To help cut your grocery bills a little more, it is helpful to log in to specific companies websites and you will often find extra savings coupons, rebates, and the like. Just a few of them are:
Bayer
Betty Crocker/General Mills
Colgate-Palmolive
Del Monte
Gorton's seafood
Iams Pet Food
Proctor & Gamble
Quaker Oats
Major pharmacy chains frequently offer products at below cost to draw shoppers into their stores, generally through rebates. Their websites frequently have in-store coupons available too. Here's a few:
CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens
Several retailers offer attractive rebates and coupons also. Here's a few:
Ace Hardware
Bed, Bath and Beyond
The Home Depot
Lowes
Staples
True Value Hardware
Now for some helpful sites for information, employment, credit, mental illness, prescription drugs, and all kinds of stuff:
Greener Lawns
Faster job search
Small Businesses, state by state listings
Online Reference Directory
Smarter Credit
Disability Network
Free Birthday Treats
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Mental Health America
National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse
Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance
Money Aisle is 108 banks participating to offer the best rate on FDIC insured CD's.
Earth Calendar to find celebrations by date, country, religion, etc
Smarter Job Searches
Successful Entrepreneuring
Travel Planning
Bargain Deals
Tracking down people
Run a background check
Run a background check II
Free college and university courses
Samples and Giveaways lists - More samples and giveaways lists - and one more site
Price Ambush
Bread for less
Recycled electronic goodies!
Flat Screen TV
PDA
Laptop Computers
GPS Systems
I guess that's enough websites to keep you busy for awhile!
Showing posts with label couponing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label couponing. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Nifty websites and tips
If you want to see if you have a rare coin worth lots of money, check out this site!
pocketchangelottery
Why carry around a fist full of coupons when you can have them transferred to your supermarket bonus card? The coupons are instantly redeemed when you swipe your card at the checkout! Best of all it's free! Check out the site and see if your favorite store is on it yet... if it's not, they'll email you when it is! The site is: shortcuts
Earn money at home. Work as much or as little as you like. Learn about the industry at these two sites International Virtual Assistant Association and Alliance for Virtual Businesses and then check out guru and elance for freelance job listings.
Need a little "fun break" in your day? Check out WebSudoku. Billions of free puzzles to play online, includes interactive tutorial.
Need to find out what something is? Take a picture of it and go to PicAnswers to post it with your question. While you're there, check out what others have posted and see if you have their answers! There were lots of pictures and lots of categories in that website when I looked at it!
Youngsters needing some help with homework? Check out this site, it's looks pretty neat! BJPinchbeck
I came across this information recently too and I had never heard of it before. Apparently, through a few companies (GE Money, Citigroup and a few others) one can get a "medical credit card" for use ONLY for health care expenses and they have 0% interest rates for as long as 12 months. Medical debt does not usually show up on a credit report unless it goes to collection, but consumer debt shows up immediately and can have a big impact if you pay bills late. The cards are usually offered to people who are having trouble paying their medical bills -making it very likely that they will still have a balance at the end of the 0% time. I don't know what the interest rate is after the 0% is over. So, the point being, if you are putting your medical costs on your regular credit cards, and then not able to pay properly... it's ending up on your credit report and you're probably paying at least 12% on the credit card balance. So, if your doctor won't negotiate a fee and payment schedule with you directly, this credit card might be another avenue you want to explore. This information is from Credit.com.
pocketchangelottery
Why carry around a fist full of coupons when you can have them transferred to your supermarket bonus card? The coupons are instantly redeemed when you swipe your card at the checkout! Best of all it's free! Check out the site and see if your favorite store is on it yet... if it's not, they'll email you when it is! The site is: shortcuts
Earn money at home. Work as much or as little as you like. Learn about the industry at these two sites International Virtual Assistant Association and Alliance for Virtual Businesses and then check out guru and elance for freelance job listings.
Need a little "fun break" in your day? Check out WebSudoku. Billions of free puzzles to play online, includes interactive tutorial.
Need to find out what something is? Take a picture of it and go to PicAnswers to post it with your question. While you're there, check out what others have posted and see if you have their answers! There were lots of pictures and lots of categories in that website when I looked at it!
Youngsters needing some help with homework? Check out this site, it's looks pretty neat! BJPinchbeck
I came across this information recently too and I had never heard of it before. Apparently, through a few companies (GE Money, Citigroup and a few others) one can get a "medical credit card" for use ONLY for health care expenses and they have 0% interest rates for as long as 12 months. Medical debt does not usually show up on a credit report unless it goes to collection, but consumer debt shows up immediately and can have a big impact if you pay bills late. The cards are usually offered to people who are having trouble paying their medical bills -making it very likely that they will still have a balance at the end of the 0% time. I don't know what the interest rate is after the 0% is over. So, the point being, if you are putting your medical costs on your regular credit cards, and then not able to pay properly... it's ending up on your credit report and you're probably paying at least 12% on the credit card balance. So, if your doctor won't negotiate a fee and payment schedule with you directly, this credit card might be another avenue you want to explore. This information is from Credit.com.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
More on Coupons
Like everything else on the Internet, you have to be careful when going to sites that require a download or personal information. Yep, bad guys/gals even infiltrate a harmless activity like couponing! To find and use on-line coupons safely and easily, try out these sites. These sites also have information and links to blogs or chatrooms where coupon aficionados discuss deals they have located. You don't need to register to use these sites, but might have to if you want to join any of the discussion groups. These are good sites:
Coupon Mom
Flamingo World
Hot Coupon World
Tech Bargains
Coupon/Bargains
Couponing is not just for grocery store buying either! You can find coupons for all kinds of purchases. Not all manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, but many do. Just go to the companies website and look for a tab that says "deals", "bargains", "promotions", "coupons"... you get the idea! Most will require registration.
There are three Internet coupon types. On-line coupons aren't always the print and clip type.
1. Coupon codes is an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain a discount. Typically, you can only use the code for online purchases and you will be prompted to enter the code at some point, usually the end, of the checkout process.
2. Link promotion is another popular online experience! (I had these on my website for a few months, but have taken them down.) You click the link and it takes you directly to the page in the site where you can make the purchase at the discounted price. NOTE: Confirm that the link promotion has taken you to the actual retailer's site, not a copycat, before entering your credit card number. The URL should contain "https" not just "http" (the "s" means the site is secure). Make sure the site includes functional links to customer service pages, such as return policy and shipping charge explanations.
Look for a VeriSign or BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau) seal on the site. Clicking on these seals should bring you to these organizations' Web sites. If it doesn't, don't proceed with the transaction.
3. Printable Coupons are very popular. These can be printed and redeemed in stores. To print the coupons, you will most likely have to download some software to allow you to do the printing. You take the chance that along with the coupon printer download, you may download spyware. This spyware might monitor where you go on the Internet and report this information back to the coupon Web site or anyone who has paid the site for this data. That robs you of your on-line privacy and slows your computer slightly. Spyware even can make you vulnerable to identity theft, though this is unlikely with major coupon Web sites. Be sure you have good Spyware detection on your computer. (I use Spyware Doctor but there are free spyware monitors out there that you can download).
Even if you are not asked to download software to obtain your coupon, you might be asked to provide an E-mail address. Set up a free email through Yahoo or Gmail and use that account if you need to provide an email to get a coupon via email. That way your main account won't get filled up with spam messages.
And, finally, a couple things to remember when checking out sites for Internet coupons. If their coupons don't have a bar code on them... they are bogus. Look at the website. If it looks amateurish or if it's small scale, it's probably bogus. Stick to the large scale sites (like those mentioned above) and to the manufacturers websites.
Coupon Mom
Flamingo World
Hot Coupon World
Tech Bargains
Coupon/Bargains
Couponing is not just for grocery store buying either! You can find coupons for all kinds of purchases. Not all manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, but many do. Just go to the companies website and look for a tab that says "deals", "bargains", "promotions", "coupons"... you get the idea! Most will require registration.
There are three Internet coupon types. On-line coupons aren't always the print and clip type.
1. Coupon codes is an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain a discount. Typically, you can only use the code for online purchases and you will be prompted to enter the code at some point, usually the end, of the checkout process.
2. Link promotion is another popular online experience! (I had these on my website for a few months, but have taken them down.) You click the link and it takes you directly to the page in the site where you can make the purchase at the discounted price. NOTE: Confirm that the link promotion has taken you to the actual retailer's site, not a copycat, before entering your credit card number. The URL should contain "https" not just "http" (the "s" means the site is secure). Make sure the site includes functional links to customer service pages, such as return policy and shipping charge explanations.
Look for a VeriSign or BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau) seal on the site. Clicking on these seals should bring you to these organizations' Web sites. If it doesn't, don't proceed with the transaction.
3. Printable Coupons are very popular. These can be printed and redeemed in stores. To print the coupons, you will most likely have to download some software to allow you to do the printing. You take the chance that along with the coupon printer download, you may download spyware. This spyware might monitor where you go on the Internet and report this information back to the coupon Web site or anyone who has paid the site for this data. That robs you of your on-line privacy and slows your computer slightly. Spyware even can make you vulnerable to identity theft, though this is unlikely with major coupon Web sites. Be sure you have good Spyware detection on your computer. (I use Spyware Doctor but there are free spyware monitors out there that you can download).
Even if you are not asked to download software to obtain your coupon, you might be asked to provide an E-mail address. Set up a free email through Yahoo or Gmail and use that account if you need to provide an email to get a coupon via email. That way your main account won't get filled up with spam messages.
And, finally, a couple things to remember when checking out sites for Internet coupons. If their coupons don't have a bar code on them... they are bogus. Look at the website. If it looks amateurish or if it's small scale, it's probably bogus. Stick to the large scale sites (like those mentioned above) and to the manufacturers websites.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saving Money at the Checkout
I have been a coupon clipper for years and normally that process takes about an hour a week to find, clip, and organize the coupons I use. Then, of course, it takes probably another 45 - 60 minutes to peruse the weekly grocery ads and match up coupons to the stuff I want to buy. The two hours are well worth the time since I am organized before I get to the stores so it takes less time to get the things I want and get out of the store.
Since I am a single person, most of my savings come from the purchase of pet food, pet snacks and most anything pet related. I watch for sales, buy one get one free offers, 50% off offers and use my coupons for the sales. In the pet aisles, I can then get pet snacks and food for free or almost free. I also am a member of "in store rewards" programs at the stores I frequent. That way, I get some money back (to spend at that store), get cents off for gasoline (when gas was at $4.05 a gallon at Safeway, with my "earned points", I filled my tank for $3.89 a gallon instead). On the average, I will spend maybe $400.00 (not including cigarettes or alcohol) in one week, but at the same time I save $200.00 of the $400.00 and still get the brands I want to use. If I were to purchase other brands, I would save more. Again, since I am single, I only shop like that about once a month and just purchase fresh fruit and veggies to supplement the rest of the month. Which means I spend maybe $60 a week for me and my pets. Not a bad deal! Of course, if you live in an outlying area with no close access to lots of stores then the system probably wouldn't work as well for you and there is the cost of gas to figure in also.
Most major grocery stores are online now and you can peruse the ads and your own personal "grocery list" and then print out your list, complete with a picture of the item. There is an option for adding things that are not in the ads to your list also. I know that Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyers have this on their websites. I think they are pretty helpful since I can print it out instead of deciphering my own handwriting!
I personally have used coupons.com which is a free service that you can print coupons through and I've used restaurants.com where you can purchase coupons for restaurants for a big discount like $6 for a $25 coupon - the only hitch is that to use the $25 coupon, you have to spend an additional $10 in cash. Still a good deal though and a good way to get to know restaurants/cafe's in your own area that you might not otherwise go to. I think getting $35 worth of a nice dinner for a $16 investment is pretty good! Another coupon place is coolsavings.com and is basically the same as the coupons.com site. For current savings offers in many different stores, including department stores Keycode.com is a good site and registration is free. I also subscribe, for free, to Valpak.com which has coupons for groceries, restaurants, auto stuff and other stuff.
I have not subscribed to any of these next sites, I am only giving you the information that they are out there! The The Grocery Game is a service you pay for but it is fairly unique because it matches sales to existing coupons and tracks product prices to help you get the best buys for your money. There is a 4 week trial subscription for $1, which I think I will check out! It basically does everything I do by hand, on the computer! Another is My Clipper, it's a free membership and has a searchable database for more than 650 national merchants. Coupon Mom is also a searchable database and has links for free offers and samples as well, it has a free membership. An interesting site to learn about saving money in just about any venue is The Dollar Stretcher and it's worth taking a look at.
Many major stores, like Safeway, have delivery service for a fee. I've not used those services, but if I was unable to get to the store due to health issues or whatever, I would seriously consider it. What I didn't know is that Amazon.com has a grocery service with free shipping on orders over $25. That would be a good deal for your non-perishable items. There is always the warehouse stores like Costco where you can buy in bulk.
These just a few of the "savings/couponing" places online and I hope this article has been helpful to you.
Since I am a single person, most of my savings come from the purchase of pet food, pet snacks and most anything pet related. I watch for sales, buy one get one free offers, 50% off offers and use my coupons for the sales. In the pet aisles, I can then get pet snacks and food for free or almost free. I also am a member of "in store rewards" programs at the stores I frequent. That way, I get some money back (to spend at that store), get cents off for gasoline (when gas was at $4.05 a gallon at Safeway, with my "earned points", I filled my tank for $3.89 a gallon instead). On the average, I will spend maybe $400.00 (not including cigarettes or alcohol) in one week, but at the same time I save $200.00 of the $400.00 and still get the brands I want to use. If I were to purchase other brands, I would save more. Again, since I am single, I only shop like that about once a month and just purchase fresh fruit and veggies to supplement the rest of the month. Which means I spend maybe $60 a week for me and my pets. Not a bad deal! Of course, if you live in an outlying area with no close access to lots of stores then the system probably wouldn't work as well for you and there is the cost of gas to figure in also.
Most major grocery stores are online now and you can peruse the ads and your own personal "grocery list" and then print out your list, complete with a picture of the item. There is an option for adding things that are not in the ads to your list also. I know that Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyers have this on their websites. I think they are pretty helpful since I can print it out instead of deciphering my own handwriting!
I personally have used coupons.com which is a free service that you can print coupons through and I've used restaurants.com where you can purchase coupons for restaurants for a big discount like $6 for a $25 coupon - the only hitch is that to use the $25 coupon, you have to spend an additional $10 in cash. Still a good deal though and a good way to get to know restaurants/cafe's in your own area that you might not otherwise go to. I think getting $35 worth of a nice dinner for a $16 investment is pretty good! Another coupon place is coolsavings.com and is basically the same as the coupons.com site. For current savings offers in many different stores, including department stores Keycode.com is a good site and registration is free. I also subscribe, for free, to Valpak.com which has coupons for groceries, restaurants, auto stuff and other stuff.
I have not subscribed to any of these next sites, I am only giving you the information that they are out there! The The Grocery Game is a service you pay for but it is fairly unique because it matches sales to existing coupons and tracks product prices to help you get the best buys for your money. There is a 4 week trial subscription for $1, which I think I will check out! It basically does everything I do by hand, on the computer! Another is My Clipper, it's a free membership and has a searchable database for more than 650 national merchants. Coupon Mom is also a searchable database and has links for free offers and samples as well, it has a free membership. An interesting site to learn about saving money in just about any venue is The Dollar Stretcher and it's worth taking a look at.
Many major stores, like Safeway, have delivery service for a fee. I've not used those services, but if I was unable to get to the store due to health issues or whatever, I would seriously consider it. What I didn't know is that Amazon.com has a grocery service with free shipping on orders over $25. That would be a good deal for your non-perishable items. There is always the warehouse stores like Costco where you can buy in bulk.
These just a few of the "savings/couponing" places online and I hope this article has been helpful to you.
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