Financial Planning

Buying Groceries on Amazon.com & Saving Money

June 26, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

People always ask where I find the best deals and for years now I’ve had the same answer, Amazon. I purchase almost all of my paper goods, cleaning products and even speciality snacks on Amazon.

Aside from the convenience, Amazon has a ton of savings methods. First, many of the grocery items have clipable coupons. When you find an item you like, you simply click the coupon and it is automatically applied. Simple.

Many items are eligible for free shipping if you order $25 or more even better, if you have Amazon Prime, you’ll snag free 2 day shipping! I’ve been a Prime member for a few years and it’s the best money I’ve ever spent! Sign up for a FREE 30 day trial of Amazon Prime and you’ll be a fan for life!

Don’t forget, you can also use Subscribe and Save. This means, you can subscribe to have a certain item (let’s say toilet paper) sent to your house on a regular basis and you’ll get a discount! You can cancel your subscription at any time.

Buying a television or a phone? No worries, Amazon will price match too!

Amazon also offers price drops, these are random but you’ll notice the prices will vary drastically at times on any given day. Check back often! I love scoring amazing deals because of a price drop!

If you haven’t checked out Amazon for grocery items, give it a try. I’ve been very happy with it and save a ton of money too!

Couponing 101: Learning Store Coupon Policies

June 23, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

Learning store coupon policies is key to saving money. Every single store has a different policy and many of them update them regularly. Once you learn the store policy, you can master money saving techniques at that particular store.

For example, once I learned at Whole Foods that I could wait for a sale, combine my coupons with that sale and then buy a case of the product and get an extra 10% off that case, that changed everything. I buy healthy foods, I shop organic and specialty foods and with a policy like the one at Whole Foods, saving money on those items became a heck of a lot easier. But, I never would have known if I had not researched their policy.

If you live around stores that do not publish their policy, simply call the store manager and ask the following questions:

Do you take coupons?

Do you take internet coupons?

Do you double coupons?

What other special offers do you have (double flyer sales, in-ad coupons, etc)?

Get the name of the manager you speak to for future reference. It’s always good to give a call to your closest stores every once in awhile, you never know what you’ll find!

Here are a few of the most popular store coupon policies right now:

Walmart Coupon Policy

Walmart Price Matching Policy

Target Coupon Policy

Walgreens Coupon Policy

CVS Coupon Policy

Enjoy the savings!

10 Ways to Eat Healthy and Not Go Broke

May 1, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

I posted, a couple of weeks ago, that I was over the whole “if you coupon, you must eat junk” idea. Really, couponers and money savers have a bad rap for eating processed junk food because it’s cheap. While I’ll admit, that was a trend for quite awhile, that’s not sustainable long term. Our bodies were not made to survive on junk food, stick with us and we’ll show you how to eat healthy without breaking the bank. It can be done!

10 Ways to Eat Healthy and NOT Go Broke

1. Shop in Season: While I realize you already know this, it is important to mention. When you plan your weekly menu for your family, be sure to plan around fruits and veggies that are in season. You’ll find, they’re the cheapest (and they taste the best too). Plus, you can get creative!

2. Think Outside the Store:Trade services with local farmers, ask if you can plant your own garden in a family member’s yard (if you don’t have one), offer to pick extras for the farm for a discount, etc. You have to get creative and it will pay off! We have a local farm that will give you free berries when you pick some for the farm itself, you’ll earn enough to freeze all year long!

3.Skip the Packages: No need for a “prepackaged salad” when you can make your own for a fraction of the price. You can grow your own too but even if you’re not the farming type, simply buying a head of lettuce or some spinach and adding your own mixture to it will be much less than buying a bag salad that will likely go gross in a day or two.

4. Cook in Bulk & Freeze: If you find a great deal on chicken (like I did this past weekend), buy extra and freeze it or cook it and freeze it for later! Freezer cooking saves time and money. One of the BEST freezer cooking websites I know is Once a Month Meals, check it out and you’ll be amazed.

5. Use Bulk Bins for Spices, Flour, etc.: Did you know you can take your own containers to Whole Foods (and many other stores) and fill them up in the bulk bins with spices, flour, etc for half the price of the package version? It’s true! If you only need a cup of flour then you can buy a cup of flour, pretty easy and you’ll save money. Personally, we have food allergies so, I do not use the bulk bins for cross-contamination issues but, if you don’t have that problem then be sure to check them out!

6. Learn to Cook…Again: I’ll admit, this one is not easy. I’ve had to learn to cook with fresh veggies, fruit and mainly chicken. I don’t add a lot of seasoning (my body just can’t handle it) so it’s pretty basic around here. I’ve had to cook without grabbing not-so-healthy items or even things like tomato sauce (again, my body doesn’t like it). Take some time, check out some books at the library and forget what you once knew. You’ll find you will save money by sticking to the basics and simply by adding different veggies, you can change the whole shape of a meal!

7. Plan Ahead: Menu planning is key to saving money. Plan around sales, coupons, what is in season, etc and you’ll save money and time at the grocery store. Sticking to your list and planning ahead is crucial.

8. Use Coupons: Yes, there are coupons for organic and healthy items. You can call the manufacturer directly, look at the brand website or get store coupons at places like Whole Foods or Sprouts. Most health foods stores do offer their own promotions and coupons. The savings are out there, you just have to know where to find them!

9. Try Co-ops: I use The Produce Gathering but, there are many out there. Right now, co-ops like this are popping up in cities all over the country. You can order produce at lower costs and much of it is local and/or organic. I LOVE it!

10. Make It: Make your own trail mix, use quick oats instead of instant oats or make your own granola instead of buying it packaged. Little changes like that can mean big savings. Pricey granola bars are easy to make yourself, I can make 20 at a time for less than what it would cost to purchase 5 of them. Google around and you’ll find some easy recipes and easy changes you can make right now!

Eating healthy is not cheap but, I’d much rather spend a little extra and stay healthy then cut corners and end up paying more doctor bills. Investing in your health is the best investment you’ll make, I wish I would have learned that sooner than this past year but, it’s a lesson I’ll never forget.

Couponing 101: Coupon Ethics

May 1, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

Did you know there is a right and wrong way to use coupons?

I thought I’d tackle some questions head on and clear the air a bit when it comes to Coupon Ethics.

This is not meant to call anyone out, it’s just easier if I answer these directly and it helps out all of our readers.

1. It’s so frustrating to hear about a great deal on here, only to not be able to take advantage of it b/c the store has been picked clean by the time I get there. I end up feeling like it’s a race to get the deal.

I actually believe this problem stems from the rise of couponers and stores that are poorly stocking their shelves.

Stores could really take advantage of this couponing craze right now. If each store would properly stock their shelves not only would we be running in for our good deals but likely buying other items as well.

I do agree, I also feel like it’s a race for the deal. In fact, I’ve missed several deals lately simply because they were out long before I got there.

There is no way to control what one person takes or doesn’t take. However, I do think we need to put some pressure on our stores to actually stock their products. If you keep experiencing this at a particular store, I want to encourage you to call or e-mail the corporate offices and let them know.

2. I just saw on another forum where one Couponer said she has already gotten 67 free packs of toddler wipes and plans to get at least that many more before the Q expires.

This is certainly not stockpiling, this is hoarding. And, more than likely, this is another reason why point #1 is happening.

Stockpiling is a way for couponers to cash in on those great deals and keep some ‘in the bank’ so to speak until the next deal comes along. It’s not so we can run miniature grocery stores out of our own living rooms.

Obviously, this is a judgment call that each individual has to make. Many of us buy items to donate to local food banks and churches and that’s fine, just keep in mind that there are other people looking for those deals too.

3. Personally, I think if the store is willing to take the coupon, then why not use it? There have been plenty of times when a coupon didn’t scan b/c I didn’t have the correct item to match it to, but in this case, the coupon went through, so I used it.

This area gets confused a lot. The problem is when a coupon says that it is for a specific item and that item is not bought, then the store does not get reimbursed for that item (regardless of it scanned or not).

This is a big one for couponers because it feels like it’s the fault of the store for taking the coupon in the first place. The bottom line is if the coupon cannot be reimbursed, then we are stealing from the store. And, if the store loses money then they change their policies and that ultimately effects all of us.

Using a coupon for anything other than what is specifically listed on the coupon itself is considered fraud and is illegal. Even if it goes through, we have to abide by the ‘coupon rules’ and use it only for what it’s intended for.

4. I would like some clarification on the “satisfaction guaranteed or your money back” offers that are occasionally available. It feels wrong to me to send in for a “satisfaction guaranteed” refund if I like the product.

I do NOT think it’s ok to submit a rebate for a ’satisfaction guaranteed’ item if you are truly satisfied. That is a debated issue amongst couponers however, I do feel it’s dishonest to ask for your money back when you loved the product.

Another question I get is, “what does dissatisfied mean?” It actually could mean a lot of things like price, package and then overall product. That’s a judgment call.

The bottom line, I do not believe submitting a ’satisfaction guaranteed rebate’ is ok if you are completely satisfied with product.

On the flip side, there are ‘try me free’ and ‘mail in rebates’ that are perfectly fine to use and you can use these with coupons and sales! I do mention those all the time.

Please know I do not take my job lightly, I research deals every single day and I do my best to be sure I am bringing you honest, legitimate deals that will save you money.

Couponing 101: How to Price Match

May 1, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

Big thanks to Aime on Facebook for asking about price matching and the how to’s of it all. Obviously the most famous store to price match at is Walmart but Target also price matches. Let’s take a look at both stores;

Walmart:

1. Take your competitor ads (ex. Homeland, Walgreens, CVS, etc) you’ve received in the mail or newspaper to Walmart. Be sure to call ahead and find out which ads they are willing to price match. Most stores will price match store sales within a certain mile radius.

2. Get the exact item (ounces and matching brand name) that is on sale in the ad. Remember, the price has to be listed in the ad, it cannot be a B1G1 or a % off. The price must be $X.XX. Walmart will price match meat and produce as well (these do not have to match brand wise-an apple is an apple).

3. I’ve found the easiest way to do this at checkout is to place the items you will price match all together either at the beginning or end of your transaction so the cashier can do it all at once. All you have to do is let them scan the item then show them the ad with the better price and they will adjust the price for you at the register.

You may also use coupons with these items as well to make the deal even better. And, according to a recent Walmart ad, Walmart stores will accept competitor coupons such as Target or Walgreens. If this all works out then this could make Walmart a great one stop shop. However, judging by their track record, it will likely take awhile for all stores to be on the same page.

Target:

1. Gather your competitor ads just as you would for Walmart and head to the store.

2. When you walk in and ask the Customer Service desk how they price match items. Most will have you check out then bring your receipt to the Customer Service desk and they’ll refund you the difference in price. However, some will do it right at the register. This makes it hard for me to give you exact instructions as I’ve heard several readers have very different experiences.

You can combine Target coupons with price matching. However, this happens BEFORE the price match. So, if the Target coupon makes the final price lower than the competitor, then you won’t be able to price match that item. You can use manufacturers coupons though as you would normally.

You will price match at Walmart by picking up the exact item in the ad and making sure the sale price is visible as in $X.XX dollars and again, not a % off or a B1G1 deal.

3. Keep the Target Coupon Policy and Target Price Matching Policy with you. While Target is usually good about these things, it is always best to do your research first.

While price matching does take a little extra planning it is actually an easy way to save money without visiting 10 other stores. Give it a try and let us know what you think!