A Savvy Craft: The Poor Man's Bow

You know me, I'm all about saving money but maintaining quality (and cuteness) at the same time.  There are so many things I do in my life on a daily basis that I don't even recognize as money saving or even time saving strategies and yet they are a part of my routine.  As I was prepping some end of year teacher's gifts for my children last night, I tied my "poor man's(woman's)" bow on all the packages because it was fast, easy and used about 6 inches less ribbon per package.  I had 6 gifts so I saved approximately a yard of ribbon using this technique.

The trick is that it really isn't a bow, but more of an optical illusion.  The best part, (other than saving money on ribbon yardage), is that the loops always turn out straight, even, and perfect no matter who ties this. You don't have to be a master bow tier or fidget with straightening ribbon loops so they aren't crooked - you just need to be able to tie a knot and bend ribbon.


Step #1:  Tie length of wired ribbon around package and make a single knot.

Step #2: Using your index finger, make a large bend in the ribbon.  While keeping index finger in place, use opposite hand to "open" the loop and push towards the knot.

Step #3:  Bend ribbon tails to create small waves.

A Savvy Binder: Coupon Organization

Talk about an extreme couponer!  That's one massive coupon binder ......... LOL!  I'm thinking about upgrading my binder to this one.  How many trading card pages do you think that would be? :)

A Savvy Tip - Bing Rewards = FREE Amazon Gift Cards

I love getting "paid" to search the internet!  The search engine Bing is now rewarding users for searching the internet! Get 250 points just for signing up and another point for every 2 searches (16 pts. total per day). Redeem your points for FREE Amazon Gift cards & more. Offer expires 12/31/11

How do Bing Rewards Work?

A Savvy Lesson: The GS1 DataBar Revolution and UPC Barcodes - The New Coupons

Did you know the 1st bar code was developed to mimic morse code?  In 1949, Joseph Woodland was intrigued by the idea of capturing product information at grocery check out lines. One day, while at the beach, he realized that if dots and dashes could be used to send information electronically through Morse Code, there should a way to capture information on grocery products. "Woodland drew dots and dashes in the sand to simulate Morse Code, and then extended them downward with his fingers. What appeared were thin lines resulting from the dots and thick lines from the dashes - a two - dimensional Morse Code – and the beginnings of the bars and spaces that make up today’s U.P.C. barcode." www.GS1.us.Org


 The 1st UPC bar code coupon, for a 10 pack of Wrigley's gum, was was scanned on June 26th, 1974 in Ohio and the coupon world changed forever.  Today there are about 5 billion coupons scanned every day and the old UPC bar code as we've known it is in the middle of an technology revolution!

I've you've been couponing over the last year or so, then you've noticed a funky new barcode that has  been added the majority of coupons you're redeeming.  This new "stacked" barcode is call the GS1 DataBar.

What is the new GS1 DataBar?

GS1 DataBar is a new bar code joining the UPC family of barcodes that will allow more product in-depth marking.

"GS1 DataBar™ barcodes carry more information in less space than U.P.C. barcodes. The GS1 DataBar was created to identify small and hard-to-mark products such as loose produce, jewelry, and cosmetics. The GS1 DataBar can also carry serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, adding visibility to your value chain, and providing the opportunity for collaborative solutions that support product authentication and traceability, product quality and effectiveness, fresh variable measure product identification, and couponing." GS1.us.org

In basic terms, the GS1 will allow manufacturers to be more product line specific on coupons to prevent coupon fraud.  These codes can carry coupon expiration dates, define size requirements and basically increase the accuracy of product identification.  As a bonus the GS1 will also be able to prevent the sale of out dated or recalled products! WOW - pretty amazing!

The GS1 DataBar is expected to have full implementation in June of 2011, but smaller grocers and retailers may take longer to adapt to this new technology. So, what does this mean for the couponing community?  It means coupons will only be able to be redeemed for the products listed on the coupon - no more cheating the system by abusing the "family code" on barcodes to buy products other than those listed on a coupon.  It also means more accurate coupon scanning and hopefully a faster checkout.

"Stephen Arens, director of industry engagement for New Jersey-based GS1US, a non-profit group originally established by the grocery industry that administers and develops barcode standards, says that most large grocery stores are up-to-speed on the technology. “One of the reasons the coupon industry wants to use to GS1 Databar for coupons is because it offers the retailers increased capability regarding validation, so the product on the coupon is the same as the product purchased,” he says. In other words, to prevent cheating. " www.Smartmoney.com

For right now, you may notice that your cashier has to cover part of the barcode with their hands (many coupons still carry both the UPC and the GS1 for now) in order to scan the coupon, but that should change as the old UPC barcodes should be removed from coupons later this year.

A Savvy Comment: CIC Extreme Couponing Ethics

While I have been vocal about my opposition to the show Extreme Couponing, I thought you all might be interested in hearing what the CIC has to say!

CIC Position on Extreme Couponing

The Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) expresses our great disappointment with TLC’s current series, Extreme Couponing, and hereby offers our expertise and other assistance to TLC and Sharp Entertainment (which produces the show) to enhance the program with more accurate and realistic information. In addition, we hope they address potentially illegal acts that appear to have been portrayed on the show.

Professionals in the coupon industry believe this show creates unrealistic expectations about how coupons work and promotes the misuse of coupons. For example, the show appears to portray coupons being used in violation of the terms and conditions printed on the coupons, such as using coupons to obtain products other than those specified by the coupon offer, and focuses on consumers who have procured large quantities of coupon inserts from unknown sources, which may raise civil and/or criminal issues.

In real life, individuals attempting to use such large quantities of coupons or attempting to use them in violation of the terms stated on the coupons would most likely have their coupons refused at the register or, depending on the circumstances, be investigated by law enforcement. According to media reports, TLC recently stated,

“While the series documents extreme couponing strategies, we take any concerns about specific tactics seriously and are looking into the situation.” We look forward to hearing what TLC discovers.

The CIC’s and other industry experts’ previous offers of assistance to the producers to make this an educational show were previously turned down. Nevertheless, we stand ready to help in the event the producers or TLC reconsider their path and seek to turn this into a show that accurately reflects appropriate coupon strategies and use, which would result in real benefits for TLC’s viewing audience. (May 5th 2011)"

 
In addition, last week, newspapers across the country received notification from News America/Smart Source as to their response to Extreme Couponing.  In part the notification reads:

"Due to the show Extreme Couponing, there has been a significantly increased interest by the public in couponing recently. While we welcome the promotion of coupon usage, some episodes appear to portray shoppers using illegal methods to obtain and use coupons, including going to newspapers to obtain multiple copies of our SmartSource coupon inserts."  "It is illegal for any inserts not distributed in newspapers to be taken, given away or donated. Failure to comply will result in prosecution."

As a result, newspaper security guidelines will be more strictly enforced or the offending newspapers risk being dropped from carrying coupon inserts at all!  Do you really want your newspaper to lose their coupon inserts?  If not, then stop asking carriers to give you extras, taking them from vending machines, dumpster diving for them or buying them online (where do you think they're getting those inserts to sell from folks?)

So what's next?  It's already coming!  

Have you noticed that there have been several recent coupons that now limit the number of coupons you can use in a transaction?  Coupons typically limit how many coupons you can use on one product, ie... one manufacturer coupon per product, but now they are limiting how many products you can actually buy at a time!  I believe Extreme Couponing will bring even more unwelcome changes for the couponing community.  As you know, I have no problem getting a great storage room full of products your family needs, but there is a point when it becomes wasteful and greedy! Buying 5-10 of something is totally different than buying 50-100 or even 500-1,000!

It's truly unfortunate that a television network would seek to undermine the community it professes to promote!

I am proud to say I am NOT an Extreme Couponer!

A Savvy Event: The Riverwoods Hotspot & Blickenstaff Giveaway!

 Holy cow I had more fun last weekend that I have had in a long time!  I was able to attend a CBC Hot Spot event in Provo at the Shops at the Riverwoods, (I should say I have always loved them to begin with!) and was given a tour of some of the amazing stores and entertainment venues they offer.  I went with 20 other amazing Utah Bloggers and we had more fun that might even be allowed in Provo ;)

Riding the Merry-Go-Round at 
Provo Beach Resort

OK, did you know there is an entire ropes course, bowling, arcade games, and indoor surfing/Flow Rider at the Provo Beach Resort?  I literally had no idea!, but it is spectacularly awesome and my kids are already so excited to go (or maybe I'll make it a fun date with my husband!)  I even got to play miniature croquet, and while my mallet skills are not top notch, it was a blast!  The ropes course, however, is now first on my list to try out when I head over with the family.

I was also able to check out Blickenstaff's Vintage Candy and Toy Store (ok - I should add here that I've shopped there a ton already and this store isn't new to me at all, but rather an old and trusted favorite!)  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their selection of candy throughout the decades as well as their mini metal shopping carts! (Of Course!)  Don't forget that you can sign up for Blickenstaff's Facebook Page and newsletters to get a heads up on all their hot candy and vintage toy discounts! FYI - This is probably my kids all time favorite store in Utah!  Blickenstaff's also gave me a $20 gift card to give away to one lucky Utah Reader!  Just head over to my Savvy Shopper Facebook Page and post "I Need A Blickenstaff's Candy Fix" and I'll pick a random winner next Friday 5/13!  And as a bonus, Blickenstaff's was named one of Utah's favorites in the Daily Herald and they are giving everyone a 20% off Bulk Candy coupon good through May31st!

Then we went over to Called To Surf (Love the name!) and by the way, they carry THE cutest, modest Bathing Suits, for girls and women,  all year long! It is so hard to find swimming suits in the middle of winter when you're headed down to southern Cali.  My winter swimming suit troubles are over, now if I can just lose 5 more lbs :).  Called To Surf also gave us all a Deuce watch which is a killer find!  They are great for swimming, running and all kinds of sporting event participation.  I picked glow in the dark, cuz I'm crazy like that!

Lastly we went over to Malawi's Pizza Place.  I'd been meaning to try this restaurant out for a long time and just hadn't made it over so I was thrilled to eat lunch with all my new gal pals! You likely know I am a super picky eater, but Malawi's had about 5 million (well, maybe not literally 5 million) different pizza options for everyone there!  They must have brought over 25 different pizzas in less than 10 minutes - holy cow.  I do have to say that my favorite pizza of all was the Cookies N’ Cream Crumble Dessert Pizza and the Cinnamon Apples & Cream Dessert Pizza.  And yes, they are as divine as they sound! But, honestly, even more amazing than the food was that for every meal YOU buy, THEY will provide a nutritious meal to a hungry child in Malawi Africa.  WOW, if you are looking for restaurants in Provo, you should seriously head over to Malawai's!

Thanks for letting me tag along ladies!  It was a great day!