YISave's Personal Finance Blog

Today was a very good shopping day of savings. Don't be shy about taking back a coupon for items that you forgot about or misread in the sales. I went to Walgreens the other day and paid more for napkins that I had bought and they recognized an in=ad coupon and gave me another package for only a $1. more.

I also took back a coupon for an item that I bought on Sunday and the grocery store gave me the money back (with the receipt of course). I also shopped there today and should have spent $67.57 and spent $28.45. I saved $39.12 on that transaction and that is a savings of around 58%. I had a buy one get one free orange juice coupons and bought chicken B1G1 free package of split chicken breasts. I also bought the snow crab legs at $3.99 a lb instead of 6.99. I also bought fresh headless shrimp for $2.99 a o-lb instead of 6.99. Included was vitamins that I normally buy at a savings at $6.03. I also bought a bottle of nice wine on sale for $3.99. Along with these items was lettuce for .99 and green grapes for $1.91

Another transaction within the same store was for Xmas after sale items. I try never to mix grocery and holiday items on the same ticket. I should have spent $39.44 and I spent $5.24. A savings of $34.19 or 85%. I bought 8 rolls of wrapping paper at .20 each. Each roll is 40 sq ft. Even if you use it to line your shelves; it's a bargain. I also bought 4 humongous Xmas bags to transport gift in for .50 each. I also bought a beautiful box of elegant cards for $1.00 that would have easily cost you $10.00. There were no cards or envelopes missing. I also bought a musical card for .30. In the grocery order above, I also purchased a huge turkey aluminum roasting pan that has the lift out liner. I wanted to buy one at Xmas but couldn't justify spending $8.95 for it. I just bought it today for $2.00. I bought another one on Sunday.

This is a great time to stock up on items like this because the stores are at a point of almost giving the stuff away just to move it out for the new coming in.

I did a survey yesterday which took me approximately 17 to 18 minutes. I was paid $3.00. I figure that on an hourly basis that would be about $10. an hour. You don't have to leave the house, get dressed, or drive. You don't have to pick up your check or take it to the bank. That's pretty good when you really break it down.

Sometimes I wonder if doing a survey for $3. is worth it. I think that it is if it is a legit organization.

If you go to facebook and search for whollyguacamole, you can download a $4. coupon after signing up. You have to click coupons.

A CD that I have is maturing on Oct 15th. I will miss it at 2.25%. I decided not to wait until it matured to open up another one. Ally has a 1 yr CD for 1.44% Right now, that's more than the money market account that I'm going to take it out of is earning. So, when it matures, I'll just have it transferred to the same account that I had the new CD taken out of.

Since I don't know if the CD rates will go down further or go up, this is a better choice for me. Ally will look back 10 days or 10 days forward from when you open the CD and will give you the best rate. I like that about them and they do have 4 stars according to Bankrate.com. I feel good about what I decided.

Well sort of. Before you get sick: I'll explain. Our county gives us large blue recycling bins on wheels that are collected every two weeks.

I had 2 CVS ECB rewards. One was for $5.00 and the other was for $2.50. The last I looked they were no where in my purse. I had been decluttering paper for the last week and a half so I went through everything in my house.

I put my plastic gloves on and went through my recycling bin today. My bin is pretty clean because I put all bottles in tied up recyclable bags and the paper is by itself. Nothing there. I gave up and went inside and went to the website and asked if you can get credit for lost ECB's . NO NO NO So, hold on to them. I finally had decided to give up and just call it a lesson. Way into the afternoon I looked under the couch in my office and saw a white paper ther. Guess what My two ECB's paper clipped together.

The $5. was such a sweet one because a lady in front of me didn't have a CVS card and I lent her mine, and she got the sales and I ended up with $5. ECB. She couldn't usse it because my name was on it and you need a card to redeem it. Relieved that I found it.

Yesterday, I went to Starbuck's with my travel mug and enjoyed a free cup of coffee.

Purchase 1: Today I went to Walgreens and made 3 separate purchases. First, I bought the Schick Hydro Shave Gel for $3.20. That purchase gave me a register reward of $3. on a future purchase.

Purchase 2: Then, I bought 2 Sudafed products that were on sale for $9.98. Each one was for $4.99 and was on sale. I had $4.00 in manufacturer's coupons so, it brought my purchase down to $5.98. I then received a $5. register reward for that purchase.

Purchase 3: I purchased 2 bottles of CLR for $6.99 each. It was a B!G! free product), and another item for 3.34. I took off $3. from the first purchase and $5. from the second purchase and I ended up paying $3.06. On the total purchases above I would have paid $37.06 but ended up spending $12.24. A savings of $24.82.

I then went to Winn Dixie and purchased 2 TGIF (BIGI free) chicken wings boxes for 3.89 , bananas for .66. Dessert Shells for $1.49 and Strawberries for 1.99. I should have spent $13.92 and spent $5.03. I had $3.00 in coupons from TGIF. I saved $8.89.

My total day should have been $50.98 and I spent $17.27. Saving $33.71 or 66%.

Alot of my buys comes going to different websites and someone posting an item that I wouldn't have considere buying. But the extra coupons made it a buy on my list. We all teach one another.

I have found that it's important to take advantage of any new products that are offered free because you won't see them at the same price again. I have been sorry that I didn't buy more. This week it was the shave gel.

The other day Elisabeth shared how she used her CVS coupons that come out of the machine. I would not have thought about useing those coupons for those items. I learned something from her and that't how it goes around here.

I went shopping at two stores and really saved a lot. I should have spent $48.67 and spent $21.30. I saved $27.28 which is 56% of the bill.

I went to Walgreens and bought the Shave Gel by Schick and paid $3.20 with tax. I received a $3. register rewards. I then bought the Schick razor for $8.55 and I used the $3. register reward making it $5.55. I received a $5. register reward. I then bought grocery item that were on sale and it totaled up to $5. and using the $5. reward and paid nothing. I ended up paying $3.75 for both the gel and the shaver.

I bought a really great doormat that $10.69 and paid $6.41 with tax.

At the supermarket a mistake was made on the salmon that I bought. I brought it to the attention of the seafood person and she gave it to me for the price. The salmon weighed 1.22 lb and it should have been $7.99 and it was accidentally coded for $2.99 a pound. I also bought pearl rice on sale and 2 large cans of pimentos that should have been $3.18. I I paid $1.58. The rice and pimentos are items that I will use to make Chicken and Rice (Spanish style).

I've become more tuned in to finding ways of saving or not spending money. Each day I look at ways that I can save money. Today, it was using the internet to facilitate something rather than using a stamp.

One day, it could be checking around my house and looking for items to be unplugged that are not being used.

I also look for funds that are sitting in an account that could be transferred to another account that earns more interest.

It could be as Ima Saver says of turning off the water heater. It does work.

It could even turning down your AC when you won't be at home.

Closing drapes on the sunny side.

I think it's the little things everyday that you can do that adds up. Even though the amounts might seem small, it adds up.

I'm always amazed at how much money is found in the streets. It is money that you didn't work for or pay taxes on.

Total that was added to my $20 challenge for March was $114.32.

Chase Rewards $25.00
surveys 22.00
Manuf Coupons 60.07
Pennies from food 1.83
Pennies from Hubby .35
Found .05
Added to from food 1.70
Interest 3.32
______
$114.32

I haven't checked in for a while. I had my son and two granddaughters at my house last week. All had been sick and I probably had some kind of bug in my system prior to their visit. So, I have been sick since they left on Friday.

Anyway, we went to a children's playground, to the zoo the next day, dinner out that night and to the Beach the next day. Even though they didn't stay for Easter, It felt like it. There are times when they come during Dec and we celebrate the holiday meals here and I have the memory as if they were here for the holiday.

It's such a joy to have them here. I just don't have the energy I once had to chase them around or play with them.

But, I do hope that everyone had a nice Easter and that my Jewish friends had a nice passover.

Well, this morning was great. I went to Denny's for a free birthday breakfast. (Grand Slam).

I also received an email from Red Lobster for $5 off on my birthday dinner. Pretty nice and we will go there tonight.

Also, received a $3.00 survey payment in my paypal from a product that I tested. I also received a check from My Survey. Both of these will go into the $20 Challenge fund.

I also went to Walgreens which was almost side by side to the Denny's and bought 2 packages of bacon for $6.00. I had 1.50 off from a coupon and I also received a Wags reward for $1.00 toward a future purchase. Granddaughters are coming down soon and the oldest loves bacon.

All in all a good day.

We have a supermarket/pharmacy that gives you free antibiotics.

My husband's doc gave him some antibiotics and he needed more than the 30 that was prescribed. He made the remainder a refill so that the pharmacy would recognize it as the next refill of 30.

The pharmacy bill would have been $54.95 for 30 pills and that was for generic.I saved not paying $109.90. Our Dr knows that we have to pay for all of our meds and visits so he works with us.

If you're in the same situation of having to pay out of pocket costs; talk to your Dr and he will work with you. Ours have even given us coupons and instant rebates.
We have a super nice and understanding physician that understands our insurance situation.

I had really good savings this past week. I should have spent $129.91 and spent $50.97. I saved $78.94 which is a 60.8% savings.

Savings $53.92
Tax .33
Coupons 13.70
Free 3.99
Wags Rewards 7.00
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$78,94

When I put down free, I mean an actual coupon that would give you the item free without having to buy an identical product in order to receive it.

We had a grand opening which had alot of good sales. I also had a free movie from Red Box. Received a rebate check which I mentioned earlier.

I love grand openings for new stores. I'm usually not around when they open up because something usually occurs around that time to keep me from going.

But today, I made it. Love all of the grand opening sales and the food samplings.

There were very few parking spaces available. I'll write more later on my savings.

I love it when I receive a rebate. I bought a Schick Quattro Razor from Walgreens and I submmitted a rebate for the amount of $8.99. I love these rebates because I use them at Xmas time for stocking stuffers for my adult children. They always appreciate razors.

You'll receive a promotiomal code when you go to Facebook and click on a tab called fan freebie. You will have to join to get the code.

I picked the movie up this morning. Happy St Patrick's Day to all.

My savings for the week were: $43.08, saving 40.3%. These buys come not only from the grocery store but from stores like Walgreen, CVS, etc.

Savings $31.21
Tax saved .06
Manufacture Coupons 6.30
free 5.51
______
$43.08.

Free items were a large roll of bathroom tissue, Yoplait Greek yogurt, and a 12 oz size of Michael Angelo Lasagna.

I also made a deposit into my $20 challenge account for $8.00, Coupons had totaled $7.54. The .27 was from pennies from my change purse and my husband. I found .02. I also added .11 to round it up to $8.00. These amounts really add up over time.

I stayed home yesterday. My hubby worked Saturday and Sunday. I got much accomplished. Sometimes, I wish that I would take some time out for myself. I think a lot of it is just habit for most women. This is one aspect of my life I'd like to start changing. I love to go outside and enjoy the sun and warm weather. Wish it would warm up soon.

Some people consider working around the garden as work, but I really enjoy it. and it's relaxing for me. I get a lot of pleasure our of seeing an area that I just weeded.

On Thursday, I received $3.00 in my paypal account for a survey. It will go into the $20 challenge account.

On Friday, I checked online at my bank and saw that we received our 2009 tax refund. It is such a great service and convenience to have this money deposited into our account.

On Friday, I received a product from one of the survey companies to try and do a follow-up survey. I really enjoy receiving these products. I've discovered some really great products and some that I wasn't that happy with. I receive compensation after using and replying to the survey plus you get to keep the rest of the product. That money wlll also be added to my $20 savings challenge.

I read on Jeffrey Strain's blog about ssving time by not clipping your coupons but insread of keeping your entire sales insert intact until you were ready to use the coupons.

I thought that was insane until I tried it. In the past, I would clip the coupons that I thought that I would use and would throw out the rest. I have found out that there were many coupons that came into the the different sales flyers that would have been been free had I kept them. I have thrown away alot of money.

What I do now is to put a date or dates on the top of the flyer when it comes to my newspaper or date that I received it in the mail. There were items that I would never have used but after going to other websites and seeing what would be free or minimal after purchase, I changed my mind.

There are particular brands that you know you will buy and you should just clip them.

My favorite website is www.southernsavers.com. I live in the SouthEast and it is a great resource. Even if you don't live there, you can still download the coupons according to your zip code. I find out free codes for movies, free deals for restaurants, grocers sales flyers, etc.

The next best website for me is HotCouponWorld. I go to the website, and go to a section that is called coupon data base. Click it. Type in the brand that you are looking for and it will list the different ways and lists that you can find the coupon.

If I can't find a coupon, I sometimes go to the manufacturer of the product that I'm looking for. Georgia Pacific makes Angel Soft Bathroom Tissue and Sparkle Paper Towels.

For those of you who don't know what a Topsy Turvy is; it is a planter that holds a plant from an upside down position. They have been featured on TV infomercials.

Mine is for tomatoes but will grow other vegetables as well. My supermarket had them marked down from $10.00 to $4.99.

I have a friend who lives in a townhouse that has a small backyard patio that is fenced in with a private concrete fence. She grows the small grape tomatoes in a good sized pot where she has staked the plant. It gives out an abundance of tomatoes. Her patio is very attractive because she has other vegetables growing there instead of plants.

You have to have a small plant to grow there first. We'll see how it goes. I have to plant my beefsteak tomatoe seeds soon.

I went to 4 different stores last week and saved alot.

My purchases should have been: $194.91. In the end, I paid $93.24. I saved 52.6% overall. I will break down my savings. In Fla we don't pay taxes on food like I have seen in other states. Tax savings is the difference between the regular and sale price.

Savings $62.13
Tax Savings 1.28
Manufact. Coupons 18.60
Walgreens Register Rewards 6.00
Free Coupons 13.66
------
$106.67

I also had 2 free movies from codes. One was from red box and the other was from the blockbuster kiosks.

I went to Wendy's and had a double stack hamburger a a coffee free.

A few years ago I started the $20 Challenge. On Dec. 31, 2009, I had saved $2,745.40. It has its own account and is earning interest.

Mine is going to be used for retirement. It is my own contribution by finding extra ways to add to it.

I have opened bank accouts and received rewards, reccommending others and receiving rewards, credit card cash rewards, coupons, change that I have found, pennies from me and my husband from change in my purse. I have started a new category this year. If I play the lotto, I add in the same amount that I spent in lotto. I don't play alot. Sometimes one time a month and it's usually a dollar. I also do surveys. All of this money is added to the account.

In January I added $55.21. February was $70.53 and March is on going and I'll add that in later.

I was checking information for myself about getting our refund sent to our bank and came across information that some may be able to use.

Filers can file electronically free if their adjusted gross income in $57,000. or less. That would save some people alot of money. Thought that I would pass it on because I didn't know that was available. When you go online just type in Free File.

I think that alot of money mistakes occur when you are in a hurry or become distracted. Yeserday, I was focused in two stores but not in the last one.

The first store that I went to was mostly for fruits and vegetables and special advertised sales. I had two coupons. One was for eggs at .50 and the cashier wouldn't take it because she said the eggs were on sale already. The next one was for $1.00 off of Marcal single roll toilet paper. The same cashier said that because it was $1.00 that she couldn't except it. She eventually wrote in on the coupon .99 I had to get a manager to get my .50 back for the eggs.

The next store was for a B1G1 Free item (vitamins)for which I had a couple for $3.00 off on 2. I like the self-checkout registers more because they don't talk back to you. They scan, read the coupon, and deduct it.

The next store was for a beverage that was $3. off plus it had a $2.00 hanger coupon that the cashier didn't deduct. We started talking and I became distracted. Thank goodness that I live less than 1/2 mile away because I went back and retrieved my $2.

What helps me is to have a sheet of paper for each store and the coupons to be used. I have had cashiers not deduct all of the coupons which is why I like the self-check out registers. So, for me I like the plan in front of me and try to stay focused on what I'm doing. Everytime you have to go back to correct a mistake is time, gas, and wear and tear on your car.

I didn't say Why I Save because it is a complex answer for most people. I don't like wasting or losing opportunities to make money even if it's small amounts.

I had read an article from The Wall Street Journal, on Feb 11, 2010 by Brett Arends. The title was "Doing The Math On Coupons". What he said that stayed with me was "money saved coupons come with an added benefit. Unlike money that you earn, it is tax free/ no payroll taxes/ no federal or state income taxes". In my thinking, this is passive income.

Last Saturday I was returning my shopping cart at Walgreens when I saw a coupon in another cart. When I picked it up, it said Walgreens Register Rewards for $1.00 for buying an item from Procter and Gamble. Someone just threw away $1.00. A few days later, I redeemed the coupon from an item that I bought.

That was the day that I decided to start my blog.

A dollar might not sound like much to most people but if I were to ask you to give me a dollar and then start to burn it or throw it away - you would say - HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY DOLLAR? That's basically what you are doing when you let coupons lay in a cart or have them and not cash them in.

In future posts. I'll share my own experiences in seeing money thrown away.

I've been here for quite a while. and have always wanted to do my own blog but didn't know what I wanted to name it or what I wanted to accomplish with it.

Each day I come across free deals and savings and want to share what I do that could encourage others to look for ways that they can save.