Using Time Wisely

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JCP: Free Haircuts in August for K-6th Grade Students

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J C Penney free kids haircut 2012

Photograph Credit: J. C. Penney

J. C. Penney is partnering with parents to ease the cost of back-to-school preparations. With physical exams, eye appointments, books, supplies, and uniforms, getting ready for school takes money, energy, and time.

To assist parents in stretching their dollars while getting those last-minute items checked off their to do list, J. C. Penney will offer free haircuts to students from Kindergarten to 6th grade.

J. C. Penney free haircuts 2012

Photograph Credit: J. C. Penney

In using time wisely, call your local J. C. Penney salon to schedule your child’s free haircut. You will need to make an appointment. These slots will fill up quickly, so book your appointment now.

If your J. C. Penney salon is booked, then consider these 6 ways to cut the price of a haircut. Happy savings while stretching your dollars!

Question: How are you stretching your dollars this back-to-school season? 

Interrupted Phone, Cable, & Internet Service Compensation

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Interrupted phone, cable, and internet compensation

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Paul and I awoke yesterday morning without phone, cable, or Internet service. Yikes!

With a busy day planned, I needed to maximize the short amount of time I had at home. With the services going in and out, I worked as I could and finally got our Chick-fil-A pictures posted later than scheduled.

Since an outage affects our productivity, Paul called our provider to ask about the duration. After wasting time wading through the menu options, he finally found a customer service representative.

Upon confirming our outage and listening to our concerns, the representative gave the standard excuse outage statement and then placed a credit on our account.

By making a phone call to the provider and explaining our setback during the outage, my persistent husband received a monetary solution to offset our time inconvenience. The result of using time wisely with a phone call saved us money by stretching our dollars.

If you experience an outage in your area, then call your provider. You may get compensation for the interruption to your phone, cable, or Internet service. It never hurts to ask. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: How often is your service interrupted?   

Publix: Free Medications Program

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Daniel Oines)

My Publix not only supplies food for my family, but they also provide certain medications for free.

When my recent cough lasted over two weeks, I decided to see my doctor. She examined me and ruled out an ear infection. However, my congestion needed a fast-acting medication since Mucinex was not working.

Since I get ear infections easily and the congestion sometimes results in an ear infection, my doctor prescribed a decongestant and a 10-day supply of Amoxicillin.

On my way home, the girls and I stopped by our local Publix (for a cookie and) to fill the antibiotic. My pharmacist accepted my Amoxicillin prescription and filled it at no cost to me.

This scenario occurs at least once a year in my household. I have filled many antibiotic prescriptions for my family members at Publix pharmacy. All at no cost to me.

In stretching your dollars, the Publix Pharmacy Free Medications Program may help. Besides certain antibiotics, this program also offers free Lisinopril! (usually for high blood pressure) and Metformin (usually for diabetes). For more information on this fantastic program, visit Publix’s Free Medications Page.

As I care for my entire family’s health, Publix helps me in stretching our dollars while getting the medications to keep us healthy. In using time wisely, you can benefit as well. Just drop off a participating prescription at your Publix with no forms, no limits, and no cost. Happy savings!

6 Ways to Cut the Price of a Haircut

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Tom Magliery)

Saving money on routine services is a great way to stretch your dollars. One such routine service is haircuts. In an effort to save my family money, I learned through researching, watching tutorials, and trial-and-error to cut my family’s hair.

Recently, my husband has entrusted his hair to my care. Yikes! Though I was a bit nervous, the product looked great. Whew! Relieved because I did not want to butcher it. 🙂

If you are not ready to cut your family’s hair or your own but still want to save at the barber/salon, consider these 6 ways to cut the price of a haircut while stretching your dollars:

1. Become a Facebook Fan

“Like” your favorite barber/salon establishment to keep up with special offers, discounts, and coupons.

2. Sign up for the Newsletter

If your favorite business offers an e-mail newsletter, then sign up. You will get first notification of sales, coupons, discounts, and special offers delivered to your inbox.

3. Check the Website

Some companies like SuperCuts offer coupons on their website. You can print this coupon for $5 off a SuperCut’s haircut, valid through April 10, 2012. The limit is one coupon per customer. Click here to find a SuperCut’s location near you.

4. Look for Grand Openings

If you are not picky about your haircut, then watch for grand openings. Salons and barbers will offer great specials at grand openings. To find these, look for roadside banners, newspaper advertisements, and radio and television spots.

5. Gather Coupons

I find coupons in the newspaper, home mailers, on-line, and on the back of grocery store receipts. Since I do not cut my hair, I use Great Clips coupons from the back of my Bi-Lo receipts.

These coupons offer an $11 haircut for $4.99 to $6.99. Thankfully, I found a wonderful hairdresser, who understands my hair, and I call before coming to verify her schedule.

6. Consider Cosmetology Schools

Though it takes more time, getting a haircut or treatment through a cosmetology school significantly cuts the price. To get my hair colored at a salon costs $60, but the cosmetology school costs $25. The saving is fantastic, but I do spend an extra hour at the school versus the salon. When I take the time, the savings are worth it.

By becoming a Facebook fan, signing up for the newsletter, checking the website, looking for grand openings, gathering coupons, and considering cosmetology schools, you can cut your out-of-pocket cost on haircuts while stretching your dollars.

Without a friend or family member to cut your hair, you can still save without paying full price. Keep watch because savings are available with a little effort while you continue using time wisely.

Question: Do you pay full price for your hair needs?