Using Time Wisely

Organized to save money, energy, and time

You are here: Home / 2012 / Archives for April 2012

Archives for April 2012

Stretching Your Dollars: Reusable Bags

by

Photograph Credit: Target

Bummer! I tried the Rafflecopter widget for the Earth Day giveaway, and it worked for me. However, some of you could not see the Facebook button.

I reloaded the widget, and it seems to be working. I apologize if you tried to enter only to get frustrated. Believe me, I do not want you wasting time trying to enter a giveaway.

If you tried without success, would you be willing to try again? If the links do not work, please post a comment. If the widget fails me again, then we will just go to using the comments.

Thanks for learning along with me. I appreciate your patience as I hit some bumps along the journey.

Earth Day Reusable Bags

In addition to Using Time Wisely’s Earth Day giveaway, Target is also celebrating by handing out to each guest a free reusable bag on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Each store will have a limited supply, so stop by customer service when you arrive.

Disney stores are also celebrating Earth Day. You can trade 5 plastic bags for a reusable Disney character bag on Sunday, April 22, 2012. With the limited supply, the stores may quickly run out of bags. Shop early if you want one.

Stretching your Dollars with Reusable Bags

Besides reducing the number of plastic bags I bring home, using reusable bags saves our family money. When shopping at our local grocery store, I get a $.05 credit for each reusable bag used.

Though $.05 does not seem like much, I usually use 3 bags at least 3 times a month which adds up to $5.40 a year. This savings is not deep, but I enjoy saving every penny I can to reach our financial goals.

At CVS, using my green bag tag, I will earn $1 in Extra Bucks (store credit coupon that prints at the bottom of my receipt) on every 4th visit where my bag tag gets scanned. Again, the savings are not steep, but I can easily earn up to $10 – 12 in Extra Bucks throughout the year.

In celebration of Earth Day, enjoy these free reusable bag offers, and your chance to receive a CVS green bag tag from Using Time Wisely’s giveaway. With your reusable bags, you can continue stretching your dollars by earning savings in your area. Happy savings!

Question: What stores in your area offer a discount for bringing your own reusable bag?

Pretzelmaker: Free Pretzel on April 26, 2012

by

Photograph Credit: Pretzelmaker

Celebrate National Pretzel Day by visiting your local Pretzelmaker and singing, dancing, or saying, “Happy Pretzel Day” for a free salted or unsalted pretzel on Thursday, April 26, 2012.

Limit one free pretzel per customer.

Click here to find your local Pretzelmaker.

Before heading out, you may want to call to verify your Pretzelmaker’s participation since this offer is valid only at participating locations.

For more family activities, visit Using Time Wisely’s Facebook Event Page, and don’t forget to enter the Earth Day Giveaway going on now through Sunday, April 22, 2012. Enjoy using time wisely this weekend!

5 Ways a Grocery List Saves Money, Energy and Time

by

In spite of the cooler temperatures and rain this afternoon, I took all three munchkins grocery shopping at Aldi. With my list in hand, we quickly maneuvered through the aisles where I sent my helpers to gather the items on the list.

When we arrived at checkout, my son asked, “Is that it?” When I acknowledged that we finished the list, he responded, “Wow, that was fast.” I couldn’t help but smile because using time wisely to write out a grocery list took me about 10 minutes, but I discovered at least 5 ways a grocery list saves money, energy, and time.

1. Verify my Items

If the item is on my Aldi list, then I know that we need this item. My Bi-Lo and Publix’s lists concentrate on the sales, but my Aldi list is for everything else, not on sale, that our family needs during the week. Only items in low supply or depleted make it to the Aldi list, so I know that I need all the items.

2. Calculate Price

When making my Aldi list, I know about how much these groceries will cost. Keeping our budget in mind when making out the list saves me money at the store when I am wavering on a purchase. If the price changes or I want to substitute an item, I can calculate the difference on my grocery list.

3. Estimate Time

When my grocery list is complete with 11 items, then I know that the errand will use a half an hour or less. If my list fills up a whole page, then I may need to block out an hour to shop. Without a list, I spend more time because I cannot-remember-that-item-that-I-really-needed-yesterday.

4. Formulate a plan

While my son gets the grocery cart, I review the grocery list. Knowing the layout of our store, I can quickly find the items on my list that are on the first aisle. I can then send my son and older daughter ahead to navigate the aisle, find the item, bring it back to me, and gently place it in the cart. (We are still working on the gently part. :-))

5. Focus on the Task

As we travel through the store, the list guides our movements. If none of the items stocked on the second aisle are on the list, then we move to the next aisle. The list eliminates backtracking and walking up and down extra aisles which saves us energy and time. By knowing our store’s layout and following our list, we quickly gathered our savings and headed for checkout.

In using time wisely, I use a grocery list to verify my items, calculate price, estimate time, formulate a plan, and focus on the task. My grocery list is more than just a list of items. The grocery list tool frees me to gather needed groceries without wasting time while I spend time with my children (who love to walk through Aldi with their umbrellas up). 🙂

When you plan and execute your grocery list, you just might find yourself going to the checkout counter saying, “Wow, that was fast.” Happy savings!

Question: How does your grocery list save you money, energy, and time?

Giveaway: Celebrating Earth Day – April 18-22, 2012

by

Giveaway: Celebrating Earth Day – April 18-22, 2012With new updates to Using Time Wisely, both on the blog and on Facebook, and Earth Day coming on Sunday, April 22, I think it’s time for another giveaway. 🙂

The Giveaway

In honor of Earth Day, I purchased 4 CVS green bag tags. These green bag tags went on sale for $.99 and triggered a $.99 Extra Buck.

When I bought the tags, I used Extra Bucks from a previous visit and then received $3.96 in Extra Bucks for this purchase. Basically, I got these items for free.

The Prize

The CVS green bag tag has rewards of its own. In stretching your dollars, you can earn a $1 Extra Buck (store credit) for using your green bag tag. Here’s how:

1. Win a CVS green bag tag from Using Time Wisely.

2. Attach your green bag tag to your favorite reusable bag.

3. Take this bag to CVS when you shop.

4. Present your CVS green bag tag during checkout, and allow the cashier to scan it.

5. Watch your receipt because on the 4th visit, you will get a $1 Extra Buck that prints at the bottom.

NOTE: You can only get credit for your bag tag once a day – even if you shop at multiple locations.

The Winners

  • Four lucky Using Time Wisely readers will receive a CVS green bag tag.
  • This giveaway ends on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Selected via randomorg.com, all winners will receive e-mail notification. (My privacy policy explains how I will never share your e-mail address.)

The Entry Form

All entries must be submitted using the Rafflecopter form below. There’s no mandatory entry, so do either or both options to increase your chances of winning.

Please wait for the form to load. If you don’t see the form, try refreshing the page or using a different browser. If you have problems, please let me know in the comments. Thanks for entering, and good luck! 🙂

[Read more…]