Kroger’s Cart Buster Savings Event 2nd Select Your Deal

March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment


It is the 2nd Select Your Deal promotion for the Kroger’s Cart Buster Savings Event! Did you catch our post last Friday?

 

Kroger’s Cart Buster — Did you know? …

  • Cart Buster runs until March 16 at all Kroger Co. Family of Stores (you can pick your store on the landing page)
  • There are HUNDREDS of products on sale throughout the store
  • Deals include Bounty, Tide, Pampers, Gatorade and many other brands from P&G and Pepsi (click here for the complete list of brands on sale)

 Kroger’s 2nd Select Your Deal promotion is TODAY! – Did you know? …

  • Go HERE on TODAY to be served THREE random digital coupons for additional in-store savings, delivered via load-to-card coupons onto your Kroger shopper card (NOTE: you must have a Kroger.com account and sign in to get the coupons)
  • The coupons are random.
  • You will be shown 3 deals and can choose the one you want to use!
  • Deals may include products such as Crest 3D White toothpaste, Tropicana orange juice, DiGiorno pizza, Secret deodorant, Pantene and more!!

Last week I hoped for the Tropicana Orange Juice random coupon and boy was I surprised to see it! So I picked that coupon for sure. This week I am hoping for a Bounty paper towels coupon. We buy a lot of Bounty paper towels at our house. Are your kids as messy as ours?!  Here is an example screen of the coupons you might be offered!

What product do you hope to find in the Select Your Deal promotion this week? Did you get the Bounty coupon I want? Leave us a comment and let us know!

NOTE: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!

March 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Benjamin Franklin once said that, “in this world nothing is certain, except death and taxes.”

taxes

Yes, folks, tax season is here and you can bet that the tax collectors are coming to get their pound of flesh.

By now, you should have all of the documents you need to prepare your taxes.  All you have to do is get it all together, organize it, and start filling out the forms, right?  Or maybe you just get it all together and bring it to your local accountant.  Either way, be careful!

Tax season can be a pretty dangerous time for all of your personal information.  You’ve got social security numbers, bank account numbers, W-2′s, income and investment info….it’s all in one place!  It’s together, organized, and waiting for someone to take it!  And, unless you really trust your accountant, you could be just giving that information away.

We do our taxes online in the security of our closed network at home.  Still, that doesn’t mean that everything is safe.  I still make sure that I see the “https://” in the front of the URL.  That “s” gives me some assurance that my information is secure.  And seriously, make sure that you are shopping around and double checking the sites that you use to do your taxes.  How many fees are they taking?  Are they telling you everything upfront?  It really is worth looking for a service that you completely trust.

Still, like Franklin said, only two things are certain and you have no guarantee that even your most careful safeguards can fully prevent someone from getting hold of your information.  That’s why we are so thankful for LifeLock.  If someone is crazy enough to try and steal my identity, LifeLock lets me know so that we can put a stop to it before any real damage is done.

We also love getting tips from LifeLock on Facebook and Twitter.  It’s a great way to learn more about protecting your personal information and an excellent reminder to actually do it!  Also, make sure to check out the LifeLock for Life Sweepstakes for chances to win great prizes all month long.

How are you doing your taxes this year?  Online?  By mail?  Are you doing them yourself or having someone do them for you?  Have you already finished your taxes or are you waiting until the last minute?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Kroger’s Cart Buster Savings Event and Select Your Deal

March 8, 2013 By 3 Comments


Are you ready for the  Kroger’s Cart Buster Savings Event and Select Your Deal promotion?

 

Kroger’s Cart Buster — Did you know? …

  • Cart Buster runs from March 3 – March 16 at all Kroger Co. Family of Stores (you can pick your store on the landing page)
  • There are HUNDREDS of products on sale throughout the store
  • Deals include Bounty, Tide, Pampers, Gatorade and many other brands from P&G and Pepsi (click here for the complete list of brands on sale)

 Kroger’s Select Your Deal promotion – Did you know? …

  • Runs on March 8 and March 15 (watch for another post next Friday!!)
  • Go HERE on March 8 and March 15 to be served THREE random digital coupons for additional in-store savings, delivered via load-to-card coupons onto your Kroger shopper card (NOTE: you must have a Kroger.com account and sign in to get the coupons)
  • The coupons are random.
  • You will be shown 3 deals and can choose the one you want to use!
  • Deals may include products such as Crest 3D White toothpaste, Tropicana orange juice, DiGiorno pizza, Secret deodorant, Pantene and more!!

What are we excited to see included in the Kroger Cart Buster promotion?! Bounty paper towels for all of the kiddo messes are required around this house. Plus the Tropicana Orange Juice is a great every week grocery purchase for us to save on during the Cart Buster promotion! Sophie has decided she wants orange juice for breakfast and Matthew would just drink orange juice if we let him. We buy a lot of Tropicana Orange Juice! I so excited to see that coupon in the Select Your Deal Promotion when I got my random options!! YAY!!

What product do you hope to find in the Select Your Deal promotion this week? Leave us a comment and let us know!

NOTE: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Filed Under: Simply Food Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Celebrate the Holidays with a Sears Kitchen Appliance Deal!

December 20, 2012 By 2 Comments

Are you in a fight with your Kitchen? Sometimes, Kitchens can feel neglected, overworked & outdated. It’s about time you and your kitchen made up.  Let Sear’s help mediate with up to 30% off your favorite appliance brands. Deal starts December 19th and ends January 5th! Check out the deal online!

Plus, you’ll get an extra 5% off when you use your Sears Card. Now what are you waiting for, go give your Kitchen some much-needed love. The bonus Credit card offer is Online & In Stores through January 5th.

Hopefully your kitchen isn’t missing an oven like our is right at this moment! If it is though, this is an wonderful promotion to update your kitchen and fall in love with it again in 2013. We are excited to fall in love with our kitchen again in 2013. Loving our kitchen is actually key to our budget because a family that eats at home stays on budget and becomes closer! We have also found that we get much closer as a family around meals we cook together and eat together. We sure didn’t love our appliances when we moved here but we have taken the approach to replace them one at a time as we find deals that are in our budget. Replacing an appliance on your timeline when you see a deal is all together better for your budget than rushing to replace that appliance when it breaks right before the holiday season. Take that lesson of experience from us and when our dishwasher broke weeks before Thanksgiving. I was one stress pregnant lady that holiday season! Take the opportunity now to check out the Sears Holiday Deals to update you kitchen and fall in love with it again in 2013!

What appliances would you update in your kitchen so you could fall in love with it all over again? Leave us a comment and let us know!

NOTE: This is a sponsored post with http://brandfluential.com, I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.

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How to cut down what you spending on gas

December 13, 2012 By 6 Comments

In the midst of the recession and with new laws in place to encourage drivers to be more fuel-efficient, we now have more incentive than ever to save fuel. If you are looking for a greener car to replace your gas-guzzler, try finding one online – sites like VCARS.co.uk have used cars for sale.  There is no need to worry however, as being fuel efficient does not necessarily require forking out your hard-earned cash on a new car.

Here are few ways to make your existing car more fuel-efficient:

Use your brake cautiously

While it would be counter-productive and incredibly dangerous to stop using your brake, constant and unnecessary use of the brake wears out your tires more quickly and can increase your car’s petrol consumption by 35%! Get out of the habit of riding on your brake and watch your savings grow.

Change your air filter

Nearly one out of every four cars is running with a dirty air filer. If that’s the case with your car, swapping it out for a new one can improve its gas mileage by as much as 10%.  It is estimated that a quarter of cars in the UK are running with dirty air filters , and consequently this is a prime cause of fuel-inefficiency – the air filter is vital for your car’s smooth operation, and if clogged up will also eventually lead to your bank balance being clogged too.

Check your tires

Around 30% of cars have tires that are under-inflated, leading to both premature and uneven wearing. If your tyres are inflated by the average 3.4kg, then this will lead to 2.8% loss of fuel-efficiency.  Check your tyre pressure fortnightly to save 6 pence per gallon.

Definitely need a replacement?

If you’re on the lookout for a greener car however, why not check out the Series 1 BMW – you can purchase a used BMW from VCARS.co.uk at a great price.

Filed Under: Budgeting Advice, SimplySaving Tagged With: , , ,

Money: What’s It Good For?

November 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We are excited to bring a guest post to you today from Joe John Duran!

Here’s the simple truth about money—it can really only help you do three things in your life:

1. Avoid pain—by protecting you and helping you to take care of what you’re afraid might cause pain in the future
2. Feel good—by getting you the things that provide you with happiness and satisfaction
3. Take care of the ones you love—by meeting your obligations to family, community, and society at large

So how do you unravel what money means to you in order to improve your financial life?

First, you need a desire to create lasting change. Second, you need a guide. The fact that you’re reading these words points to your motivation to bring about better outcomes, and as far as guidance is concerned, the goal of this book is to provide the lasting financial solutions you’ve been looking for.

With so much competing for your attention every day, determining where to direct your resources is a daunting task. No doubt, there are limitless ways to spend your time and energy. Unfortunately, you have a limited amount of both. In this regard, time is fair: Whether you’re the president of the United States or a newborn infant, your daily dose of 24 hours is the same. Therefore, to reach your goals, you must determine where you’ll direct your focus right now and what you’ll postpone until later. In this lesson, I’ll first describe what is competing for your time and resources when it comes to your financial life. From there, you can determine how to separate essential tasks from nonessential ones.

Each of us lives in two financial worlds: external and internal. Our external world includes taxes, inflation, the country’s economy, the stock market, and more. All of these will affect us, but we cannot control them. Meanwhile, our internal world consists of our job, salary, spouse, and family—in other words, things we can directly impact.

 

Joe John Duran is CEO and founding partner of United Capital, which consistently ranks as one of the nation’s fastest growing wealth counseling firms. He’s fueled by his passion to change the industry and improve lives by empowering people to make better, more informed financial decisions. From CNBC to CNN, Joe frequently provides commentary on TV. He has been profiled in numerous publications, including the New York Times and Smart Money.   Please check out the book at:  www.Mymoneycode.com

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The Black Friday Money Mindset

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We are excited to bring a guest post to you today from Steve Siebold!

Just after Thanksgiving comes another American tradition: Black Friday. Millions of people will lineup at retail stores all across the country in hopes of scoring some great deals on merchandise, everything from games and toys to jewelry, electronics, clothing and more.

Unfortunately, another tradition, not as exciting for the Black Friday diehards is that of debt.  While most stores advertise huge savings on hot ticket items, most people fail to recognize the “Black Friday Money Trap” they are stepping into. Just how bad is it?  Last year, American’s spent a whopping $52 Billion.

The core of the problem is that middle Class America is notorious for living beyond its means, especially on Black Friday. People are brainwashed about how much money they are supposedly saving on Black Friday, and they end up buying way more than they would any other day during the year.  In fact, Black Friday leads many people to financial devastation.

The statistics back it up: In 2010, the census bureau reported that total credit card debt in the United States was $886 billion. On Black Friday, either the consumer racks up even more credit card debt than they already have, or they pay cash but spend so much that they don’t have enough left to pay their mortgage, car payments and other essentials.

But there’s some good news for all the Black Friday fanatics out there: you can still enjoy your day of shopping without breaking the bank. The key is mental toughness.

Here are some tips to keep your money mindset in check:

  • Ask yourself if you would rather have the short-term satisfaction of expensive material possessions, or the long-term results of financial freedom and abundance?
  • Don’t fall for marketing campaigns that make you feel as if you’re getting a great deal when you’re really not (i.e. buy it today – pay for it tomorrow)
  • Allocate a certain amount of money for each person you plan on buying gifts for and don’t overspend by even a dollar.
  • Define your budget prior to Black Friday. Know how much money you need to pay your living expenses for the month, how much you need to put into savings, and figure out a comfortable amount you have leftover that’s just there and can be used for shopping at the holidays.
  • Don’t even think of using a credit card unless you are 100% sure you can comfortably pay it off at the end of the month.
  • Don’t get caught up in the moment.  If your shopping cart is overflowing, step back, regroup and make sure you can really afford everything you plan to purchase.
  • Kids learn by example.  Even parents who have failed to reach their financial dreams can still teach their kids important lessons about money during the holiday season.
  • There’s no shame in telling people that this year will be a lean holiday season when it comes to exchanging gifts.
  • There are good deals to be had on Black Friday, but be mentally tough to know when enough is enough.

The bottom line when it comes to money on Black Friday: put your emotions on the shelf and let reason be your guide. By all means go out and enjoy getting those doorbuster deals, but be smart and mentally tough about it, and don’t spend more money than you have.

Steve Siebold is author of the book How Rich People Think, which hit # 31 on Amazon.com this year.  He spent the last 30 years interviewing some of the world’s richest people to get inside their heads to see how they really think about money.  He discovered 100 differences in thinking between the middle class and wealthy that are extreme.  For more information and to download five free chapters, visit www.howrichpeoplethinkbook.com

 

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Black Friday Coupons for Online Shopping

November 9, 2012 By 2 Comments

With a busy shopping season coming up, it’s a good time to start thinking about how you are going to save money.  Cyber Monday has been getting lots of publicity over the past couple of years, but did you know that you can get great online discounts on Black Friday, too?  With three kids in tow, we just can’t wait in the ridiculously long lines and fight the crazy crowds.

Same Items, No Lines

Who wants to get up with the chickens to wait in the freezing cold to maybe get something if it’s still there?  Many of the major stores will sell items online that you can pick up in the store.  Last year, Beth got me a table saw on Black Friday by buying it online and having it shipped to the local store for pick up.  We saved the same money that we would have by standing in line, but we avoided all of the craziness.

Combining Black Friday Sales with Coupon Codes

Often you can find great deals online and pair them with great coupon codes for discounts or even free shipping.  Sometimes the shipping costs can be just as much, if not more, than the discount merchandise.  My sister-in-law loves clothes, so sometimes it’s worth considering whether we should be looking at better deals from American Eagle or using coupon codes for Aeropostale.

Do you wait in line or shop online on Black Friday?  Do you love the thrill of the hunt or would you rather avoid the crowd?  Leave us a comment and let us know.

Filed Under: Budgeting Advice, SimplySaving Tagged With: , , , ,

Budget Friendly Errand Trip Lunch

October 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

Brian is working today but I had a list of errands to do. By the time we were ready to leave after the kids cleaned up from their morning play time, I realized we would be out during lunch time instead home right at lunch time like I planned. I did not want to spend $20-30 on lunch for the four of us. I had leftovers in the fridge we were supposed to have for lunch. So in an instant of brilliance, I packed a lunch in a cooler. I put Capri Suns, apples, crackers, ham, and packages of cookies in a cooler with some napkins and dessert plates. Off we went to our errands with our lunch packed in the van but no place to eat it. After our second stop that took way too long, the kids were starving. I was still trying to figure out where there was grass for a blanket or picnic tables near where we were. Then I remembered the Elementary School across the street from where we were. So we went over there and parked and ate in the grassy area under the tree.

The kids loved talking about fall, the leaves, the school … we just talked. Normally, if we are out to lunch they are bored so it was wonderful to have that conversation with them. The weather today was perfect for an errand picnic too!

Have you ever packed a lunch when running errands? What is your favorite budget saver idea? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Five ways to budget for that once-in-a-lifetime holiday

October 9, 2012 By 1 Comment

Going on holiday can be extremely expensive – but we’ve got some brilliant budgeting tips so you can make your once-in-a-lifetime trip happen. Perhaps you’d like to book a holiday to Africa with Mahlatini.com, or fancy exploring Asia or traveling across Europe. No matter where in the world you dream of visiting, read the following advice to enable you to afford your break away.

Set a budget – and stick to it

The first task you need to do in the planning stage of every holiday is to make a budget containing all the likely outgoings, which should include everything from airport car parking to spending money, accommodation to travel insurance and flights to day trips out. The earlier you start planning, the easier it should be to get the money together.

Open a special ‘holiday’ bank account

It’s important to ring fence any money saved to make sure it doesn’t simply get spent as a living cost. Having a separate bank account especially for holiday funds should motivate you more when you see the balance gradually going up as your trip away gets closer.

Get the kids involved in being thrifty

If you’ve got children then it’ll be easier to save if you explain to them what you’re doing and why you’re doing it – ultimately to give them a holiday they’ll remember for years. Then find ways to keep them occupied in the meantime that won’t break the bank. For instance, avoid theme parks and other expensive attractions and find alternative forms of entertainment.

Start saving straight away

Affording to go on holiday will probably mean changing your lifestyle in order to be able to put enough money aside. This could mean cutting down on luxuries such as nights out with friends and buying expensive food during the weekly shop, so be sure to bargain hunt every time you go shopping to make your money stretch that little bit further.

Boost your short-term income

A determination to make your dream holiday a reality could mean you have to put in some additional hours at work or get a second job to boost your income. Another way to improve your finances in the short term could be to make money out of your unwanted possessions, which is where sites like eBay may prove lucrative.

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