Planning for Success: Arrange Coupon Redemption – Day 31

January 31, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 31: Arrange Coupon Redemption

These posts are getting longer with the lengthy list of posts from January’s Planning for Success series. Today, we reach the end, and my calendar will guide me to a successful finish of 2013.

Accomplishing the recording of all these notes, e-mails, and schedules is a big undertaking. I hope you have found this exercise just as beneficial.

When feeding my family, I depend on my menu plan, track my family’s favorite meals, and turn to quick meals in a crunch. Even with all this planning, there are still days when life happens, errands take longer than normal, or I just don’t feel like cooking.

Planning with Coupons

During these times, I turn to coupons. Some coupons have limited redemption times. For example, Chick-fil-A has chosen to issue cards with their calendars this year. Besides registering the card, the monthly coupons can only be redeemed during that month. If you don’t use it, then you lose it.

Though I am a fan of Chick-fil-A, I prefer the former paper coupons as I could use the coupons I needed when I needed them. Until they change their system, I have chosen to mark my calendar with the free item, so I can arrange coupon redemption.

If I know a busy day is coming and a break in the schedule is needed, I can plan lunch or dinner at Chick-fil-A. By combining activities, we can make memories without spending a fortune while the family enjoys a meal out.

Finding Discounts

I find restaurant coupons in the Sunday newspaper, the Clipper magazine, home mailers, booklets at the grocery store, e-mail notifications, and on the back of sales receipts.

From watching advertisements and calling restaurants, I discover specials and Kids’ Eat Free events before choosing to visit their location.

In addition to coupons and specials, I love the vouchers from Restaurant.com. Using coupons and vouchers lowers our out-of-pocket costs while providing a nice outing and food for our family.

In planning for success, arrange coupon redemption by scheduling an outing before the expiration date. Going out to eat is always a special event in our family even though we go multiple times a month.

I especially enjoy watching my 7-year-old figure out how much we paid verses how much we saved. He is very money-conscience, and we openly share the prices with him to teach him good stewardship.

Though I hate losing discounts due to expiration dates, I have bypassed a great deal when money was tight. The note in my calendar reminds me of a free or discount coupon to use, but I may just cross it out if the deal is not right for us. In using time wisely, research your options to make the best decision for feeding your family. Happy choosing and saving!

Question: How do you remember to use restaurant coupons before their expiration dates?

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

January 24, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 24: Design a Quick Meals List

Last week, I shared how our family keeps a Top 20 List of our favorite meals. Though we eat other meals as well, I do try to serve food my family enjoys, so our list assists me in preparing our weekly menu plan.

Another great resource is a list of quick meals for those busy days. In our home, my son has already started spring soccer. His league practices often during the week, so I seize quick meals for those busy nights.

15 Quick Meals for Busy Nights

Breakfast for Dinner

1. Eggs and sausage

2. Waffles and fruit

Freezer Meals

These meals were made in a double batch one time but served twice or more. 🙂

3. Broccoli and cheese soup with sourdough bread

4. Chili and corn bread/muffins

5. Mexican Dip, tortilla chips, and vegetables

Pre-made Dinners

6. Bruschetta chicken on crusted bread – purchased from Sam’s Club in the appetizer section, served with cheeses, crackers, and fresh vegetables.

7. Pizza and salad

8. Stouffer’s entrees and vegetables

Sandwiches

9. Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwiches with fresh vegetables

10. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup

Stove Top Meals

11. Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables

12. Quesadillas and vegetables

13. Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread

14. Tacos – soft, hard, and salad

15. Tortellini and Alfredo sauce with vegetables

In planning for success on busy nights, keep a quick meals list handy and supplies in stock. Though I consult my calendar before scheduling our weekly menu plan, some days turn out busier than others. Having a backup plan prevents panic, stress, and confusion at dinner time.

Feeding our families seems to take so much time among menu planning, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Having a quick list gives us more options when we don’t feel like making a meal. In using time wisely, taking time to write and post quick meal options saves money, energy, and time.

Question: What are quick meals your family enjoys?

Planning for Success: Track Your Family’s Favorite Meals – Day 17

January 17, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 17: Track Your Family’s Favorite Meals

During busy seasons, my creative inspiration in the kitchen lacks momentum. As my mind processes other issues, I want my time in the kitchen as efficient as possible. In creating menus and feeding my family, I work to keep variety, healthy choices, and multiple colors on the table at each meal.

From year to year, our family’s taste changes, so what I planned last year may not work this year. Keeping up with who likes peas, but not broccoli vs. the one who likes rice over pasta could consume my time. But in using time wisely, I track my family’s favorite meals by observing, marking, and asking.

Observing my Family

When my family’s plates return to the kitchen filled with food, then I can assume that they did not care for this meal. Sometimes the results are due to changing an existing recipe, trying something new, or failing to make the meal correctly. Whatever the reason, I won’t repeat, on purpose, that exact meal again.

On the other hand, if I notice that a meal results in mostly empty plates, I investigate further to determine if that meal is a keeper.

Marking my Menu Planner

If I find that our family enjoyed this meal and would like to have it again, then I mark it on my menu planner. By placing an (*) next to the meal, I can track my family’s favorite meals. When I need inspiration, I can review our prior menu planners for (*) and ideas.

Asking my Family

Periodically, I ask my family for their favorite meals. Though my children do not agree, I get a variety of options. At the end of the session, I have a list of at least 20 meals that the majority of our family really likes.

The following meals are included in my family’s current Top 20 favorite dinner meals’ list:

Crock Pot Dinners:

1. Chili, pigs in a blanket, corn bread, and vegetables/fruits

2. Pork chops served on toasted hamburger buns with vegetables/fruit

3. Roast beef, rice, gravy, and vegetables/fruit

Stove Top Dinners:

4. Broccoli and cheese soup with sour dough bread

5. French toast, sausage, and fruit

6. Hamburgers and homemade French fries

7. Mexican dip, tortilla chips, and vegetables/fruit

Oven Dinners:

8. Baked chicken (dipped in egg and then in crushed French fried onions), chicken or cornbread stuffing (made and then baked for 20 minutes for a little crunch), and vegetables/fruit

9. Mini meatloaves (baked in a mini muffin pan topped with shredded cheese), mashed potatoes, and vegetables/fruit

10. Papa Murphy’s Chicago-style stuffed pizza

Keeping this list updated, I can adjust my stockpile. Knowing what meals my family likes, I can watch the sales and stock up when these items are at rock bottom prices. In doing so, I feed my family, buy what we will eat, and save at the store.

In planning for success in 2013, track your family’s favorite meals by observing, marking, and asking. With a list of go-to meals, you can adjust your menu plan, watch the sales, and feed your family.

Your top 20 list will provide creative inspiration as you plan your meals, save money by stocking up at rock bottom prices, and feed your family. Continue planning for success while using time wisely. Happy tracking!

Question: What are your family’s favorite meals?

Coupon Binder Giveaway through January 24, 2013 @ 8:00 a.m.

January 10, 2013 by Tracy

Welcome to the January Holiday Coupon Binder Extravaganza Event. I do hope that you are ready and excited about participating!!!! Did you get to enter the last one? If not, do it now. You never know if you may be the winner.

In addition to this event, you can sign up for the 30-day FREE Online Coupon Classes that started December 10, 2012 at Simple Savings For ATL Moms by clicking here.

Did you know that you can win all kinds of prizes during the online Coupon Class Event? All of the classes are online and completely FREE! You can’t beat that!

Here is a quick savings tip that you can learn from the online coupon course. Did you know that you can donate expired manufacture coupons to military families?

To the giveaway, be sure to look at all the spectacular prizes in the Rafflecopter form below that you can win! This event is designed to start or continue your $avings. New prize items can be added to the event at anytime. Be sure to look for the New! Just added {along with date} added to the Entry Form.

Loading Entry-Form…

…

Coupon Information:

Online Coupon Classes {Learn at your own pace}

Coupon 101!{Learn about coupons}

Coupon Database! {Search for coupons}

Coupon binder/Hand Clutch {Purchase a binder for $15 during this event, FREE Shipping-Scroll to the bottom)

2012 Newspaper Coupon Inserts! {Find out which coupon inserts to expect for the week}

Grocery Store Sales Cycle! {Find out when grocery stores place certain items on sale}

How to read a Food label! {Learn the basics on how to read a food label}

Store Ad Schedule! {Find out when grocery stores place their ads}

Coupon Lingo! {Find out what OOP means}

This giveaway is being given exclusively by Quida – blog owner at SSFAM! All opinions are 100% hers, and she loves to $ave and share coupon knowledge along with helping others to save! There is no purchase necessary to enter. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook. Using Time Wisely was compensated to help share this spectacular event.

Planning for Success: Download a Savings Tracker – Day 10

January 10, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 1: Select a Planning Tool

Day 2: Add Your Priorities

Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – with free printable

Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates

Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills

Day 6: Insert Credit Report Schedule

Day 7: Schedule Your Annual Home Maintenance

Day 8: Set Your School and Work Activities

Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates

Day 10: Download a Savings Tracker

In working to save your family money, you have the most flexibility within your food budget. Though everyone would love to save 80-90% on each shopping trip, the reality is a savings between 20-50% overall.

For 2012, I chose to add household items, including cleaning supplies, diapers, toiletries, batteries, etc., to our food budget. With the additional items, I figured I would need to increase our $80 per week food allottment. To adjust, I tracked our savings to evaluate our progress.

In wrapping up 2012, I was thrilled to discover that our family of 5 spent $4,384.51 and saved $2,903.11. With a 39.84% savings for the year, our weekly budget averaged out to $84.32. In planning for 2013, I will raise our weekly food budget by $5 per week or $20 per month while continuing to practice savings strategies.

To help keep track all year, I use a savings tracker. Last year, I used a new-to-me 2012 coupon savings tracker and liked it. Since it is working for me, I plan to use the 2013 version this year. If you need to download a savings tracker, then consider these two options:

2013 Coupon Savings Tracker by Happy Money Saver – complete with video tutorial

2013 Savings Tracker by The Coupon Project

In planning for success, download a savings tracker. Though you can create your own, the above-listed spreadsheets include the formulas and come ready to start today.

While using time wisely to see how we are spending our food budget, I insert the information from our receipts into the spreadsheet, downloaded onto my computer, to watch our savings increase.

As you track your spending and savings, you can measure your progress and adjust your budget to reach your goals. Happy tracking!

Question: If you use a savings tracker, which is your favorite?

« Previous Page