I'm Back, And Ready To Share The Savings Again!

Oof, it's been a while! I don't have any legitimate excuses...which is good. No illness, nor did we win the lottery and take off around the world. Life just got in the way...and that's ok sometimes.

I have actually launched a couple of other blogs during my hiatus. They are called MomAppeal and MadisonMomAppeal. I co-write and edit both with a mom friend, and it's a ton of fun to post product reviews on family friendly "stuff". I have also learned more web/techy stuff, so the look and feel of this blog should change for the better too!

I got the itch to rejuvenate this blog a few days ago when I found myself planning another overnight to Chicago. I logged on and found a night at my hotel of choice the day after Thanksgiving was running $229. I actually almost considered taking it. Being a holiday weekend, I was prepared to pay more than I'm usually willing to pay. Just before I dug into my wallet for my credit card, I decided to check the rate for the night before Thanksgiving. Same room, 2 days earlier. $116. I just double checked my work and I did type that correctly. We will be saving $113...which is roughly what we'll spend on 1.5 days of meals and treats anyway.

I should add that I found lower rates for my hotel of choice on the hotel's web site, rather than on a site like Expedia. I always check both, and while Expedia's rates were also available on the hotel site, there were some promotional prices available on the hotel site. I did not have to prepay, and we can cancel within 24 hours prior.

Several months but one thing remains the same...I love to save money!!

Great Coffee For $.85/pound?

Yep, it's true...for a limited time and for one pound only. So here's the story (if you read this blog you know that most everything around here comes with a little story attached!)...

New York City is my favorite city in the United States. Maybe my fav city anywhere, but for sure in the US. As I'm getting older and little lazier, I'm content to accept Chicago as my NYC experience on a much much much smaller scale. But every decade or so I'm lucky enough to head to New York.

So my last visit was in late 2003 on my honeymoon. One of the coolest touristy things we did was take a walking and eating tour of Greenwich Village. It's one of those things, looking back, that I don't know how I stumbled across the tour or why I booked it (who am I kidding, because it was an EATING tour!). The tour company is called Foods Of New York Tours, Inc. and the web address is http://gonyc.about.com/od/toursbr/gr/foodsofny_green.htm. Highly, highly recommend.

While on this tour, the guide said to us, totally as an aside, that Porto Rico Importing Co. was a spot to buy great coffee for cheap. I am a coffee freak, so I tucked this info away for later. I never got back to the store on Bleecker Street, but checked it out online after I returned home. Cheap is right. A typical price for a pound of beans (or ground) is about $6.99. But here is the best part. Twice a year they have these amazing sales. One is in late Fall and is called Peter's Birthday Sale and one is in the spring (NOW!) and is called the Springtime Sale. I buy Christmas gifts during the fall sale and I just buy during the spring sale. Prices are about $4.99-$5.99/lb during the sales. And right now, the first pound of Special House Blend is $.85/lb!

Now I know there is such a thing as baaaaad tasting coffee. But I promise you, this isn't it. You don't get what you pay for in this instance. The coffee is shipped as fresh as fresh could be, and it is darn good stuff.

Get your orders in: www.portorico.com.

Energy Efficient?

You will recall that I was sick to my money saving stomach last month when our gas/electric bill was nearly $300. This is normal for the Midwestern season, but that fact doesn't make it any easier to process. So, I worked extra hard (You're chilly? Put on a sweater!), and coupled with a few days of nice, mild temps, this month's bill came in at...$170. Still nothing to scream with glee over, but a definite improvement!

FREE Ice Cream Today!

A FREE ice cream cone has your name on it today from noon - 8pm if you stop in to a participating Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream shop. This is an annual event, and I accidentally stumbled upon it with my son last year (lucky me!). That was a day when I thought: am I a bad mom? They had all of these wonderful, kid friendly/popular flavors available, and I chose...sherbet? What kid wants sherbet? Give me some chocolate, ma!

Anyway, here is the link to B&J's web site to find a participating location near you:

http://www.benjerry.com/index.cfm

Enjoy!

First Shipment of Expired Coupons - Out The Door!

For the money saving mama, this is a verrry exciting day. I am mailing out my first batch of expired coupons to an overseas military base! The $ amount of the coupons I'm sending today totals $32, and I am sending them directly to a US Army Base in Ansbach, Germany. My husband was in the Army and stationed in Germany in the 80's, so I wanted to send my coupons there for that reason (nostalgia!). I've decided to send a batch every month, and I have a May pile growing by the minute!

The web address for the organization I am working with for this project is:

http://www.ocpnet.org/

I encourage you to check it out if you are interested in participating!

DIY, ASAP

Abbreviations...shortening things up. Sort of a metaphor for deals and steals.

Anyway, if you know me, you know I love to try and make whatever it is I need/want before caving and buying it. If you don't know me, but have read even one of my entries, this likely doesn't surprise you! So, here is a list of my fav sites to gather diy (do it yourself) ideas/patterns/directions:

DIY Network - www.diynet.com - There is A TON to deal w/ on this site, but everything is pretty cool.

Martha Stewart Living - www.marthastewart.com - Even if you are not a Martha fan (I am), you must admit, at the very least, that the colors on this site are AWESOME.

Lion Brand - www.lionbrand.com - LB is a brand of yarn and other craft "stuff". I love the section for free patterns.

Purl Soho - www.purlsoho.com - The next time I am in Soho, I am so going to this store! The blog on this site, called The Purl Bee, has some great project ideas.

Ask - www.ask.com - Remember when this site was called "Ask Jeeves"? Anyway, type in your how to question ("How to create and organic garden...") and the options are plentiful.

Etsy - www.etsy.com - Loooove this site. It's a shopping site for 100% hand made products. You name it, someone has made it. It's sort of like ebay, but not really. Your place to buy diy goodies and to sell your diy treasures once you've completed that next big thing.

That's enough to get you started...

Shampoo Mystery

I'm torn when it comes to shampoo. Do you get what you pay for? I have used Suave for 99 cents (remember when it was 99 cents?) and I have used Aveda for a lot more for a lot less. I don't believe my hair has looked any different, either way. As I've mentioned before, I make no claim to be any skills in the hair styling department. So what will the $15 tube of shampoo do for me that the $3 bottle won't? And another burning question I have always had...if I buy Paul Mitchell at Shopko (Midwest department store) or Walgreens, is it really NOT the real thing? It's priced like it's the real thing, but I have seen salons post warnings that products purchased anywhere but the salon are not real...such important things to contemplate on this Monday morning (NOT!).

I have discovered a shampoo and conditioner that I really really like. It's sort of like the little bears story...it's not too cheap and it's not too pricey. I learned about it in Good Housekeeping Mag, and it's called Paves. The name is for Ken Paves, who apparently is a hair stylist to the stars a la Jessica Simpson. $5+ at Walgreens for the shampoo and the same price for the conditioner. It smells like a salon product. Doesn't lather much, but according to Paves, lather isn't all that necessary anyway. If this is a salon guy selling his wears at pharmacy prices, it sounds like the best of both worlds...count me in!

I Can't Stress Enough...It Pays to Ask!

Once again, this weekend I encountered an opportunity to save money for my family. Actually, it's something I have posted about previously, with a twist. I have previously noted that Direct TV will turn off your service if you will be out of town more than 7 days. It's a very simple process that can be accomplished via their automated system.

Well, about 2 weeks ago I turned off our service via the automated system. This past Friday, when I turned on our tv, POOF, we had service. Not a good sign. I called D TV and was informed that my request 2 weeks ago never processed. Now, I could have left it at that, but I didn't. I explained that I turned off our service via the automated system. I was told they do not have a tracking system for requests made that way, and if I would hold a few minutes, they would credit my account the said number of days I had wished to not have service. Just. Like. That. After about 10 minutes (can't say D TV is lightening quick in the customer service department), my account was credited $20.

Maybe you don't have satellite tv. Maybe you don't have a tv. Really, it doesn't matter. The point is that if you keep track of your expenses, you will find areas to save...stretch those dollars just as far as they will go!

A Really Good Day in the Freebie Department

Several weeks ago, I mentioned that I have a little trick for getting a free Sunday newspaper. Here it is:

One of the grocery stores I shop at offers a free Sunday paper with any $5 purchase. On any given day, anyone can find something they need at the grocery store totaling at least 5 bucks. So every Sunday I do a bit of my needed anyway shopping and score my free paper. $1.75 value, and tons of coupons to save with in subsequent weeks.

Then, I luckily decided to dig out the $5 off my purchase coupon that I got about 2 weeks ago at/from Walgreens. It's one of those coupons that spits out of the cash register once in a while. No strings, just 5 bucks. So I got some goodies to fill my son's Easter basket. He is only 2, so $5 goes pretty far.

Then on to Office Depot. This is no joke, I found a $3 off your purchase coupon on the sidewalk when I was taking a walk earlier in the week. I used to work in the office supply field back in my high school days, so I know just how to get the most for my office supply (3) bucks.

Then on to JC Penney. Time to use that $15 they sent me for my bday. Today was the day because tonight was "friends and family night" which meant an extra % off. I get a kick out of "friends and family" night. I have no family, nor friends, that work at JCP. I doubt anyone that gets the invite (perhaps everyone that has a mailbox?) does.

That's roughly $25 saved tonight. Not too shabby!

DIY Food

I just got my order in for my fruit and veggie plants and seeds. First of all, seed catalogs are the adult equivalent to what the JC Penney Christmas catalog means to kids...so, cool. Gorgeous pics of fruit, veggies and flowers that you never dreamed you could grow in your yard. And maybe you can't...if you don't have enough sunlight, warm temps, or a yard (decks count).

Anyway, I ordered a lot of stuff. I mean a lot. So much that I may or may not be able to keep up. Cost: less than $100. If I can get through most of the summer strictly using my garden for fruits and veggies, growing your own is an absolute bargain coup!

Pay Attention!

I'm often amazed that I can find deals, or almost miss deals, every single day. I don't go out of my way to create deals. Just by going about my day, I constantly encounter money saving opportunities. Here is another one...

I decided our new bed mattress deserved a new set of sheets. My husband gave me one condition: 100% cotton. Simple enough. Well, now that I'm home, I can tell you that all sheets are not 100% cotton...so pay attention if that's important to you!

Anyway, I settled on a set of sheets that were $100, on sale for $50. It's an entire set, 100% cotton, and 600 thread count (whatever that means), so I felt the price was fair enough. Got to the self check out (LOVE self check out, btw) and the sheets rang up: $100. Yep, I became the person waiting behind me's worst nightmare...I waited for assistance and told the associate that the sheets were on sale. Associate checked it out and honored the sale sticker posted on the shelf. A manual adjustment was made to my bill: $50 off.

Don't assume that you read a sign wrong, don't rush off because you think 5 minutes of your time spent double checking is worth spending $50. You must pay attention to everything you purchase.

Happy shopping!

Hang Dry

I love to hang clothes on the clothes line. Love, love, LOVE it. I can't decide if it's because it helps me in my never ending quest to lower the gas/electric bill, or because I think sheets and towels seem fresher if they have been flapping around outside for much of the day...

It's probably because of that pesky energy bill. We're in the Midwest, so we just came out of what I feel are the two worst months for the heat bill. And we have a gas fireplace. Ouch. Upwards of $300 for one month makes this money saving mama woozy.

I do draw the line at hanging socks, undies, and bras. So my dryer still gets a work out, but one cycle versus three.

I'll post my next energy bill amount when I get it...we'll see how I do this month.

Coupons Update

Ok, it's week 3 of my big coupon giveaway, and I am swimming in coupons. I love it, but I can't keep up with the volume. I'm going to post when I send a packet of expired coupons to overseas military families, but other than that, just email me if you are looking for a particular coupon(s) and if I have it I'll send it your way...

Birthday Money!

When you are a kid, it takes a while to appreciate the value of a card with 5 bucks in it. As an adult, 5 bucks in a card is awesome! And it's awesome whether you're 5 or 50...

I mentioned in a previous post that somehow Geoffrey the Giraffe got wind of my son's birthday, and he gets a $5 coupon to Toys r Us in the mail every year for his birthday. Today, I got the grown up version...$15 to spend at JC Penney! No catch...if I manage to spend only $15, my purchase is FREE. How cool is that?

Yes, I know there is probably some "Big Brother" marketing going on and I should be mildly alarmed that Toys r Us and JC Penney know when my sons and my birthdays are. But really, I'm just thrilled to get the freebies!

Free Parking

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.

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!

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).

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.

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 :).

Coffee and Hair Salons

I don't typically put coffee and hair salons in the same sentence. I am putting together a post that includes both because as I was taking a walk this morning I was trying to rank the things in life that just blow my mind, price wise. Number one and number two on my list (still undecided on the order) is coffee and hair salons.

I should confess, I am a recovering Starbucks addict. I'll never be cured, and still slip in to the drive thru line a couple of times a month. I do actually find the coffee at Starbucks a little too strong, but there is something about that franchise that pulls me in. A few years ago I was in Portland for work and I spent my Saturday driving to Seattle just to step foot inside the original Starbucks...yep, an addict.

I should also confess that come sandal season, I will be making my way to the spa for a pedicure. I can't, and I won't, do it myself...ick.

So here is what blows my mind...$3 for a small latte, nearly $4 for a medium, and I have no idea what crazy amount you pay for a large. Add soy or other goodies and it's even more. Not to pick on S-bucks, this is the case at any coffeehouse you may find. On the other hand, darn good coffee via the McDonalds drive thru can be had for less than $1, less than $2 for a biggie cup. Head over to a gas station and if you find the right one you can have a 12 oz. cup of coffee for free if you get some gas too. This isn't to judge taste, quality, fair trade, or fancy cups and coffee cozies...remember, I LOVE a pricey coffee. What puzzles me is how the price range can be so extreme.

Hair Salons are an entirely different animal. I have had my hair cut in New York City for over $200, I've had my hair cut in my hometown for $6.99, and I have had my fair share of haircuts for costs in between. I fully acknowledge that the stylist at the $200+ salon spent over an hour with me and treated my head like it was an artist's canvas. I acknowledge that the $6.99 haircut takes about 25 minutes, does not include a wash, and only sometimes includes a 20 second blow dry. But one thing that is constant is that by day 2 of ANY hair cut I have ever received, I have it totally messed up and not looking like anything I was given by the professional. So why would I pay $38 when I seriously can get the same long term results for 7 bucks?

I know many would say: this is what I splurge on. And to that I say: rock on. Everyone needs to splurge on whatever does it for them. Until then, I'll head over to McD's and Great Clips for my coffee and style tips.

Oh, and when you can get a free newspaper w/ your Monday coffee at McD's...don't even get me started...love it!