Swag: Getting paid to do what you already do…

SWAGBUCKS is a truly easy way to earn free gifts and prizes. I mentioned it briefly before but this program is cool enough to do a better write up on…

What is it?

Swagbucks is a search engine (like google or yahoo) that is designed to help you earn internet dollars called “swagbucks”. These internet dollars are then traded in for gift cards (such as
Amazon, starbucks etc…, or prizes). You won’t win swag dollars each time you search but you will win them quite often (in denominations of $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, and $10.)

How do I sign up for the program?

Signing up is really easy (and only takes about 2 minutes). No credit card, phone number or address required.

Once I’ve signed up what do I do?

Use swagbucks for your searches online. I installed thier toolbar (very simple and safe) so it is on the top of my browser. Then when I am looking for something I just type it in the browers and it searches on swagbucks for me. I win several swagbucks a day usually. Or ifyou prefer when you want to do a search go to swagbucks.com (instead of google) for your chances to win.

In one month I earned enough swag bucks by doing what I was already doing, searching the internet for different things to earn $5 to Amazon.com.

I am saving my swagbucks for christmas time and am hoping to be able to buy quite a few gifts with them 🙂

To start Swagging click here.

If your swagging join in the conversation and leave a comment about your experience 🙂

Albertsons deals and steals and more!

Click here to see my Albertsons match ups for this week.  Some great opportunities for savings thes week on essentials like toilet paper, and some free pop tarts just for fun.

Please join me! I have a new location for this blog. I know that moving locations often discourages readers and it is my hope this is not the case. My new website has easier to use features, to make it easier to get bargain updates right to your mailbox and some of the exciting posts you can expect include:

How to get great deals at drugstores WITHOUT the Sunday paper each week (of course I’ll include coupon deals as well!

and of course continued Money Saving Monday Tips, Frugal Friday Recipes, and other great deals!

This blog will no longer be updated so be sure to follow me over to my new site and update your links as well!

Thank you!

Amie

Tuesday Freebie List 2/24

If you are tired of filling out forms download roboform for free and let it do all the work for you!

Don’t Forget about free tacos and pancakes today only!

Free Arby Roast Burger with the purchase of any drink click here

Free Martha Stewart Magazine (renewed again if you missed out last time) click here

Free Dillyeo gift card TODAY ONLY for $10 click here (sometimes they list stuff for $10 or under…)

20% off coupon at the container store click here

Free Kashi entree click here

Free Vitazest water  click here

If you have pets you may want to get this free window cling in case of a fire click here

Free lactaid click here (you can leave the membership number blank!)

Free moviecube movie rental Click here to sign up for an account and get your free code. (Note this is similar to redbox) click here for a location near you!

==OTHER OFFERS I HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT ARE STILL VALID====

Free shutterfly photobook click here for details

Free Victoria Secret body lotion  click here

Free Quizno sub click here

Today is the last day to get paid to get Progresso soup!!! Details here

Coupon for $5 off of Glucerna cereal (it is usually $5 or less so you should get some for free!

Get a free receipt organizer by purchasing triscuits or other products details here

a coupon book from home made simple with lots of great coupons here

Click here to sign up for your free trial packet of OB tampons and carrying case. While supplies last!

Napoleon Perdis is offering to mail you a voucher for free lipgloss just for asking. They are sold at several stores in my area to see where you can pick yours up click here.

Mivodesigns is offering free scissors. After you complete the form they will ask if you want to try another free product, say no there is a “catch” for that one but the scissors are free!

Click here to sign up for your free Dr. Pepper coupon. It will be mailed out in 3-6 weeks

And don’t forget to get your entertainment for only $2.24 (for most locations) shipped click here.

click here to print your coupon for $10/$50 at Lowe’s (the page is loading really slow!).

Sample of Viva Paper Towels click here

Maybelline mousse foundation sample click here

Huggies baby wipes sample click here

Mantra bags is giving away a free reusable grocery bag (you choose the color) click here

Moisturizing shampoo free sample click here

Get a free serving of Rachel Ray Dog food click here

Free Emergence C samples click here. Be sure and send one to a friend too. I received mine about a month ago and we have loved using them already!

Join Mimi’s cafe eclub (for free) and get a free breakfast. Your ecoupon will be emailed to you.

Free Benefiber sample click here

Free sample of underjams for kids click here

TGI Fridays Buy one Get one Free for any entree click here

Buy one Get one free Seattle’s Best Coffee Medium drink or pastry click here

Print a coupon for a free sample of Aquafresh click here

Free Sample of Osmoflex pain relief cream click here (we use these in our backpacking first aid kit)

Free Sample of Tide Total Care free sample click here (if making your own detergent is something your not quite ready to try)

Ensure for free you can get for free after rebate click here to learn how

Free Movie Rental 2/23/09

Redbox offers a free movie rental every Monday using a promo code.

To find your nearest redbox location click here

Today’s code is: S39XKT

To use your free code on the redbox screen click “rent with code” enter the code and complete the checkout process. You will have to provide a credit card but it will NOT be billed as long as you return the movie before 9pm the next day. Happy renting!

Quiznos is Giving away free SUBS! HURRY

Updated 2/26 This offer is no longer valid
Head on over here to request your coupon for a free sub sandwich (coupon is emailed to your inbox).

Quiznos is giving away one million of these but I have a feeling they will go fast so hurry!

It appears to be a great week for free food. Don’t forget tomorrow about free pancakes and tacos!

Money Saving Monday – Knowing a good deal when you see it

Money Saving Monday-Keeping a good deal book

Be sure and check back every Monday for money saving tips for your family

I was in a store (which shall remain un-named) last week picking up a few sale items. As I was walking down the aisles my eyes were drawn to the bright red signs advertising this major grocery stores sales for the week. One such sign read: Butter 2/$6. My initial thought was, “butter I need butter I’m so glad it’s on sale”. As the red sign drew my hand toward the product it suddenly occurred to me that $2.50 was not a good deal for butter. I had almost fallen prey to the pretty red tag. This week saw an add for the same butter 3/$5 or $1.66 each a much better deal.

There is a simple way to avoid these marketing schemes if you are strategic. I recommend being intentional about keeping a “bargain book” for the items you usually buy. Grocery stores pay entire marketing departments to research and implement the best ways to get you to buy their products even when they are overpriced so a strategic plan is needed to counter this.  My recommendation is carrying in your wallet a small list of “good deals” so you will know a good deal when you see it.

Where do I start?: Make a list of items you buy on a regular basis (that aren’t seasonal).

My personal list is as follows, it is a bit small as I started tracking good deals and found that WINCO carried all the bulk items for cheaper then I had ever seen elsewhere so I no longer “track” the sales on those. Winco is just cheaper period:

Chicken-whole

Chicken-boneless, skinless

Beef

Milk

Cheese

Butter

Cereal

Keep track of prices for about a month: Stores tend to cycle through their sales about once a month. So for one month just jot down on those items what prices you see for the month. Be sure and use the price / unit not the total cost. For example for cheese do the cost / lb. so you can figure out if those smaller blocks really are a good deal. Use your store ads that come to your home or your favorite store that you shop at.

An example would be:

Cheese (price/lb): $3.82, $2.49, $2.84, $3.22, $2.32, $2.84

Determine what a good “sale price” is for each item. Beside each item decide on what a good sale price is for each item. If your store was running a big promotion during your tracking and is not likely to run it again you won’t want to use that price but most store prices get cycled through at least monthly. Each persons list will vary by region and store. What a good deal is for me may be a terrible deal for you or vise versa. The important thing is being able to pull that list out of your pocket so you know if you are looking at a good or bad deal. My list is below Please remember though this is for my region based on the stores I choose to frequent yours could look quite different!

Chicken-whole: (just started tracking this don’t have reliable numbers yet 🙂

Chicken-boneless, skinless: $1.99/lb buy it —- less then $1.99/lb stock up

Beef (we always buy the cheap stuff):  $1.99/lb buy it —– less then $1.99/lb stock up)

Milk: $2/gallon buy it — less then $2/gallon stock up

Cheese: $2.49/lb buy it —- less then $2.49/lb stock up

Butter:  $1.66/lb buy it  —– less then $1.66/lb stock up

Cereal:    .75/box buy it      —     less then .75/box stock up.

Only buy your item if it is at the sales price (or really close): Like I said each item should go on sale at least once a month (milk usually every other week) so you can just stock up when the item goes on sale. All the items I listed can be stored up to a month (milk can be frozen as can cheese and butter and meat), Cereal lasts so long we just organize it by exp. date. If I see a sale where I can get something for cheaper then my normal “good deal” I “stock up” or buy as many as my budget allows because it saves money in the long run.

Store marketing departments are using your “club cards” and even sensors on carts (in some stores) to determine your buying patterns and discover the best way to get you to spend more money in their store. By simply knowing a good deal when you see one you can save yourself hundreds in your grocery budget without ever clipping a coupon or even going to lots of stores to get your deal.

Your turn, let me know what you do to keep from overpaying for your groceries

Kmart Double Coupons

Most Kmarts are offering double coupons this week. Puget Sound Kmarts are offering doubling up to $2. There are some limits, no internet printable coupons and you can only use 25 coupons per visit. Be sure and know what a good deal is though because Kmart tends to mark up their prices a bit. Let me know what good deals you find!

click here to find out if the Kmart near you is participating

Rite Aid week of 2/22 NO SUNDAY PAPER NEEDED EDITON!

If your confused about shopping at Rite Aid click here

I’m trying something new this week. This is after all a blog for someone that is busy.

This post is all deals you can get just by printing coupons from home and using the coupons in store...no Sunday paper needed! Below each total cost I show how you can lower your cost by using Sunday paper coupons in red. But if you don’t get the Sunday paper or clip coupons don’t worry look at all the great deals to be had!

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If your total is $25 before coupons you can use this printable coupon for $5 off your purchase click here

SoyJoy Bars-10/$5
$5 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)

$1/5 coupon you print from HERE
Total Cost: GET PAID $1 TO BUY THESE 10 BARS!

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Feb 22nd Sunday Paper for $2/1 and BIYIF THEY PAY YOU $2.50!!!

Zilactin Toothache Swabs 8 ct., Zilactin or Zilactin-B Gel-$4.99
$4.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)(limit 2)
Total Cost: FREE

Stayfree or o.b.-$3.99 (with a $1/1 in-ad coupon)
Use $1/1 Stayfree printable coupon HERE
$1/1  coupon found in the weekly ad at the front of the store
Total Cost: $.99 cents

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse or Hairspray-$2.99
$2.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)

Total Cost: FREE

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Feb 8th  Sunday Paper for $1/1 off you will get paid $1 to buy this product!!!

Bic Soleil and Comfort Advance Razors-$6.99

$2 coupon found in the weekly ad at the front of the store

Total Cost: $4.99

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Feb 1st Sunday Paper for $2/1 off Total Cost is $.99 cents

FOR RITE AID DO NOT REQUEST YOUR REBATE CHECK UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH YOU CAN ONLY REQUEST ONE CHECK PER MONTH AND YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON ANY GREAT DEALS!

Walgreens week of 2/22/09-no Sunday paper needed edition

I’m trying something new this week. This is after all a blog for someone that is busy.

This post is all deals you can get just by printing coupons from home and using the coupons in store...no Sunday paper needed! Below each total cost I show how you can lower your cost by using Sunday paper coupons in red. But if you don’t get the Sunday paper or clip coupons don’t worry look at all the great deals to be had!

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Be sure to check their clearance section all their valentines day stock is 75% off. Stock up for next years valentines or surprise your honey with a box of gourmet chocolates for 99 cents 🙂

If you need help shopping at Walgreens click here

Here are the deals I am going to take advantage of at Walgreens this week.

Gillette Fusion Gamer razor $8.99
$6.00 coupon called a register reward prints out of the register after you finish your purchase. It can be used at Walgreens for your next purchase.

Total Cost = $2.99
IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Feb 8th Sunday Paper for $4.00 off you get paid $1.01 to buy this product!!!

Theraflu 2 for $10 – buy 2
$6 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
Use two $2/1 coupons from here

Total Cost after rebate: FREE

Robitussin or Dimetapp $3.99

-$2.00 coupon you print from the internet HERE or HERE

Total Cost = $1.99

Reynold’s Wrap Aluminum Foil 20ft

.89 cents with the coupon found in the weekly sale add at the front of the store

Total Cost: .89 cents

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Feb 8th Sunday Paper for $1/1 off you get paid $.11 cents to buy this product!!!

Excedrin 20-24 count $1.99
$1.00  coupon called a register reward prints out of the register after you finish your purchase. It can be used at Walgreens for your next purchase.

Total Cost: $1.01

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January  Sunday Paper for $1/1 Total Cost= THEY PAY YOU .01 cents to buy!

Q-Tips 300 pack

$1.99 with the coupon found in the weekly sale add at the front of the store

Total Cost= $1.99

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January 18th  Sunday Paper for .34/1 Total Cost= $1.64

Pampers Jumbo Pack Diapers $9.99

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM Sunday Paper for $1.50/1 Total Cost= $8.49

Revlon Creme Lip Gloss $9.99
$9.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)

Total Cost after rebate: FREE

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January 11th Sunday Paper  for $2/1 Total Cost= They Pay you $2 to buy this product!!!

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Foundation $9.99
$9.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
Total Cost after rebate: FREE

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January 11th Sunday Paper  for $2/1 Total Cost= They Pay you $2 to buy this product!!!

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Hair Care $3.99
$3.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
Total Cost after rebate: FREE

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January 4th  Sunday Paper  for $1/1 Total Cost= They Pay you $1 to buy this product!!!

Zucol ColdCare $7.99
$7.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
$2 coupon you print from here
Total Cost after rebate: They pay you $2 to buy this product

ThermaCare Heat Wrap $2.49
$2.49 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
Total Cost after rebate: FREE

IF YOU HAVE A COUPON FROM January 4th Sunday Paper  for $1/1 Total Cost= They Pay you $1 to buy this product!!!

Walgreen’s Multi-Purpose Solution $1.99
$1.99 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)

Total Cost after rebate: FREE!

Other deals you may want to take advantage of if you have Sunday Coupons!

Oust Air Sanitizer $2.99
B1G1 free from February 8th Sunday paper
$1.00 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)
Total Cost 2/.99cents

Glade Fabric & Air Deodorizer $2.99
B1G1 free from February Sunday coupon inserts
$1.25 from February Sunday coupon inserts
$1.00 rebate (purchase product and request rebate online by entering your receipt here)

Total Cost: They pay you .26 cents to buy two of these

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If your confused about using two coupons look here

Tell me what great deals I missed in the comment section

FOR WALGREENS DO NOT REQUEST YOUR REBATE CHECK UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH YOU CAN ONLY REQUEST ONE CHECK PER MONTH AND YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON ANY GREAT DEALS!

Reader Challenge: How do I get the best deal…

Elizabeth emailed me and told me about an HP6310 All-in-One Printer that she was interested in getting. She had seen it for 50% off at Office Max and asked if I could do a quick tutorial on how I would go about figuring out if that was a good deal.

So here is my quick tutorial on how to make sure you are getting the best deal (without spending more then 15 minutes researching).

Elizabeth…while this deal looks great (50% off today for only $74.99) in 15 minutes I found you a better deal by doing these things:

1. In my swagbucks search engine I typed in the type of printer you wanted. (side note I won 2 swagbucks which added to my other earnings will let me get $15 in Starbuck gift cards  just for doing a basic search)
2. I was going to research the cost of that printer at four places that tend to offer competitive deals Walmart, Newegg (electronics), Amazon, and SamsClub.
3. I discovered that Newegg had the lowest price by far with free shipping.
4. I did a quick search on retailmenot to discover if any of the above stores had any coupon codes that could make the deal any better, they did not.
5. I went to ebates and cashbaq to see which free program offered the most cashback for newegg.

Elizabeth based on my 15 minutes of research here is how to get that printer for the best deal that I see.

Go to ebates and log on or register for a new account.

On the top right hand side is a drop down menu that says “select a store” select the store “newegg”

You will be automatically redirected to newegg.

One there type in the printer you want in the search engine for the site (HP OFFICEJET 6310)

You will see the price is $44.99 with free shipping. Add to cart and check out as normal.

You will pay $44.99 out of pocket but you will get a check (when you earn over $5) from ebates for $5.89 if you opened a new account or .89 cents if you used an account you already had. This will bring your total cost of the printer shipped to you for $39.10 or $$44.10 a much better deal 🙂

Use this basic process for any item you wish to purchase online and see how much you can save —