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Archives for 2011

Daily Deal Site: LivingSocial – Part 2 of 2

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Photograph Credit: LivingSocial

Stretching your dollars is possible with daily deal sites like LivingSocial. If you subscribed to your city’s daily deal (instructions given in last week’s post), then you might have seen the Whole Foods deal earlier this week. The deal included many cities that contain a Whole Foods grocery store. During those few hours the deal was live, one could purchase a $20 voucher for $10. These 50% savings for groceries helps in stretching those dollars and maximizing savings.

By having the deals delivered to my personal e-mail account, I can evaluate the deal and make a decision before the vouchers sell out or the deal expires. In case you are confused about the deals or need more information, here’s how to purchase a deal, locate your voucher, and redeem your voucher.

Purchase a Deal

1. Read the fine print. All the deals are a little different, so you want to be sure that you are purchasing a voucher you can use. If you are purchasing a Christmas gift, then you want to be sure that the expiration date is in 2012. I recently found a voucher that was due to expire by the end of September. Knowing our family could not use the voucher, we gave it to relatives who were thrilled with the gift.

2. Press the “Buy Now” button. When you are satisfied with the fine print guidelines and price for the deal, press the “buy now” button.

3. Adjust your options. On this page you can change the quantity, add gifts, change your payment options (when you are signed in), and view your purchase total.

4. Select “Purchase my deal” button. When you have adjusted your options, select “purchase my deal” button. Your payment will be processed. Please do not select this button if you are not sure you want the deal. Once you press “purchase my deal,” the deal is yours.

Locate your Voucher

Via E-mail

1. Check your e-mail account. Once you purchase the deal, you will receive an e-mail confirming your purchase and giving you instructions regarding when your voucher will be available.

2. Watch your e-mail account. Another e-mail will be sent when your voucher is available to print. When you receive this e-mail, a link will be included to direct you to your voucher.

3. Click the link in your e-mail message. When you click the link, you will be directed to your LivingSocial My Vouchers page. All your available vouchers will be listed.

4. Click “view voucher.” To print your voucher, click the “view voucher” button. A .pdf of your voucher will load, and you can print it for use.

Via LivingSocial

1. Check your LivingSocial account. After purchasing the deal, LivingSocial will place the voucher in your account after processing your payment. This process can take minutes to a day depending on the popularity of the deal. To access your LivingSocial account, go to www.livingsocial.com.

2. Log in. Enter your e-mail address and password to log in.

3. Go to “my vouchers.” In the upper right hand corner, click on the “my vouchers” tab. All your available vouchers will be listed.

4. Click “view voucher.” To print your voucher, click the “view voucher” button. A .pdf of your voucher will load, and you can print it for use.

Redeem your Voucher

1. Read the fine print. One of our deals required a reservation. Therefore, I called prior to the date we planned to use the voucher, and the establishment honored our reservation. The fine print will give you the information you need for unusual circumstances.

2. Take your printed voucher to establishment. When I used our water park voucher, I took the printout up to the box office.

3. Present your voucher. When the cashier greeted me, I presented the LivingSocial voucher. We were then given our arm bands and thanked for making the purchase. Most establishments are aware of the LivingSocial deals, and they welcome your redemption of the voucher.

As you partner with LivingSocial, purchase your deals, locate your vouchers, and redeem your vouchers, you will be able to stretch your dollars. To make the deals better, you can subscribe to LivingSocial to have the deals delivered to your e-mail inbox which helps in using time wisely.

Though you may not be a fan of daily deal sites, as you see the savings to be had, you might change your mind. I post on Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page my daily deal purchases. Come “like” Using Time Wisely and add your favorite deals.

Question: How many vouchers do you have your account? Come add your answer to the comments.

Simon Kidgits Club

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Our family has been a member of our local Kidgits Club for over 5 years. I first heard of Kidgits when my New Mom’s Club walked around the mall every Wednesday morning. As I passed the Kidgit advertising throughout the walking area, I began to inquire about the club.

When I learned that the annual membership fee was $5 per child which included monthly activities with goody bags, a tee shirt, and a birthday present, I did not hesitate to join. Per the Kidgits’ web site, a yearly membership includes:

Photograph Credit: Kidgits

Our son joined right before he turned one, and we continue to renew each year. At present, all three of my children are active members.

Each Kidgits’ mall offers different events. Some events are nationwide, but others are local events. To find your nearest location and event information, please visit the Simon Kidgits’ Club web site. Our Kidgits offers an event almost every month. Here are some Kidgits activities we have attended this year:

Safety Event

Book Blast Event

Back-to-School Event

Our events are scheduled on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Most are in center court, but others have been down at the Kidgits Korner (an indoor playground). I definitely prefer the center court activities since the playground gets so crowded. Our Kidgits Korner is designed for preschool-aged children, but the events are geared for ages 3-12. The older children on the playground are not always looking out for the little ones, so I tend to be over-cautious and keep my kids out of that area on event days.

In addition to the event, our family has won these cool door prizes:

  • The Jungle Book
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly game
  • Jenga game
  • Dalmatian puppy (stuffed animal)
  • Kidgits Book

If you have elementary-age children and a Simon Kidgits Club in your area, then go join. Some events are better than others, but all are enjoyable family outings. For $5 you can try it. The tee shirt and goody bags are worth more than the $5 fee, so you really have nothing to lose and lots of fun events to gain. Maybe you will be one of the lucky recipients of a cool door prize. Before you say, “But we never win,” you have a greater chance of winning when you join, attend, and enter the drawing. 🙂

Enjoy your time with your family this weekend. I know I will!

Question: What is the least expensive annual membership you have purchased? Please add your answer to the comments.

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 3 of 3

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Briana Carter)

Last week, we left off with a printed grocery list from each store. These lists contain all the items that I am considering purchasing. My final decision will be based on how much I plan to spend this week on grocery shopping. As we complete Part 3 of Step Four: Creating grocery lists in our food cycle series, I match coupons and top off the lists.

Matching Coupons

With the available coupons listed on my grocery list, I am able to grab my binders and locate the best coupons.  Yes, I said binders. Not to get too detailed about my coupon organization, but I have two binders. One holds all the food items, and the other houses all the cleaners, toiletries, medicines, and other non-food items. (You have not missed anything. I plan to do a series on my coupon organization method at a later date. 🙂 )

After locating the coupons for each item, I then decide how many of those products I plan to purchase using the same questions relating to the Buy One Get One Free offers. If I do not have coupons or the deal is not as great as I thought it would be, then I just mark that deal off my grocery list.

In my binders, I keep all coupons for free items in a front sleeve. Before finishing my grocery list, I will add any free items to my grocery lists that can be used with this week’s sales or will be expiring this week.

With the coupons gathered, I place them in an envelope labeled with that store’s name. The grocery list is folded and placed in the front of the envelope for easy retrieval at the grocery store.

Topping off the Lists

At this point in the process, I have two envelopes complete with coupons and grocery list. One envelope is labeled Bi-Lo and the other Publix. The last step is looking back at my pad of paper. Are there still items listed? Yes.

Since none of these items were on sale and I need to purchase them, I will choose the least expensive store and shop for these items. In my area, Aldi is my least expensive option. This store does not accept coupons, and most items are Aldi’s store brand.

The remaining items on my list get compiled for a shopping trip to Aldi.  Although Aldi carries most items, there are a few items (e.g., ground mustard) they do not. For those items, I will usually purchase at Bi-Lo or Wal-mart – if a trip is already planned for the week. If I can wait a week or two for some of the items, then I will keep them on the list and continue watching the ads for a sale.

With all three lists created, my coupons gathered, and envelopes prepared, I am ready for a visit to the grocery stores. By thoroughly preparing in advance, I can make smart decisions at the grocery store. I know what I have at home, what I have planned, and what I need to succeed at that plan. Though this process seems long, I have found my rhythm and ways to implement these steps a little at a time. With a 5 minute break, I can complete one or two steps. Just working to improve is making progress!

Question: What is the least expensive grocery store in your area? Please add your answer to the comments.

Operating in Survival Mode

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Qwikrex)

For the past week, our family has been operating in survival mode. Paul and I have been battling end-of-summer colds. Between little sleep and lack of energy, we have managed to feed our kids and have clean clothes to wear. Everything else has been on hold.

The goal was to get rest and return to good health. Thankfully, I had a great day yesterday. After arriving home from dropping off my son at school, I was able to accomplish the following:

  • Clean off the kitchen counters
  • Load the dishwasher
  • Hand wash milk jugs and crock pot
  • Make ice tea
  • Feed sourdough bread starter
  • Make baby wipes
  • Water plants

I then enjoyed about an hour playing restaurant and tea party with my daughters. We added to the disaster in our living room and had a blast. My girls needed Mommy to play, and Mommy needed to recharge after exerting so much energy getting the kitchen cleaned. In using time wisely, I chose to focus on my girls. My house can get cleaned later, but my little ones will be off to school way too soon.

Though I enjoy a clean house, I operate differently during times of illness. These seasons of rest are needed to rejuvenate and recover. Once over the sickness, I am ready to get back to order. My house gets picked up rather quickly, and I can return to active duty.

Life is full of ups and downs, and illness is just part of the journey. Your survival mode will be different from mine, but just letting everything go will help you recover. I know it is not ideal to look at a messy house. In fact, it drives me nuts. But once your energy returns, you can catch up and return to your household duties. With allergy season in the near future, I wish you health and, in times of illness, rest as you operate in survival mode.

Question: What does your survival mode entail? Please add your answer to the comments.

Back-to-School Night: Keeping it Simple

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Estelle Broyer)

Marked by new school supplies, books, and information packets, our Back-to-School Night was a success. Besides gaining new information, meeting the teacher(s), and dropping off our supplies, the participants enjoyed a time of fellowship.

The refreshments consisted of sweet breads and a beverage station. The loaves of bread were sliced and placed on individual platters with name cards identifying the type of bread. The center table was simply decorated with a flower bouquet center piece. A separate table with gluten-free and sugar-free options was set to the side of the hallway.

By keeping the food choices simple, all participants enjoyed a time of meeting and greeting new and existing friends. This arrangement worked beautifully for a back-to-school night. I would also consider serving sweet breads for a reception, after-dinner meeting, and part of a brunch menu. In planning events, you can have a successful activity by keeping it simple.

Question: What is your favorite sweet bread? Please add your answer to the comments.