Everything has value. Including 10'x15' slabs of concrete. There is one grocery store that I shop at a few times a week to buy items I cannot find elsewhere (as you can imagine, I've tried). When you come upon the store, the immediate parking options are street parking and the street level wing of a parking ramp. All spots just mentioned come equipped with a parking meter. Plan on $.50-$1.00 to gain admission into the store. I will admit, this was my biggest/only gripe about this store when it opened. However, I opened my eyes and started paying attention one day and guess what I found...free parking. There us a sign on the main road that is big and loud and says: "Free Parking, Turn Here"...I followed the directions and found there was another wing of the parking ramp that is not metered and designated for the store shoppers. It requires a walk up one flight of stairs, or a lightening fast ride in a clean as can be elevator. And there you have it...a few more bucks to spend on those specialty items.
On the topic of free parking, we have a Farmer's Market every Saturday during spring and summer downtown. There is lots of parking, and to not do your homework would be to think that all of the parking is in a ramp or at a meter on the street. Actually, if you are willing/able to walk about 2-3 blocks, there are blocks and blocks of free (for 2 hours) parking. You will likely have to parallel park (ooo, brings back nightmares of the 16 year old driving test), but you just saved enough to buy a jar of homemade jam.
One of my favorite free parking tricks is something I have only observed as it goes on in my neighborhood every day. Rather than drive downtown for work or school, people treat one of the side streets as their self made park and ride. They leave their car in our neighborhood for the day and hop the bus...pretty clever. The stretch that this free parking takes place is not in front of any houses, which is why I don't even blink and consider it a darn good idea.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Name Brand Bargains
I was just chatting with a friend and she reminded me of something I need to remind myself of more often. Name brands often make their way into discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Max, and even Sam's Club.
I have a toddler, so I am still somewhat duped into the idea that Stride Rite shoes are a must for little feet. I say duped because I swear the marketing department at Stride Rite makes guilt their subliminal goal when touting their wares to parents around the globe. For quite some time, I actually thought my son might not walk correctly unless he had a pair of Stride Rite shoes. When I bought our first pair for $45, the light dimly went on and I realized I needed to do my homework.
To give credit where credit it due, I swear by Stride Rite sandals. They are miles ahead of anything you can get in a department store shoe department. And there is something about sweaty little feet rubbing against cheap man made leather that makes me wince.
If Stride Rite, or any other name brand for that matter, remains a must for you, be sure to check out Outlet options, online options, and stores like Marshalls. The selection is likely hit or miss, but the savings are worth the effort.
Thanks for the reminder, je!
I have a toddler, so I am still somewhat duped into the idea that Stride Rite shoes are a must for little feet. I say duped because I swear the marketing department at Stride Rite makes guilt their subliminal goal when touting their wares to parents around the globe. For quite some time, I actually thought my son might not walk correctly unless he had a pair of Stride Rite shoes. When I bought our first pair for $45, the light dimly went on and I realized I needed to do my homework.
To give credit where credit it due, I swear by Stride Rite sandals. They are miles ahead of anything you can get in a department store shoe department. And there is something about sweaty little feet rubbing against cheap man made leather that makes me wince.
If Stride Rite, or any other name brand for that matter, remains a must for you, be sure to check out Outlet options, online options, and stores like Marshalls. The selection is likely hit or miss, but the savings are worth the effort.
Thanks for the reminder, je!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Coupons Available - Week of March 19
Food/Grocery Coupons Available
Email me at moneysavingmama@gmail.com if you are interested are any of the coupons in this, or the next two posts.
Food/Groceries
$1 off any (2) packages of Merkts Cheese Spread - expires 6-30-07
$.50 off any (1) box of Cap'n Crunch Cereal - expires 5-15-07
$.50 off any Franks RedHot Sauce - expires 5-31-07
$.35 off any variety of Bob Evans frozen sausage - expires 4-1-07
$.55 off any 5 oz or larger sized Fisher Chef's Natural Nut Item - expires 6-17-07
$1 off any (2) bags of 8 O'Clock Coffee, 11.5 oz or larger - expires 6-11-07
$.55 off any (1) loaf of Country Hearth Bread - expires 5-5-07
$1 off any (3) General Mills cereals listed (email me for the list) - expires 4-21-07
$.50 off any (2) 4.5 oz or larger Chex Mix - expires 5-5-07
$.50 off any 1 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel OR Toaster Scrambles OR Pillsbury Pancakes-exp 5-19 $1 off any (2) V8 Splash Fruit Drinks - expires 4-30-07
$.50 off any (2) 12 oz cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk - expires 4-30-07
I have (2) of this coupon: $.50 any (2) 12 oz cans of Carnation Evap. Milk - exp 5-30-07
$1 off any (2) bags of Easter candy (email me for the list of brands) - expires 4-8-07
$1 off any (1) box of Quaker Granola Bites - expires 4-30-07
$.30 off any (2) Pillsbury Grand Biscuits - expires 5-19-07
$.50 off any Pillsbury Refrigerated Brownie Batter - Expires 5-19-07
$.55 off any (1) Dove Brand Cookies - expires 6-11-07
$4 off any (2) Adult Dinner Entrees at Red Lobster - expires 5-3-07
$3 off any (2) Lunch Entrees at Red Lobster - expires 5-3-07
$1 off any Individual Meal or Carver Combo at Boston Market - expires 4-22-07
$1 off any Individual Meal or Carver Combo at Boston market - expires 4-22-07
$2 off any $10 purchase at Boston Market - expires 4-22-07
$4 off any $20 purchase at Boston market - expires 4-22-07
I have (3) of this coupon: Free Sub w/ purchase of any sub and (2) regular size fountain drinks at Quiznos - all expire 4-4-07
I have (3) of this coupon: Free Chips & Small Fountain Drink w/ purchase of a reg. or lg sub, entree salad, or bread bowl at Quiznos - expires 4-4-07
I have (3) of this coupon: $1 off any small sub or flatbread chopped salad OR $2 off any reg. or lg. sub at Quiznos - expires 4-4-07
$.50 off any 64 oz Dole 100% Juice Blend - exp 5-31-07
4 Chuck E. Cheese coupons that expire 4-28-07 (email me for details).
Email me at moneysavingmama@gmail.com if you are interested are any of the coupons in this, or the next two posts.
Food/Groceries
$1 off any (2) packages of Merkts Cheese Spread - expires 6-30-07
$.50 off any (1) box of Cap'n Crunch Cereal - expires 5-15-07
$.50 off any Franks RedHot Sauce - expires 5-31-07
$.35 off any variety of Bob Evans frozen sausage - expires 4-1-07
$.55 off any 5 oz or larger sized Fisher Chef's Natural Nut Item - expires 6-17-07
$1 off any (2) bags of 8 O'Clock Coffee, 11.5 oz or larger - expires 6-11-07
$.55 off any (1) loaf of Country Hearth Bread - expires 5-5-07
$1 off any (3) General Mills cereals listed (email me for the list) - expires 4-21-07
$.50 off any (2) 4.5 oz or larger Chex Mix - expires 5-5-07
$.50 off any 1 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel OR Toaster Scrambles OR Pillsbury Pancakes-exp 5-19 $1 off any (2) V8 Splash Fruit Drinks - expires 4-30-07
$.50 off any (2) 12 oz cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk - expires 4-30-07
I have (2) of this coupon: $.50 any (2) 12 oz cans of Carnation Evap. Milk - exp 5-30-07
$1 off any (2) bags of Easter candy (email me for the list of brands) - expires 4-8-07
$1 off any (1) box of Quaker Granola Bites - expires 4-30-07
$.30 off any (2) Pillsbury Grand Biscuits - expires 5-19-07
$.50 off any Pillsbury Refrigerated Brownie Batter - Expires 5-19-07
$.55 off any (1) Dove Brand Cookies - expires 6-11-07
$4 off any (2) Adult Dinner Entrees at Red Lobster - expires 5-3-07
$3 off any (2) Lunch Entrees at Red Lobster - expires 5-3-07
$1 off any Individual Meal or Carver Combo at Boston Market - expires 4-22-07
$1 off any Individual Meal or Carver Combo at Boston market - expires 4-22-07
$2 off any $10 purchase at Boston Market - expires 4-22-07
$4 off any $20 purchase at Boston market - expires 4-22-07
I have (3) of this coupon: Free Sub w/ purchase of any sub and (2) regular size fountain drinks at Quiznos - all expire 4-4-07
I have (3) of this coupon: Free Chips & Small Fountain Drink w/ purchase of a reg. or lg sub, entree salad, or bread bowl at Quiznos - expires 4-4-07
I have (3) of this coupon: $1 off any small sub or flatbread chopped salad OR $2 off any reg. or lg. sub at Quiznos - expires 4-4-07
$.50 off any 64 oz Dole 100% Juice Blend - exp 5-31-07
4 Chuck E. Cheese coupons that expire 4-28-07 (email me for details).
Medical Bills
It is nearly a full time job to keep track of medical bills. We have been fortunate not to have a ton of instances that brought on a lot of medical bills at once. But in the 3-4 times that we have, I have always (not sometimes...always) found an error in the billing. It happened again today at the pharmacy...
My son needed a prescription. I wheeled up and was told the total today was $25. I do have an insurance background, so it's part of my normal routine to say: is that after insurance has been applied? To which the reply was: oh no, we don't have any insurance listed on your son's account. Now, I have an account at Walgreens and so does my husband. It would be easy to assume the insurance information is listed for everyone in our household, assume that meds are darn expensive, pay the $25 and be on our way. Instead, we spent an extra 5 minutes in line, ironed out the information, and paid $7.99.
A few more examples since the topic is fresh in my mind...
When my son was born, he was premature and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Cost: about $60000. Both my husband and I had health insurance through our employers at the time, so I did not expect any bills. After a bout 3-4 months, the bills started coming, fast and furious. I spent a lot of time on the phone...if I pieced it all together, I probably spent the equivalent of 1 full day on the phone. Once we sorted out that there was insurance, that there was actually two insurances, whose birthday came first in the year (I'm serious, this is how they determine which parent's insurance is primary), we never saw another bill.
When my son came home from the hospital after he was born, we had some medical equipment in our home for about a month. About a year after, I got a bill for the equipment. One phone call and the hospital was reminded of our insurance. A few weeks later a letter arrived from my insurance advising the hospital did not submit their bill in a timely manner and the claim was denied. A few months after that I received a statement that our other insurance had picked up a % of the bill. I called to check on the balance and it was written off...we owed nothing.
My husband needed dental work. Our dentist had us request a preauthorization from our insurance company so we would know what the coverage, if any, would be. We received a letter from our insurance stating that insurance would cover the work at 90%. After the work was done, we received a denial letter from insurance. I followed the appeals procedure on the back of the denial and sent a copy of the letter the same insurance company had provided us previously. We were reimbursed for 90% of the charges.
Luckily I have an insurance background and a lot of time on my hands. Put it together and I am able to iron out who owes what on a medical bill nearly to the penney. Even if you don't have the time or experience to deal with this stuff, know that making the time and educating yourself on the process can keep your family from spending money they do not owe.
My son needed a prescription. I wheeled up and was told the total today was $25. I do have an insurance background, so it's part of my normal routine to say: is that after insurance has been applied? To which the reply was: oh no, we don't have any insurance listed on your son's account. Now, I have an account at Walgreens and so does my husband. It would be easy to assume the insurance information is listed for everyone in our household, assume that meds are darn expensive, pay the $25 and be on our way. Instead, we spent an extra 5 minutes in line, ironed out the information, and paid $7.99.
A few more examples since the topic is fresh in my mind...
When my son was born, he was premature and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Cost: about $60000. Both my husband and I had health insurance through our employers at the time, so I did not expect any bills. After a bout 3-4 months, the bills started coming, fast and furious. I spent a lot of time on the phone...if I pieced it all together, I probably spent the equivalent of 1 full day on the phone. Once we sorted out that there was insurance, that there was actually two insurances, whose birthday came first in the year (I'm serious, this is how they determine which parent's insurance is primary), we never saw another bill.
When my son came home from the hospital after he was born, we had some medical equipment in our home for about a month. About a year after, I got a bill for the equipment. One phone call and the hospital was reminded of our insurance. A few weeks later a letter arrived from my insurance advising the hospital did not submit their bill in a timely manner and the claim was denied. A few months after that I received a statement that our other insurance had picked up a % of the bill. I called to check on the balance and it was written off...we owed nothing.
My husband needed dental work. Our dentist had us request a preauthorization from our insurance company so we would know what the coverage, if any, would be. We received a letter from our insurance stating that insurance would cover the work at 90%. After the work was done, we received a denial letter from insurance. I followed the appeals procedure on the back of the denial and sent a copy of the letter the same insurance company had provided us previously. We were reimbursed for 90% of the charges.
Luckily I have an insurance background and a lot of time on my hands. Put it together and I am able to iron out who owes what on a medical bill nearly to the penney. Even if you don't have the time or experience to deal with this stuff, know that making the time and educating yourself on the process can keep your family from spending money they do not owe.
Saving in the Oddest Ways
I think there is a saying that if you look for good you will find it and if you look for bad you will find that too. Similarly, I've decided that if you look for a savings angle, you'll pretty much always find one. If I can turn this entry into a lesson (or a theory) in savings, anything is possible.
For the past 6+ weeks I have been paying above and beyond my gym membership to participate in a circuit training class geared towards moms. It kills me to fork out the dough, but the work out is seriously the best I have ever had. It really isn't very expensive when I consider I pay to attend class unlimited times in a month (up to 5 days per week), the teacher is a real personal trainer, and the class size is so small it nearly feels like a 1 on 1 session with a trainer. When you look it that way, the class is dirt cheap, frankly.
However, I am the money saving mama so I need to find ways to off set the cost of my work out. I went to get dressed the other day and the answer was staring at me from every dresser drawer and closet that I have...I can wear my old clothes again! Jeans that have been sitting useless around here for over 2 years fit! I will not have to buy new spring and summer outfits this year because I can finally wear what I already have. Jeans, solid color shirts, shorts, and khakis don't change much, fashion wise...it's not like I'm hauling out bell bottoms and tube tops from the 70's...although those would fit right in these days anyway.
Wa la...I have just justified every penney of my fitness class...and I'm actually saving money because clothes would cost far more than I am spending to look and feel better.
See, you can spin anything if you try hard enough :).
For the past 6+ weeks I have been paying above and beyond my gym membership to participate in a circuit training class geared towards moms. It kills me to fork out the dough, but the work out is seriously the best I have ever had. It really isn't very expensive when I consider I pay to attend class unlimited times in a month (up to 5 days per week), the teacher is a real personal trainer, and the class size is so small it nearly feels like a 1 on 1 session with a trainer. When you look it that way, the class is dirt cheap, frankly.
However, I am the money saving mama so I need to find ways to off set the cost of my work out. I went to get dressed the other day and the answer was staring at me from every dresser drawer and closet that I have...I can wear my old clothes again! Jeans that have been sitting useless around here for over 2 years fit! I will not have to buy new spring and summer outfits this year because I can finally wear what I already have. Jeans, solid color shirts, shorts, and khakis don't change much, fashion wise...it's not like I'm hauling out bell bottoms and tube tops from the 70's...although those would fit right in these days anyway.
Wa la...I have just justified every penney of my fitness class...and I'm actually saving money because clothes would cost far more than I am spending to look and feel better.
See, you can spin anything if you try hard enough :).
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