Frugal Column and Extras July 7

Now is the time for change. If you haven't realized it yet we are half way through 2011. I had someone ask me if I actually do everything that I write about. I am guilty of not following through with all my advice but I do try. I understand that we all have very busy lives but simple steps can help you save money. Every place you go nowadays has reward cards, you need to sign up. These reward cards enable you to get sale prices, earn rewards, get prizes or even give you money back when you make a purchase. Take the time to check this out. For example our local grocery store Krogers has a reward card called the Kroger Plus card this card not only gets you the sales pricing on items but also can get you 10 cents off a gallon of gas at Kroger gas stations or even at the Shell stations. If you get your gas at a Speedway station sign up for their Speedy card this will reward you with free products. Anything you can get extra when you are going to make a purchase anyways is just a nice perk. I do know that it is hard to keep track of all those reward cards so today I took a step on my smartphone by loading all the cards on the free app called Cardstar. Remember if you don’t have your card on you most places will be able to access your account by just giving your phone number. If you use credit cards make sure you are getting all your benefits. My card gives me points that I can get money back or gift cards. I personally buy everything on my credit card and try real hard to pay off my balance every month. When I know I need a present, I use my points to get a gift card. Ok, now I am going to be completely honest with you, I don’t have a written down budget of my daily expenses. I do use Microsoft Money to balance my checkbook that gives me a breakdown of all my expenses. It can be really scary to actually see what you are spending but it can help you to acknowledge your spending habits. One course of action that I do every couple of times a year is make sure all the services I signed up for are the most appropriate for me. This means call about your phone bill, your insurance rates, your cable bills, and any other monthly expenses that can fluctuate. I just called the phone company, I didn’t get a deduction in my bill but I had more services put on for free. What I can’t stress enough is to be proactive with your money. When you have to have something today it is going to cost you more. Think about what special events are coming up, or home projects so you can start planning now allowing you to make smarter purchases. I tell you all the time how to make great personalized photo gifts for close to free or even greeting cards for free. Snapfish is offering a free 5x7 personalized soft cover photo book when you enter seven photos throughout the month. . Get 3 free 5x7 folded greeting cards from Snapfish with coupon code TRY3CARDS plus sales tax and shipping. www.snapfish.com You also can create 99 4x6 prints at Snapfish for just a penny apiece when you enter promotional code JULYPENNY99. Do you belong to a gym? Check out your insurance to see if they will pick up any of the cost. Many insurance plans have a preventive health plans that will help you with your gym membership costs. If you are part of a Medicare health plan or a group retiree you may be eligible for SilverSneakers. SilverSneakers is a fun, energizing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health for FREE. HealthwoRx on 161 Lexington Green Circle Suite B2 is now offering the SilverSneaker program http://www.silversneakers.com/. Believe it or not most everything you do you can get a deal on by just asking if there are any discounts or deals. You can save money by being a senior on the first Wednesday of the month at Krogers where you get 10% off your bill. If you belong to any clubs check out what discounts they offer, for example: AARP members receive a coupon for $5 off your next purchase at Walgreens when you spend $20 or more until July 30. Being a student can give you additional discounts at area businesses. I just got my oil changed at S & S Tires where I brought in a coupon from another business and they matched the price. All I did was ask. If the place wants your business they will accommodate you. Take the effort in the second half of 2011 to start saving don’t let the rest of the year go by.

Snag these little known credi t card discounts:

· Bank of America card gets you in free at 150 museums, zoos, and aquariums across the country the weekend of every month in 2011.

· American Express cards offer up to 50% off hundreds of sporting events, concerts, and plays in major cities.

· Continental Airlines OnePass Plus from Chase and Delta Skymiles from American Express let you and up to eight companions escape the checked-bag free for your first suitcase.

· Most issuers offer online shopping deals, but Discover card hooks you up with the biggest discounts from more than 200 retailers

School Supplies Deals from Staples:

· Staples Photo Supreme Paper 50 pk $14.99 submit for $14.99 Staples Easy Rebate

· 5 pack Brite Liner Grip Yellow Highlighters $4 submit for $4 Staples Easy Rebate

· Lots of 50 cents deals available at Staples.

Get up to $8 off on one admission ticket to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 when you buy any of the participating Harry Potter movies on DVD or Blu-Ray (in store only) at Best Buy. http://bestbuy.shoplocal.com/bestbuy/default.aspx?action=entryflash&adref=header

Check out Jazz: Live at the Library downtown on the second Thursday of every month at Central Library 140 E. Main Street from 7 to 8:30pm. http://www.jazzartsfoundation.org/

Southland Jamboree has started on Tuesdays evening at 7pm on 205 Southland Drive, Collins Bowling Avenue call 859-276-4692 for more information.

Purchase one 20oz Jamocha Oreo Shake at Arby’s get one free coupon http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6tgQ8&m=JbBjTDJyS3yANL&b=Kzm99D7Nx.Fhas.HwhcpAg

Over the counter and prescription drugs can harm the water supply if flushed down the drain. Local pharmacies across America will help you dispose of your meds. Find a participating pharmacy near you at www.sharpsinc.com/locator .

No More Rack is a daily deal site and things go really fast. When you sign up get a $10 credit into your account. http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=60303

Free magazine subscription to Maxim
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/maximgd/tgs_maxim_pg3gd.htm

Free magazine subscription to Newsweek
http://www.freebizmag.com/tweetnewsweek01welcome.htm

Get your free Beech-Nut Stage 4 Toddler Welcome Kit
http://www.beechnut.com/toddler1/index.asp?sourceID=111

Get a "We Can" wristband to enhance children's activity from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan_mats/wristband_y.htm

Sign up your child for Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic this Saturday starting at 10am. They will be building a Tow Truck that they will be able to take home with them. Sign up online.
http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Join the iScream Team at Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Sign up for free access to share recipes, receive coupons and offers. https://www.bluebunny.com/iScreamTeam/Login.aspx

This Friday at Whole Foods get organic cherries for $2.99lb.


Rite Aid Deal-
Buy two Jergen Natural Glow products $2.49 (look in trial size area)
Print out two $1 printable coupons (hit the back button a couple of times for it to print again)

Receive $5 in UPs rewards
Final cost = MONEYMAKER
I just did this deal at my RiteAid and it worked

Today SaveMore has Nail Polish Strips on sale 50% off so just $6. Sign up for SaveMore today and receive a $10 credit making this purchase FREE.