Recyclebank is a neat site for learning more about caring for the environment and recycling. I was already doing quite a bit of recycling but I learned even more by watching VERY short animations and taking quizzes. And I get rewarded with points that can be used for saving money with coupons, discounts, gift cards and magazine subscriptions. If you'd like to join (free)here's a link you can use (please copy & paste, unfortunately Blogger's links haven't worked lately):
http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=am9hbmNvbG9yaXN0QHlhaG9vLmNvbQ==&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=H9853667&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-H9853667-_-referral
Insights on stretching your money & your outlook—surviving difficult economic times & helping others *from one who’s been there*
My husband and I have faced many lay-offs in the past twenty years; each time we hoped to learn something new so that we could help others in the future. Now is that time. As my we worked to “stay afloat” (the opposite of “going under”!) during lean times, I read every money-saving book and magazine on our library’s shelf--some things I’ve worked out for myself. Now that my husband has a steady job, we’ve continued many of these practices as a part of responsible living. In my posts, I’ll include ideas for different levels of need—stretching dollars when you still have some income and stretching even further (when you think you can’t) when the income is gone in hope of helping you hang on until you get some income. I’ll also address things we learned about attitudes—ours and those around us.
I invite you to comment with your money-saving ideas and accounts of what has worked for you, since community is one of our greatest resources. While I’m writing as an American in the framework of the American economy, I also invite those of you from other nations/peoples to share what you’ve learned about stretching resources since many things can be applied anywhere. (Do know that I will delete any comment that’s derogatory or has foul language.) Please share this blog with others who are stretching and help them keep from “breaking”.
Showing posts with label Coupons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coupons. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Credit for Learning
Monday, November 14, 2011
Aggressive Shopping Not Needed
I was shocked, and then put off as I read the white stick-on letters on the door of a rural Goodwill store declaring that no employee can put things aside for shoppers nor can employees shop on the same day as they work and so on. They must really have a problem here, I thought; though it had nothing to do with me, I felt unwelcome. More recently, I encountered the same written rebuke on the front window of another Goodwill store—this time softened by a green and blue background but the “aggressive shopping is prohibited” warning still angrily rang out. Is this a sign of the times?
In two types of stores in the past two weeks when we’ve looked for a local newspaper to buy for the coupons, we were told that they were now being kept behind the counter—at a drugstore we were advised, “Let me know when you’re ready to check out and I’ll ring it up for you.” We couldn’t even touch it before committing to payment. Why? “People are taking the coupons out.”
I don’t know if the poor economy has made people that desperate or if it’s just old-fashioned greed bred by “super-couponing” shows on TV. Either way, taking coupons from a newspaper without purchasing it is shop-lifting; it’s theft. In such difficult times, we need to work together—not steal from each other.
Jesus has promised those who follow him will have their basic needs taken care of by his Father if they seek his kingdom and righteousness first rather than building their own kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34). Yes, we need to do what we are able and one of God’s main sources for provision for those in need is his people but ultimately, God himself is our provision and such acts of “desperation” aren’t needed when we turn to him.
In two types of stores in the past two weeks when we’ve looked for a local newspaper to buy for the coupons, we were told that they were now being kept behind the counter—at a drugstore we were advised, “Let me know when you’re ready to check out and I’ll ring it up for you.” We couldn’t even touch it before committing to payment. Why? “People are taking the coupons out.”
I don’t know if the poor economy has made people that desperate or if it’s just old-fashioned greed bred by “super-couponing” shows on TV. Either way, taking coupons from a newspaper without purchasing it is shop-lifting; it’s theft. In such difficult times, we need to work together—not steal from each other.
Jesus has promised those who follow him will have their basic needs taken care of by his Father if they seek his kingdom and righteousness first rather than building their own kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34). Yes, we need to do what we are able and one of God’s main sources for provision for those in need is his people but ultimately, God himself is our provision and such acts of “desperation” aren’t needed when we turn to him.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Coupons?
I’ve always been happy to use coupons when they fit products that we normally use—especially when stores double or triple them! However, coupons are offered by the manufacturer as a marketing tool to get you to buy their product—whether you need it or not. If it’s not something you and your family would use or can afford, a coupon will generally not be a good deal.
Sometimes I clip coupons that I might use if the need arises or the sale is good enough but I have to make sure my husband understands this when he shops while I’m away. In his rationale, I wouldn’t have the coupon if I didn’t intend to use it but I’m just continuing in the tradition of Girl Scouts—being prepared. Now that printable digital coupons are available, I’m a lot less likely to print them unless I know that I’ll use them since ink and paper cost me money. However, I’ve never had a store turn down my printable coupons because I’ve used the least expensive “draft” and “black & white” settings on my printer or paper that has something else printed on the back.
I’ve been excitedly reading library books about “super-couponing” but after spending hours upon hours hunting and scrolling online, I’ve netted only a few coupons I could use. Many manufacturers want to know practically everything about you before they will give you a one-time “sign-up” coupon; I’m not sure it’s worth it. However, I’ve discovered (through the books) a site that will send a link to the coupons—all in one place, to my inbox: http://www.couponmom.com
My current thinking is that I might do better with the coupons in the Sunday paper—if we can remember to buy one. Trading coupons you don’t want with friends and family can even out the cost of the paper. Remember to look for them in the pages of the paper too—not just in the inserts.
Please let me know about your experiences in couponing. I’ve made the comment process as simple as possible.
Sometimes I clip coupons that I might use if the need arises or the sale is good enough but I have to make sure my husband understands this when he shops while I’m away. In his rationale, I wouldn’t have the coupon if I didn’t intend to use it but I’m just continuing in the tradition of Girl Scouts—being prepared. Now that printable digital coupons are available, I’m a lot less likely to print them unless I know that I’ll use them since ink and paper cost me money. However, I’ve never had a store turn down my printable coupons because I’ve used the least expensive “draft” and “black & white” settings on my printer or paper that has something else printed on the back.
I’ve been excitedly reading library books about “super-couponing” but after spending hours upon hours hunting and scrolling online, I’ve netted only a few coupons I could use. Many manufacturers want to know practically everything about you before they will give you a one-time “sign-up” coupon; I’m not sure it’s worth it. However, I’ve discovered (through the books) a site that will send a link to the coupons—all in one place, to my inbox: http://www.couponmom.com
My current thinking is that I might do better with the coupons in the Sunday paper—if we can remember to buy one. Trading coupons you don’t want with friends and family can even out the cost of the paper. Remember to look for them in the pages of the paper too—not just in the inserts.
Please let me know about your experiences in couponing. I’ve made the comment process as simple as possible.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Coupons?
Use coupons wherever you can—for groceries, restaurants, even car & home repair, but don’t let them entice you into buying something you wouldn’t normally buy. The same goes for “sales”—if you can’t use it, don’t truly have the money for it or it will cost you more for extra components or space to house it—it’s not a bargain!
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