I just want to thank everyone who has been e-mailing me about how I help them save money. In the presentations that I make to groups I stress how saving money is easy. Just start by trying to do at least five of the following suggestions. For more ideas, go to www.bluegrassmoms.com. There you will see my column. All you have to do is click on the link to find the Web site with the savings offer.
Here are some other tips:Set up a budget
■ Always balance your checkbook. It is the only way to be aware of mistakes
.■ Microsoft offers custom budget templates. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/FX102637491033.aspx
■ Keep track of how much you’re spending. www.mint.com
Add coupons to savings card There are several free grocery coupon services that links coupons to your participating grocery store savings card. Once coupons are selected from this site, they are added to your registered grocery store savings card and are redeemed automatically at checkout when you scan your card.
http://shortcuts.com/
http://www.pgesaver.com/Sites/PG_eSAVER/Page/HomePagehttp://
www.cellfire.com/
http://www.kroger.com/Pages/default.aspx
Energy savings
■ Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
■ Sign up for a residential energy audit from KU.http://www.eon-us.com/resaudit/default.asp
■ Two ways to save with Demand Conservation from KU.http://www.eon-us.com/dc/
■ Line dry your clothes. Towels which take so long to dry in a machine can be line dried on a simple outside rack. Project Laundry List can help you with suggestions. www.laundrylist.org
■ See how energy savvy you are. Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives gives you tips on how to increase efficiency. http://www.kaec.org/energy/efficiency.htm
Cooking at home or going out
■ Bring lunch to work or school.
■ Get discount gift certificate from Restaurant.com at www.restaurant.com.
■ Sign up for discounts at restaurants Web sites.
■ TGI Fridays is giving away free burgers when you become its fan on Facebook.http://www.tgifridays.com/home/welcome.aspx
■ Williams and Sonama offers cooking classes taught by culinary professionals. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/cust/storeevents/index.cfm?cm_type=lnav
■ Whole Foods offers outside grill specials from 4-7 p.m., Wednesdays and from 2:30 p.m. until dark Fridays through Sundays. Buy something in the store and their grill chef Roger will cook it and season it for you when the grill is open. Use reward programs at CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens
■ Get a ExtraCare Card from the cashier at CVS.https://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/extracare/extracare.jsp
■ Look for the monthly rebate flyer in front of RiteAid store.https://riteaid.rebateplus.com/default.asp?jse=yes
■ Walgreens offer register rewards. When you purchase a reward item you will receive a dollar amount off your next purchase.
Family time
■ Redbox offers free promotional codes every first Monday of the month. The movies are $1 a day. www.redbox.com
■ Kid Build to Grow Workshop at Lowes.https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/
■ Free projects for kids at Michaels when you join The Knack. http://www.theknackkids.com/Home.aspx
Education
■ Carnegie Center, 251 West Second St., offers classes from writing to budgeting. I am teaching a class from 10:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 3. Call (859) 254-4175 to register.
http://www.carnegieliteracy.org/workshops.htm
■ The public library is a wonderful source of classes.
http://www.lexpublib.org/locations/
■ Students don’t need to take Advanced Placement classes at their high school. Learn more about on-line AP classes.http://kvhs.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
■ Free on-line classes from Hewlett Packard. http://h30187.www3.hp.com/
■ Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshops. Learn how to create your dream kitchen and save while doing it yourself.http://www.homeimproverclub.com/workshopsdetail.aspx?Type=1&id=212&utm_source=dih_ola_dedicated
■ Whole Food Value Tours at Lexington Green off Nicholasville Road. Learn how to buy high quality foods without paying too much. Next tour is at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 17. Call (859) 971-8600. ■ Join my discussion group at The Ronald McDonald House, 1300 Sports Center Drive to talk about couponing, budgeting and saving money. The class is at 6 p.m., Sept. 15. Call Debbie Radcliff at (859) 268-0747. Bring something from the Ronald McDonald Wish List www.rmhclexington.com (click on How to Help).
■ Take free classes at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
Health
■ Get a free pharmacy discount card that could save you up to 75 percent on hundreds on prescription drugs. http://www.pharmacydiscountnetwork.com/ivillage/?
■ Kroger offers free Health Screenings. http://www.kroger.com/pharmacy/Pages/heart_healthy.aspx
■ September is Yoga Month. Get one free week of yoga. http://yogamonth.org/yogamonthcard/
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thomas Playdate at Toys R Us
Toys R Us is having a play date with Thomas this Saturday from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
FREE game of bowling
Free game of bowling on September 5 at selected locations. Click on website to see.
Free Movie Ticket to Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs
Receive a free ticket with purchase of a Spot Shot product.
https://www.activaterewards.com/registerspotshot
Here is a printable coupon
http://www.spotshot.com/news/products/
https://www.activaterewards.com/registerspotshot
Here is a printable coupon
http://www.spotshot.com/news/products/
Download free 16 books from Harlequin
To celebrate 60 years of pure reading pleasure, you can download, read and share 16 free e-books a total value of $60.00.
http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/
http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/
Buy One Get One Free breakfast at Denny's
Buy One Get One Free Build your own Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's.
Good until September 6
http://www.dennysallnighter.com/images/upload/8-31BOGOBYOSlam.jpg
Good until September 6
http://www.dennysallnighter.com/images/upload/8-31BOGOBYOSlam.jpg
Free Clorox WIpes for teachers and parents
Sign up for a free coupon for Clorox wipes canister. If you don't have any kids in school send the coupon to The Ronald McDonald House we can always use them in the family room at the hospital.
http://www.cloroxclassrooms.com/
This is only good until tommorrow
http://www.cloroxclassrooms.com/
This is only good until tommorrow
Free Sandwich at Chick-Fil-A
Be one of the first 250,00 fans to join Chick-Fil-A Club and receive a free Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich, Plus you'll be entered in a daily drawing for a $50 Chick-fil-A gift card.
Labor Day only, wear your team logo to Chick-fil-A from 10:30 am to close and get a FREE Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Herald Leader Column 9-3
I spent the beginning of last week exploring Kentucky with friends from Massachusetts. We went to two bourbon distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. We started at Woodford Distillery, 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles. It charges $5 a person, but it is a beautiful area to visit. Then we went to Buffalo Trace, 1001 Wilkinson Boulevard, Frankfort. We took what they call the Hard Hat Tour. This was informative and free.
Most bourbon distillery tours are free, with a bourbon tasting at the end. We also visited Kentucky Ale, 401 Cross Street, Lexington. They have a free tour at 3 p.m. during the week and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
It’s also a great idea to take a horse farm tour when you have visitors. Many of the farms will give tours; just call to ask. Ashford Stud, 5095 Frankfort Road, has a tour at 3 p.m. every day. Call (859) 873-7055 to schedule.
For Bourbon Trail Information, go to www.kybourbontrail.com.
Other freebies
■ Make your own coupons to help you communicate with your children.
http://family.samhsa.gov/activities/coupons_text.aspx
■ Nutrena has a free DVD: “Horse Safety First- How to Become Your Horse’s Best Friend.” http://nutrenaworld.com/Screens/Equine/HorseSafetyDVDRegistration.aspx
■ A free sample pack from the National Women’s Health Resource Center that includes several publications on a variety of women’s health topics.
http://www.healthywomen.org/resources/nwhrcpublications/dbpubs/samplepack
■ Free diabetes travel kit from Lantus. http://www.lantus.com/connection/TravelKit.aspx
■ Free pack of Free Love condoms. http://www.getfreecondoms.org/orders/order.html
■ Free poster of smoker’s lung from Kentucky Lung Association.
http://www.midlandlung.org/site/c.kqLNIUOCKrF/b.5077365/k.962A/Kentucky_Poster.htm
■ Free sample of Bruise Relief Gel. http://bruiserelief.com/free-samples/
■ Free samples and coupons from P & G brand by becoming a member.
https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/brandsampler.jsp?src=pgeds
■ Free MenopauseRx Survival Kit. Receive free educational materials, full size samples and coupons for products to relieve menopause.
http://www.menopauserx.com/eznewsletter/signup.php
Walgreens deals
Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners. Pay $1.99 and get $1.99 in register rewards and use following printable $1 coupon.
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qggffgy85854340&bt=vi&o=57427&pt=〈=&ws=&ct=&ci=&cl=&cp=&eb=1&c=CF&p=smashley_22@yahoo.com&z=&r=&pc=&tc=
Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush. Pay $2.99 get $2.99 register rewards and use following printable $1 coupon.
http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=XYLTWJS6DUKV4
Men’s Zone 6 Blade Razor System. Pay $3.99 get $3.99 register rewards.
Reach Total Care Toothbrush or Dental Floss. Pay $2.99 get $2 register rewards. The final price is 99 cents.
Rembrandt Toothpaste. Pay $5 and get $5 register rewards.
Theraflu Cold, Cough or Sinus Relief. Pay $4.99 get $3 register rewards use following printable $2 coupon. https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/couponForm.shtml
Other deals
■ Starting at 9 a.m., Sept. 10 Walt Disney will be accepting applications from moms to become advisors by answering questions on-line, offering advice and addressing specific concerns of families in the process of planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort. If your name is randomly chosen you will receive a trip to Walt Disney World Resort to participate in training for this exciting program.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genericcontent/message?destinationPage=MomsPanel2010
■ Starting Sept. 15, bring the October 2009 cover of Seventeen or a printout of the Seventeen.com home page to any participating ULTA store to receive a full-size tube of Benefit BADgal Blue Mascara (approximate retail value: $19). An average of 24 available at each ULTA store location. No ULTA store will have fewer than 12. Giveaway ends October 19, or while supplies last.
■ Safe Kids Fayette County is providing Free Car Seat Checkup at Target, Hamburg Shopping Center from 5-7 p.m., Sept. 18. For additional information call (859) 323-1153.
■ Unbridled Polo Series 2009, at 5 p.m., each Sunday through Oct. 4. Enjoy a family friendly environment at the Man O’War field, located at the main entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park. Free parking and tailgating. Call for cancellation or location changes due to weather. (859) 254-5667.
■ The First Annual Lexington Fest-Of-Ales 5-9 p.m., Sept. 4 at Cheapside Park. Free admission. You pay for your samples. Live music, food vendors, great time for the family.
■ Woodford Equine Hospital, 3550 Lexington Rd. Versailles invites you for an evening of education on The Horse Protection Program, 6 p.m., Sept. 8. Call (859) 873-7361 for reservations by Sept. 4.
Most bourbon distillery tours are free, with a bourbon tasting at the end. We also visited Kentucky Ale, 401 Cross Street, Lexington. They have a free tour at 3 p.m. during the week and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
It’s also a great idea to take a horse farm tour when you have visitors. Many of the farms will give tours; just call to ask. Ashford Stud, 5095 Frankfort Road, has a tour at 3 p.m. every day. Call (859) 873-7055 to schedule.
For Bourbon Trail Information, go to www.kybourbontrail.com.
Other freebies
■ Make your own coupons to help you communicate with your children.
http://family.samhsa.gov/activities/coupons_text.aspx
■ Nutrena has a free DVD: “Horse Safety First- How to Become Your Horse’s Best Friend.” http://nutrenaworld.com/Screens/Equine/HorseSafetyDVDRegistration.aspx
■ A free sample pack from the National Women’s Health Resource Center that includes several publications on a variety of women’s health topics.
http://www.healthywomen.org/resources/nwhrcpublications/dbpubs/samplepack
■ Free diabetes travel kit from Lantus. http://www.lantus.com/connection/TravelKit.aspx
■ Free pack of Free Love condoms. http://www.getfreecondoms.org/orders/order.html
■ Free poster of smoker’s lung from Kentucky Lung Association.
http://www.midlandlung.org/site/c.kqLNIUOCKrF/b.5077365/k.962A/Kentucky_Poster.htm
■ Free sample of Bruise Relief Gel. http://bruiserelief.com/free-samples/
■ Free samples and coupons from P & G brand by becoming a member.
https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/brandsampler.jsp?src=pgeds
■ Free MenopauseRx Survival Kit. Receive free educational materials, full size samples and coupons for products to relieve menopause.
http://www.menopauserx.com/eznewsletter/signup.php
Walgreens deals
Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners. Pay $1.99 and get $1.99 in register rewards and use following printable $1 coupon.
http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qggffgy85854340&bt=vi&o=57427&pt=〈=&ws=&ct=&ci=&cl=&cp=&eb=1&c=CF&p=smashley_22@yahoo.com&z=&r=&pc=&tc=
Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush. Pay $2.99 get $2.99 register rewards and use following printable $1 coupon.
http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=XYLTWJS6DUKV4
Men’s Zone 6 Blade Razor System. Pay $3.99 get $3.99 register rewards.
Reach Total Care Toothbrush or Dental Floss. Pay $2.99 get $2 register rewards. The final price is 99 cents.
Rembrandt Toothpaste. Pay $5 and get $5 register rewards.
Theraflu Cold, Cough or Sinus Relief. Pay $4.99 get $3 register rewards use following printable $2 coupon. https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/couponForm.shtml
Other deals
■ Starting at 9 a.m., Sept. 10 Walt Disney will be accepting applications from moms to become advisors by answering questions on-line, offering advice and addressing specific concerns of families in the process of planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort. If your name is randomly chosen you will receive a trip to Walt Disney World Resort to participate in training for this exciting program.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genericcontent/message?destinationPage=MomsPanel2010
■ Starting Sept. 15, bring the October 2009 cover of Seventeen or a printout of the Seventeen.com home page to any participating ULTA store to receive a full-size tube of Benefit BADgal Blue Mascara (approximate retail value: $19). An average of 24 available at each ULTA store location. No ULTA store will have fewer than 12. Giveaway ends October 19, or while supplies last.
■ Safe Kids Fayette County is providing Free Car Seat Checkup at Target, Hamburg Shopping Center from 5-7 p.m., Sept. 18. For additional information call (859) 323-1153.
■ Unbridled Polo Series 2009, at 5 p.m., each Sunday through Oct. 4. Enjoy a family friendly environment at the Man O’War field, located at the main entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park. Free parking and tailgating. Call for cancellation or location changes due to weather. (859) 254-5667.
■ The First Annual Lexington Fest-Of-Ales 5-9 p.m., Sept. 4 at Cheapside Park. Free admission. You pay for your samples. Live music, food vendors, great time for the family.
■ Woodford Equine Hospital, 3550 Lexington Rd. Versailles invites you for an evening of education on The Horse Protection Program, 6 p.m., Sept. 8. Call (859) 873-7361 for reservations by Sept. 4.
FREE Blue Bunny Ice Cream
Purchase any Blue Bunny Aspen or Sedona Frozen Yogurt Granola Novelty betweet weekend (September 5-7). Send in with your receipt, the rebate form and upc code and get full refund.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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