#WFMW: Getting FREE Coupon Inserts

Works for Me Wednesday

grand rapids press free couponsAs long as I’ve lived here, there have been a stack of these Grand Rapids Press Express in the laundry room on Saturday mornings.  Sometimes they have the Smart Source inserts inside; sometimes they don’t.  It’s a nice way to get extra FREE coupon inserts when they’re available.

Where and how do you get extra coupon inserts for FREE? Ask friends and family who don’t use them? Dig through recycle bins? Have a coupon exchange box at work?  Share your secrets with us. :)

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

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January 26th, 2011 | Category: Coupon Strategy | Comments are closed

Griffins Hockey: Discounted Tickets for Fri 2/4

Now this is a dynamic duo:  discounted Griffins hockey tickets and a donation to Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI).  Team Griffins is raising money for the SOMI Polar Plunge on Sat. Feb. 19 at Reeds Lake.  Translation: they’re jumping in ICY COLD water for a great cause!!  $2 per ticket purchased to the Fri. Feb 4th game *using code SAVVY* will be added to their pledges.

Get discounted tickets for the Friday, February 4, 2011 game. You know another reason I love Friday night games at the Grand Rapids Griffins? $1 hot dogs and $1 beers from 6 – 8 pm.

Discounted tickets include a $2 donation to the Special Olympics Polar Plunge:
Lower Bowl Tickets for just $15
Upper Bowl Tickets for just $11

Getting tickets and supporting SOMI is simple. Just follow these 3 steps:

1. Visit: http://griffinshockey.com/promocode
2. Enter Promocode: SAVVY
3. Print your tickets and enjoy the game

We’ll be there. Hope to see you!

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January 25th, 2011 | Category: Donating, West MI Deals | Comments are closed

Frugal Snacks for Travel

kitchen stewardship ebookWelcome to Week 3 of the $25/wk Food Budget Challenge!  There won’t be a meal plan or shopping this week. As I mentioned, I’m traveling to Blissdom today and will be gone for the rest of the week. I’ll put that $25 towards food expenses that aren’t covered by my conference ticket.

Instead, here are some frugal foods and snacks I’m taking with me on the Chevy #Traverse6 road trip.

  • Emerald Nuts – leftover from the birthday party
  • Apples – 17ish cents from Week 1 shopping
  • Homemade granola – my favorite quick & easy granola recipe using bulk oats from Week 1 shopping
  • PowerBars – I got them on clearance at Walmart
  • Celery – left over from Week 2 shopping
  • PB&J sandwiches – much better choice than anything off the $1 menu
  • Nalgene water bottle – I never buy water and I don’t drink pop

I’m traveling with Katie from Kitchen Stewardship and I’m crossing my fingers she’ll bring a few treats to share from her ebook Healthy Snacks to Go* which includes over 30 recipes for real food, fast.  I’ve had her granola and it’s delish, too.

What other snacks do you take in the car?

*Affiliate link. Thanks so much for choosing to support local bloggers.

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January 25th, 2011 | Category: Shopping Trips, Weekly Meal Plans | 2 comments - (Comments are closed)

Birthday Party on a Budget #SnackBowl

On Sunday, I threw a sports-themed birthday party on a budget for my brother.  He loves to go bowling with his Special Olympics buddies and I wanted to add a little extra fun.  I went to the Diamond Snack Bowl website (for the printable coupons I mentioned here) and made a video of our party to submit for a chance to win the Ultimate Party Host contest.

birthday party on a budgetI shopped at Meijer for the snacks and party favors.  I put together the party favor bags with a couple pop-secret popcorn bags inside.  Then we were off to the bowling alley for good times.

kettle pop-secret emerald couponsWe bowled, we laughed, we partied. Here’s the direct link to my Ultimate Snack Bowl party video.  Submit your own video here for a chance to win!! You have until this “Super Bowl” Sunday to get entered. (or you can vote for me if you like. ;) Search entries for “Jolon H.”)

frugal party host couponsI spent $50 on snacks, party favors, and gifts.  The bowling for 8 people and birthday cake and pop for 15 people was $80. (They charged me $25 for the birthday cake alone – outrageous – but what’s a birthday party without a cake?!)  Not too bad for a total of 15 people and 2 of the most fun hours of my life. Seriously. Those S.O. athletes? They know how to party.

Disclosure: Collective Bias compensated me for my time, but all opinions are my own… plus my brother thinks I’m the coolest sister ever.

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January 25th, 2011 | Category: Printable Coupons | One comment - (Comments are closed)

Top 10 Healthy Foods to Purchase with Coupons

Top Ten {Tuesday}
As I mentioned in my $25/wk Food Budget Challenge purpose statement video, people frequently argue that coupons are only for junky, processed foods. I disagree. Sunday newspaper insert coupons and printable coupons can often be found for these healthy foods:

1.  canned beans
2.  yogurt
3.  rice
4.  100% juice
5.  milk & cheese
6.  peanut butter
7.  frozen vegetables
8.  oatmeal
9.  chicken
10.  olive oil

See? It’s not a bad list, is it? Are you surprised?

You still have to read the labels and make sure the products contain ingredients you’re comfortable with, but I’ve been satisfied with the coupons/brands for 7 out of 10 items on that list.  I like the Mambo Sprouts printable coupons, too.  The trick is to hold your coupons until the right time and pair them with a sale to get the best possible price.  That’s where the weekly grocery deals come in.

What if you don’t have the right coupons? Know the best prices on the items you regularly purchase and be sure to stock up when they’re at their lowest price.  If you can shop from a co-op, that helps, too.

This post is linked to Top 10 Tuesday at Oh Amanda.

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January 25th, 2011 | Category: Budget Resources, Printable Coupons | 2 comments - (Comments are closed)

Biggby Coffee Coupon: BOGO FREE 1/24-1/26

Get BOGO FREE grande/super specialty beverage at Biggby Coffee today through Wednesday, 1/26/10 with this printable coupon.

Save money by signing up for the Biggby Coffee E-wards program to receive a coupon for a FREE birthday beverage and get weekly coupons in your email. Don’t forget to also get an E-Frequency Card, so every 13th drink is FREE.

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January 24th, 2011 | Category: Restaurants, West MI Deals | Comments are closed

D&W Fresh Market: Best Grocery Deals thru 1/29

d&w fresh market spartan store

Save on Spartan brand items with the January Turn to Spartan coupons valid at any Spartan store (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s, Tom’s Food, Glen’s Market) through 2/5/11; limit 1 per household.

Here are the best prices at D&W Fresh Market this week — it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best prices you’ll ever find. I won’t personally do all of these deals for the Food Budget Challenge — they’re just what I see in the ad. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything stellar!

Best Prices this Week:

Upper Crust Seafood Fillets $7.99 (save $1)
I LOVE to have these in the freezer for a dinner emergency!
Tortilla chili lime Tilapia is my fave. $4 per serving.

Dynamite Vineyards Merlot $7.99
Great price!
10% off with 6+ bottle purchase2

Spartan Indulgent Creations ice cream $3.99
Use $2/1 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price $1.99

Angel Soft 12 ct dbl roll toilet tissue $5.99
Use $1 printable coupon (zip code 10001)
Final Price $4.99

Wonka Lollipops $2.00
Use $1 printable coupon
Final Price $1.00

Kashi Cereal $2.99
Use $3 Vocal Point coupon
Final Price FREE

Swanson/Campbells Promo – Buy $15, Get $5 OYNO
Savvy Scenario:
Buy 3 Prego pasta sauce $2.00 ea
Buy 9 Campbell’s Condensed soupons $1.00 ea
Use $1/3 Prego coupon from 1/2 SS
Use (3) $0.40/3 Campbell’s coupon from 1/2 SS
OOP = $12.80
Get $5 OYNO catalina
Final Price $0.65 ea for all 12

Country Fresh Milk
Buy 1 gallon White, Buy 1/2 gallon Chocolate
Use $1 coupon from insert (exp 2/12)
Final Price $3.00 for both

McCormick Spices 6pk .26-.41 oz $1.50
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 1/2 RP
Final Price $0.75

Dannon Yogurt singles 10/$5
Use $1/1 coupon from 1/23
Final Price $0.40 ea wyb 10

Aunt Millie’s Healthy Goodness Bread $1.33
Use $0.55/1 coupon from 1/2 RP
Final Price $0.78

Butterball Ground Turkey $2.00
Great price!

Blueberries $3.99/pint, BOGO
Final Price $2.00 ea wyb 2

Note: Our stores do not double coupons.

Not sure about the lingo? Read this. Don’t have the coupons you need? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!

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January 24th, 2011 | Category: Grocery Stores | Comments are closed
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