Frugal Living — Moms Need To Know ™

Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: February 19, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on February 18, 2012
in general

As a reminder, the value of the coupons that you find in your newspaper may vary from the value in the provided link! In addition, all of the stores in my area double coupons up to $.99 (so a $.75 coupon has a value of $1.50). If the stores in your area don’t double or your paper is more expensive, you may not find the coupons as valuable as I do!

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be 1 insert this week: a Redplum insert.

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: RedPlum Coupons

$2 off Cheer detergent, excl trial sizes: this doesn’t go on sale often, but coupons for it are also rare. If you like this brand, you takes your savings where you can gets them!

$0.55/1 Keebler fudge stripes dark chocolate cookies, 11.5 oz: goes on sale for $1.99, making it just $0.89 after doubled coupon

$0.75/1 L’Oreal kids shampoo or other kids product: goes on sale for $2, making it just $0.50 after doubled coupon

$0.50/2 Pop Secret products: goes on sale as low as $1 (but more frequently for $1.25 to $1.67), making them cheap after doubled coupon

$1 off SuperPretzel soft pretzel product: goes on sale for $1.67-$2 (and my husband LOVES the jalepeno-cheddar stuffed pretzels)

:: The following coupons are not listed in the “official listing”, but my RedPlum comes in the mail on Thursday and were included. Please note that the inclusion of these coupons may vary by region:

Tylenol Precise: Save $5 (valid through 2/26/2012 only): Use this coupon to get them free or close to free next week at Acme, CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreens

Quaker Soft Baked Bars, Save $1/1: these go on sale for $2.50 or less

Kellogg’s Krave Cereal, Save $0.70/1: goes on sale for $2 or less

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 1-3
Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 1

It’s not that great a week, despite the $5 Tylenol Precise coupon. If I regularly used that product, I might think about getting a few extra copies of the paper (since the value of the coupon is double the cost of the paper), but I don’t use that product and am not going to buy extra copies of the paper just for the “thrill” of getting free products to collect dust or donate

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: February 12, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on February 11, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be xx this week:

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: SmartSource Coupons

Arm & Hammer $1/2 laundry product: goes on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free all the time

Colgate $.75/1 Optic White, Total Advanced or Sensitive Pro-Relief 4oz+: goes on sale for $2 or less

Hormel $.55/1 Compleats Kids microwave meal: goes on sale for as low as $1 (but more frequently $1.25 to $1.67), making them FREE to super-cheap after doubled coupon

John Frieda coupons: there are usually good sales at the Drug Stores on John Frieda products!

Kraft $.55/1 grated parmesan cheese: I can’t remember the last time I saw one of these coupons!

SeaPak $.75/1 item: another rare coupon!

:: RedPlum Coupons

got2b $3/1 full size product: use this coupon to get 2 FREE Got2Be stylers at Walgreens

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 3-4
Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 3-4

If I was a big fan of Got2Be Stylers, I would probably buy more, just because the coupons value exceeds the price of the newspaper

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: February 5, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on February 4, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be 3 inserts this week:

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: SmartSource Coupons

Campbell’s $.50/2 Healthy Request Chunky or Select Harvest soups: goes on sale for $1, making them just $0.50 each after doubled coupon

Infusium 23 $1/1 shampoo, conditioner or leave in treatment ets: they only put coupons out about every 3 months, so grab them while you can!

K-Y $5/1 Date Night pack, Intense Intrigue, Yours + Mine Couple Lubricants or Yours + Mine Kissable Sensations: the “Date Night Pack” is a newer products, so we should see some good deals!

Lysol coupons: we haven’t had any available Lysol coupons since before Christmas

Trojans coupons: they only come out about once a year….near Valentine’s Day.

UP2U $1/1 pack: goes on sale for $1 all the time making it FREE

:: General Mills Coupons

the standard coupons, but there are also several rebates available. The previews available say that it is for items purchased only at Safeway family of stores….we will have to see if the eligible store will vary by region

:: RedPlum Coupons

not listed in the preview, but in the copy of the insert that gets mailed to me are coupons for Quaker Granola Bars as well as Zatarains.

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 3-4
Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 3-4

It’s a “Meh!” week. Not horrible, but not that good either

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: January 28, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on January 28, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be 4 inserts this week: a SmartSource, 2 Redplum inserts and a Proctor & Gamble insert.

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: SmartSource Coupons

Biz $2/1 any size: Biz doesn’t put out many coupons and when they do, they are rarely this high-value

Dole $.75/1 Parfaits: Goes on sale for as low as $2, making them just $0.50 after doubled coupon

Hartz $1/1 Crunch’n Clean: goes on sale for as low as $1.50

Kleenex $.75/1 hand towels: goes on sale for $2.50 or less

Prevacid B1G1 free 42 count up to $29 MAIL IN REBATE: this should make for some sweet deals at the drug stores!

Speed Stick B1G1 free Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick antiperspirant/deodorant ets up to $3.99: this should make for some good deals at the drug stores.

:: RedPlum Coupons

Dove coupons: there haven’t been that many Dove coupons lately….nice to see them return!

Knorr $.50/2 Rice and Pasta Sides: goes on sale for $1 all the time, making them just $0.50 each after doubled coupon

Ragu $.50/1 pasta sauce: goes on sale as low as $1.25 (but more frequently at $1.67), making it super-cheap after doubled coupon

Wish-Bone $.50/1 dressing: goes on sale for $1.25 or less

:: RedPlum Coupons (Insert #2)

Dole $.50/2 cans of pineapple: these should go on sale for $1 or less as we get closer to Easter

:: Proctor & Gamble Coupons

most of these coupons are a lower-value than normal

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 4-7

Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 4-5

It’s a average week for coupons…but worthy of my “1 newspaper per family member” rule.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: January 22, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on January 21, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be 2 inserts this week: a SmartSource and a Redplum

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: SmartSource Coupons

Blistex $.35/1 lip care product: there have been plenty of good deal on Blistex lately.

Chock full o’ Nuts $.75/1 package: goes on sale as low as $4. If your store doubles coupons, this can make for some cheap coffee!

Franks $.75/1 Redhot sauce: we should see this on sale most weeks between now and the Super Bowl

Kraft $.75/2 dressing 14oz or 16oz: there haven’t been many Kraft dressing coupons lately.

Mt. Olive $1/1 pickles, peppers or relish product: the relish goes on sale for $1.25 or less

Pepsi $2/2 multi-pack plastic bottles or 7.5oz 8pk mini cans: soda coupons are rare

Yoplait $.50/2 Greek yogurt: goes on sale for $1, making them just $0.50 each after doubled coupon

:: RedPlum Coupons

Bounty & Charmin Target coupons: stack these with the manufacturers coupons in the 1/1/2012 P&G insert for even greater savings

Pup-Peroni $1/1 dog snacks 4.8oz+: goes on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free all the time

Superpretzel $.50/1 soft pretzel product: goes on sale for $2 or less, making them just $1 after doubled coupon

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 3-4

Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 2-3

Great – we are back to boring weeks!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Need Help With Heating Costs?

By Mindi Cherry on January 20, 2012
in general

With the economy the way it is, I know that many of you are struggling to pay your bills,especially heating bills. Luckily, we have had an extremely warm winter (so far) in the Philadelphia area, but I have friends all over the country who tell me that they have NOT been so blessed!

There are benefit programs in place to help people heat their homes. While some programs will be better than others (depending on your state), I hope that this list helps those who are struggling!

Simply click on your state below to be taken to the energy assistance program for your state:

Have you ever taken advantage of an Energy Assistance program? What is your experience?

Thanks A Proverbs Wife!

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: January 15, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on January 14, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be 1 insert this week: a SmartSource insert.

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

Coupons of Note

:: SmartSource Coupons

ACT Save $1/1 16.9oz+ bottle: There are a few deals at the Drug Stores that start Sunday that include Act…this coupon should make those deals even better.

Dreamfields Save $.55/1 pasta: goes on sale for $2 or less, making it cheap after doubled coupon

Edge Save $.55/1 shave gel 7oz+: Goes on sale for $1.75 or less

Jolly Time Save $.50/1 microwave pop corn: Jolly Time is endorsed by Weight Watchers (at least, the reduced fat versions are), which means there are plenty of great sales this month. I have seen it as low as $1.67!

Ortega Save $.50/2 items: the spice packets go on sale for as low as $0.67, making them just $0.17 after doubled coupon

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 3-4

Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 2-3

Despite the large number of coupons in 1 insert this week, I am pretty much un-thrilled

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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Sunday Coupon Insert Preview: January 8, 2012

By Mindi Cherry on January 7, 2012
in general

Check out Sunday Coupon Preview for the complete listing of coupons. There should be SIX inserts this week: 2 SmartSource, a General Mills, a Redplum, a Target and a Walmart insert

Don’t understand the terms or abbreviations that I use? Be sure to read my Coupon Lingo post!

I can’t even begin to list all the good coupons this week…not a good week for my carpal tunnel!

So how many copies of the paper would I buy?

If I were building a stockpile: 8-12
Now that I am in stockpile-maintenance mode: 6-10

It’s a fantabulous week for coupons!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the 2012 Coupon Insert Schedule

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5 Ways to Cut Down on your Gasoline Bill

By Mindi Cherry on January 6, 2012
in Frugal Living

The following is a guest post. Find out how you can submit a guest post on Moms Need To Know

The price of being a parent goes up every year thanks to Exxon and friends, and there’s not much anyone can do about it except buy fuel efficient automobiles. But for those of us who aren’t in a position to invest in the latest hybrid, there are some interim steps we can take that will make a difference. I live in a rural part of Maine where fortunately, the school buses are still running. But the price of country living is dear when you start to add up all those errands.

1. Carpool: This one is obvious; parents have been doing it for generations. But consider co-op trips to places other than school. Do the weekly grocery shopping with a neighbor and split the driving duties. Carpooling to work is another obvious choice, but these days if there’s no one living near you who works near your place of business, talk to someone with whom you can connect at a midway point from your home and from theirs. Half a carpool is better than none.

2. Combine errands: Develop a working relationship with a neighbor or two that results in one person going into town for everybody’s errands. You can only do this when everyone knows exactly what they want, but think about all of the trips to the hardware store or pharmacy you make every year, and then imagine what it would be like if you only had to drive for those errands every fourth or fifth time.

3. Take that rack off the roof: If you have a rack for skis in the winter or kayaks in the summer take it off when you’re not using it. Those racks are a permanent drag on the car’s ability to move through air smoothly; use them only when needed.

4. Change the fuel chip: These days the engine is really controlled by computer chips and electronics. At one time you could make your car more powerful by changing the fuel input chip. Now you can “detune” the car to provide for more efficient fuel use at lower speeds while maintaining power at higher speeds.

5. Slow down: This particular suggestion really only has an impact at high speeds, out on the interstate. Of course that’s where the tendency to drive at the same rate as everyone else is most compelling. But the fuel consumption difference between 60 MPH and 75 MPH is substantial. It’s controlling those lifelong habits that is difficult.

About the Author:
Bob Hartzell has been writing for five years about education, business, budgets, and other life essentials on a variety of websites. He writes steadily on the changes in collegiate goals with focus on the new bachelors and online master programs.

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12 Items That Will Be Less Expensive in 2012

By Mindi Cherry on January 5, 2012
in Budgeting, general

After the bad news about the 11 Items that will be more expensive in 2012, there IS some good news! From TVs to laptops, cash-strapped shoppers should keep an eye on prices for these items; even wine might see notable discounts next year!

Apple iPad 2

The iPad 3 will not feature a significant price drop (if any at all), but one thing is guaranteed — Cupertino’s forthcoming tablet will most certainly bring down the price of refurbished iPad 2s. (As the iPad 2 did for its predecessor.) The iPad 3 may even cause resellers to offer more deals on new iPad 2 models as they try to move yesterday’s tech to make room for Apple’s latest and greatest.

Android Tablets

The Kindle Fire has been Amazon‘s most successful product ever launched. The release of this groundbreaking tablet has, a-hem, ignited a fire among tablet manufacturers as they scramble to match Amazon‘s $199 price tag. For consumers, the competition translates to better tablet bargains in 2012.

Wine

Wine connoisseur extraordinaire, Robert Parker, predicts the coming year to be the “Age of the Buyer” — a prolonged period of time with stable or declining wine prices. With less disposable income, folks have left wines priced at $30 and above untouched on store shelves. So to move stock, retailers are expected to offer more sales and even flash deals on wines. Price is also affected by industry competition, as consumers note the quality-to-price ratio from wines originating in countries like Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile. Aficionados should check out sites like Lot 18 for their boozy offerings.

Home Prices

Despite record-low mortgage interest rates, United States home prices are expected to limp their way into the coming year. In 2011, average home prices across the country were down 3.4% (compared to the same period of August to October, 2010). And with unemployment expected to remain high, 2012 is looking like it will remain a buyer’s market.

Standalone GPS Units with Lifetime Maps

The smarter our phones get, the greater the number of gadgets they’re capable of replacing. And no gadget is as close to extinction as the GPS unit. So it comes as no surprise to see manufacturers slash prices on standalone GPS units with lifetime / live maps. dealnews data shows that in 2011, units that were once fetching around $160 reached price-lows of just $70.

You can find the complete list here.

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