The Money Jar: 2008-11-16

Small Ways to Give Big

>> Saturday, November 22, 2008

If you've been following my Small Ways to Give Big series you know that so far I've recommended Winter Heating Donations and Click it To Give it. Now it's time for today's suggestion.

Small Ways to Give Big Tip#3
Coupon Shopping Freebies--If you're a coupon shopper then you know there are always free items to be had. Some are free with coupons, others through rebates, and even more through rewards dollar type programs like Register Rewards found at Walgreens and Extra Care Bucks which can be earned at CVS. Sometimes with a coupon these items are even better than free. But what do you do if these are items that you're family just doesn't use? Well, you buy them(for free) anyway and donate them. Most of the time these are health and beauty items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap & bodywash, lotion, shampoo, razors & feminine care products. These items are always welcome at places like shelters for abused women & children, homes for at risk teens & homeless shelters. I have a shelf in my pantry dedicated to storing these items until I'm ready to donate them. I've heard of others that keep a box where they place the items as they purchase them. When the box is full, they donate the items. This is one of the easiest ways to bless others with our abundance.

Small Ways to Give Big Tip #1--Winter Heating Donations

Small Ways to Give Big Tip #2--Click it to Give it

Deals of the Week 11/16/08-11/22/08

>> Friday, November 21, 2008

Sorry, no pictures again. This was a pretty good week. I spent more than the $60 I normally budget for each week but I had $11.97 from last months Rite Aid rebates that I used to cover the overage.

Target--I was a little disappointed because they only had one box of the granola bars left and I had several coupons to use. Oh, well.

I bought:
2 boxes Kashi cereal bars $6.58($3.29 a box)
1 box Quaker Simple Harvest Granola Bars $2.50
Subtotal:$9.08
Q's Used:
1 FREE Kashi Product
$2 off Kashi cereal bars
$1 off Quaker Simple Harvest Granola Bars
Total OOP: $2.79 A savings of 69%

I used my Grocery Game list to shop at Walgreens and Kroger.

At trip #1 to Walgreens I paid OOP: $8.65 for $18.06 worth of groceries and earned $2 in Register Rewards. A savings of 52%
At trip #2 to Walgreens I paid OOP: $3.15 for $6.65 worth of groceries. A savings of 52%

At Kroger I paid OOP: $54.98 for $110 worth of groceries. A savings of 50%

Total before sales and coupons: $143.79
Total Spent: $69.57
Average savings percentage: 52%

To see more great deals be sure to check out Super Savings Saturday at Money Saving Mom and Drugstore Divas at The Centsible Sawyer.

Small Ways to Give Big

It's time for Tip #2 in my Small Ways to Give Big series. If you missed the first tip you can see it here.

Small Ways to Give Big Tip #2
Click it to Give it-There are a multitude of websites where you can click on a link and a donation will be made to a particular cause. This requires no money from you, just a minute of your time. I've compiled a list of some places where you can click it to give it.

Free Rice--This one has a fun twist. Play a game and with each correct answer, grains of rice will be donated to feed the hungry around the world.

The Hunger Site--each click provides 1.1 cups of food to the hungry.

The Breast Cancer Site--help women in need recieve mammograms.

The Child Health Site--help provide simple and effective treatments to keep children around the world healthy.

The Literacy Site--help fund free books for children.

The Rainforest Site--help protect 11.4 square feet of rainforest with each click.

The Animal Rescue Site--provide food for animals living in rescue shelters.

click2donate--a full page of causes to donate to with a click. Sponsored by Care2.

Small Ways To Give Big Tip #1--Winter Heating Donations

Small Ways to Give Big

>> Thursday, November 20, 2008

There's no doubt these are challenging financial times for many people. Budgets are tight and it's all some people can do to pay their bills. There is often very little, if anything, left over to give to others. We're a week a way from Thanksgiving, a day set aside to focus on our blessings no matter what our situation and give thanks for what we do have. In that spirit, I am starting a seven day series on Small Ways to Give Big. Each day I will introduce a way that you can give to others that requires very little, if any, money. I hope you will join me over the next week as we learn how to give to others, even when we don't think we can.

Small Ways to Give Big Tip #1
Winter Heating Donations-Most electric/gas companies have heating assistance programs. You can add money to your bill that will be directed to those programs. It doesn't have to be a large amount each month. Simply rounding up the amount you pay will help assist those in need. For example, if your bill is $142 round up the amount of your payment to $145 and put $3 in the heating assistance box on your bill. If you averaged a $3 donation over the course of a year you will have donated $36 and because you did it in small increments you won't even miss it. That $36 will help bridge the gap for someone unable to pay their bill.

List of Grocery Stores that Double Coupons

One of the best ways to boost your coupon savings at the grocery store is to shop at a store that doubles or even triples the coupons value. I came across a post at Grocery Coupon Guide that lists the stores that double coupons in each state. Simply click on your state and find the stores that double coupons. Find out where to use your coupons here.

Happy Savings!

Become a Chick-fil-a Insider

>> Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I do so love Chick-fil-a. If you do as well, sign up here to become a Chick-fil-a Insider and you can receive information about the latest promotions and events at Chick-fil-a.

Free Chex Mix Bar

Sign up here for the Betty Crocker email newsletter and get a free sample of a Turtle Chex Mix bar.

Organic Coupons and Freebies

>> Tuesday, November 18, 2008

If you're like me, you're always trying to balance frugality with quality when it comes to the food you buy. I'm always looking for coupons for products I feel good about feeding my family. Here are some coupons and freebie deals I've come across recently to help you on your way.

Get a free sample of Bear Naked fruit and granola here.

Get coupons for Organic Valley products here.

Get coupons for Horizon Organic products here.

Go here to print coupons for Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen products.

Sign up here to receive a newsletter with recipes, special offers & promotions, & advice on healthy living from Health Valley. You can also opt-in to become a part of the Hain Celestial Group Advisory Panel.

Get coupons for Stonyfield Farm products here.

Get a free sample of Sundance Organic Life tea here.

Receive A $20 Outback Gift Card with $100 Gift Card Purchase

>> Monday, November 17, 2008

Treat yourself when you treat others this holiday season. Purchase $100 in Outback Gift Cards between November 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 and receive a $20 bonus card.

Go here to purchase your gift cards.

Swagbucks

If you spend any time online, you undoubtedly find yourself using a search engine. Over at MoneySavingMom.com, I read about an online search engine called Swagbucks where you can get points for searching online. The points can be redeemed for gift cards to places like Starbucks, Amazon, Subway, Target and more.

I had to check it out myself and found the sign-up process quick and it required minimal information. When you sign up you'll earn 3 points. With each search you can win more points. Just 50 Swagbucks will get you a $5 Starbucks gift card. To increase your earnings refer your friends. Send them your referral link and you can win points when they sign up. You'll also win points when they do.

So now you know a bit about Swagbucks, why not sign up now? Go here.