RecycleBank – Get Rewarded for Recycling December 28, 2009

Have you heard of RecycleBank.com?  I recently signed up for it HERE.  Essentially, you get reward points for recycling.  You can review the details, HERE.  The best part, they start you off with 100 points and occasionally send out free promo codes.

The 100 points alone will get you a few different freebies or high value coupons!  I redeemed 50 of my points for a $5 Huggies coupon (temporarily unavailable).  For 50 points you can also snag a FREE Seventh Generation product or HappyBaby product!  There are quite a few rewards you can redeem them for, so check out the site and start RECYCLING! 

Thrifty Tip: SheSpeaks.com December 19, 2009

Have you heard of shespeaks.com?  This is another site that I love!  Members have opportunities to test new products or take surveys to receive great freebies.  It took me a few months to start receiving offers and freebies, so be patient!  Go HERE to learn more and to sign-up.

Thrifty Holiday Gift Ideas December 15, 2009

Total cost: $5

Items Included:

Personalized Photo Mug

Toblerone Chocolate

Swiss Miss Hot Coco Mix Re-packaged

Chocolate Dipped Spoon

Handprint Card (not shown)

Notes:  This is going to be my husband’s gift this year from my daughter.  I’ll include a card with Kayla’s handprint on it to make it extra special.  The Toblerone & Swiss Miss Mix were FREE after coupon, and I made the chocolate dipped spoon myself using a plastic take-out spoon I had hanging around and some semi-sweet chocolate.  The only cost was the personalized mug I got from a deal I mentioned earlier this month.

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Total cost: $5

Items Included:

Personalized Photo Mug

Starbucks GC

Coffee Sample

FREE Creamer Coupon

Notes:  This is going to be part of  my mother’s gift this year.  She loves her coffee, so I made a personalized mug with Kayla’s picture.  The mug was FREE compliments of Photoworks.  They sent me a $50 coupon last month to test their site and host a houseparty (go HERE for details).  Included in the mug is a coffee sample I got in the mail and a coupon for a free pint of International Delights creamer (facebook freebie I posted about a while back).  I also tucked in a $5 Starbucks GC.

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Total Cost:$2

Items Included:

Lindor Truffles

Personalized Photo Card

Ceramic Snowman Ornament

Notes:  I made a bunch of these to give to friends.  The truffles were FREE from Rite Aid, and the cards were FREE from SeeHere.com (another freebie I mentioned previously).  The ceramic ornaments were purchased last year from Pier1 and came in sets of 3.  Each one cost me about $2.

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Cost:$5

Items Included:

$5 Borders Gift Card

Wonka Candy

Holiday Pencils

Notes:  I saw this on another blog and thought it was really cute.  I reused a plastic water bottle, and filled it with FREE candy and pencils I got from Walgreens.  I also tucked in a Borders Gift Card which my nephew can use to purchase a magazine or comic book.

Become a Houseparty Host December 15, 2009

If you love freebies and entertaining, Houseparty might just be the thing for you!  I’ve been a member for a little while now, and am totally hooked.  I recently finished hosting a Photoworks Party and had a chance to test their website and make personalized photo products for FREE!

You’ll have lots of opportunities to APPLY to be a host for various parties, and if you’re chosen, they’ll send you free goodies and gifts to pass along to your family & friends.  Keep in my that there are certain obligations that go along with hosting a party (ie: downloading party pictures, take a survey, etc.).   If you’re interested, go HERE to read about houseparty.com and to sign-up.

Vogue Insiders October 13, 2009

Join Vogue Insiders to have opportunities to test new products before they hit the shelves.  You’ll also enjoy member-only events and preview the lastest fashion trends.  Go HERE to sign-up.

CVS Advisor Panel September 30, 2009

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a huge CVS fan!  That’s why joining their panel was a no brainer.  If you’re a CVSer you want in on this…go HERE and join the CVS Advisor Panel.  You’ll have opportunities to answer surveys to receive $5-$15 Extrabucks.  Joining is totally FREE and once you complete surveys, you’ll be able to print your ECB right away (or save to print later).  It took me about 3 months to receive a survey opportunity, but when I did, it was a fifteener!!

Thrifty Tip – Become a Tester September 28, 2009

Do you enjoy testing new products or sharing your opinion?  Well, I do!  I’m a member of quite a few tester/advisor panels that email survey questions and/or send goodies in the mail to “test” for FREE.  I previously mentioned Vocalpoint and Kashi Connect on this blog (perhaps a few more I just can’t remember at the moment).  Over time, I’ll mention such panels and sites worth becoming a member, so STAY TUNED!

Note that some sites only have limited membership spots available and/or are open for sign-up for a short period.  I can’t guarantee you’ll be accepted or even receive the same freebies, but IMO the ones I post are worth trying to sign up for!

If you haven’t signed up for Vocalpoint or Kashi Connect, you can read about them HERE and HERE.

Thrifty Tip: Swiffer Refill Alternative August 26, 2009

I was over my MIL’s a few months ago and saw her swiffering her hardwood floor…this made me laugh, not because she was swiffering, but because of what she was using with it…

YES, you’re looking at the image correctly!  Those are indeed feminine pads and they work really well.  I love my Swiffer, but think the refill cloths are very pricey.  These pads on the other hand were FREE (actually, I got paid to take them ).  They stick nicely to the swiffer, and collect dirt and lint!  Since they are meant to hold liquid, you can even sweep up spills with them or moisten them to clean your floors.

I do have to admit that it is a little strange and I wouldn’t use it when we have company, but it REALLY does work!!

PS – This week (8/23-8/29), CVS has Poise liners on sale for 2/$4 & receive $1 ECB (LIMIT 5).  If you use (2) $2/1 Poise Liner coupons from HERE you get can them for FREE + $1 OVERAGE (after coupons & ECBs)!  I’m stocking up to use with the Swiffer…Are You??

Coupon Barcodes Decoded August 14, 2009

Have you ever wondered how coupon barcodes work?  Have you ever had a coupon do the dreaded “BEEP”??

Well, definitely check out THIS thread…it teaches you how to make sense of all those barcode numbers!

Thrifty Tip of the Day – Know how to snag great coupons! August 6, 2009

There are many ways to obtain manufacturer and store coupons and by no means limited to this short list.  This is just a start to get you saving…

1. Newspaper – The Sunday paper is probably the most well-known resource for those wonderful coupons inserts (Smart Source, P&G and Red Plum).  I look forward to Sunday morning when the newspaper is delivered to my doorstep (we fortunately got a good rate for the daily newspaper).  If you do not have a newspaper subscription, the cost of buying the paper weekly can get quite pricey, considering near me it costs $2 plus tax just for the Sunday paper.  The best option in this case is to buy the Early Edition on Saturday which costs far less, in some areas as low as $0.75!  Just note that the early edition may not have as many coupon inserts or ads as the Sunday edition, so be sure to check the paper before purchasing.
2. Internet – The internet is a wonderful resource for coupons if you know where to look.  You may find that on occasion, the internet offers better coupons than those found in the newspaper.  If you have a favorite product, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s website…you just might find a great coupon!  Other popular sites that have printable coupons readily available are Coupons.com, SmartSource and Red Plum.  I check these sites regularly for newly released coupons!
3. “Contact Us” – Do you have a product you LOVE?  If so, I recommend that you directly contact the manufacturer via email and compliment them/their product.  I cannot guarantee you will receive anything, but from experience, a simple compliment in the past has landed me with some high-valued/FREE product coupons and samples.  Once, I have even been asked to be a product tester!
   
4. In-store & Store Website – A few of my local grocery stores have coupon booklets located at the customer service desk (ie – Waldbaums).  You may also want to check near the pharmacy and/or the weekly ad display; CVS & Walgreens tend to place coupons at those locations.  I highly recommend checking out store websites and requesting email notification as well.  I have gotten some great freebies and  coupons this way!
5. Tearpads & Blinkies – Next time you shop, keep your eyes peeled for coupons attached to displays and shelves!
6. Other – I always keep my eyes peeled for coupons where ever I go.  Last month I got a coupon booklet at the pediatrician’s office for household cleaners and baby essentials…you just never know where you might snag some awesome deals!!