Friday, December 31, 2010
Get Deals & Earn Money with MooLaLa
They call it the PayMatrix. When you make a purchase, they will pay you 2% of your purchase price. When you a friend you refer signs up, you earn 2% on their purchases. You'll also earn 2% on purchases made by your friends' friends, your friends' friends' friends purchases, & your friends' friends' friends' friends' purchases! It sounds more confusing than it is; it's a 2% 5 tier payment level.
Here's the best part: the 2% payment isn't a 1 time deal. They will keep paying you 2% on those purchases forever. I suppose that could change at some point, but as it stands now, that's their policy.
My advice is to sign up for MooLaLa right away & start inviting your friends. Earn 2% off their purchases & not the other way around!
Thanks, Heather for the heads up!
10 Lessons We Learned in 2010
As I reflect on 2010, here are 10 lessons I think we, as a society, have learned this year.
- Clipping coupons is cool again. People no longer assume the only ones clipping coupons are 75 year old grannies with 11 cats. Couponing has become socially acceptable across the socio economic spectrum.
- Bartering is cool again. People have embraced the concept that they have skills that are valuable. Trading services such as income tax filing for yard maintenance is a win/win for everyone (assuming it is an equitable trade).
- Imaginary money is just that...imaginary! Raiding retirement plans or using the equity in homes "because it's a sure thing" isn't a sure thing...as so many people painfully learned this year.
- Downsizing doesn't mean downgrading. Whether it was a smaller living space, smaller car, or a shorter commute many have realized that bigger isn't always better.
- Free is cool again! Free movies, kids eating out free at restaurants, public libraries, etc...we're no longer ashamed to take advantage of freebies.
- Be grateful for the job you have. With so many unemployed people waiting for a job, the idea that "they can take this job & shove it" has become a distant, faded memory.
- Luxuries are just that...luxuries! People have realized that designer purses, exotic trips, home theater systems, etc. are nice...if you can afford them. Going camping is better than losing sleep trying to figure out how to pay for that trip to Maui.
- Cooking is cool again. Americans are eating out less & relying on processed foods less. Real honest to goodness meals at home are not only healthier, they cost less. And we're lovin' that (unless of course, you work in the food services industry!).
- Repairing items is often better than replacing them. People are keeping their cars longer, having tailors mend garments, refinishing furniture. etc.
- Save is no longer a 4 letter word. If you had told someone 5 years ago to increase (or simply start) their savings, they likely would have called you a worrier. Oh what a difference 5 years makes! People are saving money now; it may not be a lot given the current economy, but the notion of a savings account or emergency fund is something most of us have embraced.
These are just my observations. Feel free to agree or disagree with any of them. If you have another lesson you think we've learned in 2010, leave a comment & let us know!
(Image courtesy of North Folk Parents.)
Start Swagging Now For Next Christmas!
Imagine that all of your presents for next December were free. Yes, free. If you start saving your Swagbucks now, that could be a reality. I know several people that experienced that this Christmas (or at least, the majority of their presents were free). How would your family benefit from that financial relief? Personally, I used over $160 in Amazon gift cards this past year (not all at Christmas) & still have enough Swagbucks for $60 more.
You're probably asking "What's the catch?" I can honestly tell you, there isn't one. You create an account, use the search engine as usual, & earn Swagbucks (there are other ways to earn them as well, but searching the web is the main way). You then convert your Swagbucks into gift cards, prizes. etc. There is no annoying spam, no hoops to jump through....it really is that easy.
If you want to reduce your budget for 2011, sign up for Swagbucks. You can buy virtually anything from Amazon, so get your stuff free using gift cards that you earned at Swagbucks. If you're going to be searching online anyway, why not get rewarded for doing so?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
$10/$50 at Loft Through Sunday
$1/1 Coffeemate Coupon
Possible Baby Alive Doll $1.24 at Target
Target seems to have no rhyme or reason to how they clearance items across the nation, so YMMV (your mileage may vary) with this deal. Also, you may or may not find the correct Baby Alive deal on clearance.
Why would you want a toy deal so soon after the holidays? Valentine's Day, Easter, etc. are all coming up. Or stash this away for the inevitable birthday parties your children will get invited to all year long. Or Toys for Tots for next year!
Thanks, Mama Cheaps for the great find.
BMIM in 2011
Today Only: 50% off Body Shop Orders
50% Off Everett Silvertips Tickets!
- Dates available: January 7,16,21, February 11,13,16 of 2011! Hurry for the action! Seating based on availability for your selected game.
- Maximum of 2 Deals (4 Tickets) can be purchased
- One coupon per transaction (one per visit).
- Tickets can not be exchanged once purchased.
- No cash redemption.
- Can not be combined with any other offer.
- Coupon MUST BE redeemed at the Everett Silvertips Office.
- Coupon CAN NOT be redeemed at the Comcast arena Box office .
- Expires 2/16/2011
This might be my first HeraldNet Daily Deal purchase. I told you...I love hockey! Purchase your voucher now to get in on the action, too.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
My Thoughts on Extreme Couponing
- Donating items you can get free (or very inexpensively) is always a great thing to do. I do it myself. I don't buy 1100 boxes of cereal, but hey...that's just me. If you can pick up an item for free, consider getting it, even if it's a brand you don't use. Food banks need donations now more than ever, especially on non food items.
- Only buy what you need for 3 months. Unless it is a screamin' deal, don't go overboard. There will always be a similar deal approximately 12 weeks down the road. Buy what your family can realistically use for 3 months at a time. There is a fine line between stockpiling & hoarding.
- Show others how you do it. Give a coupon to someone in a store if you aren't using it. Be generous not just with your donated goods, but with your couponing knowledge.
- You can save money on healthy items using coupons! If I had a dime for every time I heard "there are never any coupons out there for things that are healthy" I would be so rich I wouldn't need to clip coupons (HA!). My family primarily eats only organic products. We almost exclusively use eco friendly cleaning products. Yet we save anywhere between 25-40% utilizing coupons.
One thing I want to make very clear is this: You do not need to devote 70 hours a week to couponing. That's insane. I write a coupon/bargain blog & I don't spend that much time on it. The very notion is both laughable & disturbing at the same time. Suggesting you need 70 hours to coupon does a disservice to anyone starting out because it will likely prevent them from starting.
Along the same lines, put your couponing in perspective. When I first started, I quickly got hooked on the thrill of a deal. A few months into my couponing adventures, I got sick....really sick. Like, in bed for 2 weeks, some of the days are a foggy memory because of the fever & medicine type sick. However, I do remember being slightly panicked a few times because I was wondering "What type of deals am I missing?" I'm pretty embarrassed to admit that. So take it from me, the sun will continue to rise even if you miss a deal. I promise!
Lastly, I debated on whether or not I should take any of the people featured on this show to task or not, but I'm going to do it. This is my blog, & I'm going to call 'em as I see 'em. Here goes: Amanda, shame on you! You would rather spend time running to stores for 1 deal than spend time with your husband or friends? You buy 40 years worth of toilet paper, yet you mention nothing about donating anything to charity? You purchased over 200 boxes of pasta, which you brought home to your own stockpile, rather than donating it? Now more than ever food banks need donations, & yet you have $15,000 worth of stockpiled items in your home. You have a $35,000 insurance policy on your stockpile. I'm going to call a spade a spade: You're being selfish. And a little crazy.
Amanda, now that I'm done chastising you, I implore you to seek help for your addiction. You seem to have a compulsion to shop; it appears you will never be satiated. Your comments "the bigger it is, the better I feel" about your stockpile or "when I look at my toilet paper, the feeling it brings to me is absolute joy" make me question your reasons for couponing. Is your self worth based on the size of your stockpile? Please, please, please consider seeking the help of a professional. You deserve to live a healthy, happy life...regardless of how many tubes of toothpaste you have.
If you have any thoughts about Exreme Couponing, I'd love to hear them. Feel free to leave a comment here or over on BMIM's Facebook wall!
Extreme Couponing on TLC Tonight
Drugstore.com: Free S/H on $20 Orders!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
$40 Diapers.com Voucher as Low as $15
At 9pm PST, Plum District will start a hot deal: Purchase a $40 Diapers.com voucher for $20. If you're a new Plum District customer, you will get a $5 credit to use on your first purchase (must use within 7 days). That would bring your total down to $15 for $40 worth of merchandise!
Don't need diapers? No worries. Diapers.com sells all kinds of great stuff. How about this 18 oz. Klean Kanteen on sale for $12.99 (already a fantastic price!)? Or Dr. Bronner's Organic Hand Soap in Lemongrass Lime for $8.99? Look at this cute JJ Cole Blanket for $29.95; it's 5'x5' & folds into an included travel case. This would be the perfect blanket for picnics, the beach, or to have in the car in case of an emergency.
Create your Plum District account now & get ready to buy this voucher right away. I'm guessing it will sell out very quickly!
If you've never ordered from Diapers.com before, they have lightening fast shipping. I received my order within 1 day when I ordered from them previously.
Free 64oz. Carton of CoolJuice
Cottonelle Toilet Paper 42 Cents Per Roll
Wow: 3 Years of Parents for $5.99!
Monday, December 27, 2010
200 eBooks $5 Each
20% off Organic Prairie Steaks
More Free Excedrin!
Thanks, Rockin' Deals!
Hanna Andersson: Up to 70% Off!
Mexican Organic Produce: Is It Really Organic?
$30 Worth of Kidorable Items Only $15
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Little Caesars: BOGO Free Pizza Coupon
$10/$25 JCPenney Coupon
If the idea of going to the mall tomorrow makes you want to shoot yourself, don't. You can use this online by entering in code: ITSOVER at checkout.
Thanks, Thrifty NW Mom!
Toy Story 3 DVD Just $6.98!
- First, go rent Toy Story 3 on Amazon via Video on Demand for $.99. (This is a 48 hour rental, so maybe watch it tomorrow to fill some of the time left while the kids are out of school.)
- Under the black box with the Toy Story 3 trailer, you will see this: "Eligible for "On Demand Plus": From now until January 31, rent this title through Amazon Video On Demand and get $4 off your purchase of the DVD or Blu-ray."
- Toy Story 3 is on sale today for $9.99. Add it to your cart & $4 will be taken off automatically.
- Pay $5.99 for the DVD & add the $.99 rental fee for a grand total of $6.98!
Sign up for Amazon Mom if you haven't already (do this before you place your order) & get free 2 day shipping on this & any other order for 90 days!
Thanks, Couponing to Disney.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Gap Outlet: BOGO Free Coupon
Thanks, Penny Pinchin' Mom.
BMIM Winners
Thanks again to Sara for donating the earrings.
Merry Christmas
As adults we often lose focus on the real meaning of Christmas. However, the message of Christmas is really quite simple. Here's a great reminder that the most simple things can also be the most profound.
From the bottom of my heart, have a Blessed & Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Old Navy: 2 Day Denim Sale
$2/2 Nivea MQ = Free Lip Balm
Safeway has the Nivea Lip Balm on sale for $.99. Buy 2, use the coupon, & score 2 free (just pay the tax if applicable)!
Thanks, My Frugal Adventures.
$1/1 Green & Black's Organic Coupon
Free MP3 Downloads from Amazon
If you're looking for some new Christmas music, I highly recommend Elf's Lament by Barenaked Ladies. It's fun & silly....& features Michael Buble. They sing about Santa's elves going on strike; it cracks my entire family up!
$30 in Organic Kids Apparel as Low as $5!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
$.75/1 R.W.Knudsen Coupon
If you have any Albertsons doublers left, use this coupon with a doubler & save $1.50!
Thanks, Organic Deals!
Burberry Torch for Women as Low as $17
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Albertsons Doublers + Organic Coupons
- Stonyfield Farms (Requires registration)
- Newman's Own
- Horizon Dairy (Requires registration)
- Organic Valley
- Seventh Generation (Requires registration)
- Earth's Best
- Coupons.com (Muir Glen, Plum Organics, Simply Organic, & Oregon Chai)
- Smartsource ($.55/2 dozen any eggs)
- RedPlum (Voskos & Newman's Own)
Obviously these are just a few sources for organic or eco friendly coupons. Print out what looks good & head to Albertsons with your doublers in hand. Any time you can save big on organic items is a stock up time!
Norad & OnStar Team Up!
This year NORAD goes even more high tech: If you have an OnStar equipped vehicle, press the OnStar button any time on Christmas Eve & locate Santa! What a cute way to keep your kids entertained while driving to holiday events.
Fred Meyer Last Minute Coupons
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
$5/$25 Top Foods Coupon
Thanks, Queen Bee Coupons.
Tasty Tuesday
Leslie's Eggnog
6 eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar (separated into 1/2 cup & 1/4 cup)
1 pint whipping cream
1 pint milk
1 pint whiskey
1 ounce rum
While beating just the yolks, mix in 1/2 cup sugar. Beat the egg whites until very stiff & add in 1/4 cup sugar. Combine the egg white mixture with the egg yolk mixture. Then stir in the whipping cream, milk, whiskey, & rum. Serve chilled with a pinch of nutmeg on top.
Free 2 Day S/H with Any Origins Order
$50 in Organic Bath Products Only $17
Monday, December 20, 2010
Hot Deal on Seventh Generation at Diapers.com
Hanna Andersson: Twice a Year Sale
BMIM is 1 Year Old!
Whole Foods: 20% off Gift Boxes + Free S/H
1 Year of ESPN Magazine Only $2.99!
$20 Worth of Zoka Coffee Just $10
Sunday, December 19, 2010
$17 for Organic Produce Delivered to You
You can check your zip code here to see if they will deliver to your door or to find a convenient pick up location. Full Circle Farms also offer CSA’s, so this would be an easy way to check out their produce & decide if you want to join their CSA.
Purchase your voucher today, save big on organic produce, & support your local economy & reduce your carbon footprint at the same time!
1 Year of Family Fun for $5
Saturday, December 18, 2010
$100 Voucher to Merry Go Round Just $50
Hot KitchenAid Mixer Deals!
- 250 Watt, 4 1/2 Quart Stand Mixer, $144.80 (regularly $269.99)
- 575 Watt Motor, 6 Quart Professional Stand Mixer, $279.99 - $50 rebate = $230 (regularly $499.99! This price is only good for the Meringue color; prices vary for other colors)
These both come with free super saver shipping, however if you sign up for Amazon Mom, you get a 90 day trial of Amazon Prime....which gets you free 2 day shipping on all orders for 90 days! Trust me, I've put my Amazon Prime membership to very good use this holiday season!
I absolutely love my KitchenAid mixer & think it's an amazing investment. I love a deal, but I also love quality items. A KitchenAid mixer is worth the extra money. When you can get a quality item at such a reasonable price, you need to jump on it!
Thanks for the tip, Janelle!
Sunday Coupon Preview
Friday, December 17, 2010
Free Shipping from Greeno Bambino
Here's a perk: Their email states "Not to worry; orders placed by then will arrive before Christmas - continental U.S. only.)" So order by Monday & get it in time for Christmas....for free!
Old Navy: Fleece Scarves Just $1
Mandarin Satusmas $.69/lb Today Only
Don't Forget...It's Mega Swagbucks Day
Free Eye Glasses (Just Pay Shipping!)
Go "like" Coastal Contacts on Facebook (search for CoastalContacts.com) & then click on the Free For All tab. You can then click the link to go to their website & the first 10,000 people who place an order will get a free pair of eye glasses.....prescription lenses included!
You will need to pay $15 in shipping, but this is a steal! Especially if you have a child wearing glasses, grab a pair as a backup (kids are always breaking glasses!).
Thanks, Cha Ching on a Shoestring!
Free Lotion from Bath & Bodyworks
Panasonic HD Pocket Camcorder $79.99
Free Shipping Day!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Origins: Free S/H on All Orders
Since no minimum is required, you can send a nice gift that won't break the bank. Here are 12 items all less than $30. Don't forget to search for their eco friendly & organic items, as well!
$50 in Organic Kids Clothes Just $22
Let’s talk conventional cotton. Here are a few facts about how conventional cotton is farmed:
- $2 billion worth of chemicals are sprayed on the global cotton crop annually.
- Almost half of those chemicals are toxic enough to be classified as “hazardous” by the World Health Organization.
- Cotton is responsible for the release of 16% of global insecticides; more than any other crop.
- Cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet it accounts for 24% of the world’s insecticide market & 11% of the global sales of pesticides.
- Aldicarb, the second best selling pesticide for cotton production, can kill a human with one drop absorbed through the skin, yet it is used in 25 countries, including the US, where 16 states have reported it in their groundwater.
- Processing cotton uses many chemicals including silicone waxes, ammonia, formaldehyde & chlorine dioxide.
Those facts are why I believe organic cotton is so important. However, it can be hard to find & usually costs significantly more than conventional cotton. So I'm excited to see this ScoutCollection Eversave deal!
Lastly, 5% of Save proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots. What are you waiting for? Purchase your ScoutCollection voucher now!