Using Time Wisely

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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?

Couptivate: Saving Money by Organizing Daily Deals

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The daily deal sites, to which I subscribe, continue to offer multiple options for family summer fun. The surplus of deals can overwhelm me in the midst of choosing options that fit my family’s level of fun and our budget.

During this delightful process, I focus and ground myself by viewing the options, reading the fine print for expiration dates and limits, and checking my Couptivate account before purchasing the deal.

My Couptivate account organizes all my daily deals for one e-mail address in one account. By checking my Couptivate account, I see all my current vouchers.

Earlier this week, I found a great deal on bounce house passes. My kids love jumping in bounce houses, so I purchase a variety of offers for indoor fun.

Before purchasing the deal, I viewed the offer, read the fine print, and then checked my Couptivate account. To my surprise, I found in my Couptivate account a voucher for the current deal offered. Since I did not need another voucher for this activity, I did not buy the deal.

By organizing my daily deals, I quickly see what vouchers I have to prevent buying duplicates. In using time wisely to organize my daily deals, I saved our family money which helps in stretching our dollars.

In stretching your dollars, create a Couptivate account for your daily deal vouchers and check your account before purchasing new deals. Using tools, like Couptivate, to stay organized may save your family money, energy, and time. Happy savings!

Question: How does organizing stretch your dollars?

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?

Register Review: CVS – June 11, 2012 Edition

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In adding a Quick Tip Week beginning Sunday, I wanted to slip in a register review. With an incredible visit at CVS on June 11, 2012, I decided to share how I snagged 10 items for 20¢. Yep! For less than a quarter, I restocked my cleaning supplies. Let me show you how I did it.

I had a total of $10.75 in Extra Bucks (store credit) due to expire on June 11, 2012. Needing to make a run, I checked the Sunday insert.  I found a great deal on Irish Spring body washes on sale at 2 for $7 and get $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase 2.

Since nothing else in the advertisement caught my attention, I turned to my rain checks which do not expire at CVS. I found three rain checks to boost my savings while stretching our dollars.

1. Scrubbing Bubbles: Purchase 4 at $3 each and receive $4 in Extra Bucks when you purchase $12.

2. Schick Shaving Gel: Buy one at the sale price of $2.79 and get a $1.80 Extra Buck.

3. Irish Spring: Purchase one at the sale price of $2.99 and receive a $1.99 Extra Buck.

After writing my list, planning my purchases, and gathering my coupons, I headed out to my CVS with my youngest daughter.

Finding the Merchandise

When we arrived, I scanned my CVS Extra Care Card at the red coupon machine. The machine spit out a series of coupons. I scanned again resulting in more coupons. On my third scan, I received the message to try back tomorrow for more coupons.  (My card is now a special card since it works multiple times. 🙂 )

In looking over the new coupons, I found none to match with my planned purchases, so I placed them in my CVS envelope and began shopping. After discovering that my store’s stock was low and lacking creativity to adjust my list, I decided to leave. But I had to use my Extra Bucks, so we traveled to another CVS store.

This other CVS had everything in stock. So, we gathered our savings and went to checkout.

Transaction #1

  • Greeted the cashier and explained I had 2 transactions and a total of 3 rain checks. (Cashiers appreciate knowing what you plan to do.)
  • Handed cashier my Extra Care Card and my bag attached with my Green Bag Tag (which earns $1 in Extra Bucks for every 4th scan – only one scan allowed per day) 
  • Placed rain check and 4 Scrubbing Bubbles on the counter where he rang them up at $3 each.
  • Placed rain check and 1 Schick Shaving Gel on the counter where he rang it up at $2.79.

Subtotal: $14.79 ($3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2.79 = 14.79)

      • Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
      • Used manufacturer’s $2 off 2 Scrubbing Bubbles coupon
      • Used $10 Extra Buck coupon (from Huggies promotion spend $25 and get $10 in Extra Bucks from a previous week)
      • Used $.75 Extra Buck coupon (from a previous week’s candy promotion)

Total coupon discount: $14.75

Tax: $0

Total: $0.04 paid in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Scrubbing Bubbles rain check) and $2 Extra Bucks (from Schick rain check – rounded up from $1.80 to $2)

Transaction #2

  • Smiled and watched the cashier scan my Extra Care Card that I put on the counter.
  • Handed cashier my rain check and put both Irish Spring body washes on the counter. He rang the first one at $2.99 from the rain check and the second rang up on sale at $3.50 (2 for $7).
  • Needing a filler item, I added 1 caramel single ($0.33) which did not bring the total up enough, so I added a second caramel single ($0.33).

NOTE: I could round down my Extra Bucks and lose the $.51, but I do not like to lose savings. So, I find a filler item(s) to bring my total up or a little past $0.

Subtotal: $7.15

      • Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
      • Used manufacturer’s $.50 off Irish Spring coupon
      • Used $4 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1
      • Used $2 Extra Buck coupon from transaction #1

Total coupon discount: $7.00

Tax: $.01

Total: $0.16 in cash 🙂 and received $4 Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring purchase 2 and get $4 in Extra Bucks) and $2 in Extra Bucks (from Irish Spring rain check rounded from $1.99 to $2)

For a total of $0.20, I purchased $21.94 of merchandise which is a savings of 99.0%, and I have $6 in Extra Bucks for a future savings trip.

In using time wisely to find items my family needs and pair those items with sales, rain checks, promotions, and coupons, I continue stretching our dollars. These savings are possible which is why I share them with you. Not every visit results in these deep discounts, but some do.

Be patient, wait for the sales, and combine as many savings strategies as you can when you shop. I break down these shopping trips to help you in stretching your dollars. Keep learning and saving while using time wisely. Happy stretching!

Question: Just for fun, on what else could I have spent my quarter? 🙂

2012 Second Quick Tip Week: Change Your Air Filters

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Alex Wiebe)

In finishing this Quick Tip Week, our temperatures have risen to 100 degrees. The heat is bearing down and in this segment on stretching your dollars, I focus on a quick way to lower your energy bill during the summer heat.

Quick Tip #7: Change Your Air Filters

The air filters in ventilation systems get quite dirty from sucking in dust. As the dust builds up, the air has to fight through the dirt on the filter to circulate. The harder your system has to pull in the air, the longer your fan has to run which costs you money.

With a clean air filter, the air slips through the filter and circulates without needing to keep the fan running.

Most technicians recommend changing the standard air filter once a month. In stretching our dollars, I wait for ACE Hardware to run a sale on their air filters. I then stock up to keep our home cool without using extra energy.

As you seek options for stretching your dollars, remember to change your air filters. In using time wisely to complete this maintenance on your home, you can see the savings on your energy bill. Happy savings!

Question: How often do you change your air filters?