Coupon Binder Reminder!

I know I say this frequently but, take your coupon binder with you everywhere you go!  (Of course your coupons should already be cut out and organized inside the binder or it really doesn't matter any way!)  I was reminded again yesterday of the rewarding savings I'm able to grab because I always have my coupons in the car.

After driving my daughter to Volleyball practice I decided to make a quick run to Smiths, which was just down the street.  I hadn't planned on going to the store - it just kind of happened.  I decided to walk around and check for unadvertised deals (cuz I'm addicted to savings) when I came upon and endcap full of clearance Trident gum.  There were piles and piles of gum marked at just $0.37 per box.  Because my coupons were cut out, organized and tucked away in my coupon binder I was able to quickly find my $1.00/3 Trident coupons (of which I had 5) and get 15 packs of gum for $0.04 ea!!!  With the combined clearance and coupon discount I saved $13.65!!  Holy cow, do you know what I can buy with an extra $13.65?

Ok, so I would never pay full price for gum anyway, but still, because I was prepared I was able to capitalize on an otherwise lost savings.  I know some of you may not like to cut your coupons out, but rather save them by the whole insert.  I love that anyone saves their coupons, but keeping them in piles in the corner of your room, filing cabinets or accordion folders also saves you from saving the maximum amount of $$$ possible.  Not cutting coupons out makes shoppers coupon collectors, in my opinion, meaning they just collect dust in the corner. I know that I am more apt to go shopping if my coupons are cut out and at the ready, than if I have an uncut stack in the corner.  In the seldom moments that I have to get to the store, if I had to sit down and hunt through stacks of inserts for only the coupons I needed at that moment I would be more likely to not take them with me or just not buy the product all together for lack of savings!

It really does not take any more time in the long run to cut your coupons out up front. Not only does cutting out any coupons which your family would use if it were cheap, free or a family favorite, save you money on unadvertised deal finds, it also helps you keep track of what coupons you're keeping verses relying on someone's website to tell you what you've got.  As a bonus, if you use the coupon binder method with clear baseball card pages to organize your coupons, you will actually memorize your coupons after repeatedly seeing them on a weekly basis. 

If you haven't tried the binder method give it a shot and I think you'll find that having your coupons ready and waiting at all times is the key to successful savings.

How To Make A Coupon Binder

I believe the easiest and best way to organize coupons is by using the Coupon Portfolio or Coupon Binder Method.  It's ease of use and see through pages make it the most effective way to save money if you are serious about couponing.  Here is my binder recipe:

• 2 1/2-3" Zippered Binder w/Strap (I like Case It brand)
• 9 Pocket Baseball Card Dividers
• Tab Divider Pages
• Tabbed Pocket Dividers 

STORE SECTION: Your Favorite Stores (Two Pocket Divider for Rainchecks, Shopping List, Store Ad & Store coupons with a Store name inserted followed by one or two 9-slot Baseball card pages so you can organize the coupons for each store for the week.

CATEGORY SECTION: 10 Categories (Tab dividers labeled on both sides & 9-slot Baseball card holders-sometimes called trading card pages!)

Baby - 2 baseball card pages (Diapers/Shampoos, Baby Food)
Bread & Cereal - 5 baseball card pages (Cereal, Breakfast Foods, Breads, Rice/Pasta, Chips & Crackers)
Cleaners - 8 Baseball card pages (Floor Cleaners, Dish Cleaners, 2 Fabrics, Standard Cleaners, Bathroom Cleaners, 2 Air Fresheners)
Dairy - 4 Basball Card Pages (Cheese, Butter/Oil, Yogurt, Misc Dairy)
Dessert - 8 Baseball card pages (Cookies, Frozen Desserts, Cake/Brownie Mixes, Fruits/Jello/Pudding, 2 Drinks, Candy, Baking Goods)
Meat - 6 Baseball card pages (Fresh/Frozen Poultry, Lunchmeat, Breakfast Meats, Misc. Meats, Seasonings, Sauces)
Medicine - 8 baseball card pages (2 Cold/Allergy, Pain Relievers, First Aid, 2 Stomach Aids, Vitamins, 1-2 Misc. Medicines)
Paper Goods - 4 baseball card pages (Facial Tissues/Garbage Bags, Foils/Wraps/Containers, Plates/Paper Towels, Toilet Tissue)
Personal Hygiene - 14 Baseball card pages (Facial Cleansers, Body wash, Lotion, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Misc. Tooth products, Deodorant, Shaving Needs, Makeup, 2 Shampoo/Stylers, Hair Color, Personal Items, Misc. Hygiene)
Misc. - 9-10 Baseball card pages (Sauces/Salsa/Ketchup, 2 Canned Goods, 2 Frozen goods, Salads/Dressings, Misc. Foods, Pets, 1-2 Misc. Household Items)

You don't necessarily need the same # of pages I do! Customize to fit your needs!

TIPS:

• 90% of coupons will already fit the baseball card pages.  If they don't, slightly fold the barcode over to adjust for size w/expiration date still showing if possible!

• Only cut out coupons for products your family would use if the product ended up being cheap, free or a family favorite!

• Don't be brand loyal - it's expensive!  If you use toothpaste (and I'm sure your neighbors hope you do), then cut out every toothpaste coupon you see, not just for your favorite brand of toothpaste!  You never know when an "off" brand of toothpaste will be free with a coupon!

   Coupon Binder Shopping Cart Trick!

*HOT* 50% off Kid To Kid Deal Gift Certificate!!!

 THIS IS LIVE  - HURRY!!! 50% off KidtoKid Certificate Link

Can I just tell you all that I am a new found, and lifelong fan of Kid To Kid.  You may have seen one of my recent articles in the Daily Herald, The Valley Journals or Utah Family Magazine talking about the amazing deals I got at the Lindon, Utah location for FREE by exchanging out some clothes that don't fit my kids anymore.  I was able to get a dress, long enough, but "hip" enough for my 12 year old, 2 pairs of practically new name brand jeans and a really cute top for under $18! WOW!!!  It's amazing what you can do with just $20 at this store.  With Christmas creeping up you definitely should stop by Kid to Kid and stretch your budget even further!

PLUS: On November 18th & 19th, K2K is offering a Buy it Now deal where you can purchase a $12 gift certificate for $6.00 through freencheap.com.  You can redeem it anytime through February 2012.  Limit One per household.  Buy the deal from 4:00 p.m. on the 18th through midnight on the 19th. (And if you have older kids, Uptown Cheapskate – Kid to Kid’s sister store for teens and young adults is offering the same deal on Junior Fashions for guys and gals at freencheap.com) This deal will be available starting on the 18th!  I just got an advance sneak peak notice of the deal - Shhh!

CREATIVE IDEAS FOR GIFT GIVING ON A BUDGET

The real joy of Christmas comes from giving – both to friends and family, and to those who are less fortunate.  But sometimes that’s a challenge when you’re on a tight budget yourself.  Check out these awesome gift giving tips from Shauna of Kid To Kid:

Here are some creative ideas on gift giving on a budget.

1.                 TRADE YOUR KIDS’ STUFF FOR HOLIDAY CASH

This is a great way to help your kids participate in a meaningful way in the gift giving process.

Most kids don’t have jobs, but one thing they DO have is stuff.  This might include clothes they’ve outgrown, toys they don’t play with anymore, books they no longer read, and even the coat and snow boots they wore last year.  If your kid’s stuff is in good condition, it can be sold to Kid to Kid for some quick and easy holiday cash.

Double bonus – you’ll get them to d-eclutter and your house will be ready for Xmas too!  Let them keep the money from the things they sell to buy presents for friends, cousins, siblings, etc.

What kinds of things can kids sell?

• Toys and books and learning toys

• Big toys like kitchen sets, ride-on toys, or classic toys like Fisher Price Little People sets bring the most money.

• Building toys like blocks, Legos, or Duplos are also great.

            (Clean them up, and make sure all the pieces are there so  another child can play with the toy.)

• Shoes and Boots – These are high demand items at Kid to Kid – especially snow boots this month.

• Clothes – Right now we’re especially looking for winter clothes, dancewear, coats and hoodies, and holiday outfits.  As cute as their holiday outfits were last year, they’re not going to fit again this year.  So clean out the clothes and bring all the nice stuff to K2K to earn money.

• Baby Gear – Don’t let things like this you baby’s pack n play and exersaucer collect dust in the basement.  Bring them in to Kid to Kid and earn some holiday cash.

2.        TRADE YOUR KIDS’ STUFF AND SET UP AN ACCOUNT FOR A NEEDY CHILD

Last week, we had a cool dad come into our store.  He has two little boys, but really wanted to help a neighbor family who had girls.  So he brought in his son’s toys and clothes to sell.  Instead of taking cash (which his neighbor would have been embarrassed to accept), he set up an account for his neighbors to use to buy things their daughters needed.  The girls were able to come in and try on things to pick exactly what they wanted.  They felt like princesses going shopping in such a nice store.  And because the prices are so low at K2K, they were able to pick up 3 or 4 times as much stuff as if they had gone to a “regular” store.

Setting up an in-store account for someone else when you sell is like buying them a gift card, but even better.  When you sell things and choose store credit, you earn 20% more – so they get 20% more!  Just let the Kid to Kid buyer know, and we can create a store credit account for the kids you’ve decided to provide Christmas for.

3.        SHOP KID TO KID FOR SUB-FOR-SANTA OR ANGEL TREE GIFTS and receive 10% off.

This discount even applies to brand new toys.  You might already know that K2K sells nice used toys, but what many people don’t realize is that they also carry brand new toys – and they stock up for the holidays.  Choose from wood puzzles or Decorate Your Own craft kits from Melissa and Doug, fun role play toys like child sized aprons, rolling pins, and brooms, science kits, and more.  The selection varies in each store.

4.        GIVE A KID TO KID GIFT CARD  

It’s more than a little awkward to give something that’s been used as a gift, even if it’s a practical idea.  When you want to give someone the very most for your money, a Kid to Kid gift card is the perfect solution.  A K2K gift card is another great way to let someone choose just what they need the most and get far more for the money you spend – up to four times what they could get in a regular store.  They could buy baby equipment like a highchair or baby swing, maternity clothes, kids clothes, a warm coat and gloves, or toys.

5.            SHOP IN NOVEMBER AND GET A MYSTERY GIFT CARD WORTH $3 TO $50 when you spend $25 or more.  

This gift card is redeemable in December to help stretch your holiday budget even farther.

Kid To Kid is definitely a DEAL in my book and I'll be grabbing one of those gift cards for sure!  Make sure to follow Kid To Kid on Facebook to watch for sales and other hot deals!

EASY Recycled Flannel Shirt Aprons

Recycled Flannel Shirt Aprons

Many of you know I am no sewing master.  Ok, I'm not even an master's apprentice, but I can sew a straight line, so when my church group decided to make flannel shirt aprons with little sewing involved I signed up. True to their word this was such a simple project and I was actually able to complete it at Super Saturday (now c'mon ladies, how often does that really happen!)  With my meager sewing skills I'd say this project took well under 1 hour.  I'm using this apron as a cleaning apron, but you could use it for cooking or crafts as well.  I have also asked my mother and my sister-in-law's mom for flannel shirts from dads to make one for each of them for Christmas.  I think this apron will be a great memory for many years to come!

Recycled Flannel Shirt Aprons:

Step #1:  Steal an old flannel shirt from your hubby (And don't let him catch you!  My husband walked in to the church right as I cut the sleeve off his shirt - LOL!!)  The bigger the better - XL works best.  If you don't have one this size head over to your local thrift store and pick one up for $2.  The shirt does not have to be flannel. In fact, I'm making one out of a hawaiian shirt right now.

Step #2: Cut off the shirt sleeves cutting on the outside seam. The more seams you avoid cutting away the less sewing involved!

Step #3:  Cut away back of shirt (save material) leaving the side seams in tact!

Step #4:  Draw a chalk line from the collar to the bottom corner of the sleeve hole and cut excess fabric.  Roll raw edge over and stitch to finish.  (Use a medium straight stitch.)

Waist tie before and after

Step #5:  Cut a (2) 2-3" strips of fabric from the scrap material as long as possible.  Fold each edge to the center and iron.  Fold one more time to create waist ties.  Stitch ties down all sides for added strength.

Step #6:  Attach strips to waist just under arm holes with a straight seam and voila - a really cool apron!

OPTIONAL Pocket: I cut one of the arms in half and then cut the back off, sewed the edges and the button front shut and attached it to my apron.  It fits a bottle of Windex perfectly!

Turkey - The Cheapest Meat (Stock Up)!

With the current, and outrageous, price of beef due to our lagging economy, now is the time to fill your freezers with Turkey.  It's almost Thanksgiving and grocers are practically giving turkey away (Winco is giving away free Turkeys with a $100 purchase)! At $0.49-$0.99 for whole turkeys or turkey breasts this bird is a thankful delivery.  You can't get any other kind of meat for these prices - anywhere.  Rump roasts range from a whopping $2.50 lb to $4.50 lb.  For less than 25% of beef costs you can load up on lean turkey.  But don't wait too long, turkey prices will head north in just a couple weeks after Thanksgiving has come and gone!

If you don't have room to stock whole turkeys for a few months consider buying a couple bone-in turkey breasts. (Target has them on sale for $0.99 lb this week!)

These smaller size turkey portions are about the same size as a family roast.  Turkey breasts are easier to defrost than a whole turkey as well, and you don't have to touch the gross gizzards and giblets - Yuck!  I always try to keep of few of these breasts on hand for extra special Sunday dinners with the family.

Rice Krispy Turkey Pop Treats

Photo Credit: Kelloggs

I just had to share this cute Rice Krispies Turkey Pop Treats from Kellogg's with you all.  This is so easy, but certainly a soon to be Thanksgiving favorite at my house!  These are even better because I bought candy corns at 75% off at Walmart Halloween clearance :) Don't ya just luv it when a plan comes together!

Check out More Kelloggs Thanksgiving Day Recipes!

Dip into melted chocolate, add a few candy corn "feathers," and pop these tasty turkeys on top of lollipop sticks for a cute and creative Thanksgiving dessert.

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
• - or -
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal
• 1 package (12 oz., 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/3 cups candy corn
• 48 small white candies
• 24 lollipop sticks or wooden ice cream sticks

Directions

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using 1/4-cup measuring cup coated with cooking spray divide warm cereal mixture into 24 portions. Using buttered hands shape each portion into ball. Cool.

4. In microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate morsels and oil. Microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Dip each ball into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Decorate with candy corn for tail feathers and beak. Add candies for eyes. Let stand until firm. Insert lollipop stick into each. Best if served the same day.


MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 through 4 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

20 FREE Staples Greeting Cards

Get 20 FREE Holiday 5x7 Cards from Staples with this Staples Coupon. Coupon Valid 11/13-11/19

Bottled Water Hair Rinse - An Extreme Couponer

You know you're an extreme couponer when you..... rinse your hair in bottled water you stockpiled with coupons!  

Well, then call me an Extremely SMART Couponer because on Friday that's just what I did and it may have been the best rinse I have ever had!

Friday evening started like most nights at my house, whining children, teeth brushing, vitamins, stories, luvs and tucking kids in to bed, then off to the store to find hidden deals at my local grocery store.  After arriving home at around 11pm and working on the computer for about a half hour I decided to jump in the shower.  I had just finished rinsing the conditioner from my hair when I spontaneously decided to condition my crazy mob of curly red hair yet one more time (with you guessed it, my favorite conditioner... which is?).  I slathered on the conditioner and was massaging it through my hair when... the power went out.

"Tim, turn the lights back on, you jerk!" was my first reaction.  You see, my sweet Macgyver husband is quite the joker.  Even the nieces and nephews have named him "Uncle Teaser Tim".  But when I called my dear hubby he very clearly was startled from slumber to answer me.

What to do!?! No power = no water and I was dripping with soap.  Sweet Macgyver (yes, notice the change in tone) said I should just wait it out and the power would come back on soon.  Seriously?  You want me to stand here slimy and cold for what could be hours until the lights miraculously reappear?  That option clearly wasn't even viable in this lifetime so option #2 - the Nestle bottled water rinse event began.

I certainly was grateful for an amazing food storage at that moment!!!  Tim ran for a 24 pack of bottled water from the pantry and I put some pots on the gas stove which we lit manually.  Once the water was warm enough, Tim gently poured the water over my head into the sink via a battery powered lantern.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh - sweet relief!  Surprisingly 24 bottles of Nestle Pure Life Water is just the right amount of water needed to rinse conditioner from my hair.  (Note to self:  Always keep bottled water in the pantry and stock up the next time it's on sale!)

Thanks to my hubby and my food storage a serious hair crisis was successfully managed and peace was restored.  FYI - the lights came on 3 hours later, as did the blaring TV!

Butter Prices Coming Down - Stock Up Time!

Ok - I don't know about you but I am totally unwilling to pay $2.50-$2.99 for a pound of butter! I've been fortunate to have a frozen stock of butter that has lasted me for some time but I am getting low.

Fortunately, Thanksgiving has had historically low butter prices galore. Watch for prices to come down over the next few weeks - but this price break will not likely last long. If you see a great deal on butter you'd better buy a couple extra pounds and freeze them for later!