Being Frugal: Is is worth it?

I am not just a couponer, I am frugal (ok my friends would say cheap but frugal is so much nicer)!  I do my best to save every penny and cut corners where we can.  I often get asked is it worth the time, effort and energy you put in to it? I would say y es and no!

The reason I would say Yes
Our family is taken care of - We may not have excess to do whatever we want with but we can
 pay our bills, own a home and put food on the table without having to stress out about money every since month because of our frugal lifestyle.

Communication - Since we have always had to watch our money my husband and I have become a money saving team.  We communicate very well when it comes to money (ok I did get on him for spending $20 at Hardees last month, but we all have our faults:)  The number one reason married couples fight is money... so living a frugal lifestyle will help you not be at each other throats about the bank account!

Money saved- Of course it is worth it when you see you saved more  money then you spent or when you get an awesome deal on something you use all the time!




The reason I would say no....

Time:  It takes up time that I could be spending with my family.  However the truth is at this point it is not an option for our lives so the 1-3 hours a week I spend on our budget, couponing and finding deals is a necessity.


Quality:  Sometimes the quality of items is less then ideal when you get them on sale or when you do it the frugal way.  For example it killed me to pay someone $15 to cut my 20 month old sons hair, so I did it myself.  Now my son looks like a cancer patient, a cute one, but still.  So I would have to say sometimes it is not worth it to be frugal and you have to determine where cutting money is worth it and where it is not!


Going without:  If we were measuring it by our societies standards my family goes with (in my standards they don't)!  Every piece of furniture in our house is used (and most of it was given to us),  my husband drives a 1995 Camry, we don't own an ipad, and I don't think we have ever had steak for dinner.   I honestly won't look at our family and say we ever go without what we need, but in a world where you must have the latest and greatest of everything, we do go without.  HOWEVER we go without material items so that we can make sure we can put a roof over our head and food on the table without going in to debt over some new gadget. 

So overall I would have to tell you if you are on the fence about truly taking the leap into a frugal lifestyle and watching every penny, I would tell you to do it.  It may seem like a lifestyle that gives you a lot of restrictions but the reality it is give you freedom.  It give you freedom from debt and guilt!  So take the leap and start saving!

Great deals this week at Kroger!

Finally a week with a lot of great deals at Kroger.  Note that the Krogers in Virginia have changed their coupon policy.  You can only use 5 like coupons in one transaction and 2 printable like coupons in one transaction.  You can still get some great deals though!  Below are the best deals but to see the full list visit Southern Savers! 

This week is a Mega Deal week meaning...

Mega Event

• Buy 10 Items Get $5.00
• Savings is $0.50 per item
• Be sure to purchase in quantities of 10 or you will not get the discount

Annies Natural Macaroni & Cheese, 5.25-6 oz $0.69
Use $0.75/1 – Annies Product – (facebook.com) It will only allow you to print 1 coupon
 Final Price:  Free (This is part of the Mega Deal)

Cool Whip, 8 oz $0.89
Use $0.75/1 – Cool Whip Season’s Delight Whipped Topping – (facebook.com)
 Final Price:$.14 (This is part of Mega Deal)
Campbells Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup, 10.75 oz, 49¢
  -.40/4 Campbell’s great for cooking soups, SS 9/18
.30/4 Campbell’s great for cooking soups, SS 9/18
.25/4 Campbell’s great for cooking soups, SS 9/18
.40/4 Campbell’s Great for Cooking Soup, SS 10/09
.30/4 Campbell’s Great for Cooking Soup, SS 10/09
.30/3 Campbell’s Great for Cooking Soup, SS 10/09
$1/5 Campbell’s Condensed Great for Cooking soup printable
Final Price:  As low as .29 (This is part of the Mega Deal)
Check out a whole list of the deals at Southern Saver!

Hot: Halloween candy for as low as .25 for a 9oz bag!

You don't want to miss out on printing this coupon.  It's for $1.50 off one bag of Mars candy, 9.4 oz or higher (Snickers, M&M, Skittles, 3 Muskteers and more)!  This will make for a great deals including...

Walgreens
Mars Fun Size Candy Bags, 10.23-12.5 oz. $1.99, On Sale thru 10/29
With in ad coupon
Use $1.50/1 – Mars Product, any 9.4 oz bag or larger  - (coupons.com)
Final Price: $0.49

Kroger
Mars Fun Size Candy Bags, 10.23-12.5 oz. $2.50Use $1.50/1 – Mars Product, any 9.4 oz bag or larger  - (coupons.com)
Final Price: $1

CVS
This one you would have to go today for because the sale ends today (10/29).

Buy 4 bags of select bags of candy (Mars included) @ $2.50 each, Earn $3 in ECBs
Use FOUR $1.50/1 Mars Printable Coupons (you’ll need 2 computer to print 4 coupons)
Pay $4 out of pocket, Get back $3 in ECBs
25¢ each after coupons and ECBs!

If you have one computer, try this:

Buy 2 bags of Hershey’s Candy at $2.50
Buy 2 bags of Mars candy at $2.50
Use (2) $1.50/1 Mars coupons
and Use (2) $1/1 Hershey’s coupons
Pay $5.00 and get a $3 ECB
Final Price: $.50 per bag

BOGO Prescription Glasses from Eyebuydirect.com

Now, through November 8th, ALL glasses (priced $15 and up) are Buy-one-pair-get-one-pair-FREE!!The price INCLUDE the prescription lenses!

I've purchased from them before and this is a great site! They have a HUGE selection, ship quickly, and the glasses are high quality! So get your prescription out and head over to this site for an awesome deal!!

www.eyebuydirect.com

TGIFriday: Free entree with the purchase of 2 drinks and an entree

My husband loves there kinds of coupons because it's the only time we get soda at a restaurant:)  Purchase an entree and two beverages and get a free entree at T.G.I. Friday’s.
This coupon expires November 1, 2011.

Great customized photo gifts for under $5.50!

InkGarden is a new photo website that is offering a lot of products for free (just pay S&H).  Some of these would make great Christmas gifts! 
Use coupon code ForFree at checkout to get yours. Code Expires Dec. 31, 2011.
Shipping Rates:
Notebook: $3.95
Mousepad: $5.49
10 Holiday Cards: $3.29
10 Invitations: $3.29
Ceramic Mug: $5.49
Biz Cards: $3.49
Placemat: $3.29
Notepad: $3.49
Note Cards: $3.29

Thanks Frugal Coupon Living for this great deal!

The Best Deals on Halloween Candy!

Trying to find the money in your budget for Halloween candy can be hard!  However there are some great deals for candy going on right now!  I got all our Halloween candy for under $10!   Here are some of the best candy deals!  To see all the deals visit Krazy Coupon Lady!

CVS (Through Saturday 10/29)

Mars, Wrigley or Hershey’s Snack Size Bags, 9.34-12 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/1 – Hershey’s Snack Size Bags of Halloween Candy, 9 oz or larger – (bricks.coupons.com)
Or $1.00/3 – Reese’s, Kit Kat, or Hershey’s Snack Size Bag, 9oz-22oz – (smartsource.com)
Or $1.50/3 M&M or Mars Fun Size Candy from RP 10/9 (exp 10/31)
Final Price:  As low as $1.50

Kroger (Through Saturday 10/29)

Hershey’s or Mars Candy, 9.94-11.6 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/1 – Hershey’s Snack Size Bags of Halloween Candy, 9 oz or larger – (bricks.coupons.com)
Or $1.50/3 M&M or Mars Candy Fun Size from RP 10/9
Or $1.00/2 Mars, M&M or Dove Chocolate Bags from RP 8/28
Or $1.50/3 Hershey’s Snack Size Bars from SS 9/25
Or $1.00/3 – Reese’s, Kit Kat, or Hershey’s Snack Size Bag, 9oz-22oz – (smartsource.com)
Final Price:  As low as $1.50

Target (Through Saturday 10/29)

Hersheys Kit Kat, 10.78 oz or Reeses, 10.5 oz Snack Size Bars  $2.49
Use $1.00/1 – Hershey’s Snack Size Bags, 9 oz or larger – (bricks.coupons.com)
Or $1.50/3 Hershey’s Snack Size Bags from SS 10/16 (exp 10/31)
Or $1.00/3 Hershey’s Candy Snack Size Bags from SS 9/25 (exp 12/31)
And Use $1.00/1 Bagged Snack-Size Chocolate Candy – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, 10.5 oz or Kit Kat, 10.78 oz, Target Coupon from Target Mobile (*Target Mobile Coupons may only be used one time)
Final Price: $0.49

Amazon Mom updates...

You may have already noticed but the Amazon Mom program is now only offering 20% of a subscribe and save items (also you may have noticed the price of the diapers have gone way up).  However if you have already subscribed to an item you will still get the 30% off, so don't cancel your subscriptions.    This means that shopping deals at actual stores will now usually get you a better deal then on Amazon:(  If you want to know what a good deal on diapers is head over to Frugal Living NW to see their break down on how much you should be paying for diapers!

Free Blockbuster Kiosk Rental codes!

Here are more codes for FREE rentals at your local Blockbuster Kiosk. These are good for the $1 movies and only for the first night! 

56WHZS3
58JRTW6
68BPSP6
74JBHG9
23SGLM4
74CDJS8
34KWMR7
75DABC2
73CEHW9

1saleaday.com 24-hour Sell off

Every 30 minutes 1saleaday.com will be offering a new deal.  Deals are on everything from kids toys to electronics and they always only charge $5 for shipping (on some of these deals shipping is even FREE as part of the deal).  This is a great site! I've purchased items from them before and they are very reliable!

Every 30 mins the deal changes, until midnight tonight, so keep checking the site!! Have fun!!

www.1saleaday.com

$5 for a $10 gift card to CVS (new Savemore users only)

Savemore if offering a $10 CVS gift card for $5!  Also you get a $10 credit when you make your first purchase (it can't be used on this deal)!  The only bad part is you have to be a new Savemore users!

Click here to see the deal.  When you get to the Savemore page after you sign up go to the "How it Works" tab at the top and then you will see the CVS deal on the right hand side of the page!

Tinyprints: $40 voucher for $20!

I love Tinyprints.com!  You can make the cutest customized cards on there website. Right now on Zulily you can get a $40 for $20!  Click here to sign up for Zulily to get this deal! 

Don't forget the small print...

• Voucher expiration date is December 4, 2011 at 11:59pm
• If not redeemed by December 4, 2011, voucher will be good for a $20 credit only and will be subject to original, applicable category restrictions. This credit will not expire
• One voucher per person
• Vouchers can only be used on holiday cards, invites, and accessories
• Voucher does not include tax, shipping & handling and cannot be used on gift cards, gift certificates, letterpress products, William Arthur products, mint tints, 1:1 greeting cards or prior balances
• No refunds for purchased vouchers
• Cannot be used for previously placed orders
• Not transferable
• Not valid for cash back
• Cannot be combined with any other zulily or Tiny Prints voucher or promotion
• Voucher good for one time use only, any leftover funds will be forfeited

Thanks Krazy Coupon Lady for this deal! 

$5 off $5 purchase at Target.com

Choose anything you want and use this promo code at checkout to take $5 off :)
TGT75HFN
Hurry-the offer expires 10/29/11

Star Trek DVD for $5.50!

Amazon is offering Star Trek DVD (not Blu-ray) for only $5.50!  This is eligible for Super Saver Shipping if you have other things to buy on Amazon or if you have an .edu address you can get half off Amazon Prime (which makes it $40 for a whole year) which also give you free shipping!!  This is a great deal and would make a good Christmas gift:)

Click here to see this deal!