa Lawler

Coupons for Friends

Name: JLJMommy

Sweep Tight

Name: Christine Arfsten

Coupon Crazy in Kentucky

Name: Aliya Abdul

Coupons On Caffeine

Name: Delphina Miyares

Simply Stacie

Name: Ginger Ramage

iSave A2Z

Name: Heather Stehle-Tate

Couponin' On Coffee

Name: cindy mckean

Crazy Coupon Train

Name: GLORIA BAILEY

Chi-Town Cheapskate

Name: Tony Johns

Slick Housewives

Name: Michelle DeGeer

Frugal Mom Rocks

Name: Lacey Scheunemann

It's a Coupon Life

Name: Tricia Martin

The Adventures of My Family of 8

Name: jodi leah baird

Simply Couponing

Name: Alexandra Houseman

AZ Thrifty Mom

Name: Isabell Saver

Good Deal Divas

Name: Kris Plotner

Inspiring You 2 Save

Name: anji beane

inRandom

Name: Jayne Townsley

The Frugalista Chick

Name: Brianna Polk

MyCouponLady

Name: Paula Shook Proffitt

Lady Savings

Name: JULIE PETERSON

The Sample Queen

Name: jennifer deaton

Front Page Freebies

Name: Diana Russell

Slop Swap

Name: Kim Jones

A Day in Motherhood

Name: Carey Parks

Heavenly Savings

Name: jennifer deaton

Mommy of Two Little Monkeys

Name: Cyndi Stallings

Debbie Does Coupons

Name: SaraLee Earegood

Look What I Got For Free

Name: petritia selvi

Good Deal Mama

Name: Melinda Hackworth

Mommmy Digger

Name: Kelly Blouse

Frugal Day

Name: Lisa Hornback

A Year With Mom and Dad

Name: Debra Hinson Sauvageau

Crazy About Deals

Name: Tricia Martin

MyLitter

Name: Natalie Weeks

The Tween & Me

Name: Stacy Hancock

Wishful Thinking 247

Name: Michelle Cain

Gone Klippin' Krazy

Name: Melissa Mosey

Mamas Spot

Name: Jayne Townsley

Rose Knows Coupons

Name: Laketra Bailey

Deal Hunting Diva

Name: Tony Johns

It's Free At Last!

Name: Holly Hennessy Swint

Momondealz

Name: Sandra Caudle

Rose Knows Coupons

Name: Brianna Polk

Friday, August 19, 2011

Tonight's Dash 4 Cash Giveaway!

~~OVER!! WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED BY MONDAY 8/22! Thank you for participating!~~

Begins Friday, August 19th from 9pm - 10pm EST! That's ONE HOUR ONLY! Win a $10 Walmart Gift Card from Coupons for Friends and various other Mystery Prizes from several Bloggers on Twitter below! The more blogs you "Follow" on Twitter, the more chances you have to win!! Make sure you click the GREEN BUTTONS that say, "I Did This" after you "Follow" them!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

8.15.11 Dash 4 Cash & Prizes WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 8/15 Dash 4 Cash! Make sure that you continue to follow the blogs that you’ve already liked on Facebook, not only because we post awesome freebies, deals, and silly stuff, but it will also save you next time around when our future Dash 4 Cash & Other Prizes is held on August 19 from 9-10 pm EST. Let me just say, this next giveaway is going to be NICE!

Here are the winners of the Dash 4 Cash giveaway that was held on 8/15/11! If you’re on the winner’s list, check your email to look for an email about your prize. You have 48 hours to claim your prize after being emailed before another winner will be chosen.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Shannon Gallagher

A Proverbs Wife

Name: jennifer deaton

Clever Housewife

Name: dina kocsa

Adventures of My Famliy of 8

Name: Julia Chandler

OurKidsMom

Name: shawna ledford

Debbie Does Coupons

Name: Janet Chen

Simply Stacie

Name: Melanie Raj

It's Free At Last!

Name: angela calavicci

Rose Knows Coupons

Name: Hollee Laslie

Wishful Thinking 247

Name: Nicki Reynolds Sekelsky

Save The Coupons

Name: Balerie Brown

inRandom

Name: Barbi Rumfield

Good Deal Mama

Name: Tamma (Williams) Borzotra

Mommy of Two Little Monkeys

Name: Tracy Mills Martin

Front Page Freebies

Name: hannah

Money $aving Michele

Name: Nicole Schoiber

Crazy Coupon Train

Name: Elaine White

Good Deal Divas

Name: angela calavicci

Coupons for Friends

Name: Julie hebb

Slop Swap

Name: Wendy Pogrant

Heather's Hints

Name: Debi Booth

My Coupon Lady

Name: heather whitlock

Simply Couponing

Name: Jessica Bern

Nifty Thrifty Savings

Name: Lily Kwan

Live2Save2Live

Name: Donna Louise Smith Stevens

It's a Coupon Life

Name: Chencia Higgins

SlickHousewives

Name: Tracy Gray

The Tween & Me

Name: Leslie Luke Stanziani

MI Savings Mama

Name: Donna Louise Smith Stevens

Mamas Spot

Name: Hannah Lindsay

Living on Love and Cents

Name: Julie Blanchard

Mommy Digger

Name: Karren

Adventures in Savings

Name: Crystal Langley

Couponin' On Coffee

Name: hannah k

A Penny Filled Pantry

Name: Kris Plotner

iSave A2Z

Name: Dina Kocsa

Deal Hunting Diva

Name: Stephanie Schneider

FrugalDay

Name: Leslie Luke Stanziani

A Day in Motherhood

Name: Debbie Manske

3 Angels

Name: Morgan Catrett Bellanca

Lady Savings

Name: Leslie Blevins

Crazy About Deals

Name: jodi leah baird

Bargain Blessings

Name: cheryl ball-novak

A Thrifty Mom

Name: Heather Stehle-Tate

Arizona Thrifty Mom

Name: Julene Jefferson

Have Kids Will Coupon

Name: anji beane

Coupon Crazy in Kentucky

Name: Nicki Reynolds Sekelsky

Look What I Got For Free

Name: Tamara Budd

The Sample Queen

Name: petritia selvi

Become A Coupon Queen

Name: Janet Chen

GimmieFreebies

Name: Shelley Jones

Christian Clippers

Name: Dawn Thomas

Mommy's Free Time

Name: Leona Evans

This Mama Loves Her Bargains

Name: Nicki Reynolds Sekelsky

The Coupon Trainer

Name: Kelli Henslee

Frugalista Chick

Name: Melinda Hackworth

Gone Klippin' Krazy

Name: Laura Avery

Chi-Town Cheapskate

Name: Elizabeth Roby

Free Goodies On The Go

Name: Minta Boggs

Heavenly Savings

Name: Tara Moser

Sweep Tight

Name: heather manchee

MyLitter

Name: petritia selvi

Frugal Mom Rocks

Name: Kristen pederson

Adventures in Coupons

Name: Diane Leach

Week 99er

Name: Bridget Westmoreland Williams

Tammilee Tips

Name: Kathy McCrae

Inspiring You 2 Save

Name: Jessica Sheffield