Coupons — Page 5

Enter to WIN one of 100 Starbucks Gift Cards! #giveaway

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WomanFreebies.com has some of the BEST free samples, coupons, and giveaways for moms- they’re one of my favorite freebie sites.

And you can totally trust the offers that they post too, they research all of the free offers before posting. You’ll find samples like hair products and brand name make-up, formula and diapers, and great online shopping coupons too!

How to Enter to Win:

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Let me know if you end up being a lucky winner!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 28, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Giveaways, Contests, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

Extreme Couponing shows the Snookis of the Couponing World…

I’ve told you guys how I feel about TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” show a few times now.

And I wrote a post yesterday, with some of my thoughts on it- It’s Time to Get Real About Extreme Couponing.

There are SO many people out there that just totally bash the show, and I understand completely why they don’t like it. There are a lot of things with that show that I think are just awful.

Love this new post about the Show-

BUT- I do think that there are some positive aspects to the show too, which is what I talked about in yesterdays article. I had a comment from the blogger over at Dollars and Cents in Kent yesterday, and she told me she’d written a post about Extreme Couponing too- so of course I had to check it out!

She has put together SUCH a well written post about the show, and I have to share it, because it has the BEST statement that I’ve read from anyone who’s been talking about this show!!

“We understood that the show was not meant to feature the average couponer, it was extreme couponing and in true reality show style, they went there. They showed the Snookies of the coupon world.”

That absolutely cracks me up!! That’s exactly what the show is all about… It’s not meant to show you how regular families use coupons to save on their grocery bill – just like Jersey Shore isn’t there to show you how the average Jersey kid spends their summer. It’s meant to be totally outrageous.

Read the rest of her great post here- New Season of TLC’s Extreme Couponing… Is this the End for Us?

It does have some useful information…

But, while watching Jersey Shore, or The Kardashians, or whatever your reality series of choice is- you don’t learn a whole lot of useful tips, right? But at least with Extreme Couponing there are some moms who take away a few useful ideas- like how to organize their coupons, how to build a stockpile to save money and be prepared, or just the basics like where to find coupons.

So, while I agree with many of the complaints that people make about the show, there are at least some benefits to watching it too!

What do you think about Extreme Couponing on TLC?

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 28, 2011 Filed Under: Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

Enter to Win a $175 Visa Gift Card! #Rafflecopter #Giveaway

Enter to Win!

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Learn More…

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*Just a note-With the new changes on Facebook, make sure to create a new List for all of the pages that you like. When you do this, all you have to do is click on the list that you make to see the posts from the pages you like. Make sure that you do this several times during the day in order not to miss any new giveaways, freebies, great deals, etc.

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[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 28, 2011 Filed Under: Shopping, Contests, Giveaways, Deals and Coupon Codes | 2 Comments

Check it Out- How to Build the Total Couponing Kit

Check out the New Way to Store and Organize Your Coupons

I know that a ton of people swear by the coupon organizing binders- but those just haven’t worked out for me.

Currently, I store my monster pile of coupons in a few big folders in my filing cabinet- and take ’em all out when it’s time to make my shopping list.

But- I TOTALLY think that this would be the PERFECT system for me- My Coupon Closet is a super cool new storage system to help you get organized.

My Coupon Closet is the newest and easiest way to organize your coupons. No need for expensive and bulky binders with this coupon box. Everything you need comes in your coupon box, ready for you to create YOUR Coupon Closet.

Right now for a limited time, you can get FREE shipping when you enter the code freeship11.

See it in action:

Everything you need is included:

Reusable Shopping Bag: Each box comes with a reusable shopping bag (random color). The box fits perfectly in the bag, so now you can easily carry your box anywhere. It is a very lightweight organizer that fits perfectly in your shopping cart. Looking for coupons while shopping is now a breeze.
Plastic Box with Snap on Lid: Because we use a sturdy plastic shoe box, you will never have to worry about your new organizer falling apart. A snap-on lid insures that your coupons will stay in place.
A pen and scissors: Each box comes with a pair of scissors and a pen. You need scissors in your box, so you will always be ready to clip coupons. If you are out shopping, you may find in-store coupons in a flyer that you need to use now. Because you have your scissors ready, you are ready to instantly use that coupon! We include a pen, so you are actively keeping track of your budget and making off your check list. Head on over to the Coupon Closet blog to learn more about shopping lists and budgets.
Sturdy Envelopes: Our envelopes are not your average envelopes. These little files are specially made for this coupon box. They are sturdy and made to last. They have the perfect tabs, for you write your own categories on. You can completely customize your new box!
60 White Envelopes: 60 envelopes are used to create individual categories for your new coupon box. If you are a beginner, we suggest you start with just 30 categories and then build up to 60 the longer you coupon. You can see my category suggestions here.
5 Green Envelopes: The Green envelopes are used to separate your stores. These are perfect for individual store coupons, and to place the coupons you plan to use at each of those stores.
Separator: Added into the coupon box, is a small separator. This divider is a small basket that is placed inside your coupon box. It keeps all your envelopes lined up properly and holds your pen and scissors. I also like to place a calculator and my cell phone in this basket while I am shopping.

Everything you need to get started is included. Go here to purchase your kit today!

Save Money AND Save Time!

You don’t have to be a crazy Extreme Couponer to save your family a ton of money – {read my thoughts, and share your own, about it all on- It’s Time to Get Real About Extreme Couponing}

This is a HUGE time-saving set-up for anyone wanting to maximize their savings, but doesn’t have a ton of time. If you’re already using it, I’d love to hear what you think of it. And if you know of anyone who could totally benefit from this too- use the share buttons to post it to your favorite social media page too!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 27, 2011 Filed Under: Shopping, Reviews, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

It’s Time to Get Real About Extreme Couponing…

Extreme Couponing is Popular for a Reason

That reason is- Almost all of us moms out here are trying to tighten our budgets. Raising a family in a tough economy is a challenge, for sure. And a big expense in any family is the monthly grocery budget. So when you see other moms who are able to get hundreds of dollars worth of food for almost FREE, using coupons– Yep, that makes us sit up and take notice!

Great Article on Realistic Expectations

I found a really great article today from A Full Cup- Extremely Unrealistic Expectations- Let’s Get Real About Extreme Couponing, that you should definitely check out. It gives a great break down on how couponing works, and busts some of the myths that the show promotes. After reading it, I thought I’d share my opinions on the show too- and I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments too.

What I Love About Extreme Couponing

I mean, after watching that video- how could you NOT get motivated to start using coupons, right? That’s pretty darn amazing. AND- what I love most is that in this clip, {although I never saw this full episode} she isn’t buying excessive amounts of anything- this looks more like a “real” family shopping trip to me. So, if she can combine her coupons to get savings like that- that totally rocks my socks, and is what using coupons is all about!
I’ve been learning how to maximize my coupon savings for the past few years, and feel pretty proud when I can leave the grocery store and read that I saved 35-40% on my grocery trip. But so many of my friends made fun of me for always having a coupon stash in my purse! So I do love that the popularity of this show has made it more “trendy” to use coupons- and my friends don’t laugh anymore. They’ve seen how those .25 cent coupons can add up to serious savings.
I also appreciate that Extreme Coupoining has gotten more people interested in using coupons, and has taught a lot of other women out there some great new tips to help their families save money- and that’s a great thing.

The Darker Side of Extreme Couponing

We all watch in amazement as the several-hundred dollar totals on the show drop to almost nothing, and while we feel impressed, most of us also feel totally discouraged. It’s obvious that none of us can shop that way on a regular basis!
I also get really angry when I see people on this show breaking the rules– that hurts all of us honest shoppers out here, as companies crack down on their policies, or simply offer less coupons all together. Very frustrating.
Another thing that makes me feel negative towards the store is the way that it shows- well, even promotes– unethical behavior. Women on the show have purposely misused coupons, which is against the law. I wish that if they had shown this, TLC would’ve added a disclaimer that this was not something they approve of.
Also, the hoarding- when one person clears shelves, it has a negative consequence on other families. It’s even worse when it’s a product that they don’t even need- they’re simply buying it to put the overages towards another item’s cost. It is smart to buy in bulk when you can find the lowest price, so you’re always spending the least amount possible. But 40 tubes of toothpaste? 90 bottles of shampoo? 100 containers of ketchup? This is not a realistic, or necessary, stockpile. Especially when it takes over your whole home, children’s closets, etc.
And, like Rasha mentions in the article on A Full Cup, “The people you see on Extreme Couponing spend 30 to 60 hours per week on couponing. Do you have that kind of time to devote to couponing? If you don’t put in the effort you can’t expect the same rewards. It’s called extreme for a reason.”

What do YOU think?

Do you clip just coupons from the Sunday Paper? Do you print them from places like Coupons.com or RedPlum? Do you use technology to make couponing easier, and get digital coupons from new sites like Cellfire? Do you sign up for tons of newsletters and mailing lists for coupons? Or…..? Share in the comments- what works best for you, your best tips, what’s realistic to expect for savings? And make sure to visit A Full Cup to read their Extreme Couponing Myths and Facts too.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 26, 2011 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | 2 Comments

Request a Free Carmex Coupon and Enter to #Win a Prize Package!

Get a free Carmex Coupon!

Head over to MyCarmex.com, fill out a quick form, and they’ll send you out a free $1.50 off coupon! Easy peasy.

Love Carmex? Then enter to WIN a Carmex Prize Package!

This package includes a bunch of super-cool new Carmex products, plus a fun travel picnic blanket too! The blanket is awesome- it rolls up, straps closed, has a handle to carry it, and a zipper pocket to tote your Carmex too!

Enter to Win a Carmex Fall Picnic Prize Package!

Hurry and get your entries in today- and good luck!

Give your opinions, win prizes! Join today!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 13, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Contests, Giveaways | No Comments

Your Recipes, Grocery List, and Coupons- Simplified!

Recipe storage and grocery shopping made easy-

Keeping track of recipes can be kind of a pain— they’re all over the place, yet never in the right place when it’s time to make dinner. And then, there’s the grocery list… which doesn’t do you much good when you head to the grocery store without it. Sure you could sift through all your cookbooks, or write “milk, eggs, bread” on your hand, but why, when there’s Ziplist?

Ziplist Rocks.

Ziplist is a website and free app that is going to change the way you store recipes and shop for groceries. A total game-changer when it comes to simplifying mealtime. In a chicken rut? Well just pop onto Ziplist and peruse the hundreds of chicken recipes from some of the biggest names in food (Martha Stewart anyone?).

With the click of one button the recipe is stored in a virtual recipe box, and with another click a grocery list of ingredients is instantly created for you. Ziplist is even kind enough to help you save money with coupons you can print before you go to the store. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg lettuce when it comes to Ziplist’s features— watch how Carley uses it to enhance her breasts. (That’s chicken, of course!)

What do you think?

So, as most of you know, I’m still old, lame, and totally outdated, and do NOT yet have a Smartphone. {What does that make my phone? Stupid? Hmmm…. There are plenty of times that I’ve yelled at it and said, “You stupid phone!!” so I suppose that’s about right…} I keep piles of info in my phone, but can’t get these super awesome app’s. If I COULD- I’d definitely use this one.

But… I WILL be using the website!

Here is what I’m particularly in love with:

The recipe clipping tool- so I can put the cool recipes I find randomly around the web in one place! So cool.
I like that I can go in and pick my meals for the next week, and it’ll automatically make me a shopping list- what a time saver!
I loooove that it has a coupon feature too! You know I love me some coupons, right?

Share your thoughts!

Are you going to check out Ziplist too? How do you keep your recipes, meal planning, and grocery shopping organized now? Share your thoughts- and your tips! – in the comments.

Digitwirl is the weekly web show that offers simple solutions to modern day problems. In 3 minutes, Digitwirl brings busy women the very best time, money, and sanity-saving technology, and then teaches them how to use it, step-by-step.

Digitwirl was created by technology lifestyle expert Carley Knobloch, who uses lots of technology to manage her busy life as mom of two and entrepreneur. Become a subscriber to get weekly show alerts and exclusive deals at Digitwirl.com, or follow Digitwirl on Twitter at @digitwirl.