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Archives for March 2012

Decluttering: Week 1 of Project Simplify 2012

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In this quest to declutter my entire house, I am slowly making progress. Between school field trips, family gatherings, and daily life, I am still stepping over, around, and through the clutter.

To focus my efforts, I am participating in Project: Simplify 2012 over on  simplemom.net. Tsh is coordinating this project with the following schedule:

  • Week of March 5: Kids’ stuff—toys, clothes, and the like
  • Week of March 12: Kitchen and/or pantry
  • Week of March 19: Closets, countertops, and drawers (oh my)
  • Week of March 26: Choose your own adventure—you pick your most-needed hot spot

As I finish these projects, I will post my before and after pictures. If you want to join in, you can read Tsh’s post on Project: Simplify 2012 and this week’s challenge Project Simplify, Week 1: Kids’ Stuff.

Be sure to link to or post your “before and after” pictures showcasing your hard work. If you don’t have children, then try your bedroom closet, bedroom, or another area of your home.

Come back next week to celebrate your new organized space and prepare for the next challenge. Happy organizing!

2012: First Credit Report Update

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan Eriksson)

By checking your credit reports, you can verify correct information and current accounts. With identity theft on the rise, taking initiative to check your reports from the three credit bureaus will alert you to any new, unauthorized accounts.

If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check the date of your last credit report.

Be sure to wait at least one year from the date of your last report. If you make a second request within one year, you will be charged for the second request. When you ask for your new report after last year’s report date, your new report will be free. 🙂

In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 months. This month, I requested Paul’s Experian report and my TransUnion report. Though the request options include web site and mail, my preference is by phone. Our reports will arrive by mail on the official letterhead within 2 weeks.

When the reports are in hand, I will do the following:

  • Put file box away until June’s credit check

Running the free credit reports keeps you informed of your active accounts and alerts you to any authorized new accounts. To protect your identity, request your credit reports on a rotating schedule. Happy organizing!

Question: Which credit scores will you request?

Staples: Rewards and Easy Rebates – Part 2 of 2

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Great deals are found at office supply stores like Staples. Knowing the rules of the promotions can result in free paper, labels, pens, and other office supplies.

All the items in the post picture were free. Yes, free using Staples rewards and easy rebates. Last week, I shared the rules for Staples Rewards in Part 1 of this series. Today, I will cover easy rebates and share how to stack these promotions to get free merchandise.

Easy Rebates

The Staples Easy Rebate program does not require the loyalty card. These promotions allow you to buy the item and then send the information, either electronically or via mail, to receive your PayPal deposit or check. Indicated by easy rebate, these offers are in the weekly sales flyer and need a little of your time. But you will get your reward in cash.

Finding Rebate Items. Less frequent than Staples Rewards, the easy rebate items come around holiday events. During holiday seasons, watch for easy rebate offers.

Checking the limit. When you find items you need, check the limit. Some items have a limit of 1 while others allow 2 or more. If you buy more than the limit, you will not receive the rebate on the exceeded items.

Purchasing the items. The sales flyer will show the price of the items, i.e., copy paper for $1 – purchase price $5.99 with a $4.99 easy rebate. When you purchase this copy paper, the item will ring up at $5.99 at the time of sale. After payment, you will receive the rebate receipt.

Submitting your rebate. At the end of your sale, you will receive the rebate submission forms with your rebate receipts. Staples offers an easy rebate system on-line or via the mail. I use the on-line submission form without experiencing any delays, denials, or complications.

Receiving payment. Upon receiving the rebate, Staples sends a confirmation e-mail. After the rebate processes, I get another e-mail before receiving my check via mail. The entire process takes between 4-6 weeks after Staples receives the rebate submission.

Stacking Staples Promotions

When combining savings strategies, you can get deep savings. In this case, I used the Staples Rewards with Easy Rebates to score free copy paper, labels, pens, and markers. For the pictured transaction, I purchased:

2 – Kleenex facial tissues – 2 pack at $2.99 each (limit 2)

2 – Staples copy paper – $5.49 each (limit 2)

1 – Avery 8160 white address labels – $11.99 each (limit 1)

1 – Staedtler ballpoint pens – $5.99 each (limit 1)

1 – dry-erase markers – $1

After scanning the items, I could have used manufacturer’s coupons.

TIP: If you use manufacturer’s coupons, you will lower your out-of-pocket cost. If you then submit an easy rebate, you will receive the full rebate amount. The rebate will not deduct the amount of the coupon. So, use your coupons with your Staples Rewards and easy rebates.

I had no coupons, so my total came to $35.94. With the Staples Rewards I earned last quarter, I paid $36 in Staples Rewards. I handed the cashier my two vouchers, and I still had $.06 remaining on my rewards. After processing the payment, I received at the bottom of my receipt a coupon for $.06 – my remaining Staples Rewards with the same expiration date – March 31, 2012.

Upon returning home, I entered my receipt information into the Staples easy rebates on-line form for the following:

2 – Kleenex facial tissues for $2.99 each

2 – Staples copy paper for $5.49 each

1 – Avery 8160 white address labels for $11.99

1 – Staedtler ballpoint pens for $5.99

In about 4-6 weeks, I will receive checks totaling $34.94 making all the merchandise free after rewards and then better than free after rebates.

Though Staples offers other rewards, like ink cartridges (explained by Jenny Martin), I choose to concentrate on Staples Rewards and Easy Rebates. As you learn the rules to the office supply stores, you, too, will see deep discounts while replenishing your supplies. Using Staples Rewards and Easy Rebates will help in stretching your dollars while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: How do you save money on your office supplies?

Auntie Anne’s: Free Pretzel Day on March 3, 2012

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Photograph Credit: Auntie Anne's

If you will be near an Auntie Anne’s location on Saturday, March 3, 2012, then add a break in your errands to celebrate Free Pretzel Day.

To share their perfected pretzel, participating Auntie Anne’s will offer each guest a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Click here to find a participating location near you.

For more fun, family activities, please visit Using Time Wisely’s event page on Facebook. Happy family bonding!

Using Time Wisely: 3 Time-Saving Dinner Strategies

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Marinca Kasiske-Enders)

Among homework assignments, sports schedules, and family outings, squeezing in a nutritious dinner is challenging. By the time we complete homework, snag a few minutes of reading, and look at the clock, the time has come to start dinner.

Going to the kitchen and staring into the pantry, I come up with nothing. So, I go to the freezer and the refrigerator with the same result. Returning to the pantry, I open the door and expect a meal’s ingredients to magically congregate on the second shelf.

With my hopes dashed, I have wasted time and energy seeking for a solution to my “what’s for dinner?” quest. If I find no inspiration, then our family will also waste spend money at a restaurant.

In using time wisely, I find using a menu plan, my crock pot, and my freezer wonderful time-saving dinner strategies. These 3 time-saving tips help bridge the gap between “what’s for dinner?” and “supper’s ready.”

Menu Planning

Photograph Credit: Stock.xchng (Maxime Perron Caissy)

Finding a tool that works for your family and schedule is the key to your success. Though I use a monthly plan, I only fill in a few days to a week at a time. Seeing the full month allows me to plan our meals around busy seasons and entertainment events.

Are you overwhelmed at the sound of menu planning? It’s okay! As you gain knowledge, the fear of the unknown will subside. Allow me to walk beside you via links to this three-step process:

1. Discovering your type of plan

2. Starting with the food in your house

3. Finding creative inspiration

Crock Pot Options

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tanya Gordon)

Knowing that the day will be long, I love coming home to the smell of our family’s favorite pork chop dinner slowing cooking in my crock pot. A little work in the morning (or previous night) makes dinner time delightful.

If you seek crock pot inspiration, look no further than Stephanie O’Dea’s website: A Year of Slow Cooking. For one year, Stephanie made at least one dish each day in her crock pot. Her recipes range from entrées to desserts. Whatever your occasion, your crock pot can save the day.

Freezer Cooking

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Alexandra Munier)

Making meals ahead of time saves you money, energy, and time. Coming home, popping a complete dinner in the oven, and snuggling with your little ones is a blessing.

On days when we arrive home near supper time, I get bombarded by my children, who need attention. Before I can place my purse down, I hear a barrage of questions, requests, and excitement.

Addressing these issues and having to prepare dinner overwhelms me. But with dinner ready, I can enlist help and get dinner warming while spending time with my family.

If you enjoy freezer cooking, The Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal Paine is a great  resource. In addition to her free downloadable e-book, Crystal documents her monthly freezer cooking days on her website, moneysavingmom.com.

By incorporating menu planning, crock pot options, and freezer cooking in your schedule, you can turn the “what’s for dinner?” anxiety into “supper’s ready.” Implementing these time-saving strategies will save you money, energy and time as you continue using time wisely. Happy planning!

Question: What are your time-saving strategies for getting dinner on the table?