Using Time Wisely

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Tip: Combining Sales with Promotional Codes

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Though I may not be grocery shopping, I have been stretching our dollars through promotional codes, sales, and cash back rewards. When I shop on-line, I always search my favorite search engine, Swagbuck.com, for a promotional code for that business. For example, if purchasing through J. C. Penney, I will

  1. Go to www.swagbucks.com.
  2. Type in “promotional code for J C Penney.”
  3. Scan the hits for a valid code to save money on my purchase.

Some promotional codes are for percentages off, free shipping, or dollars off a specified amount. Taking this extra step to find promotional codes uses time, but time wisely spent.

Restaurant.com Deal

When taking advantage of the sale and promotional code for the restaurant.com deal, I was able to purchase 22 gift certificates valuing $455 for $39. These gift certificates make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. By using my time wisely, I was able to maximize my savings to the tune of $416. If you would like to get in on this deal, check out Becentsable.com’s detailed instructions. This offer is valid through June 13.

J.C. Penney Deal

Another great sale and promotional code combination can be had through J. C. Penney. As one of the official suppliers of school uniforms for my son’s school, J. C. Penney notifications have been added to my e-mail list. When I find a sale with a promotional code, I do the happy dance.

With this current sale, valid through today, June 11, I was able to purchase 3 IZOD pique polo shirts for a total of $26.46. These shirts are regularly priced at $19.99 each. Adding to the sale and promotional code, I was able to lower my out-of-pocket amount by using the “2 or more price” for the shirts which saved me another $3-6. Instead of paying $66.46 (regular price), by using my time wisely and waiting for the sale, I only paid $26.46.

You too can save $40 by stretching your dollars. To snag this deal, check out MoneySavingMom.com’s post for the promotional code, but go through Shop at Home from Becentsable’s post to earn the cash back rewards for your purchase.

In stretching our dollars, I was able to spend a total of $65.46 while saving $495. How are you stretching your dollars?

Buying Ahead

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Were you able to snag any grocery deals this week? I was able to get some items we will be using at great prices! This week I shopped the sales at Publix after creating my grocery list from the sales ad listed by Jenny Martin at http://www.southernsavers.com/.

TIP:     If you are looking for coupons to use with items that are on sale and you do not live in the southeast, then check for your local sales at http://www.becentsable.net/store-deals/. You can click on your state and find links to blogs that post sales and coupon match-up deals in your area.

On Tuesday, I made a run to Publix. I purchased:

  • 6 Publix 2 liters (buy one get one free $.89 or $.44 each).
  • 4 boxes of Ronzoni pasta (buy one get one free $1.39 or $.69 each and used 2 coupons for $1.00 off 2 boxes. With the coupon, each box was $.19.)
  • 2 Log Cabin Syrups (buy one get one free $3.89 or $1.94 each and used 2 coupons for $1.00 off. With the coupon, each bottle was $.94.)
  • 1 Argo Pure Corn Starch (on sale for $1.39 and used $.30 coupon. After the coupon doubled, the container was $.79.)
  • 1 Argo Baking Powder (on sale for $1.39 and used $.30 coupon. After the coupon doubled, the container was $.79.)
  • 2 Smart Balance half gallons of milk (on sale $2.50 and used 2 coupons for $2 off. With coupons, each carton was $.50.)
  • 4 bags of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish snack (on sale $1 and used 4 coupons for $.35 off. After coupons doubled, each bag was $.30.)

My subtotal was $37.94. After subtracting coupons and sales of $28.82, I paid . . . $9.12 which is a savings of 76%.

Buying Ahead at Publix on April 5, 2011

Though right now I do not need all the 2 liters, pasta, syrups, corn starch or baking powder, I will be using these within the next 6 weeks. To help save money, I purchase these items when they are on sale. When my family finishes the current bottle of syrup, I will have another bottle in my pantry for a replacement. Had I not purchased the bottle on sale, I may have ended up paying full price if I needed syrup and could not find it on sale. I might also have needed to run out to the store which would unnecessarily use my time and energy.

The reason I buy items my family uses ahead of time is to save money, time and energy. Anytime I can combine sales with coupon savings, I am maximizing those savings. I can then add these items to my pantry. When I plan my menus, I will have some staples to get me started.

Do you use the BUY AHEAD principle where you purchase items, when they are on sale, before you need them? What deals have you been able to snag by buying ahead?