Special Cards for Special people

I will apologize now, if this offends anyone, but I wanted to share. While this doesn't have much to do with stretching the dollar, it does have something to do with being thankful for the dollars we are able to earn.

A friend forwarded me this address. The idea is to make an extra card or cards this holiday season, and send one on to the address below

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

These cards will go to some very deserving service members who have been injured in the line of duty. They don't have to be extra fancy, in fact I imagine that many cards that will be sent will be store bought. But, I thought it might be mighty nice for these men and women to receive some cards.

Please don't feel as if I am demanding you participate, I am not. But, if you are going to be doing some holiday cards, please consider sending one. I have the opportunity to live in a military community, and I have the honour of seeing first hand the sacrifice that our military members and their families make on our behalf....this is just a little way to say thank you.

So I looked at the snopes website and it had a link to another snopes website that talked about the Walter Reed address and it actually said that is false. Walter Reed will not accept cards to "recovering soldiers." The website on that is:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/walterreed.asp
BUT, it is true that this year the Red Cross will be hosting an event like that where we can all send in cards and they will distribute them. The website about that is:
http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

Death of the Coupon

I found this article on MSN.com. I am intrigued by the prospect of having my coupons waiting at the register for me.

Here is the link: Death of the Coupon

Now my comments. I do some drawbacks to this system. I can use multiple paper coupons, and depending on the store, the number I can use varies. So if I buy 12 packs of Huggies diapers, theoretically, I can use 12 paper coupons. There was no information on the use of multiple copies of the electronic coupons.

Secondly, some stores do not have shopper loyalty cards (which is not necessarily a bad thing), such as DeCA (military) commissaries. What happens when you want to use electronic coupons at these locations?

Thirdly, what is the cost to set this system up at stores? If the cost of introducing, tracking, and ensuring the proper application of these electronic coupons, and associated systems, is too expensive, stores may not be willing to utilize it.

As noted in the article, some stores are already making the transition. In reality, it seems that introduction should not be more difficult that the application of rebates that stores often link to shopper loyalty cards. For several chains, your card automatically gets you rebates on certain products, with little or no effort on your part, and those rebates are tracked and displayed on the stores website.

Tax Time

Well, it is that wonderful time of year again...Tax Time. Most of us will have to do our little dance with the IRS, filling out the endless bureaucratic forms, pledging our firstborn for debts, and hoping we don't get audited.

Some of us will likely be getting a refund from Uncle Sam.....some small, some large (I am very grateful for that child tax credit). Most of us will be getting the economic stimulus rebate as well. With a minimum $600 payment for adults ($1200 for married couples), and additional rebates for qualifying children (who said having kids wasn't worth it), it could turn out to be a serious pay day for a lot of American tax payers (here's to hoping that all of you are among the lucky ones).

The question then is, what to do with all that money? I've heard that most Americans overpay their taxes (by having too much withheld from their pay checks), banking on the tax refund to pay off debts, finance vacations, or force them to save a nice chunk of money. While the topic of tax withholdings is an entirely separate article, it is important to carefully consider what to do with any money the IRS will be sending your way.

Options

I'm going to Disneyland!

There will undoubtedly be many Americans who will channel their rebate and refund checks to pay for the annual family vacation. Whether it is Disneyland, Yellowstone, or Italy (which is my choice for my summer trip), be sure you spend those funds wisely.

I'm not advocating that you not take that trip, in fact part of the point of the rebate is to stimulate the American economy, and so taking that trip could be a good thing for everyone. Consider making it a nice weekend, a long weekend, instead of a two week extravaganza.

Check out sites that offer vacation packages, which often save you money. Just make sure you're not paying for a package that costs more, and getting extras you won't use. Be sure to compare prices between sites for the same packages or services to make sure that you are getting the best prices. Sometimes these sites will match prices from their competitors just to get your business. You may also be able to haggle out some extra features for your money.

Consider doing a local vacation. Visit all those fun and/or historical sites in your town or state. You don't necessarily have to go far to find something to do. Plus, by visiting local sites, more of your money will be circulating in areas that directly affect you.

Now might also be the time to spend those extra dollars to visit Grandma and Grandpa. It's not a "sexy" vacation, but spending that money to make some memories might be the best investment.

The most important thing to remember is not to get conned into going on a trip you can't afford. You won't be too relaxed if you know that trip is going to leave you in debt.

A shiny new set of wheels

Some of you may be drooling over the latest fad from Motor City, or maybe the new import on the showroom floor has caught your eye. Once again, purchasing a car can be a good use of your refund and rebate (still in line with the spirit of the economic stimulus package), just be smart.

While that car that can do 0-200 MPH in 3 seconds, or has a phone, a coffee maker, and a wet bar, might look like a dream come true, being saddled with a car that is showy but useless, can be a nightmare.

Find a car that meets your needs. Notice I said NEEDS and not WANTS. While your wants can be important, don't drag yourself into debt for a bunch of fancy extras. Make sure that the car meets the basic needs of space, durability, gas mileage, and some of those psychological needs (hey go for the leather seat covers). If you are a soccer mom with 4 kids, that two door Mustang probably isn't going to be a good investment.

Make sure that you also choose a car that you can afford. When you make the average wage (usually around $40,000 a year), going for that $250,000 Lamborghini is probably not a good idea. You should review your income to make sure you can either afford to outright purchase the car, or that you will be able to reliably make any payments required under financing. You don't want to buy a car and then find the repo man towing it away a few months later.

Research your financing options. While I would usually argue that you shouldn't buy a car you can't pay cash for, I realize that sometime that isn't possible (whether that is due to emergencies or simply a lack of funds for those who are just starting out). Make sure you understand all the options for payment. Often dealers will offer in home financing, which can be a good deal, but check the rates form your local bank or credit union.

Also look into dealer rebates, or other rebates you may qualify for due to your status (some dealers or manufacturers may offer special rebates for veterans or active duty military service members). Compare the cost of buying the car off the lot, or financing it. Sometimes it can be a close call, but make sure you've reviewed all the options.

Realize that the car will be worth 5-15% less than the purchase price the minute you drive it off the lot, so don't expect to be able to sell it for what you paid. Also, check the dealer policies on returns. Some dealers offer a 72 hour return policy, some do not.

Consider buying a used car. Some great places like CarMax.com offer a wide selection of used cars. With CarMax, they have generally thoroughly inspected the vehicle, cleaned it, and made sure it's in good shape. Used cars have already depreciated in value, so your immediate (driving off the lot) loss in investment value is much less.

With either new or use cars, make sure to get information on the manufacturer's warranty or dealer warranty for service and repair. Sometimes even new cars can have serious mechanical issues, and you don't want to dig yourself deeper in debt fixing it up.

Also, make sure to review your insurance costs. Buying a new car will likely raise your insurance costs, especially if you opt for comprehensive and collision coverage (which will help to replace the car in case of an accident). Call your insurance company and ask for quotes based on the make and models you are looking at. Compare the costs for both used and new vehicles (used cars will likely have a lower insurance cost), and factor insurance premiums into the overall cost of the vehicle. You'll also need to consider the cost for registration of your new ride in your local jurisdiction, some areas require you to pay registration fees based on the age, make, model or gas usage of your vehicle.

Keep the gas mileage of the car in mind as well. In the current era of skyrocketing gas prices, buying the fuel efficient hybrid (like the Toyota Prius), might be a better idea than the monster Hummer.

Get rid of the shackles

Getting out of debt can be a great way to spend those new found funds. It is usually a better idea to pay off your highest interest rate debt first (likely to be credit cards or car loans). Even if you have smaller debt amounts at lower interest rates (such as $1000 at 5% versus $5000 at 22%), apply those funds to the higher interest rates. It will be more effective, and save you more money in the long run.

Also evaluate the status of the debt. Some debt is considered "good" (such as home loans and student loans), and doesn't necessarily reflect negatively on you. Some debt is considered "bad" (such as high interest credit card debt), and can negatively impact your credit ratings or ability to get loans.

If you are lucky enough to not have credit card debt, or car loans, or student loans (or some other form of financial shackles), consider putting the money towards your home. If you own your own home, consider making an extra mortgage payment (or two), to cut down the principal. If you haven't bought a home yet, consider putting some of that (or all of that) money aside for a down payment.

You may want to consider consolidating your debt into one place (usually a HELOC or onto one credit card). Consult a financial advisor to determine what might be best for you.

Saving for a rainy day

Now might be the time to start that rainy day fund. Most financial experts recommend that you have at least 3-6 months of your living expenses in an emergency fund. Calculate what you would need to have to survive (pay all your bills, utilities, rent, food, car fuel, etc) for that time frame, and then put that money aside in a savings account.

If you are already on the ball and have your emergency fund, start another fund for college, a new car, a new house, or whatever else you might want to buy in the near future. Save that money up so you can pay for the item outright, or in the case of college or a home, you can let that money sit there and grow.

Look at putting some of that money into a retirement account, such as a Roth IRA or employer sponsored 401(K). It is never too soon (or too late) to start saving for the future. Make sure to research your contribution and income limits. Research the options to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck, and the best tax savings for the future.

You may simply want to put the money away to grow. Consider a high interest savings account (available from INGdirect or other online banks), CD, or brokerage account.

Other Options

There are plenty of other ways to spend your money: a shopping spree to the mall, that new plasma TV, a new computer, a pet, or the newest gizmo to make life easier.

Whatever you decide to buy, consider a few things.

1. Do you need the item? Is this something that you will use or need, or will it simply acrue dust in the attic/basement?

2. Is this the best price? Compare items, and retailers, to make sure that you are getting the best price. If it is a seasonal item, consider waiting until it will be on sale.

3. How long will the item last? Is this a long term investment, or a short lived high?

4. Have you met all of your financial obligations?

5. Can you afford it?


Tax rebate time can you give you a high, but don't let that high leave you broke, or in more debt than you had before.

The Simple Dollar

This is another good site for some financial discussion and advice. Check it out.

The Simple Dollar

Make it Yourself....Laundry Detergent

One way to save money is to make items yourself. I found this great article on-line about making your own laundry detergent. Though I don't know if I would want to have a large bucket of sludge in my house, it might be worth i....

Here is the link:

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Shopping for Kids Clothes

You all know that kids clothes can be very expensive, especially when they seem to grow out of them every other day. Here are my recommendations for saving money on this expense.

1. Make a list of basic needs. Create a list of basic wardrobe needs (number of pants, number of shirts, etc). These are the items that you HAVE to have to dress your kids. Don't be too stingy, but don't go overboard either. make sure the list includes items you need for your regular activities (school, sports, church, etc).
2. Keep a list of items you need. It helps to have a list of clothing items you need for the coming year. Start with your basic wardrobe list, and make sure the list has a quantity for each item. Keep this list in your purse or car, essentially carry it with you, so if you are ever out shopping and you find a good deal, you know what you need.
3. Shop clearance racks. Scour the racks at your local department and discount stores. You can find great deals here. This is where your "needs list" comes in handy. Make sure you aren't just buying stuff because it is on sale. It is okay to get extra items, or special items, that you don't really need, but make sure you don't go overboard.
4. Shop off season. Using your needs list and basic wardrobes list to decide what you need each season. You can save money by shopping off season clearance sales. Wait to buy your winter clothes until spring and summer, and vice versa. There may be slim pickings, but if you watch carefully, you can snap up some great deals and beef up those wardrobes.
5. Visit your local outlet mall. You can find great deals at the stores in these malls. Often these malls are home to regional stores, which means that they get the clearance from others stores in the area. These stores also tend to have "clearance" racks, with deeply discounted items.
6. Know your local stores. Talk to store managers and ask about scheduled sales, when they clearance items out, and any special offers they might have. Getting to know the staff and managment of your local stores can help you find the best deals.
7. Shop thrift stores and consignment shops. Most of these places offer special sales or coupons, which can lead to additional savings. You can often find brand new clothing (with tags still attached), or nice gently used clothing here. These are also great places to find gently used toys, books, and other kids items.
8. Start a clothing swap. Have a ton of boys clothes you don't need, but looking for some cute girl's dresses? Start a clothing swap in your neighborhood, church or other community group. Members can trade items they no longer need for items they are looking for. make sure that you check the quality of items you plan to swap...you don't want to be giving away spit up stained t-shirts.
9. Prowl E-bay and other like minded sites. Just like thrift stores and consignment shops, you can find great items for low prices on these sites. You can also sell your unwanted items there, and help finance your new purchases.

Happy Shopping!

Online Coupons

Considering that I am a big fan of online coupons, and I have been writing about them lately, I thought you might enjoy this article about them. The article includes references for sites where you can find some good ones.

The article originally appeared on MSN Money.

The Basics: How online coupons save you hard cash

Saving on a Shoestring

Saving is an important part of financial health, and one that in our culture, is often overlooked. This is an old article that I downloaded from MSN ages ago, but it still applies.

No matter how much you make, you can save money. You may start out small, but starting is the hardest part.

Here is the link to the article: 20 Ways to Save on Shoestring

Taking a "Money Day"

This was a good article. For those of us trying manage our finances, or those who may be trying to get started on that journey, taking a "money day" may not be a bad idea. Just think, we usually take time to do our taxes, go to the doctor for a check up, take our car to the mechanic, etc. So why not take (at least) an annual "money day" to take care of our financial health?

Here is a link to the article for those of you who want to take a look

Taking a "Money Day"

The Grocery Game

For those of you looking for ways to slash that grocery budget (and let's face it, it is a huge expense, that is getting bigger every day), coupons and sales are often an "easy" way to cut costs.

The problem for most people is that maximizing savings generally involves hours of looking through ads, clipping or printing coupons, and matching them up. Now some of us (me included) enjoy the hunt, and have no problem doing the tedious work of coupon clipping and sale hunting.

For those of you who do not want to spend your weekends planning, clipping, and hunting, there is another option.

You can go to The Grocery Game. This is a website that does all that work for you (more or less). Now this is a PAID site, so it will cost you a little to get results, but if you really despise the effort, it might be worth it.

I have gotten some great feedback about the site, and several friends have sworn by it. If you decide to try it out, please come back and leave a comment about your experience!

More Internet Coupons

Several individuals have given me other sites to get internet coupons from, so here are some new links!

Coupon Mom

Grocery Coupons

Mommy Saves Big

Cool Savings

My Coupons

Military Shopper

Your Money or Your Life

This is a great book. "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. Most libraries have it, and Amazon.com has it pretty cheap (about $10).

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for ideas about a financial plan for the future! We've been reading it at our house. A lot of it is common sense advice, but sometimes we need to hear that over again!

I disagreed with some of their "rhetoric" (they are decidedly environmentalists), but their financial advice was good. I liked the fact that their goal wasn't fame and riches, but a healthy relationship with money.

Truly if you think about it, what is more important, your money or your life?

50 Ways to Trim Your Budget

This was an article posted on MSN Money, and seems to have a lot of common sense advice about cutting costs. Sometimes its not easy!

50 Ways to Trim Your Budget

Online Banks

In this modern age of the the World Wide Web, the banking industry has kept up. In addition to banks offering on-line access to accounts, internet bill paying, and other modern conveniences, there has sprung up a large number of "internet only" banks.

These banks generally have no "brick and mortar" locations (traditional banking branches), and their services are totally linked to the Internet. while there is some trepidation in trusting you money to a "virtual" bank (they are not totally virtual, as they have "brick and mortar" headquarters and offices), they can offer great benefits.

Most of these banks offer the same conveniences as traditional banking institutions. They have on-line bill paying (which is such a convenience especially for regular and reoccurring bills). They offer checking accounts, with check services and ATM/Debit cards.

Most also offer credit cards (if you need another one) and other loan services. Some, such as ING Direct, also offer mortgage services.

They also offer savings accounts, which are perhaps the greatest benefit to this incarnation of the banking world. Where as most traditional "brick and mortar" banks are offering something in the range of 0.5-o.75% interest (my traditional bank is offering around 0.75% interest), these online banks are offering much higher rates. ING Direct (my choice for on-line banks), is currently offering 4.1% interest on their savings accounts. This means that your money is working harder for you.

While you will probably need to use a combo of both a traditional bank and an "Internet" bank, you can make great use of these services. My family and I keep our "working" money (the money we use for daily expenses such as groceries, gas, etc) in a traditional bank, to ensure easy access, we have chosen to put our long term savings in an Interent bank (after a lot of research and discusssion, we were a little uneasy at first about Internet banks, we chose ING Direct). This way, the money we don't need to get at fast is making us a ton.

ING Direct also allows you to link your traditional banking accounts to your ING account, so that you can easily transfer money between them.

At least ING Direct (and hopefully some of the other options), also offers incentives for signing up. They give you a certain dollar amount as a "gift" for signing up. You can also make more money by referring friends and family. ING offers a way for you to invite your friends (by sending them an e-mail), and if you friend signs up for an ING account using this invitation, they receive about $25 dollars in their account, and you will receive a $10 deposit in yours.

While these Internet banks can offer great benefits, make sure that you do research your options and understand the risks and requirements of doing your banking this way. I would recommend starting out with a small sum and seeing how your experience goes. I have also found it best to make sure that you have either made arrangements to get easy access to your funds, or only place money you don't need right away in this type of institution.

Here are the site links for two of the most popular Internet Banks. Ask friends and family for any recommendations they may have, since if you know someone who has had a personal experience with the bank, it might be easier to make a choice.

ING Direct

HSBC


Happy Savings!

UPromise

This a program that offers you a percentage (up to 5%) of money you spend back, into an educational savings account. Their site (UPromise) offers a list of qualifying products and purchases.

You have to sign up on their site to set up an account. You then have to register either your credit and/or debit cards or any Shopper Loyalty Cards you have with participating retailers. UPromise then tracks your qualifying purchases, and offers you quarterly statements on your balance.

Their site offers more information on the rules of the program, such as who can use the money you save.

Shopper Loyalty Cards

Nowadays many stores offer Shopper Loyalty Cards. They have cute names, but they really all have one thing in common...they can save you money.

These cards often allow you access to sales prices (most stores that offer these cards tie sale prices to their use, meaning if you don't have the card, you pay full price), special promotions, and other savings benefits.

The Downsides

There are downsides to using these cards. You often have to provide personal information (such as name, phone number, and home address), and unless you are willing to provide blatantly false information, the stores will be able to contact you. There is also a risk that this information will be sold to third parties, so by signing up for such programs, you run the risk of being the recipient of a ton of junk mail.

The stores also track what you purchase. While this can be good for you (as often it allows you to receive special coupons, rebates, or other store benefits), it can also mean that someone is watching. Stores use this information to base marketing programs, new products, and their purchasing patterns. As long as you don't mind companies knowing what you brand of toothpaste you buy, then this isn't much a downside.

The other downside is that you often have to have the card on you when shopping. This means that if you lose the card or leave it at home, you lose the benefits. Stores will usually allow you to replace the card (normally you can get a new at the customer service desk), but if you had built up any benefits on the other card, you lose them.

The Upsides

These cards certainly have a lot of benefits. The biggest one being that often times you cannot get the sale prices at your store without one, so they offer you immediate savings on your items.

Many stores also offer frequent buyer programs, that track overall purchases or purchases of certain items, and give you points . These points add up and then often can be redeemed for special savings (such as a percentage or dollar amount off your next purchase, free items, or sweepstakes entries).

Other programs include clubs for certain groups. The most common one that I have found is tied to baby products. Most stores have some savings gimmick for individuals who frequently purchase baby products. My favorite one is from SuperFresh (and east coast grocery store), which tracks your baby purchases (crediting they purchase price to your account), and when you have spent $200, you get a certificate for $20 off your next purchase.

Some stores (such as Weis Markets) also offer clubs for those who purchase pet products and other frequently bought items.

Another benefit to using a store Shopper Loyalty Card, is found in UPromise. This is a program that offers you money for college for buying certain items. Companies sign up to participate, and select some of their products to offer. You receive 5% of your qualifying purchases, which is placed in an account for you. Your purchases can be tracked in two ways: through your credit/debit card(s), which you have to register, or Shopper Loyalty Cards which you also register. Once you register your Shopper Loyalty Card, UPromise starts to track your purchases, and will send you a quarterly statement about your account balance.

You should check with your local store to see what Shopper Loyalty Card they offer (if any), and what the requirements of their program are. Often they will have a brochure or other information regarding the requirements and benefits of their card. Only you can decide if you want to utilize this service, but if you are looking to save money, these cards can offer you plenty of ways to do it.

Rebates....

There are several ways to get rebates, through manufacturers, stores, or third parties.

Manufacturer Rebates

Manufacturer rebates are usually found on packaging of their products. Rebate forms are printed on product packaging, and usually require the submission of receipts and UPCs (you want to check and make sure that you know whether the company wants the original receipt or just a photocopy). Sometimes rebate forms are found in the ad sections of the Sunday paper (usually in the same sections that contain coupons and store ads).

Even if you aren't sure that you'll use them, it can't hurt to cut them out, and save them. I have had it happen several times that I didn't think I would use a certain rebate (wasn't planning on buying the products), only to find a great deal and realize that I would meet the criteria.

You can also find rebate forms on the websites of certain manufacturers. They usually follow the same requirements (receipts, UPC's and form), but may be easier to find, and if you have favorite manufacturers, you can easily check their sites to see what is available.

Store Rebates

Store rebates can be a great way to save money on products. Many stores offer them now, either on their own products, certain brands, or on many brands. Several stores like Rite Aid and Weis Markets, offer monthly rebate programs. These programs are tied to receipt information or information from the store's Shopper Loyalty Cards. Some of them require more active participation on your part (like Rite Aid), and others simply handle themselves (weis).

Keep in mind that many of these programs offer you the rebate, regardless of what you paid for the item. So if you combine it with store sales and coupons, you can get items cheaply (or if you are really good..FREE), and then get the rebate, which makes them FREE or sometimes even BETTER THAN FREE!!

Sometimes these store programs are not widely advertised, but you can check on the company website for information, or sometimes, there will be signs posted in stores. If all else fails, you can inquire at your favorite store's customer service. These are some of the ones that I have used in the past.

Rite Aid

On Rite Aid's website you sign up for an account and then enter information from each of your receipts during the qualifying rebate period. The site then processes the information on your qualifying purchases, and keeps a tally of how much of a rebate you have earned. You then request your check at the end of the month, if you don't request it, then you lose the money.

Weis Markets

You sign up for an account on Weis's website, using your Shopper Loyalty Card information. The site then tracks your qualifying purchases through your shopper's card. You can request your rebate check at any time, or they will automatically mail it to you at the end of the rebate period. Remember though, if you request you check before the end of the period, you cannot receive another one. This means that if you buy more items which qualify for the rebate program, you will not receive the rebate for them.

Other Rebates.....

Occasionally, you will see that stores and manufacturer's team up for rebates. Many stores now have the "coupon" printers at the checkout, so that store coupons and manufacturer's coupons will automatically print out at the end of your purchase (usually based on the items you have just bought). These printers can also print out rebate forms.

These forms are usually a collaboration, and are often based on special programs (such as Superbowl promotions, Christmas, etc). Sometimes the rebate forms are printed, triggered by the items you are buying. Make sure you check out everything that is printed from these machines to ensure that you haven't thrown away or disregarded valuable rebate forms.

Stores can offer rebates in other ways. One chain in our last duty station (SuperFresh), offered $20 off a purchase, when you made $200 dollars in qualifying baby related purchases. Other stores have similar "baby club" promotions. I know it sounds steep, but when you consider the cost of baby diapers, food, formula, and other products, that $200 is easily surpassed. The program is tied to a Shopper Loyalty Card. The nice thing about the program at SuperFresh, is that the qualifying dollar amounts for items, was before coupons (and sometimes sale discounts) were taken into account. So if you time the sales and coupons right, you can get the items for little or nothing, and yet still bulk up your qualifying dollar amount.

Make sure to check with all the stores you shop at to insure that you aren't missing out on great and easy rebates.

Internet Coupons

There are tons of great sites out there for internet coupons. Most of them are related to grocery items, but there are some for other items. I've listed some of my favorites below.

Most sites allow you to print only two copies of each coupon within a certain time period (usually about a month).

Remember to check with your local stores to make sure that they accept these coupons. Many do, but some may require a dot scan barcode beneath the expiration date.


Coupons.Com
This site provides a variety of coupons, for a range of products.

Very Best Kids
Sign up for their newsletter, and they will include coupons for several Nestle products (usually totaling about $8) a month.

Betty Crocker
Some great coupons for products we buy often, especially cereal and baking products. Also a great source for recipes.

Pillsbury
This is run by the same company that produces Betty Crocker, so you'll find some duplicate coupons on this one, but they are still good!

Box Tops for Education
This site is also run by General Mills, and duplicates some of the coupons from the Betty Crocker and Pillsbury site. The nice thing about this one, is that by signing up, you can earn Box Tops, which can be given to the school of your choice to provide them with additional income. All the products which have coupons on this site also have boxtops on their packaging, so remember to clip them and give back to your schools!

Smart Source
Like Coupons.com, this is a general grocery coupon site.

Baby Food

If you have kids, then you have probably been through the fun of buying cases on cases of intriguing combinations of fruits, vegetables and meats, otherwise known as baby food.

Considering most children on baby food for at least 6 months, the expense can be quite large. Several of the large manufacturers offer lots of coupons and other incentives through their websites. These include postal mailings and internet coupons (you'll have to check with your local store to find out if they accept these).

Gerber also offers special offers when consumers mail in UPC's from their products. You can find the .pdf form on their web site, under the special offer links.

Gerber

Beechnut

Baby Formula

If you are like me, and you have to use baby formula, it can get EXPENSIVE! With all of my kids, I have been looking for ways to save money on this burgeoning household expense.

Several of the formula companies offer free samples to new parents (sometimes more than one), and they also offer checks or coupons for significant savings on their products. These checks come every couple of months, and range from $11 to $1 dollar off formula products.

You generally have to sign up for their "baby" club, which includes mailings, special offers, etc. So if you don't mind having your name on some mailing lists, it is a worthwhile venture.

Here links to all the sites I've found.

Parent's Choice (available at WalMart Stores)

Enfamil

Similac

Nestle Good Start

You want in?

If you would like to contribute to this blog, just leave your e-mail address in a comment, and I'll send you an invite!

Getting Started.....

Whether your rolling in the dough, or like me, looking in consternation at the balance in your bank account, we can all use ways to make our dollars stretch. So in the spirit of sharing, I have started this blog.

You are welcome to post ideas and suggestions on cutting down expenses; tips on boosting savings; websites you have found that are helpful....pretty much anything that makes that dollar work harder!

If you choose to post, please use labels (e.g. "baby products", "groceries", "savings tips") so that people can target posts specific to their wants or needs. Also, if you are sharing an article that others might find useful, please include a link and NOT the entire text of the article, if possible.

With all the sharing, maybe we might just find our dollars stretching!