For Jo Ann and Everyone Else Who Loves Saving Money

When I first tentatively dipped my feet into the cold ocean of trying to save money, I posted to my other blog. One of my favorite equaintances (that's the word I thought I made up to describe my internet friends, but it seems someone else thought of it before, so I can't take credit) commented on the original post and gave me the best links on earth to help me with my quest. I am reposting those comments here rather than linking. I am going to attempt to make sure these format properly since Blogger wants to be an asshole about things. My own comments follow in all caps to indicate what I've tried.

From Ganners:
I am a coupon whore. I make no apologies. My friends think that I am nuts as we make a healthy salary. I am Italian, we do not pay retail.

Here are some of my favorites:
1. www.freestufftimes.comI get at least one free sample every other day. Anything from lotion to laundry detergent to free dvd rentals. Yes, all free...and $0.00 and you usually get a coupon for a future purchase. [I ADORE THIS SITE. I CHECK IT TWICE A DAY JUST TO MAKE SURE I HAVEN'T MISSED SOMETHING. THEY LINK TO THE WALMART SAMPLES PAGE A LOT, SO I ALSO BOOKMARKED THAT. I HATE GOING INTO WALMART, BUT I WILL GLADLY TAKE THEIR SAMPLES.]

2. www.retailmenot.comAnytime you buy anything online check them for a coupon code. A close second is http://www.couponcabin.com/ [I DECIDED TO SUBSCRIBE TO COOKS ILLUSTRATED BECAUSE I AM SLOWLY BECOMING OBSESSED WITH AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN. I GOT A CODE FROM RETAIL ME NOT AND GOT THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR A MUCH MORE REASONABLE PRICE. HAVE NOT TRIED COUPON CABIN YET.]

3. http://www.entertainment.com/ Buy a book. You can even get a coupon code at #2 for a discount on a coupon book! You will find new places to eat at, dry cleaning coupons, clothing store, flowers...a ton of stuff [IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, YOU CAN GET THEM FOR $9.99 RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S WITHOUT A CODE. MIGHT BE EVEN CHEAPER WITH ONE. I'VE ALREADY SAVED ENOUGH USING THEM TO PAY FOR THE BOOK. IF YOU GO TO THE MOVIES AT A REGAL CINEMA, IT IS A STEAL.]

4. http://www.savvycoupons.com/ Click on "my local" print them and go eat cheap

5. Get the Sunday paper There is a crap load of coupons in there. Just don't get caught up in the excitement of coupons and buy crap you would never purchase otherwise. [A TIP THAT I GOT FROM ROBIN - GET THE SUNDAY PAPER AT YOUR DOLLAR STORE. SHE MENTIONED TO ME THAT SHE CAN GET THE PHILLY PAPER 2/$1 ON MONDAYS. I GO ON SUNDAY AND GET IT FOR $.99. IT IS REGULARLY $2.50. I BUY TWO AND I AM STILL SAVING MONEY.]

6. Take time and shop your auto and home insurance. If you find a better deal be sure to check with your current company for possible hidden penalties for cancelling, rather than non renewing

7. If you have a savings account you contribute to or want to start one check out www.ing.com go find a coupon code and they pay you between $25 and $45 for opening a savings account and they pay a dang good % of interest. [I HAVE BEEN USING ING FOR YEARS AND I LOVE THEM.]

8. If you really want to be a budget natzi on stuff buy yourself a giftcard for the month. Once it is used up you are done. I do it for coffee places to keep me in line. Amex & Citi have a program where you get 2% back on gift card purchases.

9. Get an email address for signing up for offers from companies. It generates spam so you do not want it on your primary email. On every bag of drastically expensive cat food I save at least $8 for the Iams emails. [I DID THIS AND I USE THE SPAM ADDRESS FOR EVERYTHING ONLINE NOW. IT HAS CLEANED MY INBOX ON MY PERSONAL ACCOUNT, WHICH I LOVE AND I KNOW THAT I WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH SPAM IN THE NEW ONE. DOESN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL. I'VE GOTTEN SOME GREAT COUPONS EMAILED TO ME.]

10. www.coolsavings.com has good coupons to print http://www.couponmom.com/ --this lady will teach you how to make money by shopping at the drugstore for what you already buy.

11. Go to the websites of brands you love and look for coupons. Go to you grocery store website and look for coupons.

12. Got gift cards you will never use? Want to buy some for way less than face value??http://www.cardavenue.com/ http://www.plasticjungle.com/ http://www.stargiftcardexchange.com/ http://www.easycardexchange.com/ you can also look on http://www.craigslist.org/

13. Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens & Things accept each other's coupons AND you can use as many at one time as you want AND they even take expired coupons. The fancy BB&B carries my expensive hair care stuff, Pureology and Back to Basics. No where else can you get it at a discount.

Okay, this shit is too long for a comment post. Whatever. Saving money is a passion. I have saved over $2,000 this year. My New Year's resolution was to keep a coupon diary to add it up. Keep at it....we work too damn hard for our money to waste it.
Posted by: Ganners April 11, 2008 at 08:19 PM

Crap....I forgot one of the best.
http://www.restaurant.com/ You can buy gift certificates for a few dollars. If you sign up for an email from them to save even more or go to retailmenot.com for a current code. You can get $25 certificates for $4.00. I know....insane.
Posted by: Ganners April 12, 2008 at 03:16 PM