Attractions Books for $15 or $20 each

January 31, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Attractions Dining and Value Guide

In finishing our Scheduling 2014 series yesterday, we focused on feeding our families. One fabulous find for our family has been our Attractions Dining and Value Guide.

In October of 2013, I paid $20 and purchased the 2013 Attractions book and received the 2014 Attractions book for FREE.

Having never used these books, I wanted to try them out. Well, I’m impressed. The book contains high valued coupons for a combined savings over $6,000.

Last year, we used coupons for FREE pizza, FREE meals, FREE desserts, and FREE entertainment. Though we did not use half of the coupons in the 2013 book, I definitely saved more than $20 on the savings used.

Each book is designed for your local area in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina with all offers valid until December 31, 2014. The coupons include places for formal dining, casual dining, informal dining, and fun. In addition to the coupons within the book, you can register your book online for additional savings.

While supplies last, all Attraction books are $5 off their regular price. As the books are either $20 or $25 depending on your area, you can purchase Attractions books for $15 or $20 each. When we purchased ours, I purchased a second set for my in-laws as these books make great gifts.

We keep our book in our vehicle. I have found that when our plans change, I turn to these coupons to feed our family without paying full price. These options are great for date nights, family nights, and going out with friends. We also enjoy trying new places, and having a coupon encourages our adventurous tendencies.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Attraction book, then check it out. You can even view the coupon savings before purchasing.

If you prefer ordering over the phone, call 1-800-897-1004, and the representative can answer any questions prior to purchasing. Happy savings while using time wisely with those you love!

Question: Do you use the Attractions books?

Scheduling: Feeding our Families

January 30, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The cold temperatures and snow have driven us indoors, and I love it! With our grocery shopping done, our family is prepared should we get to stay in for the rest of the week.

In completing the Scheduling 2014 series with the last 4 tasks from the Planning for Success series last year, we are focusing on feeding our families.

From choosing a menu planner to arranging coupon redemption, these tasks will help us save money while using time wisely.

28. Print and Display Menu Planner: Planning for Success – Day 3

When preparing for the Scheduling 2014 series, I wrote this article that included my monthly calendar, menu planner, and water and exercise log. If you do not have a menu planner, then feel free to use my FREE printable.

If you are new to menu planning, then I recommend just writing down what you eat. As you get used to tracking your meals and knowing what you have on hand, then you can start to plan. But for starting out, just record what your family eats.

29. Track your Family’s Favorite Meals: Planning for Success – Day 17

I used to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen often. In the past year, I think I tried 3 new recipes and have repeated one of them.

Whether you like to try new dishes or keep with the tried-and-true, tracking your family’s favorite meals gives you suggestions when life gets busy.

Our family’s favorite meals are written down and kept inside my menu planning notebook. When I need inspiration, I go to the list. To see some of our family’s favorite meals, check out this list of 10 favorites.

30. Design a Quick Meals List: Planning for Success – Day 24

Another great tool for using time wisely is a list of quick meals. These are life-savers when traffic was backed up, homework took longer than expected, or life happened.

Keeping the ingredients for one or two of your quick meals on hand will see you through your busy evening. We used one of these 15 quick meals last night when our plans to meet family fell through due to icy roads.

31. Arrange Coupon Redemption: Planning for Success – Day 31

From daily deals to paper coupons, we keep a stash of coupons handy for family outings. If we find a great deal, I make sure I note the deal on our calendar. This way, I am reminded of the coupon when I schedule or consider an activity around a meal time.

In Scheduling 2014, we are off to a great start. There will be more items added to the calendar throughout the year, but the basics are all covered.

As food is a big part of family life, I find the favorite meals and quick meals lists huge time savers for me. As the masses get hungry and time is short, these meals meet us where we are without a trip through the drive-thru.

As you continue Scheduling 2014 may you find the organization tools you choose a help to using your time wisely. If I have left off any tasks, then please share in the comments. I prefer to have too much on the calendar than not enough. Happy scheduling!

Question: What scheduling tasks have I missed?

Coupons: Ask the Cashier for Clarification

January 16, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

I went shopping this week at Publix and purchased among other things 2 – 75-count canisters of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for $3.50 each. In the store flyer was a coupon for $2 off a package of 2 – 75-count canisters of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

I clipped the coupon when I was preparing for the shopping trip, so I had it at checkout. After the cashier started ringing up the items, I asked her about using the store coupon as I was purchasing 2 – 75-count canisters, but individual containers rather than one package with 2 containers.

She said she would try the coupon and if it rejected it (meaning: beeped at us), then I wouldn’t be able to use it. Well, the coupon scanned, and I saved an additional $2.00. Yay!

When questioning coupons, ask the cashier for clarification. Hearing the request, the cashier is alerted that a coupon might not scan, and it informs the cashier that I want to be ethical and am not trying to slide an extra coupon through my transaction.

Asking a question has increased our savings as most cashiers will try the coupon. If it works, then I save more. If it doesn’t work, then I can better prepare the next time I get a similar coupon – although I will probably ask again. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: Do you ask the cashier for clarification on a coupon?

Guest Post: 4 Steps to Using Coupons Effectively

June 20, 2013 by Tracy

Before continuing in our Coupon-ology series, I wanted to allow Mitesh Mandaliya to share his couponing tips.

For clarification, I have added my 2 cents with a link under the third category.

Though I largely agree with Mitesh, I disagree with point number 4 as I would rather let a coupon expire rather than spend it without a sale or buy one, get one free offer.

These are my thoughts. I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments. Join me there. ~ Tracy

4 Steps To Using Coupons Effectively

Everyone, especially frugal mothers, are always searching for coupons that can get them the maximum benefit, so that they can manage their tight budgets. In fact, searching coupons for grocery items or other products is not a tough task.

The main thing is how to use them effectively and wisely so that you can get the maximum benefit. So, for the people who are interested in couponing, but are not sure how to use them properly, I present 4 steps to using coupons effectively:

1. Ignore any needless shopping.

Some people purchase products just because they have coupons for those items. Avoid this kind of purchasing as you can spend more money rather than saving.

2. Compare different store’s coupon policies.

Different stores have different policies regarding coupon usage. So, always do research on the store’s coupon redeeming value. This is very important, as some stores change the value depending on the price and discounts.

Tracy’s Tip: For an example of this comparison, see the difference between how grocery stores and drugstores handle buy one, get one free coupons.

3. Compare sale prices and the final payable price at each store with your coupons.

If the store doubles a coupon, the final price of the product could be significantly less than a store that doesn’t double. If you shop at multiple stores, then compare the final payable price of the product using your coupons at each store.

4. Use coupons the same day you get them.

If you have coupons with you, then try to use it as soon as possible to get the guarantee savings. This can prevent you from forgetting to use the coupon before the expiration date.

In short, the essence is – don’t be too impatient. With coupons, exercise care to get the maximum benefit.

Mitesh Mandaliya loves to write articles about saving money. He has written articles for couponcodeslady.com and promocodeslady.com and is part of the Using Time Wisely community.

Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3g of 5

May 30, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I sorted through the mail today, I found a Savings Are Stocking Up At Publix coupon booklet which brought a smile to my face. Gathering coupons takes work to find the sources. But once the coupons begin coming, I just need to keep up with the organization.

I spent this morning updating my coupon binder. Though it took me longer than usual (due to a pulled muscle in my mid-back), I welcomed the new coupon booklet as the entire booklet gets filed in my Publix slot with no clipping, organizing, or sorting. 😀

If you are looking for more coupons, enter the Coupon Binder Giveaway. Besides a new binder, the winner will receive numerous gift cards, movie tickets, coupons, coupon inserts, and a printer with supplies. The giveaway ends on June 14, 2013, so enter before it slips your mind.

In gathering coupons, let’s press on in our Coupon-ology series. Hopefully, you will find coupons in other places as well, but in this series, I am focusing on the main places coupons are found. The sources covered thus far are newspapers, magazines, printable coupon databases, manufacturers, direct mail, and stores. For the last topic, I turn to electronic coupons.

Part 3f: Electronic Coupons

These coupons are loaded to a loyalty card or accessed through your phone number. The electronic coupons, also known as eCoupons or digital coupons, require no clipping, printing, or sorting.

They are manufacturer coupons that can be stacked with store coupons. However, you should not use an eCoupon with a paper manufacturer’s coupon on the same item as the limit is one manufacturer’s coupon per item. The exception to this standard is if the store allows stacking a manufacturer’s eCoupon with a manufacturer’s paper coupon.

To find eCoupons, start with these reputable sources:

Grocery Stores

Both Bi-Lo and Publix offer eCoupons through their websites. I registered initial and now log in, load the coupons, and then shop. At checkout, my Bi-Lo loyalty card takes off the available coupons, and at Publix, I enter my phone number on the keypad.

Cellfire

This service allows you to register your loyalty cards. Then you load coupons directly to the store you choose. This service has coupons for entertainment, restaurants, shopping, and groceries. There are lots of great savings available through Cellfire.

P&G Shopper Card Coupons

For those who shop at Kroger, you can load Proctor and Gamble coupons directly to your shopper card. P & G may load to other stores, but none are in my area for me to report to you. I do know that Kroger cards work with this program.

If you don’t shop at Kroger, you can still register and print P & G coupons from their site.

Shortcuts

Another resource for eCoupons is Shortcuts. Check their website to see if your stores participate. Just load the coupons to your loyalty card, and swipe your card at checkout for redemption.

Upromise

Where the other programs listed are ways to save immediately at checkout, Upromise is deferred savings for college expenses. For Upromise, you sign up, register your store’s loyalty cards, load the coupons, swipe the card at checkout, and the amount of the coupon is deposited into your account. You can then check the balance of your account through the Upromise website.

Regarding eCoupons, I am careful about what I load on my card. At present, I use only the Bi-Lo and Publix eCoupons. My reasoning is to save time and confusion.

If I load multiple coupons at different amounts off, I cannot choose which coupon gets used. Also, the eCoupon is only for one item. If I load a coupon for $.50 off and purchase 4 items, the total savings is $.50 off. These coupons do not multiply based on the number purchased.

As you gather coupons, eCoupons is another source. Taking it slowly, I have gradually learned the ins and outs of using coupons. In trying different options, I have found what works best for me. I present these options for your benefit, not to suggest that you use them all.

I live in a world of reality, and time is precious. In using time wisely, I concentrate on getting my coupons from newspapers, printable coupon databases, eCoupons loaded directly from my grocery stores’ websites prior to shopping, stores while shopping, and whatever coupons come through direct mail.

As you find what coupons you routinely use and where you find them, you can focus on gathering coupons from those sources. My coupon journey has evolved over the years, and I love learning new ways to save. Enjoy gathering those coupons, and happy savings!

Question: Do your grocery stores offer eCoupons?