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Petco Summer Adventures Sweepstakes

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Enter the Petco Summer Adventures Sweepstakes and you could potentially win a 2011 Toyota Venza or numerous other awesome prizes. Hurry and enter because this sweepstakes ends July 30th.

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What Is Piggybacking?

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 4:12 pm

What in the world is piggybacking?  Is it like stacking?  Do I need more than one of the same coupon?  Is it legal? Let me answer your questions here!

The Definition

The definition of what piggybacking is, as I understand it, the following:  Piggybacking is using two coupons to save even more on one deal.

It’s similar to stacking, but not quite the same!  Stacking is when you use both a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon on the same product.  The key word in piggybacking is deal.  Think of a deal as a purchase of a combination of products.  Because it’s a combination of two products, two manufacturer coupons can be used.  You used one coupon for a product that allowed you to get (and use) a coupon for another product.

You can also match piggybacking coupons with store deals to save even more!

Examples, Please?

Alright, I know it can be a little confusing.  Let’s look at an example.

  • Buy 1 soda, use $.50/1 soda coupon
  • Buy 1 bag of chips, use $1/1 bag of chips when you buy 1 soda

So, the two manufacturer coupons you used were being applied to two different products.  That’s legal! Go for it!

Be Forewarned!

A lot of people think of piggybacking as a bad thing.  I think this is because they associate piggybacking with the idea of stacking a dollar or cents-off manufacturer coupon with a BOGO manufacturer coupon.  Let me tell you why that is not allowed, and maybe it will help to clear up a little bit of confusion.  When you use a BOGO coupon you are getting one item completely free, but what did you have to purchase in order to use that BOGO coupon?  Two of the same product.  In order for your BOGO coupon to be valid, you must purchase two items (even though one of those is technically free).  So, you have used a manufacturer coupon on both of those items already, and would not be allowed to apply another manufacturer coupon to the “free” item.  You (usually) can however stack a manufacturer BOGO coupon with a store cents-off coupon, and vice versa.

I’ll be the first to admit it: it’s a little confusing.  But once you figure out what piggybacking is and how to use it, it can be really helpful!

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DIY Network Blog Cabin Giveaway

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Enter the sweepstakes hosted by the DIY Network and you could win a  stay for two in Susan, Virginia plus $1,000 in spending money! The Blog Cabin giveaway ends July 29th and you can only enter once a day. Good luck!

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$1.50/1 Boost Kids Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Do your kids not have time to sit down and eat a nutritionally filling meal every day? Here is a great solution. Use this printable coupon to save $1.50 on 1 Boost Kids Essentials to give them a tasty and healthy treat!

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Free Mary Kay Fragrance Samples

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 10:12 am

Don’t you love trying out a new scent? Now you can do it for free! Sign up with Mary Kay and you can receive a free sample of their four amazing scents!

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$1/1 Off! Product

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 8:12 am

If you would like to put an end to mosquitoes snacking on yourself check out this printable coupon. You can save $1 on 1 Off! product from SC Johnson after you fill out some personal information.

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Organizing Your “Take to Store” Coupons

Posted on Sunday, July 31st, 2011 at 6:12 am

Organizing your coupons can be a tricky task at times!  With all of the coupons we clip to help us save, it might take you a couple of times clipping and shopping to figure out what method works best for you.  Another thing you have to consider on top of that is how you want to organize the coupons you actually take with you to the store!

Make A List

The very first thing you need to do is make a list!  Plan out your meals and snacks.  This way you know what coupons you should be looking to bring.  Also, having a list helps you avoid impulse buying, my own biggest downfall while grocery shopping. (What do you mean that giant tub of chocolate ice cream isn’t on my list?!) In addition to items you’ll need for meals and snacks, also write down toiletries or household products you will need.  Don’t forget to check your stockpile (if you have one) for anything that needs to be replenished.  Many people plan their lists and meals around what they see in the inserts that will be on sale, so that they can coupon match.  Keep in that in mind!

Check It Twice

Now that you have your list ready, it’s time to see what coupons you have on hand.  Go through your beautifully organized home coupon system and make a note of what coupons you have for your list.  It’s helpful to mark on your list with a star or something if there is a coupon for the item.

Find A Place For Your Take to Store Coupons

Here’s where you separate your take to store coupons from the rest of your coupons.  Take the coupons you have found for your list out of whatever organization system they are currently in and set them aside.  You’ll still want to keep these organized though.  Some ideas for smaller organization to consider are plastic zip lock bags and envelopes.  You could use several for one trip (say multiple envelops for food, household supplies, toiletries, etc.), separate them by paper clipping like coupons together, or just putting them all in one envelope.  Whatever works best for you!  Having a system for take to store coupons doesn’t mean you can’t bring your big binder either!  If you want to bring it in case you find a great deal on something not on your list, then by all means go for it!  Having a smaller system will just help you cut down time flipping through all of your coupons in the store.

Useful Things to Have On Hand While Shopping

Good luck and happy shopping!

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$1/1 Thai Kitchen Product Coupon

Posted on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Looking to add some spice to tonight’s meal? Now you can save $1 on 1 Thai Kitchen product with this printable coupon. Everyone can do with some more flavor!

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How to Negotiate a Deal

Posted on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Knowing how to negotiate a deal can save you loads of money and help you become an even better bargain hunter. While couponing can save a lot of money, especially in the grocery store, negotiating can increase your savings even further. Before you start negotiating, there are a few preliminary questions you need to ask:

  1. First, you have to know yourself. What are you willing to spend? What would you like to spend? What is your budget? What is the item or service you are negotiating over worth to you? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to communicate your intentions more clearly.
  2. Second, you have to know the other party (aka the person you are negotiating with). What is their asking price? What is their minimum price? What is their budget like?

 

Once you have gathered the answers to these questions, you are ready to begin negotiating a deal. You could be anywhere – a garage sale, a car lot, a doctor’s office, a hotel, an auto service station, a utility company, a rental agency, a flea market. I’ve had the best luck negotiating with service providers, but you never know where you might be able to negotiate a deal – it could even be at a restaurant or clothing store. However, you probably won’t have any luck negotiating at chain restaurants or stores, as these prices are set by upper management and not the clerks who you have contact with. Before you try to negotiate, be sure the person you are talking to actually has the power to offer a deal. Here are a few more tips to get you through the negotiating process:

  • Ask questions! This is the #1 rule of negotiating. You’ll be surprised how much money you can save by asking just a few simple questions. A lot of people are afraid to ask questions, which is why they are unable to negotiate, which brings me to my next tip…
  • Act comfortable and natural. Asking questions will be a breeze if you just be yourself. True, it can be uncomfortable to probe a seller with questions, but if you don’t let on, I promise no one will know if you’re uncomfortable.
  • Establish a common ground with the other party. That is, find something you both have in common (by asking questions, of course!) and return to it often. By creating a bond with the other party, they will be more comfortable and willing to negotiate with you. Do this before you start negotiating, and the other party will feel more invested in the situation.
  • Don’t ramble. Once you’ve asked for a deal, keep quiet until the other party returns with an answer. Continuing to ramble may kill your chances of scoring the deal.
  • Assume a discount. Instead of asking if they other party can offer a discount, ask what the discount is.
  • Always stay positive, friendly, and smile! If you are likable, people will be more willing to negotiate with you.
  • If you do manage to negotiate a deal, be sure the get the offer in writing (where it applies, such as in a rental contract).
  • If all else fails, be able to walk away. If you are unable to negotiate the deal you desire, it is okay to walk away. Think of negotiating as a business transaction, not a personal investment.

 

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Brio Tuscan Grille’s Win an Escape Sweepstakes

Posted on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Does your family need a major vacation? Now you can win one! Enter the Win an Escape sweepstakes from Brio Tuscan Grille. You could win a vacation to Vegas, South Beach, a Disney World excursion, or several others! All you have to do is go to Brio Tuscan Grille’s Facebook page and like them to enter this great sweepstakes. Hurry because this offer ends July 31st!

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