Spring has Sprung

Today is absolutely gorgeous outside; 60 degrees, blue skies, and lots of sunshine.  Did I mention it was snowing on Monday?  Welcome to Spring in Utah.

Speaking of Spring,  I've been catching up on my deep cleaning the past couple of days so I haven't been on the computer a whole bunch.  Sometimes it is nice to take a break from cyber space, but I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten about you.  So here are a couple of links I've found interesting:

Be Prepared for Emergencies by Life as Mom - A few things to think about when preparing for the unexpected.

72 Hour Kits: Emergency Preparedness on a Budget by The Krazy Coupon Lady - It seems I'm not the only one learning some lessons from the disaster in Japan.

Extreme Couponing Tip: weigh produce and save 10% by The Krazy Coupon Lady - I have never even thought to weigh the single price produce.  I always try and pick the largest head of lettuce, but never weigh it.  Very Interesting.

a four letter word starting with D by The Minimalist Mom - She's talking about Debt of course.  I totally agree.  We always skirt the issue with each other.

Tis the season for case lot sales.  Maceys and Smith's started their deals yesterday and are ending on the 12th.  Check out the list of WOW deals here.  Thank you Savvy Shopper Deals!

And don't forget to enter the Taste of Home Cooking Show Giveaway either.

Great Stuff I'm Reading Online

Today, since my boys are refusing to take naps, I'll be short and sweet.  Here are a few links I found this week to be especially helpful and inspiring:

Questions To Ask Ourselves @ Clover Lane - Great thoughts about simplifying and being *just* a mother.

It's Almost time to Plant! @ Utah Deal Diva - Thank you for the reminder to get my seeds ordered, also for the great link to State Extension publications.  I always find great free information on the extension website.

How to get Organized? Follow these PROCESS steps @ Org Junkie - An old one, but a good one.  Working on organizing my closet today.  Maybe.

How To Get More Mpg Out Of Your Car @ About.com Frugal Living - Speaking of efficiency.  Has anybody seen how much a gallon of gas is these days?

Great Stuff I'm Reading Online

There are so many great articles online these days.  Here are a few that caught my eye this week:

25 Ways to Waste Your Money - Excellent ideas on shaving money off the budget.

Getting Over the Want @ Minimalist Mom - I've been working the last 2 months on that first suggestion.  Wow what a difference it makes.

Create Time to Change Your Life @ zen habits - Good tips.

Skyrocketing Produce Prices @ A Savvy Life (this is Amy The Savvy Shopper) - Have you heard about the deep freeze in Mexico?  Never fear.

Edible Landscaping @ The Prudent Homemaker - I am finding a ton of inspiration from this lady's fabulous garden/yard as I'm planning my first attempt at growing our own food.

Website Wednesday: Where to print coupons

There are a number of really great websites to print coupons from.  Sometimes they offer some of the same coupons, sometimes different, and sometimes the coupons show up for a very short time period so check often.  Here are a few I check regularly:

• Coupons.com - This one is my favorite.  You can print directly from my blog with the box over on the sidebar.  You should be able to print two copies of each coupon per computer.  They also host a lot of the manufacturer's coupons (coupons found on a brand's website) find a partial list of some of these "bricks" coupons here.


• Smartsource.com - Another excellent collection of coupons.  Again you should be able to print two copies of each coupon per computer.


• BettyCrocker.com - Here you can find coupons for brands such as Betty Crocker, General Mills, Progresso, Yoplait and Green Giant.  You must register and login to print these coupons, so you'll only be able to print two of each coupon.


•  BoxTops4Education.com - Along with most of the brands from the Betty Crocker site, you'll find brands like Pillsbury, Totinos and Ziploc.  Basically brands that carry the Box Tops for Education label.  This site also uses a login so you can print two of each coupon.


• EatBetterAmerica.com - You'll find regular brands such as Yoplait, Green Giant and General Mills, but also organic labels such as Cascadian Farms and Muir Glen.  This is a login site, so two of each coupon.


• StartMakingChoices.com - Here you'll find the ConAgra line of products.  Brands such as Healthy Choice, Hunt's, Pam, Egg Beaters and Orville Redenbacher.  Also a login site.


• HomeSolutionNews - Lots of brands here like:  Lysol, Airwick, Electrasol, Woolite and French's.  I believe it's a login site, but I'm not positive (they have my info already saved).

So, even if you are not able to receive the newspaper inserts, or only receive one copy, you can still save by using coupons printed from your own computer.  Happy Printing!

Website Wednesday: My Bank Saves Me Money

I read this article from simple mom awhile ago about sinking funds and loved the idea.  Basically you budget each month for something that will only happen once or twice a year.  Like Christmas for example.  We decided how much we want to spend on Christmas next year and split that total into 12 and that's how much we need to set aside each month.

Saving for multiple things can get really complicated if you only have one savings account.  Plus the temptation to spend your savings on something else is very strong.  Been there, done that!  

I liked the idea of opening different savings accounts for each item, but I didn't want to get a new unfamiliar bank.  After a little research we discovered that the bank we currently use for our checking account, Bank of American Fork, has a great new savings account called SaveSmartDirect.  

This saving account is entirely done online.  We sign up online, transfer funds online, everything.  The interest rate goes up as the amount in the account goes up (our emergency fund gets almost 2.5 times the rate a standard savings account gets, yippee!), and we can open as many as we want.  Plus we are still with a local bank that we know and trust.

Here's a screenshot:

I love that we can rename the accounts so there is no question what that money is used for.  And, all I have to do when we have an expense for that account is hop online, transfer what I need to my checking, and use cash from the ATM or my Debit Card.  Transferring money from my checking to each account every month is just as easy and I can even set it up to happen automatically like a bill.

The money isn't sitting in a huge "whatever" account so I'm much more likely to only spend it on what it is supposed to be used for.  I also have peace of mind because I know that when the Jeep's registration comes due next month I won't have to worry where that money is coming from I just transfer what I need and pay the bill.  No more going into credit card debt then figuring out how to pay for it later.  I'm willing to bet that most banks have similar programs. 

Website Wednesday: Savvy Shopper Deals

Most of the things I have learned about being frugal and how to save money have been from the internet. There are a number of websites, blogs and forums that have taught me so much. I wanted to share some of my favorites so you can learn lots too.

Amy, the Savvy Shopper, runs this site for the Daily Herald. The site combines a great database of coupons found in newspaper inserts with a detailed listing of store ads. Items on sale are paired with coupons to show great deals. Amy takes the time to rank each item on sale as WOW (must stock up, great deal), !!! (great price, stock if you need this item) and !! (okay price, but wait to stock up).

Savvy Shopper Deals is great for beginners. The complicated nature of scanning ads, knowing what prices are good and finding coupons to match is eliminated by following Amy's recommendations.

The site also has a forum which allows you to ask Amy and others questions. I enjoy the fact that almost all users are located in my area. The prices they quote and deals they help find I can take advantage of because I shop at some of the same stores.

Of course, the most important feature of this website is that it is completely free. No charge! Having to spend money to save money is high on my list of things I refuse to do. So, head on over create an account and join in the Money-Saving Fun!

This Post Orginally ran September 17, 2008.

Website Wednesday: Inbox Dollars

When money is scarce do you ever wish you had a couple of extra dollars for dinner out or a new outfit.  I do.  Dinner out and new clothes always seem to be the first thing eliminated when our budget is tight.  Thanks to Inbox Dollars I can earn some extra cash every couple of months for those things.

Inbox Dollars sends 2-3 emails per day to the e-mail address you specify.  I use a separate e-mail address just for my inbox dollar stuff and check it a couple times a week.  All you have to do is click through to confirm reading the emails and your account is credited.  Advertisers pay to have their product shown and Inbox Dollars sends some of that money onto you.

There are also more ways to earn money through Inbox Dollars by completing surveys, playing games, and other cash offers.  Some offers require you to spend money with the advertising company, but I stick to 100% Free offers.  They have a privacy policy and I have yet to receive spam on my inbox dollars e-mail account.

You will not get rich by completing these offers, but it can provide a few extra dollars to do something fun with.  After all, it's easier to stick to a budget when you have extra money to have fun with.  Sign-up today and you'll start with $5 in your account.

Website Wednesday: Safely Gathered In

As you may know I started couponing in order to build my food storage while money was tight. I was frustrated that my budget would barely allow me to feed my family for the week, let alone follow the prophet's council to establish our food storage. I began clipping, deal chasing and learning to stretch the dollars I had to prepare my family for any trial ahead. So, it shouldn't surprise you that learning about food storage is one of my new passions.

I found this blog, Safely Gathered In, from Blog Coach and I absolutely love it.  They are very knowledgeable about storage and using your supply.  I have been learning so much.  

They break down 72-hour kits into small manageable parts, and every month work on long term storage items like wheat, oats, rice and beans.  The great part is it doesn't matter where you are on the preparedness you can just jump in and work on whatever they are on and soon you'll be all caught up.  That's much easier than staring at a full list of items you need for your 72-hour kit and wondering how on earth you're going to pay for it all!

Head on over to their site and check out all the great information.  Remember: being prepared brings peace and simplicity to your life.

Website Wednesday: Starfall

Starfall.com is an excellent FREE resource for kids learning to read.  From learning ABC's and sounds to reading books and playing games.  All level of early readers can really benefit from this website, and it's tons of fun too!

They have online books and activities the kids can do as well as printable worksheets for coloring and writing practice offline.  The methods used to teach reading are compatible with how most public schools will teach.  Read more about this site in a letter to parents here.  

My girls absolutely love this website.  The 4 year old learned how to use a mouse on this site (with the help of mom and big sister) and now whenever I need quiet time to myself I let her play here.  The 6 year old spends lots of time reviewing the sounds and word families she's working on in class.  It is a great resource for all.

Website Wednesday: My Savings dot com

I just found this website and I'm very excited to share it with you.  They are an excellent source of free sample leads.  Unlike a lot of websites out there that require you to submit to one of their other offers in order to get samples MySavings.com is a simple collection place for Sample leads.

All you need to do is register with them, then you can have access to all the sample links.  Once you find a sample you'd like you click on the link and it takes you to the sample's source.  All of the Wal-mart samples show up in this database and a lot of direct manufacturer samples show up as well.

I haven't spent a lot of time checking out the other aspects of the web-site, but it does look like a great resource.  Check it out today!

Website Wednesday: Holy Cheerios Batman!

Yes, I have seven boxes of Cheerios in my basement.  And that doesn't count the number of boxes we have eaten and given away.

You see, I joined the Cheerios Challenge a couple of weeks ago and ever since they have been emailing me a new $1/1 coupon every week.  Now, since it is a "bricks" coupon I am able to print two coupons every week (just press the back button on your browser after the first one prints and click yes to resend data).

I have found a couple of sales for Cheerios since I've begun receiving the coupons, but Walmart sells their big 18 oz. boxes for $2.50 (that's $.08 an ounce after coupon) which makes for some cheap cereal.  And, Cheerios are one of the healthiest cereals out there!

Manufacturer websites are an excellent source of coupons and samples.  Google some of your favorite brands today (just look for a promotions or coupons label on their main website) and join the Cheerios Challenge for lots of cheap cereal!

Website Wednesday: Coupons.com

An excellent source for internet printable (or IP) coupons is Coupons.com.  In fact many times when you request to print a coupon from a product/manufacturers web-site you will use Coupons.com's program Bricks.  They have a large selection of coupons to print and regularly get new offers.  There is a limit to how many you may print so make sure you plan on using them before their expiration date.  Most couponers agree you should wait to print till you're ready to use them so they don't expire on you.

All you have to do is scroll through their offers clicking on the check boxes next to the ones you'd like.  Then, click on the print button.  You will be prompted to download their printing program if you've never used it before.  Then, if you're printers on, out will pop your coupons and you'll be off to the store and saving.

Website Wednesday: Savvy Shopper Deals

Most of the things I have learned about being frugal and how to save money have been from the internet.  There are a number of websites, blogs and forums that have taught me so much.  I wanted to share some of my favorites so you can learn lots too.

Amy, the Savvy Shopper, runs this site for the Daily Herald.  The site combines a great database of coupons found in newspaper inserts with a detailed listing of store ads.  Items on sale are paired with coupons to show great deals.  Amy takes the time to rank each item on sale as WOW (must stock up, great deal), !!! (great price, stock if you need this item) and !! (okay price, but wait to stock up).

Savvy Shopper Deals is great for beginners.  The complicated nature of scanning ads, knowing what prices are good and finding coupons to match is eliminated by following Amy's recommendations.

The site also has a forum which allows you to ask Amy and others questions.  I enjoy the fact that almost all users are located in my area.  The prices they quote and deals they help find I can take advantage of because I shop at some of the same stores.

Of course, the most important feature of this website is that it is completely free.  No charge!  Having to spend money to save money is high on my list of things I refuse to do.  So, head on over create an account and join in the Money-Saving Fun!