Ebates is starting the year off with Double Cash Back on select stores – what a way to start 2012!
I posted quite awhile ago about the “Ebates Sign up Bonus”. In addition to the $5 Ebates credit, if you sign up now, you may opt instead to choose from several gift cards: $10 Barnes & Nobles, $10 Home Depot, $10 Target or a $10 Magazine.com.
What is Ebates? It is an online cash back shopping site, working with over 1,200 stores to give cash back and coupons to you. They get a commission from the stores when you make a purchase and instead of keeping that money, they share it with you! Joining Ebates is free. And four times a year they mail you a big fat check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account if you’d prefer.
Like I always say, “you have to spend money to make money, so, the more you spend, the more you get back!” Seriously though, if you shop online, why not get a rebate for it?
Ebates has a nice referral program also. You receive $5 for each referral who signs up using your unique link (found under the “Tell-a-Friend” tab) and then makes a $20 purchase within 90 days of joining. Try it and if you like it, why not tell others. Help them earn money on their online purchases also.
2012 is starting out with some great ways to save!
Below is a list of available samples and coupons that you may be interested in checking out.
Coupon Usage does not have to be a mystery. While it does take a little time, the rewards are well worth it in savings to your pocketbook.
I have not posted much recently about coupons. Mainly, because, I have not been shopping lately. We have been eating out of the freezer and so busy that I have honestly not had time to shop! I do however, keep a check on coupon deals and the organization of my coupons. I continue to get questions concerning coupons and thought it might be helpful to have a list of coupon how-to’s in one place.
These are previously written posts that I hope you will find beneficial.
Coupon Basics
Coupon Sources
Coupon Organization
Couponing at CVS
Couponing at Walgreens
I love freebies with coupons but making money with them is even better! My first stop was Target.
I spent $4.44 for everything pictured and saved $95.98!
I purchased:
39 – Tide 2x Ultra Travel Size (1 Load) $0.97
54 - Olay Body Bar Single Travel Size $0.97
14 – Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate or Fudge Brownie Mix $0.77
Coupons used were:
39 – Tide $1/1 coupon from the 7/4 PG (exp. 7-31-10) **Did not exclude travel size.
54 – Olay $1/1 coupon from the 7/4 PG (exp. 7-31-10) **Did not exclude travel size.
7 - Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $0.75/2 coupon exp. (8/21/10)
Unlike WalMart, Target does not give overage on coupons. So the $1/1 coupons were reduced to $0.97. I was pleased to find out that their registers now do this automatically. I visited two different Target to find everything.
My next stop was Office Depot. This was a moneymaker!
I spent $17.94 and purchased:
1 – Swingline Light Touch stapler $13.99 (Mail in Rebate $13.99)
2 – Office Depot Multi Purpose Paper $6.29 each (Mail in Rebate $5.29 each in Visa prepaid cards)
I will submit for the MIR on the stapler and paper, plus, Office Depot emailed me a $10/$25 coupon which I used. So after spending $17.94, I will receive $24.57 back – this was a $6.63 moneymaker!
My last stop was CVS. 
Here I purchased: 2 – Complete Multi Purpose Solution (12 oz) $7.99 = $7.99 ECB
2 – Biotrue Multi Purpose Solution (2 oz) $2.99 = $2.99 ECB
I paid for these with ECB’s I had earned on a previous trip so my out of pocket expense was $0.00! If you are not familiar with the Extra Care Bucks (ECB) program at CVS, you might want to check it out HERE – I have saved a bundle with it!
Have you ever needed a stylish yet feminine dress, only to come home from shopping, frustrated and empty-handed?
The problem: Finding a dress both feminine and stylish which also covers enough skin for you to truly feel comfortable.
You are not alone! ShabbyApple.com owners, Emily and CK, had the same experience and even went to trade shows, markets and design studios. Their discovery – it was not that stores just weren’t stocking the right dresses. The designers were not designing the right dresses! Thus, ShabbyApple.com was born.
I found their styles to be refreshingly modern and modest (no need to wear a tank top or cardigan to cover what the dress does not!). I received the Helena for review in bubble gum pink, jersey knit. I admit, I needed to exchange the first dress for a larger size and this was accomplished very easily. The customer service was friendly and helpful. The stitching on the ruched bodice is secure and evenly spaced which can be a problem with jersy knits. The fabric is soft and since it is knit, I do not have to worry about wrinkles. I am looking forward to wearing it throughout the summer!
Shabby Apple also carries maternity, baby, bridesmaid, plus sizes and swim wear. Unfortuanletly, they do not have a “brick and mortar” store location but they do offer free shipping on items for exchange!
I am pleased to offer my readers a 10% discount code on any order from ShabbyApple.com. At checkout use code: dimes5253. This code is good until July 3, 2010.
I received a dress for review but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own. A special thanks to the Shabby Apple for this opportunity.
Save 80% Off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert
Use code: FLAG
Pay $2
Valid 5/31/10.
Restaurant.com offers deep discounts by partnering with many restaurants across the country. These are certificates to help your dollars go farther! Just like stores, restaurants want your business.
I have bought them and they really are legitimate deals!
So, if you have a favorite restaurant or there is a new one you have been wanting to try, now may be the time! Just click on the link above, type in your zip code to see the participating restaurants in your area and purchase the desired certificates. Once purchased you are able to print and use immediately!
***These are great for a date night!***
Don’t forget to enter my Flirty Aprons Giveaway for a free apron of your choice! But, if you just cannot wait, FlirtyAprons.com has released a 40% off coupon code just in time for Mother’s Day! There is still plenty of time to order – any orders placed by 2pm EST will be shipped the next business day. These aprons are absolutely beautiful and while they may not help your culinary skill they sure make you feel better while in the kitchen!
Use code: FA-4110
This code expires may 12, 2010.
Have you ever seen the little red box inside your local CVS Drugstore? Well, I had never paid much attention until yesterday – in fact, I am not sure I had ever seen it! And, come to find out, not all of our local stores have them. If you have one, don’t overlook it! You just stick your ExtraCare Card (bar code up) under the machine which scans the card and prints out coupons. I got three coupons and one was for $5 off a $40 purchase!
I just happened to be in the store for a coupon/sale combo on Preference Hair Color by L’oreal (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!). It was on sale for $6.88 per box and I used $2/1 coupon in last Sundays paper and then used the $5/$40 purchase! I got haircolor for a year way less than one visit to a salon would have cost!
Another great deal at CVS: Renpure Organics Shampoo and Conditioner – ”Try Me Free” hangtag. This is normally prices at $6.99 and is on sale this week for $4.99. But, with the rebate it is free! Just be sure to save the receipt to send in for the rebate!
Earlier, I gave detailed instructions on Coupon Organization using a Case-It binder. While I still love this method, it has become a bit unpractical. With John and the family now doing a paper route, we are able to get the inserts from any unsold Sunday papers. Since an increased number of papers are placed in the stores along the route on Sundays, the number of returns are also increased. This means that often we have 20 – 30 inserts waiting for us on Monday morning. Yesterdays returns, for example, numbered 39! Yes, you read it right, 39 inserts! It is great if a wonderful sale comes along, with which I can combine coupons, thus making for free or almost free products. I love stockpiling! 
I am currently experimenting with merely stacking the inserts according to type (Red Plum, Smart Source, P&G) and writing the date of issue on the top copy. I have piles of coupons under a chair in our bedroom so they are out of the way. It is not too difficult to go through the stacks to find appropriate coupons but does take time. To help with this, I have made a list of the coupons included in each insert along with the expiration date.
The main disadvantage of this method is that I no longer have my supply of coupons with me at the store to easily search through. However, with the vineyard work increasing and our family gardening beginning, I will not be doing much shopping. So, I do not foresee this being a problem. The main advantage is, much time is saved in cutting out all of those coupons. I was using my Case-It for a couple of coupons per pocket and a shoe box in which I placed the remaining copies (like copies clipped together) in alphabetical order. Now, I am simply making use of previously unused space under a chair and out of the way!
On a side note: I am also saving the Sunday comics to use as wrapping paper – combined with inexpensive bright ribbon, they make really cute packages!
I’ll keep you updated as to any further changes.
Coupons to stockpile – do you stockpile when you can?
One item large families use a ton of is …. you guessed it – toilet paper! I hate spending money on it because, well, you just flush it! Like so many things though, it is definitely a necessity. That is why I stockpile when I have a great coupon. In the Sunday paper on Feb 7th there was a coupon for $1 off any white cloud product which expires 4/7/2010. Our Walmart has the 4 pack of white cloud for $2, making it only $1 after the coupon. If you have not used coupons before or are new to couponing, read Coupon Basics.
This is an example of a coupon I will buy and still save quite a bit. If you did not receive it, it is available on ebay. But, with John doing the paper route, I now have the leftover inserts that did not sell. So, I was able to buy 26, 4-packs of white cloud toilet paper for only $0.25 per roll!
For more information on coupons, read Coupon Sources and Coupon Organization.
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Grab My Dime! 
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About Me 
God has amazingly blessed me, Dina-Marie, with a wonderful husband and 10 beautiful children. Moving from our "secure" life in Alabama to the "exciting" life of starting a vineyard in west Texas has been challenging to say the least. I have had the opportunity to take a crash course in frugal living and become a real farm girl - complete with milk cow and chickens. I have learned the importance of health from the inside out, "traditional" cooking and cod liver oil!
I hope to encourage you to make the most of where you are and what you have. |
