Sunday, May 27, 2012

Debbi's Frugal Forum May 27, 2012


What kind of shopper are you? Take a short quiz to help define your shopping habits.

1.            Do you enjoy shopping?

A.            I would rather starve.

B.            It’s not my favorite thing, but it’s not the worst chore in the world.

C.            I look forward to it.



2.            Do you make a list before you shop?

A.            Never. I just grab whatever seems appealing and not too expensive.

B.            When I have time.

C.            I always make a list but am open to finding other items that are on sale.



3.            Do you stick to your list when you shop?

A.            I usually lose it before I shop.

B.            I use it as a guide but feel free to grab a few other things.

C.            I always follow the list be I am always looking for marked down items or on items on special.



4.            Do you always buy the same brands?

A.            Always.

B.            Mostly, but I usually get the store brand because it is cheaper.

C.            Brands mean nothing to me. If it’s cheap, on sale, or I have a coupon, it’s in my cart.



5.            Where do you shop the most often?

A.            At the store closest to my house.

B.            At the cheapest place I know of.

C.            I’ll hit three or four stores to score the best bargains.



6.            When do you shop the most often?

A.            I wait to the last moment when I am completely out of everything.

B.            Once or twice a week.

C.            So often those others shoppers ask me where stuff is.



7.            Do you use your store’s discount card?

A.            I used it to scrape off my windshield last winter.

B.            If I have it with me.

C.            I always use the card to get my deals.



8.            Do you use grocery coupons?

A.            That’s way too much trouble for me.

B.            It I remember to bring them.

C.            I always carry my coupon holder into the stores and use them.



9.            Do you print coupons?

A.            Don’t know what you are talking about.

B.            I tried it once but seemed like a lot of trouble.

C.            Always.



10.          Do you use electronic coupons?

A.            Don’t have any idea what they are.

B.            Once or twice, but it took too much time.

C.            I always check the internet sites www.kroger.com, www.cellfire.com, www.shortcuts.com at least twice a month



11.          Do you belong to Upromise, Vocalpoint, Bzzagent, Ebates or Saving Star?

A.            What!

B.            I think I joined once but never logged on again.

C.            I never order anything online without going to Ebates first.



12.          Have you ever purchased grocery items free with coupons?

A.            Is that like a “five finger discount”

B.            Once in a while

C.            At least once a week



13.          Do you ever shop at the drugstore?

A.            Never. I think it is more expensive.

B.            When I’m getting prescription filled, I’ll grab a few necessaries

C.            Yes, at least once a week I get great bargains



14.          Do you take your grocery coupons with you on vacation?

A.            I am lucky I remember sunscreen.

B.            No, but I do shop the sales at the grocery store.

C.            I will bring some but I definitely bring coupons for nearby restaurants and entertainment venues.

To calculate your score, give yourself one point for every A answer, two points for B answers and three points for C answers.

If you scored between 14 and 21 you are a busy shopper. You have a very busy lifestyle and believe that you do not have the time to cut coupons or look for sales.

If you scored between 22 and 36, you are an amateur shopper. You are trying to save money by spending time cutting coupons and using your sales flyers but you still haven’t got the skills you need yet.

If you scored between 37 and higher, you are an expert shopper. You try to save in every aspect of your daily life. You don’t mind spending an hour to plan your shopping for the week. You are organized and open minded about using coupons, sales and knowledge to save money.

There is one thing that all of my readers have in common, you want to save money. Saving money can be a step by step process. Start small and the rewards will make you want more. Put to use all the tips and strategies you learn in my column to help you live a frugal financial lifestyle.

Here are some other programs that can save you money.

Sign up for Ebates before you order anything online. You will receive a $10 gift card just for signing up. When you place an order at over 1,000 retail stores you will receive a percentage of your purchase in a check. http://www.ebates.com/referral/default.do?navigation_id=18568

Get cash back on your everyday spending by signing up for Upromise. Register your credit card or debit card with Upromise when you go out to eat or shop online use the registered card to receive up to 8% cash back which you can invest in a 529 College plan. www.Upromise.com 

Sign up for Vocalpoint. This is a social network of people who want to share their opinions on products they use for their families. The bonus of this site is you will receive great samples and coupons in the mail. www.vocalpoint.com

Select the eCoupons you like and link them to your Kroger, CVS and RiteAid loyalty cards at Savingstar. When you use your loyalty card and a linked coupon the coupon amount will automatically be put in your SavingStar account. Once you have reached $5 you can choose payout options from Amazon.com, PayPal or bank deposit. www.savingstar.com

Become a Bzzagent another social networking site that gives you samples and coupons when you give your opinion on products they send to you. www.bzzagent.com

Create an account with InboxDollars, the free online rewards club where you always earn cash. New members receive a $5 sign-up bonus then just earn InboxDollars by reading emails with offers, watch videos, take surveys plus many other ways. Just request payment and you will receive a check in the mail. http://www.inboxdollars.com/?r=ref11505938

National Donut Day is June 1 go to Dunkin Donuts and get a free donut with beverage purchase or checkout Krispy Kreme for a free donut no purchase necessary.


Text message: TRYUS to 727272 on your cell phone to get FREE One Night Redbox Video Game Rental! The code expires August 1st, 2012.

Score a free Father’s Day personalized card when you enter promotional code ONEFREECARD at checkout. You do need to pay shipping and handling. www.snapfish.com

Purchase $30 worth of eligible Neutrogena Acne, Facial Cleansing, Facial Treatments and or Facial Moisturizer products to receive a $10 mail-in rebate. http://www.neutrogena.com/category/event/rebate.do

Buy tickets to any IMAX or 3D film on Fandango and save $5 per ticket on up to 2 tickets, courtesy of Kentucky Fried Chicken. http://www.fandango.com/promo/kfcfullymaxed

MEMORIAL DAY weekend sales matchups: Even without coupons in todays paper here is how to use past week flyer coupons

CVS Deals:

Members of the CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program can earn up to five $10 gift cards to Exxon/Mobil or Shell during select weeks May through August by simply spending $30 on specially-marked items found conveniently in the weekly CVS/pharmacy circular.

Receive $2 extracare bucks when you purchase one Off clip-on mosquito repellent or  Deep Wood dry use $2 and 75 cents coupons from 5/20 Sunday paper

Get $10 in extracare bucks when you purchase one Hawaiian Tropic $7.99, one Banana Boat $7.99, one Schick Hydro 5 $7.99 and one Playtex Tampon $7.99 use $2 razor coupon, $1 Hawaiian Tropic coupon, $1 Banana Boat coupon plus $1 Playtex coupon from 4/22 Sunday paper making each item just $4.24 each.

Walgreen Deals:

Buy Skintimate Shave Cream for $2.99 receive $2 register rewards plus use 55 cents coupon from 4/22 Sunday paper making the final price 44 cents.

Buy two Irish Springs body wash for $6 receive $3 in register rewards use two 50 cents coupons from 5/20 Sunday paper making the final price just $1 each.

Buy Colgate Sensitive or Total Advanced toothpaste for $3.99 receive $3 register rewards plus use 50 cents coupon from 4/29 Sunday paper making final price 49 cents.

Use your AARP card at checkout to receive a register reward for $5 off your next $20 purchase at Walgreens.




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