Using Time Wisely

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Walgreens: FREE 8×10 Photo Enlargement through May 10, 2014

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Walgreens: FREE 8x10 Photo Enlargement through May 10, 2014

Photograph Credit: Walgreens

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Walgreens released a promotional code for a FREE 8×10 enlargement on any single photograph.

You will need to login or sign up for a FREE Walgreen’s account, upload your photograph, and checkout.

At checkout, enter promotional code ENLARGEIT, choose store pickup, and place your order.

This FREE offer is valid through Saturday, May 10, 2014, with a limit of one FREE enlargement per account. Though your order must be placed by midnight, you may pick up your enlargement when you are by your selected Walgreens.

With Walgreens locations nationwide, you could send a Mother’s Day gift by asking a relative or friend to pick up the enlargement at a Walgreens near the recipient.

In using time wisely, order your FREE 8×10 photo enlargement from Walgreens by Saturday, May 10, 2014. Happy saving!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Christmas Savings: Make a List and Check It Twice

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Make a List and Check It Twice

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In stretching your dollars this holiday season, you may need to think outside the box.

As you make a list and check it twice, stay within your budget. If your budget cannot accommodate your giving spirit, then don’t fret.

Turn toward free or less expensive options found in Feed It Forward, giveaways and sweepstakes, and bundles to separate.

Feed It Forward

The Feed It Forward program allows you to gift friends and family a $10 e-gift certificate for free. The limit on Facebook friends is 15 per day, while the limit on e-mail addresses is 100 per day. The daily maximum is 100 gifts per day. In using time wisely, you can gift thousands of friends this December for free with a little time invested.

Giveaways and Sweepstakes

Last year, I won a giveaway package from Southern Savers. My gift included a coffee maker, blender, and automatic wine opener. All three of these gifts arrived, and I wrapped them for a friend and family members. The recipients were so grateful, and I openly shared how their gifts were chosen for them. It was a great opportunity to share how entering giveaways and sweepstakes saves our family money.

For giveaways, I like Money Saving Mom, Freebies 4 Mom, Southern Savers, Meet Penny, Becentsable, and Simple Savings for ATL Moms. Giveaways are on-going on some websites and sporadic on others. As you see a giveaway that does not interest you, consider entering. If you win, give the item or service as a gift.

For current sweepstakes, check out Heather Hernandez’ Freebies 4 Mom. On the menu bar, you can find freebies, sweeps, and giveaways. I love how Heather categorizes the sweeps by entry type: weekly, daily, or once. Heather keeps her list current.

Bundles to Separate

When you need to purchase lots of items, look for bundles to separate into separate gifts. In previous years, I have purchased 3-count candles, package of ornaments, and jewelry sets. With the less expensive cost per unit, I can open the package and gift each item separately.

If you purchase on-line, start with E-bates or Shop at Home and find a promotional code to keep your savings within your budget.

In using time wisely and stretching your dollars, make a list and check it twice. Then look to Feed It Forward, giveaways and sweepstakes, and bundles to separate options. Though definitely not all the ways one can save, these three strategies can save you money, energy, and time.

If you still cannot afford Christmas, focus on the experiences. Creating a homemade coupon book, baking cookies, or going on an outing provides a special memory for the recipient beyond a temporal token. Happy gifting!

Question: How are you stretching your dollars this Christmas season?

Father’s Day Freebies and Discounts on June 17, 2012

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Photograph Credit: TCBY

Participating TCBY locations will grant Dads and Grandfathers a free serving of yogurt in honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

To find a participating site, click on this link to TCBY’s store locator. Not all stores will offer this freebie, so a quick call can solidify or change your plans before making a special trip.

To further honor the Dads in your life, click on the following 4 links for more Father’s Day freebies and discounts to help you celebrate in style while stretching your dollars:

1. 15 More free or discounted offers from food to crafts (The Krazy Coupon Lady)

2. 2 free printable gift ideas for Dad, including a coupon book (Southern Savers)

3. Free 8×10 photo enlargement at Walgreens (Freebies 4 Mom)

4. 17 Coupons to bless your Dad without breaking the bank (Deal Seeking 4 You)

If time got away and you are scrambling or seeking options for a special celebration while stretching your dollars, then relax. Pair your resources with these deals and plan a special celebration for the Dads in your life while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: What do you have planned for tomorrow?

Swag Bucks Reward: Free Cascade ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent

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Photograph Credit: Swag Bucks

As my favorite search engine, Swag Bucks not only completes my search, but also helps in stretching our dollars.

How does a search engine put money in my pockets? Instead of reposting all the benefits and ways to earn Swag Bucks, I will refer you to my earlier Swag Bucks’ posts:

Redeeming Swag Bucks

With the tools to earn Swag Bucks, I will share today an example of how Swag Bucks helps in stretching our dollars. Upon earning 450 Swag Bucks from searching, taking surveys (periodically), printing coupons, and participating in polls, I redeem my 450 Swag Bucks for a $5 Amazon e-gift card.

When the confirmation e-mail arrives, I confirm my redemption request. Within a week, I will receive notification that the gift card is active and in my account.

At this step, I can use the gift card at Amazon.com or just keep the e-card in my Swag Bucks account until I make a purchase. Presently, I choose to keep my unused e-cards in my Swag Bucks account until the time of purchase.

After redeeming my Swag Bucks, I continue to search and build back up to 450 Swag Bucks. When I reach that goal, I repeat this process and redeem for another $5 Amazon gift card.

Redeeming $5 Amazon Gift Cards

As I follow my favorite blogs through my Google Reader, I watch for deals on items that my family needs or wants. Having these gift cards made Christmas possible for our family last year. Since I treat these gift cards as treasure, I do not use the balances for splurging.

During April, I read Sheri Miller’s post at Swaggrabber.com highlighting an Amazon deal on Cascade ActionPacs. The 60-count container was on sale with an e-coupon and free shipping for $10.17.

Our family runs our dishwasher at least once every 2 days, so I keep a watch on dishwashing detergent. Knowing that I wanted this deal, I added the items to my cart, verified the sale and free shipping, and proceeded to checkout.

Opening a new tab in my browser, I went to MY GIFT CARDS under MY ACCOUNT at Swagbucks.com. After verifying my password, I chose a gift card. I copied the GIFT CARD CODE and went back to my Amazon checkout screen.

I pasted the code into the Amazon gift card payment option. I continued this back-and-forth process until my total reached $0.

In using time wisely, I kill two birds with one stone when choosing Swag Bucks for my search engine. I find the information while earning Swag Bucks. As I combine sales, coupons, free shipping, and Swag Bucks-earned gift cards, I continue stretching our dollars.

Though Swag Bucks takes time, the investment can result in free items like dishwashing detergent. In stretching your dollars, Swag Bucks is another savings strategy. Moving from Google to Swag Bucks can save you money while using time wisely. Happy savings while searching!

Question: How many Swag Bucks did you earn today?

Stretching your Dollars: Creating Special Gifts

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Stephanie McKern)

Only 8 more shopping days until Christmas! Are you still searching for ideas for someone on your list? In using time wisely and stretching your dollars, you might consider making a gift. If you are saying, “I’m not crafty.”

I get it.

However, all the creativity is done. All you need is your printer with ink, scissors, a few supplies, and your time. Really, you can make these gifts. Enlist some help if you need the extra encouragement. 🙂

Edible Gifts

Download a free e-book for Gifts in a Jar. These options are great for making gifts for groups of individuals. One year, I made cookie mixes for each of my family members. By adding the ingredients in the order supplied, these simple-to-construct gifts were warmly received.

Make one or all four of these snacks in a jar. Mix up a huge batch of your favorite snack and add them to jars, place a tag on it, and ready to give.

Sparkling Gift

Glittering Candles made with Epsom salt. These festive candles would make great gifts for anyone on your list. You can choose masculine or feminine colors depending on your receiver.

Scrapbooker’s Gift

Download 12 months of digital scrapbook pages. Though I have not scrapbooked this year, I do love it, and getting a gift with the pages already designed would be fantastic.

With this download, you can either burn a disc to present or have the 12 pages printed onto cardstock and place them in a nice scrapbook. Either way, your scrapbook enthusiast will have a year-in-review album available for all those pictures.

Family Conversation Gift

Download this free family dinner conversation starter kit. With your printer, a pair of scissors, and a jar, you can give this creative gift to families with children. This gift would be great throughout the year as well as at Christmas.

These gift ideas are special in that using time wisely you will create a present especially for your recipient. The personalized gift does not need a huge price tag. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

I love to receive personalized gifts since the sender exerts thought, effort, and sacrifice for me. May you continue finding creative ways to stretching your dollars while gifting to your family and friends.

Question: Did you gift 40 individuals a $10 eGift card today? The Feed It Forward program continues until Christmas Day. Keep on giving!