Couponing 101

 

So on my facebook a long time friend asked me how to start couponing so I thought i'd pen this quick article for beginners

The first thing is to get  coupons

                The first thing when saving money with coupons is to GET the coupons. My First and favorite source the Sunday Newspaper. There are 2 companies that provide coupons SMART SOURCE and RED PLUM . Also P&G also does a supplemental circular every other month.

You can also find coupons online to print.

www.Coupons.com

www.SMARTSOURCE.com

www.REDPLUM.com

OR you can load ECOUPONS directly on your store saver card from

CellFire.com or Shortcuts.com

Step 2 to save is organization.

Use what method works for you , some people have binders with trading card pockets so they can see what they have

I use a box that my dear hubby made for me with envelopes with different categories set up like Meat, Dairy, Frozen, baked goods, cereal, canned goods, etc  Every month I clip the coupons and file them away by expiration date.

Step 3 is USAGE

I try to pair the coupons with the SALES this is where you score big! And don’t be afraid of stocking up.. If you don’t need it today but you will need it in a few buy 2 or 3 then you can save yourself some serious money.

So how do you know when an item is on sale?

Do what is known as a price book. Grab a notebook and in it write down the prices of different items that way you will know what is the rock bottom price of the item in question. It’s a good idea to do this for about 12 weeks.

Ok there you have it the basics.

But if you have more questions contact me or check out Couponmom.com  her book has been instrumental in helping with my own food bill  my friend Diane also recommends Shop, Save, and Share by Ellie Kay  havent read it yet but it looks good too ^_^ 

<3, Tanya

$aving $$ Spending less

Hello People! So today I am going to share my resource list for finding coupons and bargains.


SUNDAY PAPER

       In the Everett Area you have 2 main choices. but The EVERETT Herald has more coupons they get Redplum ones. Currently i am getting service from the seattle times because i got a 25$ gift card from Fred Meyer. I am often asked is it worth it to buy the paper.. well I'll tell you chances are you will find at least enough coupons that will offset the cost of the paper ^_^ and don't forget they also have extras of the Albertsons "Double Coupons"

ALL YOU MAGAZINE

      This Magazine which you can find at Walmart or subscribe @ amazon.com has TONS of coupons!!! it cost about 3.25 at the stand but it is FILLED with high value coupons and pretty interesting articles.

REDPLUM.COM AND COUPONS .COM

Both of these are free sites which you can print off coupons that way you can "clip" only the ones you will use. *TIP* they run out of coupons every so often so my advice is to print them off at the first of the month when the new batches come out

FREEBIES4MOM.com

       Heather @ Freebies4mom has been featured on the Tyra show for her awesome site. They have the most extensive list of birthday freebies I have ever seen! 

Ok so thats my list for now if I update it I'll let you know... or maybe you have more ideas or questions please feel free to comment ^_^

<3, Tanya

Birthday Presence

So 2 Fridays ago I had my 30th birthday. My sister had a nice bbq for me at her house and my best friend paid over $300 to bring her family here, My Parent's in Law bought me a beautiful garnet jewelry set and my hubby bought me tea and made me a coupon box. I'm not writing this just to say about all the things i got but as important as these things are to me they aren't as important about the lessons I learned: The lessons of perception and provision. See, I have a confession to make I am very self centered by nature. my thoughts are often about how I am perceived by other people. There are times this fear over takes me so much that I often forget just how my Father in Heaven perceives me. See God LOVES me. He delights in me.. Thats weird to think of isn't it... something, somebody, that so many people have thrown away is treasured by the Creator of the Universe. More than that, this God didn't just create me to just live as he stands idly by and does nothing about my present circumstances He is taking care of me and my family and promised to do so ^_^


<3, Tanya

An Invitation to FLOURISH!

I just got home from church a little while ago, and spent some time talking with Tanya about our situation. After we'd had our talk Friday about doing more than simply surviving, I found myself praying, "God I have the feeling you have more in store for us than what we're going through right here, so... God, I want it ALL. I want all you have in store for me." The funny thing was, I wasn't even sure what that all entailed, but I believe I caught a glimpse of it today.

For those who know us but don't go to our church, the church family suffered a great loss of one of it's members Friday. I'd only gotten to know this man who was such a blessing since the men's retreat last October, and had hoped to get to know him better. During this morning's service his family and friends were there in attendance despite their loss, leaning on God, and trusting in His comfort and strength during their difficult time.

Couple this with the message our pastor had: how God is longing to pour out His Spirit on us to the point we cannot contain it all and literally end up overflowing with it. As an example, he had a pitcher of water and a glass. He started by filling the glass to the brim. The pitcher was still quite full, and the pastor said God has so much more to offer us, and started pouring water from the pitcher into the glass, which of course overflowed and was actually engulfed by the water, inside AND out. The pastor also pointed out that Jesus actually told the disciples, "Stop!!! Wait!!! Wait for this, it's coming and you need it; you won't be able to do ANYthing without it." And he pointed out that Jesus said this AFTER He told them "GO....", and all of a sudden it hit me....

This was what God was offering ME. Was offering me, Tanya, and everyone else.... a chance to FLOURISH in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the life that Jesus Christ has given us through the redemption of His blood. Power that give us peace in times of need, illness, loss, etc. and knowledge that God IS a God of provision, health, comfort, and joy. And this was what I was hungering for.

So to those who already know God, I offer this challenge: Press forward. Don't settle for surviving or just getting by. Pray and seek God earnestly for all He has in store for you, for that chance and guidance to FLOURISH in all He has for you. And if you don't know God, I offer the invitation and ask the privilege of introducing Him to you so that you too can know the fullness of

His love....
Dane
aka Trainiac

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?

So just a bit of a background about me and my hubby and why we decided to write this blog. I have to admit it was mainly my idea. You see, I LOVE blogs. they are like magazines that are free and you can get freebies. (which I fully intend to post about when I have a chance) And as many blogs that are on my must read list there didn't seem to be that many that wrote as a couple like we are planning to. 
   The other reason why we are writing is whats going on in our life right now, let me just say we were just told that we would have an extra  15% of our income in an unexpected bill at a time when money was tight anyways and on top of that we just had our car break and cost an additional $1400 in repairs. It wasnt like we were hurting before but we were getting by... now getting by is going to be Very Tight. Last night I sat wondering "Simply Surviving is not ENOUGH. Jesus promised life yes, but an ABUNDANT Life!" So for the next year we invite you to come along to see just how God pulls it off ^_^ 


Your Friend,
Tanya
aka Dariachick