Stretching Your Dollars: Dollar Store

May 11, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As our family is in the middle of birthday season, I am so thankful for our local dollar store. With party supplies and goody bag items available for $1, we can gather the supplies we need without breaking the bank.

I was surprised to find packages of colored napkins for only $1 at our dollar store. The same package costs $3.99 at Party City for the same count and color.

Not only is the dollar store a great first stop for party items, but also for school projects, household items, and food. Though not available in my area, some stores carry loaves of sandwich bread for $1 which competes with Aldi’s price.

Though I need to shop at other locations, I am finding more useful items at our dollar store. With two locations in close proximity to our home and a list of items needed for projects, I make the stop and usually find at least one, if not more, items that we need.

To not get drawn in by all the items that are only $1, I stop when I have a written list. If I just go in to roam, I will end up spending dollars on items we don’t need which is not beneficial to me or my family.

In stretching your dollars, keep the dollar store in mind. Where I usually passed by to visit Walmart or a craft store, I now stop by our dollar store to check for items before spending more than $1 on comparable products. This stop has saved our family money while using time wisely and shopping close to home. Happy savings!

Question: What do you like about dollar stores?

Stretching your Dollars: Return Unused Items

May 4, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

I am notorious for purchasing more supplies than I need for a project leaving me to return unused items.

A project in our home gets approached differently depending on who’s doing the project.

Overestimating Items

Projects done by me are over planned. I desire to save time from running out for another piece of poster board or extra screws because I underestimated the supplies needed to finish the project.

With all the necessary or possible pieces gathered, I can finish the project and then return the unused items when it fits within my errand schedule.

Underestimating Items

Where I overestimate, my hubby underestimates. Either we are running to get more supplies or the project remains half done until we get to the store. However, we are not left with lots of extra supplies when the project is complete.

Planning to Return Unused Items

Though there are pros and cons to both approaches, I have developed a system that helps me return unused items. If I know I will not use the remaining supplies for any upcoming projects, then I choose to return them to the store. I do not need more stuff coming into our home when I can get reimbursed for those unused items.

My system may not work for you, but having this plan helps me get those items to the store before they clutter our home:

Finish the project.
Gather the remaining unused items.
Sort those items by the store where purchased.
Get the receipts.
Add those items with the receipt to a plastic bag.
Place the bags in the front seat of our van.

Then when I am running around town and have a few minutes to spare near one of those stores, I stop in and return those items for a refund. By keeping the supplies with the receipt, I have everything together when the opportunity presents itself.

Whether you overestimate or underestimate on your projects, return unused items purchased to keep clutter at bay while stretching your dollars. Without making a special trip to return the items, you can continue stretching your dollars at the gas station while using time wisely. Happy returning!

Question: What plan do you use when needing to return unused items?

J. C. Penney: $1 Flip Flops – April 12, 2013

March 30, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Betsy)

Spring is definitely in the air. My allergies are flared from the layer of pollen coating our vehicles, yard, and house. Though some of you are still dealing with snow, spring is on the way. Even if you can’t see it yet, it’s coming.

To kick off the spring season, J.C. Penney is celebrating by selling $1 flip flops on Friday, April 12, 2013. At this price, you can purchase one pair per summer outfit without breaking the bank.

To sweeten this deal, you can combine this sale with this 20% off coupon making each pair $.80. This sale is only available in-store, while supplies last, and only on April 12, 2013.

Besides a new pair of shoes, these flip flops make great gifts, party favors, and house guest goodies. Keeping a stash of little gifts for unexpected needs or wants allows us to share with others without an emergency trip to the store.

Since spring is here, let’s get this celebration underway by painting our toe nails a bright color and sporting some new flip flops. With J. C. Penney’s sale paired with the 20% off coupon, you can score flip flops for $.80. Happy saving while stretching your dollars!

Question: What is your favorite flip flop color?

Stretching My Daughter’s Birthday Money

March 9, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My youngest daughter received a Leapster Explorer for Christmas. This gaming console was purchased through Amazon at a great sale price.

Though the unit, charging station, and case were discounted, the game cartridges remained around $25 each. Ouch!

Asking friends, whose children have the Leapster Explorer, where they find their games, I quickly discovered that sales are rare on these items.

Knowing that the purchase of games was in our future, I registered her Leapster device and checked the box to receive e-mail notification of sales and discount items. (Of course, I used my junk e-mail account to prevent overloading my personal e-mail account with offers.)

Waiting for a Sale

Last week as I checked my junk e-mail account, I discovered that for a limited time all the Leapster Explorer game cartridges were 25% off with free shipping. This deal came at the perfect time as my daughter recently turned 3 and had saved her money for games.

Acting on the Sale

In using time wisely and stretching our dollars, my daughter and I made the following purchase:

Logged into my Ebates account.
Searched for the Leapfrog company which carries a 3% cash back on my purchase.
Shopped through Ebates.
Selected two game cartridges and added them to my shopping cart.
Entered promotional code DISCOVER (which has now expired) to receive 25% off and free shipping on my order.
Reviewed the order for errors.
Placed the order using my credit card for which I will earn rewards.

Instead of paying $55 for the two games, we paid a total of $39.73 and will receive $1.19 back through Ebates and $.40 in credit card rewards. Spending less than $20 per game – rather than $25 plus shipping – helped in stretching my daughter’s birthday money. She did not mind waiting for a sale as she knew she could get 2 games rather than 1 if she was patient.

Teaching my children the value of money by showing them how we use the available savings tools to stretch our dollars, I enjoy watching them think through how they can save their money but also get the item they desire. Great lessons learned by waiting for a sale to come along. Happy waiting!

Question: For what have you waited to snag a great deal?

Note: This post contains affiliate links for Using Time Wisely. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

Christmas Savings: Make a List and Check It Twice

December 8, 2012 by Tracy

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?

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