TOO extreme couponing?

OK, I will admit I have bought coupons from eBay. Excuse me, I mean I have paid someone for their services in finding and clipping the free coupons they sent me. I get out my calculator and tap in the total cost, including shipping, factor in the cost of the items after coupons and figure exactly how much said items are going to cost me. Sometimes, it just isn't worth it. On the other hand, when I can get 20 bottles of body wash for a grand total of $5.65 (28¼¢ each!)... OR when I buy 20 items I don't even use and end up with a $25.57 profit... oh, yeah!!! (Not to worry, I donate those).

I don't know if TLC's new UN-reality show, Extreme Couponing, has anything to do with it, but there seems to be a real boom going on in coupon auctions. I can't help but wonder what some of those bidders are thinking. Do they get caught up in the excitement? Are they so competitive that they just have to WIN (the auction) and hang the cost? Here's the most recent example I found... Publix has, in their BOGO deals next week, an item that normally costs 89¢. There are some 50¢ coupons out there. I just watched an auction for these coupons tick down to the last second. OK, check it out. The winning bidder is paying 90¢ per coupon!

Ok, my Flardafied brain just figured it out. In SOME states, there are stores that double coupons, up to a certain amount - usually 50¢ - so maybe each coupon, to her, is worth $1.00. Much as I love FL, things like this are very frustrating. Not only do we NOT get doubles, but prices are generally a bit higher to start with. AND, when the other bidders have twice the incentive, it makes it that much harder to win that auction! >:\

So, are YOU an extreme couponer? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone to save more? Just how far will you go to save a buck $5.00? 8-}

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Or***. org*** (just can't bring myself to say it)

I was leaving a comment for The Not So Perfect Housewife - re her how do you o........ or..... keep your coupons handy? query - and realized it was getting pretty windy, so figgered I'd just make it a post. 8-]


Well, I'd like to say that I faithfully keep up my binder and have all my coupons sorted and filed away in it, ready to whip out at a moment's notice. But I can't. 'Org*n*iz*tion' is a near-dirty word in this house. I just know - mostly - which pile to dig through to find the coupons I need for the current list. I stick the list and coupons in a recycled envelope and write out detailed instructions for Duller or DS, who usually do the actual shopping, coz they're already in the big city, which saves us an extra 2-3 gallons of gas.

I also have a plastic check file thingy that I sometimes remember to take along when I have several stores to hit. It's pretty handy for keeping each store's coupons separated and there are extra slots to stick in any coupons I find in the aisles.

I reckon I've progressed to a higher level. My last few shops have included two $0 OOP (out of pocket) and one 95% savings. I just love hyper-couponing! And I've started accumulating a tiny stockpile. It's so nice, when we need more ketchup or juice, to just open up the 'pantry' and grab a new bottle. We probably have enough cereal to last 4-5 months... maybe longer. Our cereal consumption tends to ebb and flow. We're working on the last pack of paper towels now. Last time I bought those was probably 5-6 months ago. Time to start looking for another sale.

Well, that's my story - and 'm sticking to it. Oh, and if any of y'all happened to see the Extreme Couponing show on TLC, we're not all crazy, honest. 8-]

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HALF off Amazon GC! QUICK!

This was WAY too good to not share!

This is a blue moon deal, for sure! For $10, at LivingSocial, you can get a $20 Amazon Gift Card! You know this one will go fast! Limit one!
Oh, and they gave me $5 (Deal Bucks) to use on my next purchase! 8-]

Disclosure: If 3 people snag the deal using my link, my deal is free!

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Get the real deal!

Have y'all checked out Groupon yet? It's my favourite 'deal' site ever! All the others I've seen offer discounts on ski jackets or designer bags or spa days... I reckon those are nice enough for people who will actually use them. But I just can't see forking over what would buy a month's groceries for a purse with somebody else's name on it.

Groupon, on the other hand, comes up with what I consider relevant offers. So far, I've treated Duller to a couple of really nice lunches within reasonable distance from his office. We even got a half-price deal for our favourite local healthy-eats coop! Boy, did I ever get excited over that one! AND we have tickets to the museum. Not your ordinary be-quiet-walk-through-look-at-the-walls kinda museum. This one is all outdoorsy, with a natural habitat zoo and historical buildings. I've always loved this place, but hardly ever get to visit. Now we're all going for half price!

I'll never forget our first visit. There were chickens and such wandering around and we happened upon two roosters in the midst of a little spat. A guinea hen was running around them, trying her best to get them to talk it out like reasonable adults. Finally, she just jumped in between them and broke it up. That was over 20 years ago and we still laugh about it. And I still lament my lack of a video camera! 8-}

Anyhow, why not see what they have in your area? Haven't you always wanted to jump out of a plane? How about for less than half price? Yes, Groupon has a few of those not-for-everybody deals, as well. But check back tomorrow and they're likely to have just what you've been looking for.

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Super-deal of the day!

Click here to see how/where the Duchess just bought a new mock turtleneck for 29¢! Others are using the deal code to get a tote w/matching umbrella or a suede comforter for $1.99. The deals are going fast, so get over there and see what you can find!

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Still alive... still pinchin'

Thanks ever so, y'all, for asking after me. I've been dealing with one 'problem' after another, mostly niggly little health-related things, which have seriously curtailed my computer usage. Just about the time I get past one thing, something else hits me. Please pray for me when you think about me. Gettin' old is the pits! >:\

Anyhow, I'm still keeping up with y'all as best I can and, hopefully, will soonly be back to normal. Meanwhile, I want to share a great deal with all my cheapskate chums. Really, this was just too good for even this tightwad to pass up. First, sign up with Eversave - don't worry if your city isn't listed; this seems to be good everywhere (and you don't have to live in the cities listed) - and get $5 credit toward your first deal. Then check out their current deal, which is $12 for $26 in magazine subscriptions. Click the deal and they'll automatically deduct your $5. I'll be getting ALL YOU and have $6.05 left toward a second mag. Maybe Florida Table @ $9.95, or Plane & Pilot for DS. This deal is good for 2 more days, but don't wait too long. It's going like those proverbial hotcakes!

Now I'm off to do a little job-hunting legwork for Duller. We're way overdue for some changes! Love y'all loads!

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Soap dish - tossing it

Has anybody else out there stopped using soap? I've long since given up antiperspirant, coz those chemicals soak right into your bloodstream through your pores, donchaknow?! Oh, don't worry, I still use Tom's deodorant. I've also been using Tom's non-fluoride toothpaste, but am switching to just baking soda.

Next out the door was/is shampoo. I just did my first shampooless hair wash a few days ago and... I have to confess... I didn't think I was doing a good job and added just a tiny bit of shampoo. I figured it'd be easier if I started out with clean hair. 8-} Since then, I've been checking out borax. There are so many opinions out there, both pro and con. What to believe? Personally, I think most people are kinda scared to change the status quo. And we've all grown up with the FDA-approval mentality. I reckon a lot of the 'it's dangerous' notions come from lack of knowledge. Many of the comments I've read mention not getting it in your eyes. Well, branded shampoos burn, right? Didn't they used to issue similar warnings? Anyhow, I'm still hovering over the fence on this one.

My next steps are throwing out the laundry detergent and body wash. A nice baking soda shower, follwed by an apple cider vinegar rinse should do quite nicely. I've read some encouraging reports from others who have already espoused this method. Any other rebels reading this? I'd love to know how it's working out for y'all.

I've been wondering how it would work to hit the beach for a nice soak, then just rinse out the salt and sand. Hey, it could work! 8-]

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Saving on organics

I'm all about saving money, but how do we do that AND eat healthy? In my never-ending quest for the lowest price, I have come across a few hopeful sources for saving a little on foods and household products. While there aren't nearly as many coupons as for processed foods and chemical-laden cleaners, it's a pretty good start. Start with Mambo Sprouts, where you'll find prntable coupons, recipes, product reviews, and more. Several natural/organic producers offer coupons on their websites. These include, but are not limited to:

• Cascadian Farm
• Seventh Generation
• Whole Foods Market
• Stoneyfield Farms
• Coleman Natural
• Horizon - caveat: some products are natural, not organic; know the difference!
• R.W. Knudsen
• Earthbound Farms
• Organic Valley
• MOM's Organic Market
• Organic Prairie
• Newman's Own

Look around the couponing blogs and you're sure to find even more. 8-]

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Saving doesn't have to be unhealthy

DAWG! I had a whole long post typed out and half of it just vanished! I hate it when that happens! It was pretty good, too, if I say so myownself... and I do. 8-} Oh, well, here's the other half. Maybe another time, another place...

Why are there so many coupons for junk and so few for healthy, organic food?! In my quest to get out of a deep financial pit, I'm still buying things I'd rather forego. And I actually buy things I don't want or need... when the coupon is for more than the item, the overage helps pay for something else.

Kim got me thinking... not like I hadn't heard it, and thought it myownself, before, but she kinda nudged me over the proverbial edge. 8-}

(missing monologue)

Here are a few links that might help balance your wholesome budget:
Fiddledee: Organic Savings
Mark's Daily Apple: How to Eat Healthy and Save Money
Your Green Helper
Kiwi Mag Online
Affluent Pauper: Organic Coupons - Where to Get Them Right Now (old post, but still some good links)

Not much, but it's a start. I'm sure I've come across others. I'll post them as soon as I re-find them.

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

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Habits, good and bad

It's incredible how quickly I got OUT of the puter habit... which I thought would be more painful than cutting caffeine cold turkey. I re-discovered the real world out there and just can't seem to sit still at this desk as long as I used to.

Anyhow... not that I'm obsessed with coupons or anything... check out this done deal! I used to think that kinda thing would never work for me, but I'm getting deals just like that every week now! It's downright inspiring! I have a short end-of-sale list tomorrow that should be, if there are any tearpad coupons left, 75-100% off the already rock bottom sale price!

Right now, I'm all about the savings. Debt-free in three (except the mortgage, which will take a while longer) is my goal. After years of coasting and squeaking by and always struggling to get that belt just one notch tighter, I'm becoming ruthless. Some people, whose names I'll not mention, have a habit of turning on lights all over the house and forgetting the switch goes down, as well. No more of that! You're not reading or cooking, so the one lamp is sufficient. Sleeping in front of the tv? Turn that watt wolfer OFF! I'm even trying to get in the habit of unplugging things that aren't in use. And handing over the Publix list to someone who's going to be in that area, anyway. Much as I enjoy doing it, it's silly to drive 40-50 miles when Duller drives right past the store every day. Once in a while, I just have to do it, coz gas is - so far - still cheaper than a rubber room. KnowwhutImeanVern?

So, what are your best money-saving tips? What little things do you do that add up to big benefits?

Have a JESUS-filled day!

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Upromise Guest Shopping

Have you registered with Upromise? Don't really want to? Then feel free to click on my link and get all the benefits without having to join. Oh, yeah, and I'll get credit whenever tou shop online with the great Upromise coupons and money-saving deals. Win/win! 8-]
Upromise Guest Shopping for Sophie

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