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Returning from Motherhood

Six months ago we were happy to welcome a brand new addition into our family, Kennedy. Following a five month hiatus and wonderful time directed towards my little girl I am ready to come back as a "mommy blogger" -- as well a blogger with a cause. I cannot wait to get started, simply because there are things I do need that I do not wish to pay full price for, the best deal is the only deal on my mind. Helping you to also get that perfect deal is my focus as well. Please excuse my mess for the month of August, I will be trying to acquire a variant of things once again to bring to you super savings as well as products of full recommendations.

Thanks for those who have stuck with me, it seems like I didn't lose that many of my avid savers. I welcome the new viewers who's attention I grab with my blogs of advice, product reviews, as well as how to save, and where to save.

Best Wishes--

Frugality 101: Purchasing Meat For Less

On your personalized path towards modern frugality you will quickly notice most of your accumulated couponing deductions are isolated to the grocer of your choice; making local sense to look to additional saving methods by department. With prices skyrocketing at a rapid pace it is safe to say that the majority of your money, without deduction, will be housed within the meat department; if meat purchases are applicable to your family unit. Let’s take a moment to examine additional methods to procure meat at a considerable savings to you.

1. Eliminate the Middle Man – Personally, I purchase everything direct from the local butchering shop. This differs slightly from big city butchers in that the animals are killed, dressed, and package for sale all within the same facility. This allows an average savings of $300 per month (and at times much more), since I am cutting out the middle man.  I absolutely recommend that you reduce the amount you spend for meat by getting rid of the expense of a middle man. While prices vary per area, I can purchase ground beef at a price of $0.49 per pound instead of $4.99 yielding a significant difference. Purchasing the whole cow/pig is also another option, this saves a considerable amount; plus you can opt for choice cuts that your family consumers reducing waste for pennies a pound. Simply purchase a chest freezer to make bulk purchases, never buying more than your family will consume in an ideal time frame prior to spoilage. I usually re wrap meat in freezer paper and label the paper with the type and date, rotating prior purchases to be used first; this allows me to freeze meat purchases longer.

2. Shop by the Sell by Date – When purchasing meat you will notice a “sell by date” stamped on the package, this date concludes the time the store can sell the item according to the stores delivery schedule. Grocery retailers like Wal-Mart and Kroger are very good at removing meat from the shelf and discounting the price. This date does not indicate the expiration date but the date in which a new shipment of meat will be coming in; the store must clearance the meat as a sign of rotation. Use your best visual judgment for these items to reduce buying meat that is indeed too old to consume. Do know that some stores attempt to profit by adding food coloring and repackaging, usually this is disallowed by the FDA. Some frugalists choose their store based on the meat counter.

3. Sam’s Club/Costco – You may have also noticed that each morning Sam’s Club/ Costco discounts their meat. Due to the bulk purchasing of this meat they are required to move the meat at a quicker pace, which means they must clearance the meat for their members each morning. I have purchased two whole fryers for a price much less then I’d pay at other grocers for only one; pennies per pound. Keep in mind these meat sales may be hit and miss, depending on demand and stock.

4. Use Meat Coupons – Much to your surprise meat coupons are a reality, you will first need to visit the manufacture for the coupons. Inquire with your grocer as to the packaging manufacture; typically they only use a single manufacturer. Packaged meat items seem to come with the most coupons that you can clip from inserts, such as Tyson chicken, Hormel, or Fishers lunch meats; also print store coupons for additional savings. At times couponing is a treasure hunt, meat coupons are indeed a treasure to find.

5. Shop Meat Sales – At your local grocer  you may discover that 10 items for $10 is a regular part of the sales cycle. Some meat items are included in these sales. When you discover a meat sale of this nature you should stock up on what you find on sale, making note of when the cycling sale is. Typically, these meat items are fresh and have not reached their sale by date; mentioned above. I’ve also spotted a diverse variety of 10/$20 sales of 6/$20 depending on the grocer with much more choice cuts of meats available at a discount price. Again, stock up.

Crest 3D Offers a Perfect & Winning Smile

Resembling millions of woman and men who avidly search for the latest and greatest product to whiten their teeth, I have found myself on the quest for a product that actually works without the typical money waste product labeling deception. With an abundance of products cluttering my bathroom cabinet shelving I am ecstatic to report that I’ve gave up my search, after a personal discovery of a product line that does exactly as it reports. Tossing out half used bottles of rouge products and hundreds of dollars over the years, I can only shake my head as to how I was suckered by brands and labels; anyone would agree that with the present day economy the products we purchase must work. Sadly, there are far too many scams pick pocketing your hard earned cash; so please buyer beware.

This last week I’ve tested as I have done far too many times, yet I’ve gotten the results I’ve wanted nearly immediate with the Crest 3-D White family of products. As a secondary favorable point not only does this family of products do exactly as they say, they are dentist recommended and nearly costless! No splurges for this frugal fashionistai with a family to feed. Ladies you will need the Crest 3-D White Multi-Care Rinse, Crest 3-D Whitening Toothpaste, and the Oral-B Advanced Whitening Pulsating Toothbrush; all items total under $14 at your local Wal-Mart. To ensure the proper product purchases the rinse bottle lists each on the back, you do not need to purchase the expensive strips as the rinse has the same power and ingredients; a $50 savings. It must be noted that it took me a while to find the toothbrush due to the brand being that of Oral-B, but this pulsating brush will carry the whitening label in blue on the front of the package. Once you have gathered these products it is recommended for a twice a day use. As a tip rub the toothpaste directly onto problem areas between my teeth and for touch-ups. Brush for two minutes after rinsing for thirty seconds and you’ll kick yourself, as I did, for spending my money on products of disappointment.

After seven-days of twice-a-day usage all stains have faded and my teeth are pearly Hollywood white and near veneer looking, the type of white teeth that we all search for without giving $1200 for professional whitening. Usage is based on the discoloration of your teeth with a two-week maximum or your money back, however, I must warn the Crest 3-D family of products will not be a collection in the next return lane. This product carries my 5-star-rating and any future updates will be reviewed and blogged accordingly. From my family to yours, get whiter teeth with Crest-3D on a penny pitching family budget; it’ll be your newest fascination.

No compensation was offered or accepted for this review.
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Frugality 101: Negate Your Cable Television Bill

Not long ago cable television cost the average family an average of $15 per month, a pricing package that appears seemingly difficult to believe in the current day. While this distant price varied by regional area, the yield was about fifty additional broadcasting channels to our homes. As technology evolves hundreds of additional cable networks have been appended cable packages, increasing monthly bills by an amount quite similar. Recent studies reveal that over 90% of homeowners currently subscribe to several hundred cable channels bringing forth an average monthly payment of nearly $100, an increase in expenditures of $85. However, how many channels do we actually need to appease our inquiring minds?

In realistic terms your household may set focus on fifteen, perhaps twenty, various channels each month; an amount much smaller than you may think. In your passage to save monetary it is essential to trim household expenses by cutting all costs that are not a necessity. Various options currently exist, depending on the provider in your area, which will allow for the same household entertainment focus yet yield hundreds if not thousands of dollars in annual savings. Frugality comes when you cease paying for channels that are not providing useful entertainment or the justification for a monthly payment.

1. Drop Cable Television from the Budget – In homes across the nation the luxury of cable television serves no justified purpose. I encourage you to keep a family friendly household entertainment log that expands a course of thirty days. Each day chart the television entertainment in your household by duration as well as station. At the end of this time frame you will be able to determine the justified benefit of paying extra for an extended television package; as well as pin-point the channels actually watched. In some homes cable may not be justified. The Internet also may provide full episodes at no additional fee that can be frugally justified in the place of the cable utility. In addition websites, like Hulu, provides an Internet television experience; movies can also be downloaded for little or no additional month-to-month charge.

2. Look for Promotional Offers – Very few average households watch less than ten hours of cable programming a month, thus it may not be practical for you to get rid of the extended television in your home. Promotional television offers are constantly available at a price that can be justified for all households, simply keep your eyes opened for these offers and pay less. These much cheaper promotional offers can be discovered on the Internet, by phone, through your mailing services, in newspaper flyers, on the radio, and also in magazines; cutting your price in half, if not more. Ensure that you read the fine print for these promotional offers as you do not want to be locked into a service contact for two years at a price higher than you currently pay.

3. Negate Pricing with Your Provider – Phone your television cable provider selected for your household, simply request to cancel your service. Instead of completely canceling your service negating allows you to attain a price discount, however this pricing discount will not be given without voicing your desire for cancelation. Companies will not want to lose your business so to keep you as a customer they will offer you a price less than your currently monthly payment. Keep calm and do not accept their first offer, negating is getting to the rock bottom pricing; seek it with good intent. Look for a price that fits your budget as well as fees deducted. You may additionally receive services not provided prior to your call for staying with the company.

4. Cut Additional Fees – Many cable television providers charge for additional equipment; such as DVRs, additional remotes, and additional boxes. You will want to reduce your cost by purchasing your own DVR equipment and returning remotes and boxes. Look for a DVR at your local retail or electronic store that fits in your price range, hitting sales and finding promotions for a price that you can justify paying. You do not need the company’s remote as most universal television remotes tend to work with most services. Additional boxes may be turned in providing that additional televisions work without the box, most times if you have only the basic packages (less than 100 channels) your televisions will work without the box. To be safe before you return the boxes ensure the television works to the fullest extent without, you must keep your main service cable box; which is most always without additional cost.

5. Cut Channels – If you never watch movies it is not justified to pay for HBO, Showtime, or other movie package. Always double check your statement and know what packages and stations you are paying for; a lot of time your promotional deal will have you paying at expiration for packages you may not know you are paying for without research. Additionally chart the television channels used in your home in a month period, call your provider and shape a plan around the home entertainment that you use; getting rid of waste. Most companies will allow you to negate your service and shape a plan to meet your needs, reducing hundreds of channels; you may have to pay for ten but save on ninety additional channels. If the company you are currently obtaining service through does not meet your frugal needs and current budget you may also desire to switch, more than a single provider exists in many areas and it is encourages that you take advance of any competitor deals. Again, ensure that you do not sign up for a locked in contract; these can be negated.

Couponing 101: Buying Coupons Online

Having your coupons at hand will yield a significant amount of total savings to your budget. However, you may notice many sale purchases go without additional pricing deductions simply because you have no coupons. Collectively these purchases aggregate to a considerable amount by the end of the year which will dramatically reduce your annual savings figures. Throughout this month a frugal couponing perspective has taken hold with many requests for additional assistance. One of the most frequently asked questions relates to the purchase of coupons for household budgeted needs due to the coupling of the regency of coupons to the personal diversity of the purchased product.

Many couponers have been quite successful when buying coupons online. This is especially true when making bulk purchases, since a coupon is usually needed for each item; unless using a coupon valid for specific cash off a multiple product purchase. Nonetheless, as a new-age method of monetary savings many other couponers cannot fathom the justification of paying someone to clip coupons; when a distinctive variety of procedures exist to build the shoppers couponing bank. It must be documented that the purchase of coupons online is illegal in some areas; additionally most state in fine print they must be voided if sold, purchased, or traded. For those serious about buying coupons there are a few areas of awareness that must be taken seriously:

1. Only Purchase From Reliable Sources – You must be awake to the fact that hundreds of fly-by-night coupon buying scams exist on the Internet. Not only will these individuals taking money without providing the purchased coupons, they will also manipulate your personal information; threatening credit in addition to your bank account. Fly-by-night scam artists pose a risk each time payment is rendered for goods and/or services on the Internet of any variety. You should always seek out reliable sources to make your couponing purchases. Finding reliable sources indicate that deep research should go into the company before providing personal information. Look to the eBay seller rank or use sites of high recommendation by fellow couponers with more experience; such as Coupons & Things by Dede.

2. Find Out Date of Expiration – You should always know when the coupons you are attempting the purchase of expire, remembering to calculate shipping times as well as your local store’s sale cycle. No purchases should be made of coupons about to expire, having less than three (3) weeks of validity. Typically it takes five (5) business days to acquire the coupons that you purchase; however, shipping dates depend upon the website or individual responsible for getting your coupons to you. In the spirit of your frugality, purchasing an upgrade on coupons may not be practical based on the face value of the coupon(s) as well as your budget. Coupon purchasing costs must be subtracted from your total saved each month, amounting by year’s end.

3. Insure You Can Use the Coupons – Be aware that there are many times a coupon is only valid to a specific user or specific state. Some savings slips offering a large deduction on a big ticket item require that you present your identification prior to use. These coupons notify the cashier on the register of the name of the savings holder; if your name does not match the transaction cannot be accepted. In short these coupons void themselves when they are traded as the fine print states. You should always be aware of the possibly of this happening and take precautions not to be stuck and without the monetary amount paid. The Coupon Clippers is also another recommended website that cuts down on consumer confusion.

Many have also inquired as to my personal option towards purchasing coupons through online means; frankly I do not do this. Sincerely, I’m cheap and cannot deduce sense out of paying someone to clip coupons while trying to frugally save money. As priory written many other ways currently exist to yield the coupons you will need, even if coupons are bound through region and/or city. Personally, I would rather gather with my community at coupon parties, comb through free coupon sites, or have inserts saved for my bulk usage then pay. This choice is up to you, however, please do not turn a blind eye to the risks of purchasing coupons online; especially through an eBay seller.