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Scheduling: Feeding our Families

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Scheduling: Feeding our Families

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The cold temperatures and snow have driven us indoors, and I love it! With our grocery shopping done, our family is prepared should we get to stay in for the rest of the week.

In completing the Scheduling 2014 series with the last 4 tasks from the Planning for Success series last year, we are focusing on feeding our families.

From choosing a menu planner to arranging coupon redemption, these tasks will help us save money while using time wisely.

28. Print and Display Menu Planner: Planning for Success – Day 3

When preparing for the Scheduling 2014 series, I wrote this article that included my monthly calendar, menu planner, and water and exercise log. If you do not have a menu planner, then feel free to use my FREE printable.

If you are new to menu planning, then I recommend just writing down what you eat. As you get used to tracking your meals and knowing what you have on hand, then you can start to plan. But for starting out, just record what your family eats.

29. Track your Family’s Favorite Meals: Planning for Success – Day 17

I used to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen often. In the past year, I think I tried 3 new recipes and have repeated one of them.

Whether you like to try new dishes or keep with the tried-and-true, tracking your family’s favorite meals gives you suggestions when life gets busy.

Our family’s favorite meals are written down and kept inside my menu planning notebook. When I need inspiration, I go to the list. To see some of our family’s favorite meals, check out this list of 10 favorites.

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

Another great tool for using time wisely is a list of quick meals. These are life-savers when traffic was backed up, homework took longer than expected, or life happened.

Keeping the ingredients for one or two of your quick meals on hand will see you through your busy evening. We used one of these 15 quick meals last night when our plans to meet family fell through due to icy roads.

31. Arrange Coupon Redemption: Planning for Success – Day 31

From daily deals to paper coupons, we keep a stash of coupons handy for family outings. If we find a great deal, I make sure I note the deal on our calendar. This way, I am reminded of the coupon when I schedule or consider an activity around a meal time.

In Scheduling 2014, we are off to a great start. There will be more items added to the calendar throughout the year, but the basics are all covered.

As food is a big part of family life, I find the favorite meals and quick meals lists huge time savers for me. As the masses get hungry and time is short, these meals meet us where we are without a trip through the drive-thru.

As you continue Scheduling 2014 may you find the organization tools you choose a help to using your time wisely. If I have left off any tasks, then please share in the comments. I prefer to have too much on the calendar than not enough. Happy scheduling!

Question: What scheduling tasks have I missed?

Coupons: Ask the Cashier for Clarification

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Coupons: Ask the Cashier for Clarification

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

I went shopping this week at Publix and purchased among other things 2 – 75-count canisters of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for $3.50 each. In the store flyer was a coupon for $2 off a package of 2 – 75-count canisters of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

I clipped the coupon when I was preparing for the shopping trip, so I had it at checkout. After the cashier started ringing up the items, I asked her about using the store coupon as I was purchasing 2 – 75-count canisters, but individual containers rather than one package with 2 containers.

She said she would try the coupon and if it rejected it (meaning: beeped at us), then I wouldn’t be able to use it. Well, the coupon scanned, and I saved an additional $2.00. Yay!

When questioning coupons, ask the cashier for clarification. Hearing the request, the cashier is alerted that a coupon might not scan, and it informs the cashier that I want to be ethical and am not trying to slide an extra coupon through my transaction.

Asking a question has increased our savings as most cashiers will try the coupon. If it works, then I save more. If it doesn’t work, then I can better prepare the next time I get a similar coupon – although I will probably ask again. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: Do you ask the cashier for clarification on a coupon?

Guest Post: 4 Steps to Using Coupons Effectively

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Guest post - 4 tips to using coupons effectivelyBefore continuing in our Coupon-ology series, I wanted to allow Mitesh Mandaliya to share his couponing tips.

For clarification, I have added my 2 cents with a link under the third category. 

Though I largely agree with Mitesh, I disagree with point number 4 as I would rather let a coupon expire rather than spend it without a sale or buy one, get one free offer.

These are my thoughts. I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments. Join me there. ~ Tracy

4 Steps To Using Coupons Effectively

Everyone, especially frugal mothers, are always searching for coupons that can get them the maximum benefit, so that they can manage their tight budgets. In fact, searching coupons for grocery items or other products is not a tough task.

The main thing is how to use them effectively and wisely so that you can get the maximum benefit. So, for the people who are interested in couponing, but are not sure how to use them properly, I present 4 steps to using coupons effectively:

1. Ignore any needless shopping.

Some people purchase products just because they have coupons for those items. Avoid this kind of purchasing as you can spend more money rather than saving.

2. Compare different store’s coupon policies.

Different stores have different policies regarding coupon usage. So, always do research on the store’s coupon redeeming value. This is very important, as some stores change the value depending on the price and discounts.

Tracy’s Tip: For an example of this comparison, see the difference between how grocery stores and drugstores handle buy one, get one free coupons.

3. Compare sale prices and the final payable price at each store with your coupons.

If the store doubles a coupon, the final price of the product could be significantly less than a store that doesn’t double. If you shop at multiple stores, then compare the final payable price of the product using your coupons at each store.

4. Use coupons the same day you get them.

If you have coupons with you, then try to use it as soon as possible to get the guarantee savings. This can prevent you from forgetting to use the coupon before the expiration date.

In short, the essence is – don’t be too impatient. With coupons, exercise care to get the maximum benefit.

Mitesh Mandaliya loves to write articles about saving money. He has written articles for couponcodeslady.com and promocodeslady.com and is part of the Using Time Wisely community. 

Coupon Binder Giveaway

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Guest Post: Coupon Binder GiveawayYou still have time to enter the Coupon Binder Giveaway which includes a $50 Visa gift card, movie tickets, coupon inserts, coupon binder, lots of gift cards, and a printer.

The giveaway is open until Friday, June 14, 2013.

Enter, so you can win, and please let me know if you’re the winner. Good luck! 😉

Guest Post: Coupon Binder Giveaway ’til June 14, 2013

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Guest post - Coupon Binder giveawayContinuing right in stride with our Coupon-ology series, Quida, blog owner at Simple Savings for Atlanta Moms, is hosting another great Coupon Binder Giveaway through Friday, June 14, 2013.

From gift cards to movie tickets to coupon inserts, this giveaway package is full of savings for the novice to the experienced coupon user.

To enter the free giveaway, scroll down to the Rafflecopter form. You may enter anytime between now and Friday, June 14, 2013.

Hoping one of my readers wins this bundle. . . good luck! ~ Tracy 

Guest Post: Coupon Binder GiveawayMay Day! May Day! May Day! Coupon Binder Edition!

Welcome to the May Day Coupon Binder Extravaganza Event.  I do hope that you are excited and ready for another wonderful event!!!!

You never know if you may be the winner.  Have you started to save with using coupons? What is your #1 savings tip that you can share with others?

This giveaway will also include a #SSFAMCoupons Twitter Party#1 on 5|30|13 @ 6:00 p.m. and 6|14|13 @ 6:00 p.m. Twitter Party #2.  You will have the chance to win fabulous prizes! That’s right, a Coupon Twitter party! Be sure to RSVP in the Rafflecopter form. You will get a special “Tweet vite” from the host @SavingsATLMoms!

Now onto this fabulous 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 with the use of coupons.

New prize items may be added to the event at anytime. Easy ways to enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recipes:

$avings Tips:

Other Tips

Going Green Tips

Printable forms:

Twitter Party#1 

When:  5|30|13
Where: Twitter
Host: @SavingsATLMoms {Follow now}
Hashtag: #SSFAMCoupons
Time:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST

Twitter Party #2

When: 6|14|13
Where: Twitter
Host:  @SavingsATLMoms
Cohost:  @Momnbabyreviews 
Hashtag: #SSFAMCoupons
Time:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST

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. I was compensated to help share this spectacular event.

Question: Which item in this giveaway bundle is your favorite?