Handsome Deals

FREE Gas and Cheap Chipotle, PLUS dozens of freebies!

2011-11-01T10:54:00.002-04:00

Last night I saved over $30, by being in the right place at the right time, essentially. I went to Giant Eagle's Getgo since I was about running on fumes after the 25 minutes of sitting in crawling traffic on Polaris (I should start a blog just to vent about my commute). Anyway, I was about to use my 40¢ off per gallon when a woman at the next pump asked if I'd started pumping gas yet. I said no, I'd started the process, but wasn't that far. So she offered me FREE GAS! She'd racked up enough fuel perks to get gas free and was filling both her car and what seemed to be her daughter's as well. But they weren't going to use the full 30 gallons maximum, so she offered me the rest.
It ended up being close to 9 gallons, so I saved $3.37x about 9...right around $30!
And, part two: Erin was not feeling well (migraine it seems) so I offered to get her food as I was coming home from Clayspace studio time (love it!). I went to Chipotle and expected to pay full price for her burrito bowl, but they gave me the $2 Boorito price even though I wasn't dressed up per the event's advertising online...BONUS! (And an additional savings of about $4.50!)
So, the moral? Share your savings with others and the karma might come back to you, AND, look around you, be aware of promotions and simply be present enough to acknowledge strangers who seem to be more kindly than creepy, especially on Halloween!
On a side note, I saved $13.98 last Friday getting donuts for work, since we often take turns bringing breakfast on Fridays. I used two BOGO coupons from 2011 and 2012 Entertainment books for Krispy Kreme and got two FREE dozen glazed donuts. Get your books soon and start taking advantage sooner rather than later! I've already saved $6.99 with the 2012 book...$23.01 left until I start making money on it!

Happy Saving,
Jenn

FREE Bertolli Soups and more!

2011-09-29T09:04:00.006-04:00

Great news! I received a package from Bertolli® that I will give away to one lucky reader! You have a chance to win this giveaway package in honor of the launch of the NEW Bertolli® Premium Meal Soups for Two!

The SOUPerb kit giveaway will include:

· One Stainless Steel Ladle

· Four Tasting Certificates to learn more about Bertolli® soups in a fun way.

The soups are packed-full of fresh vegetables, perfectly-cooked chicken or beef, and hearty pasta. These restaurant-quality meals can be conveniently prepared at home.

The meal, ready in minutes, comes in four delicious varieties: Chicken and Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, Chicken Minestrone and Tuscan Beef & Vegetables. They can be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store

Bertolli® offers authentic Italian meals and was founded more than 150 years ago.

For more information:
www.villabertolli.com

Facebook.com/Bertolli

Twitter.com/Bertolli

Alright readers, who's interested in trying these...for FREE? Post a comment and you'll be entered!

FREE Pizza...and more!

2011-07-09T10:14:00.003-04:00

So, I don't always check my grocery store receipt, but I should (and so should you) especially if you haven't done a self-scan and been able to see the prices as they came up. Recently, 'Deal' and I were shopping and the total was pretty high, so I had one of those, "Did I really spend that much?" moments and looked over the receipt to see how our total could possibly be that high. Things added up. Almost. A pizza I bought, because it was on sale, rang up regular price, $1.49 more than the sale price.
Erin says she wouldn't have gone back in about that. I did, because I know Giant Eagle's policy: If it rings up wrong (or was posted as on sale but no longer is) they give you the product FREE.
I was sure I saw the sign/tag for the sale price, and was relieved when the service desk guy came back with a handful of them for all that brand's pizzas varieties. Voila, $7.49 credit to me and FREE pizza!
Moral of the story: check your receipt: a) if you didn't scan it yourself and see the price that came up b) it's the day after a sale ended (GE ends on Weds) c) the amount just doesn't feel right!
Pizza anyone?

Chipotle BOGO offer

2011-02-25T13:58:00.001-05:00

Hey, strangers! I know neither of us have posted in a big fat long time...so here's a handsome deal for you: Love Chipotle? BOGO Free!

Chipotle Buy One Get One Free Burrito, Burrito Bowl, Taco, or Salad via Printable Coupon
http://coupon.fanappz.net:8180/promotionappz/watchVideo/coupon <http://coupon.fanappz.net:8180/promotionappz/watchVideo/coupon>

You have to watch the 90 second video and then the coupon will pop up.

Totally worth watching the video, eh? :o)
I'll start posting more often, promise!

Starting over

2009-11-08T22:52:00.002-05:00

So, I got a new 13-pocket tabbed organizer from The Container Store (woot, 40% discount!) and have now managed to fill it fat with new coupons. (Do I need a second one?) I'm still getting used to new categories, which are–in some cases–combinations of old ones, since i have at least three fewer pockets. It's weird but nice to have a simpler system.

My old green bag has been replaced by a more olive green bag I'd purchased in Amsterdam for ('dree' :) 3 Euro, and which Loz kindly mailed to me from London...with some sweets, bonus!

Is all well that ends well? maybe.

It's a short post, but I was due for one, wasn't I? :)

As promised, a shout-out to our second confirmed reader, yo Brandy! (a la Rocky)

I've got a pile of coupons I'm not going to use; I'm considering the best way to exchange...suggestions welcome.

X
Jenn

Stolen! Don't know whatcha got til it's gone...

2009-09-20T20:04:00.003-04:00

So, I seem to have forgotten to lock my car once this past week; this was obvious the next morning as I approached the car, clicked the unlock button on the keyless remote, heard nothing and simply opened the door to find some of my random car clutter spilling out from the middle console, and the glove box gaping open.

After looking through a number of things and checking the hatchback area, nothing seemed to be missing. I called Erin and told her what had happened, distraught but happy there'd been nothing valuable (at least to the thief/thieves) taken from my car. Or so I thought at the time. I was very pleased they hadn't taken my Entertainment book, which was in between the front seats, and clearly visible.

A few days passed and I started to look for my green bag as I was planning a trip to the store and wanted to look through coupons for some of what I needed. I couldn't find it, but didn't complete an exhaustive search, figuring it would surface when I needed it, as it usually did. I looked pretty much everywhere today (Sunday morning) as I had new coupons I'd want to add, and still needed some things from the store. Not to be found.

I knew then that the burglar(s) had taken my green bag, probably assuming it might be some type of purse. And I knew as well, that once they'd rifled through this bag, only finding my coupon accordions, some tissues and a pen, they'd most likely have tossed the bag in the nearest dumpster or yard–like a purse Erin found over the summer that had also been taken out of a car parked in the neighborhood, as she was informed after contacting the owner of the car, whose registration was still in the purse.

I felt bereft, angry...sullen, even. How dare they? And now, I've lost money I'd have saved, but also my bag (sentimental attachment after 10+ years) and my feeling of security, shaky though it was after our cars were vandalized earlier this year (another story, obviously).

To cheer myself up, I cut some remaining double coupons (from 'the bag' we receive on Saturdays, see TIP below) and the ones from today's paper. Afterwards, they just lay there in the three piles I normally separate them into, and I had to choose just a few to take and slip into my wallet for the grocery trip tonight. Throughout this trip I annoyed Erin by citing various examples of products I wanted to buy that we'd had a coupon for...or probably did, but no longer had. Eventually I'll forget, and it seems petty to be so sad about it, but this unknown thug took away something from my life that was relatively organized (somewhat rare of late), definitely routine, and dependable.

I'll admit it: my green bag, coupons and accordion files–one with built in grocery list pad and pen holder–were my adult (financial) security blanket. And I feel like my savings world has been turned upside down. I'm also more concerned about our neighborhood's safety, when at least four different things have happened to my car, from the destruction of a side mirror and other stupid pranks, to this opportunistic theft.

Anyway, the plan is to rebuild, reorganize and move on...once my memory fades and I find suitable replacements. We keep saying it's a good chance to start over, to start fresh. But, as Erin sometimes says: Your silver lining sucks. The world could use fewer thoughtless petty thefts, and more respect for others' property.

Related TIP: The bag we receive on Saturdays is an excellent source of extra coupons. Sometimes they are exactly the same as some of what is in Sunday's paper, but other times there are slight variations. If you have neighbors who don't collect theirs after a few days, maybe it's worth inquiring if you can have theirs!

The System

2009-05-14T19:39:00.002-04:00

So, it's long overdue, and I feel it's also anti-climactic, but I'm going to explain my system of coupon organization. I try to stay on top of cutting coupons we receive in the Sunday paper (mainly), so that the whole process is more manageable. I also find it therapeutic, as well as good 'busy work' for when I'm watching TV.
Here's how I separate the coupons:
I have 3 accordion-style holders—1: fresh and frozen foods/items; 2: dry foods (canned, boxed, condiments, etc); and 3: non-foods, such as meds, cleaners, and paper products.
Here are the categories:
(1)
produce (salad, dried fruits), eggs, cold juices
meats and sides, such as country crock, bob evans, etc
dairy (cheese, yogurt, milk, pillsbury, etc)
frozen meals, vegetables, pizza, meats, sides
frozen desserts, baked items (rolls, garlic bread), ice cream, etc

(2)
breakfast (cereals, oatmeal, etc)
baking and sweets (sugar, olive oil, chocolate, etc)
snacks and shelved drinks (chips, granola bars, nuts, bottled drinks, etc)
canned (soups, sauces, peanut butter, tuna, etc)
condiments and spices
boxed and bagged (carbs!: pasta, dried potatoes, helper meals, etc)

(3)
hygiene (razors, dental, feminine, deo, etc)
hair
body wash/soaps and lotion
medicines (vitamins, band-aids, etc)
cleaning (including laundry)
paper, pet, potpourri (batteries, clothing, household items, etc)

I keep each of these sections organized, so all soups are together, all snack bars, etc. Each of the three files also has one empty section at the front; I use these for soon-to-expire coupons, ones I don't have time to file, and/or ones I intend to use during my next shopping trip.

It's a good idea to check these for expired coupons when filing new ones, ideally every week, so you don't miss out on a coupon you really want to take advantage of. I try not to cut things we don't tend to use, unless I plan to pass on those coupons to someone I know who does. If you're not sure of something, you're bound to start noticing want expires over and over without being used. I also endeavor to let our needs dictate the coupons, rather than the opposite.

I think that's enough for now, but I'd welcome any questions as to where I put any particular type of coupon, or suggestions for improvement. It's not perfect, but it tends to work rather well for me. The good thing about having separate accordions is that I can bring whichever one(s) are appropriate for the trip, but I also have a small bag that holds them nicely, in addition to our entertainment book!

That's all for now deal-seekers, stay tuned!

Psychology of cash

2009-04-10T19:13:00.004-04:00

I've never had a head for money. Jenn is the budgeter - she has extensive graphs of the upcoming months in a notebook, and of course, the ever-present coupon organizer. I'm lucky if I check the balance in my checking account more often than the monthly online bill-pay.

Getting to know Jenn and her sensible money side has made me consider myself and my complete lack of sensible money side. I've been thinking about the perceived value of money and the different contexts that cause value to fluctuate. Why do I have an ashtray full of an unknown quantity of coin used to scrape together the price of a Frosty at 1 a.m., whereas the change Jenn saves for a charitable donation merits penny and nickel counting/rolling?

It was excellent synchronicity, then, to run across this article in New Scientist (via Kottke) about perceived value. It's long, but very interesting reading.

I just got a really good deal!

2009-04-01T22:22:00.002-04:00

And I'm going to brag about it.

We needed a new vacuum cleaner. I'm not just saying "need" in a facetious sense, like how I "need" a piece of apple pie right now. Like, my current 6-year-old Dirt Devil smells like burning when I turn it on.

So I knew I needed to spend my money on something good, something that would last a long time and pick up all the cat hair tumbleweeding around here without screwing up the motor (see: current Dirt Devil).

Come on...everyone knows that Dyson is the way to go. But who has the money? I have waffled back and forth for months trying to decide if dropping $500 on a vacuum is the best use of my cash. It's not that I can't afford it, it's just that, well, it's a vacuum cleaner. And while the Dyson is the sexiest of all vacuums, buying home appliances is generally not seen as a sexy thing to do.

And then it hit me. Hello - Overstock.com. The Dysons they have on there are refurbished, but they are refurbished by Dyson, so I feel ok about that. And I have found the greatest deal ever on there - the Dyson DC14 Animal Upright Vacuum, store price $549.99.

I just bought it for $259.99. Free shipping. Plus a 2-year service plan for $36.99.

Boom.

Save on electronics

2009-03-11T15:33:00.003-04:00

My friend Maggie informed me yesterday that Best Buy has an outlet store on Overstock.com auctions. Apparently, she got a new Zune on there for a ridiculously low price.

I checked it out today, and even in scanning the first few pages of auction items, I found an iPod nano for $35, an XBox 360 for $85, a digital photo frame for $26, and a Wii Guitar Hero 3 bundle for $40. Not too bad. Of course, it's an auction, so your results may vary, but looks like there's some good stuff on there if you're looking to upgrade to a nicer digital camera or mp3 player.

One caveat: Overstock.com itself always has $2.95 shipping, but looks like that deal doesn't apply on the auctions. Shipping prices run, generally, $4 to $25 depending on weight/size.

Joining the ranks of the "couponnoisseurs"

2009-03-03T21:04:00.004-05:00

I hate going to the grocery store. For years, I've shopped for food by the "grab and go" method - going in, getting the same thing I always get, spending as little time as possible in each aisle, and getting the heck out of there as soon as the receipt prints.

To me, coupons seemed like A) something I would always forget to bring on my madcap sprees (due to my always-distracted brain), and B) not worth the extra time spent under the harsh fluorescents. I figured it was worth the additional $0.50, $1.00, whatever, added onto my monthly food bill - as long as I could get out of there asap.

So, when I met Jenn, I soon found out that she has quite an intricate coupon system. She snips, organizes, sorts and makes lists. It sort of blew my mind. No joke - I was fascinated by her methodology, and to be honest, a little jealous. I didn't know if I'd ever have the patience to spend that much time on little slips of paper.

BUT! Here's the thing I soon discovered: Those little slips of paper are FREE MONEY!

Now that Jenn and I are living together and sharing the food bill (and the coupons), I am being initiated into the ranks of Those Who Stand In The Middle Of The Aisle Looking For That Coupon That We Totally Cut Out For Life Cereal, Dang It. I remember our first big shop at the store...I was a little skeptical of the coupon usage, but Jenn's system, remarkably, worked! Coupons we needed were located quickly and efficiently. (I'll let her explain her system herself. It seems complicated.) And the thing that I was most afraid of - buying things I didn't need - really didn't happen.

The cool thing about Giant Eagle is that they print the total dollar amount and the percentage you saved on your bill at the bottom of the receipt. I must admit I got a little giddy (yeah, I know) when I saw "You Saved 19%" right there in black and white.

After seeing the savings, and seeing it equate to money I didn't just spend, I feel better about the whole coupon thing.

And it kind of feels like a fun game. With actual rewards. So maybe the grocery store's not too bad after all.

Saga of the Entertainment Book

2009-03-02T18:02:00.007-05:00

Ok. So this fat, digest-sized money saver's bible was easy to get ahold of, for a handsome deal, before Christmas. For $15, you could get this behemoth collection of coupons and discounts. Erin and I are aiming to use and abuse it until the expiration dates come-a-knockin'!

The problem: I ordered a couple of these for frugal friends as Xmas gifts and received them quickly, but when I ordered one for us, on January second (still for the bargain price of $15), I ran into a snag. I moved in January (paying $185 less in rent now) and the book was due to arrive at my old address, before I was out of there. Lo and behold, it got sent back!

After perplexedly tracking the shipment back to Michigan, I called customer service to see what was up. It was "undeliverable" and not forwarded to my new address either. I gave my new address and asked that a new one be sent, please and thank you. I was sure I'd have my own book by early February.

Another 10 days or more passed...no email received that the book had been shipped, no word from the "research department" I was advised i might hear from, no book. And a credit to my bank account appeared: $15 from "Entertainment Book".

I don't get irate very often. This was the scale-tipping moment: I called and was told the second book had also been sent to my old address. And also returned. And that I could re-order another book, but only at the current price: $16.25.

Consider as well: throughout this process I had to be the proactive consumer; never did the company make the first move to make things right. I had called them, tracked the package, placed the order, recommended the book to friends—and even bought it for some of them!

Now I was losing out on valuable time to use mine...more than a month had passed. And they wanted me to pay more for something I was going to get less use of, because they'd made a mistake?! (Appropriate moment for the interrobang.)

After pointing these things out to the hapless customer service rep, she decided—after another lengthy hold—that I did indeed deserve to get the book I'd ordered at the original price I'd paid for it. They'd have to bill me the $16.25 and credit the $1.25. To say I was pleased would be overstating it, but I had been pulled back from a ledge.

We received the third, charmed copy on February 21st. And used it that day for the first time. We will be tracking our savings throughout this blog. At the end of the year, we will tally what we saved through its use. We'd nearly saved that $15 in the first week, but we'll let you read other (shorter) posts to see how we're faring.

Lesson on this deal: Stick to your guns and be proactive.
If I hadn't, we'd most likely not have got our guide when we did, or for the price we should have!

Note to self: Don't order something time-sensitive when you're about to move. And, just pony-up the $15 early, with the other books, because it'll save you the 45 days lost in the long run.