Archives for 2012

2012 CardStore.com: $.99 Grandparents’ Day Card

August 31, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: CardStore.com

Time got away from me last weekend. I created one Grandparent’s Day card, but I needed more time to capture the pictures from my files for the other card.

With a little more time this weekend, I found them. Thankfully, CardStore.com came to my rescue with another promotional code good for a $.99 Grandparent’s Day Card. Whew!

I hope you got the free card last week, but if not, then you can use promotional code CCK2099 to get one Grandparent’s Day card for $.99 with free shipping.

With Grandparent’s Day fast approaching on Sunday, September 9, I chose to have the card mailed directly to Paul’s parents. My total came to $.99 exactly.

You have until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, September 2 to order your card. In using time wisely, place your order this weekend because time is running out. 😉 Happy creating!

Question: Are you ready for Grandparents’ Day?

Arby’s: Free Turkey Roaster – September 6, 2012

August 31, 2012 by Tracy

Free Arby's turkey roaster on September 6, 2012

Photograph Credit: Arby’s

Do you love turkey and want a free lunch option on Thursday, September 6, 2012?

If yes, then mark your calendar to visit a participating Arby’s location for a free turkey roaster on September 6, 2012 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Arby’s is rolling out their new turkey roasters, and each guest will choose one sandwich from the following 3 choices:

Turkey Classic
Turkey ‘n Cheddar Classic
Grand Turkey Club

Per Arby’s facebook event page, “No purchase required. Limit one sandwich per person. Offer valid on 9/6/2012 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at participating US locations only. While supplies last.”

For other upcoming family-friendly activities, visit Using Time Wisely’s Facebook event page. Enjoy your weekend!

Question: Which sandwich will you choose?

Questioning Coupon Policies – Part 2 of 3

August 30, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Bi-Lo

In this economy and with the rising cost of doing business, I understand why stores create strict coupon policies and inspect the fine print on the coupons. Stores need to protect their investment because there are those that create and distribute fraudulent coupons.

Just this year in Arizona, a counterfeit coupon bust landed 3 women in jail. They printed high priced coupons overseas and shipped them to their headquarters in Arizona. For distribution, they sold these coupons for pennies on the dollar through their private website available by invitation-only.

Though most consumers use coupons correctly, I understand why stores impose limits, regulations, and policies for coupon use. When the store policy is written, available, and consistent, consumers can use coupons with confidence. Then when a cashier fails to accept a coupon, the coupon policy should become the deciding factor.

Last week in part 1, I explained the process taken to rectify the change in competitor’s coupons at my Publix. Continuing this series identifying three coupon issues I faced this summer, I present the failure to initially double coupons at my Bi-Lo.

Part 2 – Doubling Coupons

Though no store will calculate every transaction perfectly, I choose to carefully review my receipts after each purchase. With sales changing weekly and system upgrades, the store registers will not catch every detail. In taking an active role in saving our family money, I plan our shopping trips, estimate our out-of-pocket pay, and review the receipt for accuracy.

The Items

On our last shopping trip before heading down to Florida for our family vacation, I stopped by Bi-Lo for these sales:

2 packages of cookies
6 packages of frozen corn
Ice cream
2 packages of split chicken breasts
7 packages of roped smoked sausage

The Coupons

The subtotal came to $77.17, and then I used the following: my loyalty card to get the sale prices, 3 bag credits, Bi-Lo e-coupon, and manufacturer coupons. For the Eckrich roped sausage, I used seven $.55 off coupons.

Since I had so many coupons, the bookkeeper needed to approve the coupons. She keyed in the coupons, and I was given the total. Realizing that the total was higher than expected, I asked if the $.55 coupons had doubled. The bookkeeper indicated that when the coupons are keyed into the system, the coupons do not double.

The Coupon Policy

Now according to Bi-Lo’s coupon policy, they double manufacturer’s coupons. My store doubles up to $.60 every day. With this information, I asked to speak with the manager.

When the manager arrived, he looked at the coupons and approved the doubling. When asked why manager approval was needed, he stated that their system limits the amount of discounts the cashiers can deduct. When the coupons reach that limit, then a manager needs to override the transaction.

Though I do not agree with having to ask for the doubling when their coupon policy provides for doubling, I will not hesitate to seek that override from a manager. I will also watch carefully to see that the coupons are taken since the cashier did not indicate that the limit had been reached.

Not to leave you hanging, my transaction reached my goal – paying 50% or less. With the doubled coupons, I paid $26.89 which is a 65.1% savings.

In using time wisely to question the store’s coupon policy when the stated refusal conflicts with the written policy, I continue saving my family money. As you use your coupons, know your store’s policy, watch your total, and question discrepancies. The consumer is not always right, but usually she is. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: Like me, are you seeing more coupon issues at the register?

Using Time Wisely: Counting my Blessings (90 – 102)

August 29, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I discover a new routine and work through new challenges, I choose to set aside my To Do list, pause, and count my blessings. This on-going series posting periodically is medicine for my soul.

While in the midst of changing diapers, laundry, school runs, and meals, I forget how far I’ve come. Taking a moment to reflect and count my blessings cheers me for I am truly blessed.

Not quite sure how is it that I forgot how tired I would be after the first day of school, but I was depleted of energy last night. Though dealing with the school supplies, the picture taking, and the gifts is busy, the emotional tug between wanting to keep my children home and releasing them to learn was exhausting. For me, the emotional tiredness is more difficult to overcome than the physical soreness.

After posting a beginning of the summer Counting My Blessings article and squeezing in another post a little past the halfway mark, I continue to count these end-of-summer blessings:

90. Fantastic pediatrician practice. Not to bore you with details, but we switched practices. Oh my, I should have made this change long ago. Our new office files the claims accurately and completely the first time which saves me money, energy, and time! What a huge blessing in addition to the wonderful services provided at my daughter’s well-child visit.

91. Clean bill of health. Realizing how fortunate I am to have three healthy children, I know families who travel from appointment to appointment day after day searching for relief for their children. As my daughter received her annual physical this summer, I am grateful for her clean bill of health.

92. Quick rescue from water park lifeguard. On one of our many visits to the water park, we arrived as everyone cleared the pools. A little guy had wandered back to the pool as his grandmother ordered lunch. The preschooler had removed his life jacket and ended up floating face-first in the water. The immediate rescue from the lifeguard resulted in the child breathing without needing resuscitation. It was a scary time, but filled with lots of teachable moments from water safety, rescue personnel, and medical equipment.

93. Water park passes. So thankful we purchased our annual passes through a daily deal site. We enjoyed our times at the water park and look forward to returning in May.

94. Summer reading prizes. Though the prize package through our local library this year changed from last year, we made the most out of our prizes. I was especially thankful for the baseball tickets that we put to good use.

95. Rook Night. When Paul and I were dating, we spent many evenings hanging out with our friends playing Rook (a card game). The game is full of strategy, and we jump at the chance to play as often as possible. For some summer fun, we hosted a Rook Night at our home and enjoyed playing until the wee hours of the morning.

96. Long family vacation. Holding off our vacation until my mom retired pushed our time away to the very end of summer. We have enjoyed having her with us for the month and will miss her when she leaves this weekend.

97. Family. My children got to meet and reunite with many of my relatives. I’m so thankful I got to spend time with my Great Aunt Bonnie, who passed away a week after we returned home. On our last visit with her, my Great Aunt showcased her beautiful birds. I am so thankful my Aunt Bonnie made the visit memorable because my children remember her.

98. Olympic Games. Loved watching the Olympics and hearing my children choose their favorites. My son looked for “USA” or uniforms in red, white, and blue. My older daughter wanted to know what language each player spoke. She wanted to root for anyone who spoke English and all the gymnasts. I loved watching Misty and Kerri win another gold in sand volleyball, Michael Phelps winning over and over and over again, and listening to the behind the scenes dedication of the athletes.

Funny Olympic Story: In watching the sand volleyball tournaments, I had seen two prior matches where the players wore warmer clothing due to the lower temperatures during the evening hours in London.

The first daytime match I watched, the USA was playing Brazil. The USA players were wearing long-sleeved shirts with bikini bottoms while the Brazilian players wore a long-sleeved white shirt with their bikini over it. Their top had BRA written across the top. I made the comment to Paul, “Did they (the Brazilian team) really need to indicate which item was the bra?” After snickering, Paul reminded me that BRA was short for Brazil. 😉

99. Annual membership. Investing in annual memberships for frequently-visited establishments stretches our dollars and provides hours of fun. Between our zoo, botanical gardens, science museum, and recreational district memberships, we save hundreds of dollars for all the visits we get from our passes, including the awesome reciprocal benefits.

100. Nap time. When the rains came down and we cut our visit short at the zoo, we returned to my mom’s house for lunch and a wonderful nap. That nap was more needed than I realized.

101. Cheap airline flight. Though Paul had the time to take, he really needed to get back to work. Since the kids and I stayed in Florida longer than a week, Paul flew back while we remained to play. In keeping an eye on flights, we snagged a $40 flight (taking no baggage) back for Paul. He carried his laptop bag for his personal item.

I drove back with the kids and my mom a week later. The inexpensive flight allowed our family to break up our trip on the way down. We stayed in a hotel with a hot tub and swimming pool. It was so nice relaxing after the long drive with the warm water melting away the tension in my shoulders. 🙂

102. Safe trip. Our van received a tune-up and continues to operate well. Our trip was smooth and without incident. I am so thankful for a reliable vehicle that makes traveling fun and comfortable. Blessed to drive a minivan.

With our summer activities coming to a close, I have so much gratitude for these gifts. In counting my blessings, my heart is encouraged, my problems seem small, and my face wears a smile.

Whatever situation you may find yourself, there is ALWAYS someone who would love to be in your shoes. In using time wisely, redirect your focus from what you don’t have to all that you have received while counting your blessings.

Question: For what are you thankful today?

2012: First Day of School Eve

August 28, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Our house is a stir with excitement and preparations for the first day of school. On the first day of school eve, I start with a plan.

With some nervous energy from my daughter entering kindergarten to my calm son ready to see his friends, our big day is on the horizon.

My goal is to end the summer with fun while minimizing distractions for tomorrow morning.

To reach that goal, we started our day with breakfast and a shopping trip to Staples for the last two items that never went on sale during the back-to-school season.

On our way back home, we snagged 50¢ ice cream cones from Burger King while chatting about predictions for the new school year. At home, we ate lunch, and my toddler took a nap.

In between the loads of laundry, we finished labeling and packing my son and daughter’s school supplies.

Aligned their backpacks down the hallway in their designated spaces. (The third backpack, used by my son last year, has been passed down to the toddler for her items. ;-))

Chose their first day of school outfits complete with shoes and accessories.

Set out their lunch bags and drink containers.

Printed the signs for pictures and the lunch box notes.

Loaded up their school supplies and headed out to our annual Back-to-School family dinner. This year we ate at Stevi B’s with a Groupon.

My mom is staying for a little longer to spend time with her grandchildren and see them off to school. We are wearing her out and enjoying our time together. 😉

After dinner, we attended Back-to-School night at school where we dropped off our supplies, received information about the school year, reunited with our friends, and made a few new relationships.

With a busy evening and early start to tomorrow, we came home, ran through our evening routine, answered questions, calmed fears, and put our children to bed.

Packing in precious time with my family on our last day of summer vacation proved enjoyable and profitable. Keeping our tradition of a family dinner completed our summer activities and spurred us into our next adventure. In using time wisely, our first day of school eve activities closed one chapter and will start another in the morning. Keeping it together . . . barely!

Question: How did/are you planning your First Day of School Eve?

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