My philosophy is if you’re going to buy something make sure you get maximum return and there are three ways you can do that-

One-use a coupon to get a discount on the product.
Two-get a rebate or refund on all or most of the cost of the product
Three-get something in return for buying the product.

This week I used all three methods to make the most of my buys.
I sent in four yogurt tops to Stonyfield Farms and I’ll be receiving a year’s free subscription to Organic Gardening.

I sent a copy of my cash register when I bought two tubs of Fleischmann’s olive oil spread and will be receiving a full refund on the purchase price.

While I was shopping at my local co-op I used a $5 off coupon and a coupon for a free loaf of French bread that I used to make garlic cheese bread.

And remember the survey I mentioned about the Morningstar Farm teriyaki burgers? I figured out the password they wanted was actually the serial number. I took the survey and will be receiving a $10 debit card.

I also bought a package of Synders of Hanovers tortilla chips and you can go to one of these sites, www.eatsmartsnacks.com or www.syndersofhanover.com and register to win a total gym, and there’s also a fitness journal you can download for free.

The couch in our family room has been starting to sag in certain spots. It’s ten years old and while it still looks good, you can definitely tell everyone’s favorite spot to sit. I was thinking about getting some of the boards you can buy to put underneath chairs and couches to extend their life. However, while I was looking at the photos of the product, they just seemed to be cardboard with plastic covering. So when I was folding up boxes some of the Christmas gifts came in, I got a great idea and I thought, how about giving this stuff a try first. I cut the cardboard to the exact size of the couch and slipped it under the cushions. You can’t see it, it works like a charm, and I saved $20, plus the cardboard was just heading to the recycling bin anyway.

For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

You didn’t have to look too far this last week to read or even hear experts talking about the likelihood of a recession and how you can weather it. Just about every news station, local and national, had at least one feature story about ways to cut your debt and spending.

One site I really like to check out is Yahoo Finance. Today they had a great article by Marshall Loeb about where to find the best coupons online. Clipping coupons has always been popular but it looks like it’s going to get even more popular now. According to Loeb the best site is www.couponmountain.com for it’s easy navigation features and the fact you don’t need to register. That’s one feature I definitely like. I sometimes skip a site if they want too much information from you. Hey, just give me the coupons will you!

I redeemed my Bag of Dreams promotion coupons from my local supermarket for a $20 gift certificate. I decided to buy a few extra items to stock the freezer and pantry. I shopped on Wednesday and I know this is supposed to be the slowest day for the grocery industry, but I seemed to be the only person shopping there. At first I thought they were closed for stock taking or something, and I’d managed to get in there by mistake. But no, they were open, and until I got to the check out I didn’t seem another customer. Have people stopped buying groceries or what? As business was slow, I got talking to the cashier as I was packing my groceries. She was telling me most people get a shock when they see the total of their grocery bill these days. Another good reason to use those coupons.

Another way to make shopping cheaper is to use rebates. I bought a package of the new Morningstar Farm Teriyaki Burgers and they’re offering a $10 prepaid debit card if you’re willing to take a survey about the burgers. I logged on but the site wanted a password that was supposedly on the coupon, but I can’t find it. I’ve e-mailed them and will hopefully get the proper code.

I keep meaning to put this in the blog, but then forget all about it…so this week I put the magazine beside my computer. Last year I subscribed for the first time to Money magazine. I’d seen it at the checkout lots of time but really thought its target readership was people who wanted to invest in stocks and buy million dollar houses, but was I wrong. It’s one of the best magazines for anything related to money and finances. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, I encourage you to check it out.

For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

Did anyone else notice that the R word was finally mentioned more than once this week? Lots of people already thought the economy was in a recession, but a handful of financial companies finally went out on a limb and admitted they think that’s where we’re definitely headed. For us Budget Smart Girls who watch our spending and make the most of every penny anyway, it shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment. Isn’t that the reason we live the Budget Smart life to begin with?

And speaking of which, I borrowed an audio CD from the library called The Last Chance Millionaire…it’s not too late to become wealthy by Douglas Andrew. It’s aimed at Baby Boomers, and while I might not follow all the information contained in it, I have to agree with the author when he says surviving… especially as you race toward your retirement years is about conserving and not consuming.

Which brings up a useful tip about changing your buying habits. When you’re thinking about buying something, ask yourself, do I really need this, or is it something I just want? If it’s something I need, can I delay my purchase until my budget’s in better shape?

And if you’re in the shopping doldrums because you’re on a budget, one way to cure it is to shop someplace else. I’d never really thought about this before but last week I decided to shop at a different grocery store. When I shopped at the other store it seemed like no matter how much I tried to keep the weekly amount at a certain level, things just kept on getting more expensive. Last week when I walked around the other grocery store I saw products new to me and it was great to see they weren’t that expensive. And the store had some great prices on items like canned beans, tomatoes, things I usually like to keep on hand for impromptu meals. Yes, I did spend the same amount of money, but I got a whole bunch more stuff for it, and many were items that I can turn into a readymade meal. That’s what I call saving money.


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm

Tis the season for…getting catalogs through the mail. If I thought my mailbox was being overloaded with those things just after Thanksgiving, well, I was wrong, seems like they’re arriving fast and furiously now. Some are from companies I’ve shopped with before; some are completely new to me. I know being a Budget Smart Girl I should just toss them, but sometimes curiosity gets the better of me. I’ll sometimes flip through the pages thinking, no, there’s nothing I’d really want in this catalog. And then it comes down to the last few pages and I spot something that would save me time and money and I start to weaken. My biggest downfall is looking through them and seeing a product that would easily fix a problem around the house. At the moment I have two broken items that my husband has said are beyond his skills to mend. My metal cake stand that I caught with my elbow and one of the legs broke off. And my step exerciser… one the steps broke while I was using it… I know what you’re thinking, and no, it wasn’t due to excessive weight. I’ve been seeing commercials for this new super strength putty that is so strong you can even pull a semi along with it. One of the catalogs is selling it so I’m thinking hey, if this stuff can pull a semi, my cake stand and step exerciser should be no problem. And that’s how it starts… I suppose we really should just toss those catalogs in the bin straight away!

I have to renew my Internet security program this week and thought I’d do some price checking just to make sure I’m getting the best deal. I found this site you might want to check out www.anti-virus-software-review.com. Protecting your computer from all the nasty stuff out there is essential for everyone, but if you’re like me and freelance or run your own business, it’s a must. Having problems with your computer can cost you tons of money in lost business and not to mention lost files. So buying the best Internet security is definitely money well spent.

I was watching a gardening show yesterday about this family who grows all their own produce, year round no less. It got me thinking about whether I should start a vegetable garden this year. I already have an herb garden, but I might add some tomatoes, lettuces, peppers plants too. And speaking of gardening one of my goals is to start more plants from seeds this year.


For money saving tips visit www.gardenandhearth.com/Bargain-Shopping.htm and www.gardenandhearth.com/EatingWellonaBudget.htm