Shopping Single Saturday - 07/31/2010

Without further ado, here is tip number two:
Make the most of free samples! Pretty cool, huh?:-)

Where and how do you get free samples? 

• Get yourself a free Google/GMail account to use.
• Sign up on product web sites
• Check sites like AllYou.com's Daily Free Sample page and Walmart.com's Free Samples page
• Hey, It's Free
• Facebook - lots of product fan pages have special free sample or coupon offers.
• Get yourself a free Google/GMail account and subscribe to RSS feeds using Google Reader. It's not as hard as it sounds, and you'll be able to scan multiple freebie and coupon sites regularly fairly quickly. It's a LOT easier than going back and forth from web site to web site every day! To see how it works, check out these YouTube videos - Google Reader in Plain English and Google Reader: Getting Started.
• Kraft has a great program called Kraft First Taste. They'll send you samples and coupons for free products every few months. You can sign up for free at http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com
• If you like SoBe water and drinks, or haven't tried them yet, head over to http://headsortails.sobe.com and play the SoBe "Heads or Tails?" game. You can enter daily to win free stuff and 9 times out of 10, you'll get a coupon you can print on your computer for a BOGO SoBe (that's Buy One, Get One FREE). Combine that with a sale like the upcoming BOGO sale at CVS starting on Sunday, and you've got yourself two free 20 oz. bottles of SoBe!

Next week - Where to find those free samples!

Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day!!! (7/30/2010)

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day!!!

Fridays are your chance to win lots of Swag Bucks. Use your toolbar for all your searches. You could win 2,000 Swag Bucks.

For those who haven't heard of Swag Bucks, it's a site that pays you for searching the web with Swag Bucks, which can be redeemed for prizes, including Amazom.com gift certificates. There are other ways to win prizes and earn Swag Bucks, too - like participating in the daily poll, answering surveys and entering Swagstakes to win prizes.

If you've thought about joining Swag Bucks but haven't yet, today is a great time is the time. You can sign up by clicking on the referral links in this post (http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/CouponizerCarol), or by clicking on the widget way down below. You'll get 30 Swag Bucks just for joining, plus each person who signs up helps me get 10 Swag Bucks!

New Wellness Pet Food Coupons

$1.00 off Wellness Canned Pet Food

$3.00 off Wellness Dry Pet Food

Dippin' Dots $1.00 Off Coupon

Internet Coupon Flyer ($1.00 OFF) 07-2010.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Take this coupon to your local Dippin' Dots store or shopping center location and get $1.00 off a medium or large cup.

Facebook Freebie - Sample of V8 V-Fusion

Facebook | V8 V-Fusion

These went REALLY fast last week, so hurry up and get yours! If you miss out this week, all is not lost. They offer these every Monday morning! Head over to their facebook page, "Like" it and click on the "Samples" tab to sign up for yours!

Buy One Baskin-Robbins Soft Serve Cone, Get One FREE

Beat the Heat Coupon

Print this coupon and bring it to your local Baskin-Robbins store to redeem. Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid at participating Baskin-Robbins stores in the US only. While supplies last. Offer expires 08/08/10.

Shopping Single Saturday - 07/24/2010

Those of us in single person households have some unique challenges facing us. One of these is storage space, especially when you're an apartment dweller like me! Buying in bulk at places like BJs, Costco and Sam's Club isn't always feasible when buying a case of toilet paper means you'll be sleeping on the living room floor for the next 6 months. (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea!:-) Many of us simply don't have the space to fully take advantage of discount club prices. One of our other challenges is... MONEY! We have only one income to rely on - ours. This also applies to other single-income families, but when you combine it with our general lack of storage space, it creates a few challenges unique to us single folks.

So, I have decided to make Saturday "Shopping Single Saturday" here on the Fun with Finances 101 blog. My goal is to share tips, tricks, ideas and suggestions for making the most of your single shopping budget. Without further ado, here is tip number one:

Use coupons to get travel-size and single-serving items FREE (or dirt cheap)! Unless a coupon specifically states that you must use it to purchase a certain size or larger, you can use it to get a travel-size or single-serving size FREE (or dirt cheap). For example, let's say I have a coupon for $1.00 off any Noxzema product, and there is no minimum size requirement mentioned on the coupon. I can head over to my local chain drug store and buy a travel-size Noxzema product priced at $1.00 (or slightly more, depending on where you shop), and use my $1.00 off coupon, thereby getting it for FREE!

The same holds true for food coupons. I have a coupon good for $1.00 off any Skinny Cow product. I can use that to by one Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich - I don't have to buy a whole box in order to use the coupon. Unless the coupon specifically states "$1.00 off any package of 6 or more" or "any 5 oz. or larger bag", etc., you can use it on any size of that item. Pretty cool, huh?:-)

When does this come in handy? 

• When it's the day before payday, and you're down to your spare change and you have nothing in the refrigerator for dinner.
• When you have no room in your cabinets or refrigerator for a larger quantity of the item.
• When you run out of shampoo, soap, shaving cream, etc. between paychecks.
• As a treat when you want to indulge yourself with a more expensive brand of shampoo, soap, moisturizer, etc. but can't afford to pay the higher price on the full-size item.

Next week - Making the most of free samples!

Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day!!!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day!!!

Fridays are your chance to win lots of Swag Bucks. Use your toolbar for all your searches. You could win 2,000 Swag Bucks.

For those who haven't heard of Swag Bucks, it's a site that pays you for searching the web with Swag Bucks, which can be redeemed for prizes, including Amazom.com gift certificates. There are other ways to win prizes and earn Swag Bucks, too - like participating in the daily poll, answering surveys and entering Swagstakes to win prizes.

If you've thought about joining Swag Bucks but haven't yet, today is a great time is the time. You can sign up by clicking on the referral links in this post (http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/CouponizerCarol), or by clicking on the widget way down below. You'll get 30 Swag Bucks just for joining, plus each person who signs up helps me get 10 Swag Bucks!

Free Music Download from SPIN's August Issue

Free Download! 15 Hot Tracks From SPIN's August Issue | Spin Magazine Online

I have absolutely no idea what any of these songs sound like, as I haven't listened to them yet. But, for those of you who are into free music downloads, here's one from SPIN

1. Buckcherry "All Night Long"
   
2. Department of Eagles "Brightest Minds"
3. First Aid Kit "Hard Believer"
4. Francis and the Lights "For Days"
5. Henry Clay People "Slow Burn"
6. Jaill "The Stroller"
7. Maximum Balloon "Tiger" (feat. Aku)
8. Menomena "Five Little Rooms"
9. MNDR "Fade to Black"
10. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band "Leaving Trails"
11. Sun Kil Moon "Australian Winter"
12. Tame Impala "Solitude Is Bliss"
13. The Love Language "Heart to Tell"
14. The Sword "Tres Brujas"
15. Villagers "Becoming a Jackal"

Reminder - Target.com Back in Black Friday SALE today!

Target.com Back In Black Friday: Only This Friday. Only Online.

Target is having a "Black Friday" sale this Friday, TODAY, ONLINE ONLY. 

Kids Eat FREE at IKEA This Weekend

Kids eat free at IKEA

July 23-25, 2010 at participating US stores only. Choose any 3 kids sized items, value $2.49. Check the IKEA site to make sure your location is participating.

Free Sample of OXY Clinical

OXY® Shop/Free Sample | OXY®

Get a free sample of OXY Clinical, just by filling out the form on this page! You can also get coupons for $1.50 off any OXY Clinical and $1.00 off OXY Maximum here.

Free Pair of Ear Plugs from HEAROS

Ear Plugs Hearing Protection Products From HEAROS.com

HEAROS is giving away 1,000 free sample pairs of ear plugs a day. They usually start up each day around 9AM ET, and they go pretty quickly. You can choose from regular, Extreme and "Pretty in Pink".

Target Back in Black Friday Sale Online This Friday

Target.com Back In Black Friday: Only This Friday. Only Online.

Target is having a "Black Friday" sale this Friday, ONLINE ONLY. Bookmark the page above now and save big on Friday.

$1.00 Off a Medium or Large Baskin-Robbins Beverage after 2pm

If you stop by a participating Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combo location before noon, you can pick up a coupon good for $1 OFF a medium or large Baskin-Robbins Beverage after 2pm. 

Offer valid through 9/12/10 at participating Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combo locations only.

Free First Hug Safety Blanket

Free First Hug Safety Blanket

This is a great free offer for anyone who is expecting. The First Hug blanket is a safety blanket for those not used to handling or holding newborns. They're normally $29.95, but they're being offered free to expecting moms. They'll also send a special MOM2B pack of savings offers.

Sunday Walgreens SCORE!!!

Walgreens is having a great back-to-school sale starting today, so don't miss out!

Here's how I'm ending up with $45.11 worth of items for less than $10.00 ($21.77 is actually an office supply expense that I will be reimbursed for by my company, but I used my coupons to save them some money, too):

• Schick Intuition Razor - Sale price of $8.99, less $4.00 coupon from ALL YOU magazine and $3.00 in Register Rewards - total cost $1.99 (plus tax)
• 2 packages of FIVE Bic Bright Liner highlighters - Sale price of $0.49 EACH - total cost $0.98 (plus tax)
• 2 bottles of Dawn dish detergent - Sale price of $0.99 EACH - total cost $1.98 (plus tax)
• Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste, 5.8 oz - Sale price of $3.49, plus $3.49 back in RR (Register Rewards) - total cost FREE
• Expo Washable Dry Erase Markers, package of 6 - Sale price of $5.99, less $3.00 off Instant Value Coupon in July coupon book, less an additional $1.00 manufacturer's coupon - total cost $1.99. HUGE SCORE for this pen addict!!! (I've noticed that this varies by area, depending on regular, non-sale price. Some states sale price is only $3.99 and the Instant Value Coupon is for $1.00 off. I'm guessing that this is because New York City regular prices are higher to start with. These markers usually sell for about $10.49 here.)
• I also picked up my 2 inkjet printer ink cartridge refills - $10.00 each (plus tax) with last week's in ad coupon (normally $12.99/each), less reimbursement from my company - total cost FREE.

My total before coupons, etc. was $45.11
Less $8.00 in coupons = $37.11 (tax included)
Less $3.49 and $3.00 in Register Rewards = $30.62
Less $21.77 reimbursement from my company on the ink cartridges = a total cost to me of  $8.85

TRESemmé Fresh Start - $1 Off Coupon

Fresh Start Free Coupon Offer

Get a coupon for $1 off any TRESemmé Fresh Start product.
"Refresh your hair without actually washing it."

TRESemmé Fresh Start products include:

• TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo
• TRESemmé Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo
• TRESemmé Fresh Start Refreshing Mist
• TRESemmé Fresh Start No-Frizz Creme

Free Music Download from Urban Outfitters

Personally, this music is not my speed.If I had to work an 8-hour shift with this blasting on the speakers, I think I'd be looking for sharp objects to stick in my ears. However, it's free, thanks to Urban Outfitters. They're offering a mix of 25 free songs to download. If you can survive the blinding web graphics, you're better than I am!:-)

It also appears that their previous mix is still available for free download until 8/31/2010.

New Pampers Gifts to Grow Code - 10 Points

Thanks to Hip2Save for passing this one on!

There's a new Pampers Gifts to Grow code. Enter GTGTENMONTHCODE and get 10 Gifts to Grow points!

For those unfamiliar with the program, here's a brief description from the Pampers web site:

"The Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards Program rewards you every time you choose Pampers diapers, training pants and wipes for your growing baby.
To start, simply collect the codes from all your Pampers purchases. To see the points add up in your account, just sign up with Pampers.com and enter the codes on Gifts to Grow. After that, you can redeem your points for items in the Gifts to Grow rewards catalog."

Reminder 07/15/2010: Today is Nivea Happy Hour

Every Thursday during the summer, between 4-5pm ET, Nivea has a "Happy Hour" on their facebook page. They offer a giveaway, a coupon or prize.

You MUST "like" their facebook page in order to be eligible.

NEW McNeil Product Recall

MCNEIL PRODUCT RECALL

"FORT WASHINGTON, PA (July 8, 2010) – McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is recalling 21 lots of over-the-counter medicines. The lots involved, listed below, are sold in the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica. This action is a follow-up to a product recall that McNeil Consumer Healthcare originally announced on January 15, 2010, which was initiated following consumer complaints of a musty or moldy odor, which has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). The risk of serious adverse medical events is remote. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc

Summer Safety Checklist

Courtesy of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation:

"This summer, don't put yourself at risk for serious injury by forgetting these simple safety tips."

Free Issue of New Fresh Home Magazine

Fresh Home Subscription

Claim a FREE ISSUE of our all-new, Fresh Home magazine! You'll find easy and practical ideas for home design that reflects your personal style when you send for your FREE issue, a $4.99 value.

Bodycology - Become a Bodycology Tester!

Bodycology - Become a Bodycology Tester!

"Testers needed!
Now recruiting skin care experts (No experience necessary).
You try our products. We reward you.
How much does your opinion matter to us? Enough that we’d like to make it worth your while. Join the bodycology® Testing Team and you’ll be the first to try the latest and greatest bodycology® products, before they hit the stores. Fill out the form below and you may be selected to participate! In return, you get to keep the products you’ve tested and we’ll send you lots of free goodies!"

Pampers Village: Connect with real parents like you!

"For those of you with children in diapers, this is a great way to get offers, samples and coupons."

On Pampers Village, you can share tips, support, and experiences with real parents like you. You’ll discover more about parenthood through articles, videos, and online tools, and receive offers, samples, and coupons!

View >>

Free Ziploc® Back-to-School Gift Pack! - First 10,000 to respond

Ziploc® Back-to-School Gift Pack! - Right@Home™ > Offers

Each gift pack contains:
• One box of 50-count Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags
• One box of 25-count Ziploc® Brand Storage Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal.
• One package of Ziploc® Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal (small bowl)

Read it Forward - Chance to Win a Free Read

Read It Forward « Crown Publishing - Read It Forward
http://read-it-forward.crownpublishing.com/

"Read It First...Pass It On. Sneak peeks at great reads, behind-the-scenes insights from authors, lively & provocative reader's guides, and fabulous free books."

Limited quantities, while supplies last. Winners will be chosen at random. One entry per person per book.

$1.50 off Planters Flavor Grove Almonds - Facebook

http://bit.ly/aQxAyA

Kraft is giving away coupons for $1.50 off Planters Flavor Grove Almonds on Mr. Peanut's facebook page. "Like" Mr. Peanut to get a coupon!

Free Sesame Street Magazine Download

Sesame Street Parenting Magazine
http://archive.sesameworkshop.org/sesamemagazine/

Sesame Street Magazine - download the latest issue [PDF, 7.3MB]. Together, you and your child can enjoy a colorful array of stories, games, activities and more. This month, you'll find critters big and small on a Sesame Safari!

Free Music Playlist Download

The Biggest Loser and SUBWAY, Workout Mix Vol. 2
Free download of a 12-track playlist:
http://www.podworkoutmusic.com/SUBWAY/

Some of My Money-saving Tips

I join store and product loyalty programs! I've saved a bundle on groceries with my Waldbaum's card, CVS card and now with my Rite Aid card. I've signed up for cards with all of the supermarkets in my area, and keep the small ones on my keychain so that I always have them with me. I also participate in Rite Aid's Video Values program, where you can earn coupons and register rewards by watching short advertisment videos. PLUS with product loyalty programs, you get extra coupons and sometimes free product samples.

I also read my local store circulars when they're delivered on Thursdays to see what's going on sale Sunday, and plan ahead. Then, I look through the coupons in my Couponizer to see which (if any) items have manufacturers coupons and/or store coupons or register rewards good for that week. I combine coupons and register rewards wherever possible. This week, I used Walgreens register rewards to get $5.70 worth of items for only $0.70!

Certain things go on sale regularly at least once a month, like my Maxwell House French Roast coffee and Weight Watchers/Lean Cuisine meals, so I wait until they do, and then I stock up and use coupons to save even more!

All You Grocery Challenge Week 2 Results So Far

Breakfast most of this week has pretty much been stockpiled coffee with cereal or oatmeal, and stockpiled soy milk or yogurt, with the exception of one day, when I had eggs purchased for less than $0.25/dozen, thanks to my Walgreens score.

Lunch has also been from the stockpile most days this week, with the exception of Wednesday's pepperoni pizza.

I had to re-stock my microwave popcorn supply and a few other items, but my spending is still within the $25.00/week limit:

• $5.98 on Sunday for 2 packages of Boca Chick-n Patties, which were on sale for only $2.99 each. These usually run anywhere from $3.99-$4.99/box, so I jumped on these!

• $0.70 at Walgreens for popcorn, a dozen eggs and a 2 liter bottle of Diet Pepsi (less than $0.24 each item, making my eggs cost less than $0.02/each) thanks to a $5.00 register reward from the purchase of another, non-food item earlier the week before.

• $0.49 at Walgreens for grated cheese, thanks to a second $5.00 register reward from the purchase of another, non-food item earlier the week before.

• $8.49 on Wednesday, which is my day in the New York office: $2.00 for my morning 20 oz. hazelnut coffee, $3.50 for my lunchtime pizza, $2.00 for my afternoon coffee and $0.99 for my weekly post-weigh-in Doritos fix.

• $1.99 on Thursday in Walgreens for a 3-pack of microwave popcorn.

Total as of 6pm on Friday: $17.63

Freebies Received This Week as of 6/30/2010

These are the samples and coupons I received this week as of Wednesday:

• Cottonelle Toilet Tissue, Wipes and coupons
• Purina ONE Cat Food sample and coupon
• Nature's Bounty Pedometer and coupons
• Nature Made Vitamin D and coupon
• Crest White Strips and coupon
• Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel and coupon
• Stop Pain sample and coupon