Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Small Business Saturday Tampa Style

Corporations only make up around 20% of American businesses. The other 80% are comprised of small, locally owned businesses. In cities like Tampa, it is hard to see those small businesses sometimes. But look closely reader, nestled between CVS and Publix is a mom-and-pop coffee shop that produces the most delicious muffins at a lower cost than Dunkin Donuts. Sometimes, these local businesses get are grossly under-rated. 

This Saturday, November 24 join the United States Bureau of Small Businesses and shop small. Black Friday can be a huge hassle, and shopping online isn't for everyone. American Express began the post-holiday-holiday in 2010 to help breathe some life back into local companies. 

I have to say, I am sad to announce that there are no guaranteed savings for Small Business Saturday. But but buttttt, thanks to my boyfriend Google, I've found a couple deals in the Tampa area! Support local business!

  • Includes:
    • You Say When
    • Ricky's Tees
    • The Library CoffeeHouse
    • Quiznos
  • Includes:
    • Free Legal Aid with Brick Law Firm
    • Avon
  • Includes:
    • Orange Home Accessories
    • Julie's Consignment Boutique
    • Tres Amigos Catina


More to come, maybe. Keep an eye out, and let me know if you hear about anything for Small Business Saturday that I haven't mentioned!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Black Friday Deals!!!

Who else is totally stoked to sit outside of a store, freezing to death, just to get a really great deal?! Ooohhh, me! Me! MEEEE!!! NOT.This year, I'll be taking the lazy way out of Christmas

With so much competition for your money this time of the year, companies are going to great lengths to make it as easy as possible for you to check your list twice. Many stores are opening at midnight on Thanksgiving this year, sparking a ton of controversy from families and workers alike. Wal-Mart has already begun some pre-Black Friday specials to limit the lines come Friday. I've scoured some of the biggest retailers for Black Friday deals. Take advantage of their shipping offers combined with their sales (many match the sale in store). Check out what I have found, and see if it is better to stay indoors this Friday.  


iPads:

  •  Wal-Mart:
    •  Apple iPad 4, 16 GB with your choice of bonus accessory kit
    • $499 
    • Free shipping to your home!   


TVs:
  • Best Buy:
    • Toshiba 40" LCD HD 1080p
    • $179.99
    • Save $240
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • Panasonic 32" LCD HD TV, 780p
    • $189.99
    • Free Shipping
Laptops:
  • Best Buy:
    • Samsung 15.6" Laptop. 4G Memory, Windows 8, 500G hard drive.
    • $349.95
    • Save $225
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • ASUS 14" Laptop 320G hard drive, Windows 8, 4G memory
    • $249.99
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • Lenovo 15.6" Laptop, 2G Memory, 320G hard drive, Windows 8
    • $187.99
    • Free Shipping
Tablets:
  • Best Buy: 
    • Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2. 8G Memory, 
    • $179.99
    • Free $20 gift card with purchase
    • Save $70
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • Kindle Fire with 8G 
    • $159.99
    • Free $30 gift card with purchase
    • Free Shipping

Game Systems:
  • Best Buy:
    • Playstation 3, 250G Memory, Limited edition Uncharted Bundle
    • $199.99
    • Save $159.92
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • XBOX 360 Bundle, 250G, Forza Motorsport 4 game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim download token, Xbox 360 wireless controller, wired headset and one-month trial for Hulu, EPIX and Xbox LIVE.
    • $199.99
    • Save $207.97
  • Wal-Mart:
    • Playstation 3 Bundle, 2 controllers and Street Fighter 4
    • $259
    • Save $70
    • Free Shipping
  • Wal-Mart:
    • Nintendo 3DS Starter Bundle
    • Includes carrying case and Rayman 3D video game
    • $179.99
    • Save $70
    • Free Home Shipping
  • Wal-Mart:
    • XBOX 360 Bundle, 2 controllers and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Game
    • $229
    • Save $80
    • Free Shipping
  • Target:
    • XBOX Live Membership 3 Month Subscription
    • $10
    • Save $14
  • Target:
    • WII Bundle
    • Includes Just Dance Kids 2, Wii Resort, Wii Sports, Wii Remote
    • $119.99
iPods:
  • Best Buy:
    • iPod Touch 32G 
    • $294.99
    • $50 gift card with purchase
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • iPod Nano 16G
    • $149.99
    • Free $20 gift card with purchase
    • Free Shipping
  • Wal-Mart:
    • iPod Nano 16G with bonus accessory kit
    • $139.99
    • Free Shipping to Home

Printers:
  • Best Buy:
    • HP Deskjet Network Ready Wireless Color Printer/Scanner
    • $39.99
    • Save $40
    • Free Shipping
  • Best Buy:
    • HP Deskjet All-In-One Printer
    • $49.99
    • Save $50
    • Free Shipping

Cameras:
  • Best Buy:
    • FujiFilms FinePix 14.0 Megapixel camera
    • $49.99
    • Save $50
    • Free Shipping
    • Optional Bundle with case and 8G SD card for $59.97



Definitely check out the actual ads for a ton more deals. I may add to this if I find any other good deals. Keep checking back in!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Grocery Shopping: The Way it Should be Done

Don't hate me please. 

I have failed you, readers. I have rambled and side tracked my way out of telling you how to tackle the grocery store. Though I have found some pretty rad things to side track you with, I have not come right out and exposed you to what happens when I go to the store. 

Here's what happened when I went to Publix this weekend!

BOGO Sales: 

  • Suave Lotion ($3.29)
  • Nestle Morsels ($2.45)
  • Tyson Frozen Chicken Strips ($8.49)
  • Hall's Cough Drops ($1.57)

Not on Sale: 

  • Yakisoba Noodle Meals ($.99)
  • Publix Sweet Tea ($1.59)  

My Total For These Items Should Have Been:

  1. Suave Lotion: $3.24 x 6= $19.44
  2. Nestle Morsels: $2.45 x 2= $4.90
  3. Tyson Frozen Chicken Strips: $8.49 x 2= $16.89
  4. Hall's Cough Drops: $1.57 x 4= $6.28
  5. Yakisoba Noodle Meals: $.99 x 6= $5.94
  6. Publix Sweet Tea: $1.59

Total= $55.04 

Total After Sales= $31.24

Total After Coupons= $13.79!!!

What did I do? I combined in store sales with coupons provided in newspapers to maximize savings. Could I have waited for a sale on the Yakisoba noodles? Probably. But I'm impatient and they were only $.49 after coupons. Could I have not bough the Publix Sweet Tea? Yes, but I love sweet tea and I have had a long weekend. If I had not bought those items, my total would have been closer to $9 for everything. At the risk of confusing anyone, below I am going to tell you what coupons I used to get these deals, so you can get a better idea of how this is possible =]

Coupons Used:

  • Suave Lotion:
    • RP 10/14, $2 off of 1 Suave Product
    • BOGO Publix In Store Sale
    • For 2 Bottles Total: $6.58
      • - $2/ 1 (2) or $4/2
      • Credit Earned: $.71/2
  • Nestle Morsels
    • RP 9/9 $.50 off of 1 Nestle Morsels Product
    • BOGO Publix In Store Sale
    • For 2 Bags Total: $4.90
      • $.50/1 or $1/2
      • Price Paid: $1.54/2
  • Tyson Frozen Chicken Strips
    • SS 10/7 $.75 off of 1 Tyson Frozen Chicken Strip
    • BOGO Publix In Store Sale
    • For 2 Bags Total: $16.89
      • - $.75/1 or $1.50/2
      • Price Paid: $6.99/2
  • Hall's Cough Drop
    • SS 11/04 $1 off of 2 Hall's Drops
    • BOGO Publix In Store Sale
    • For 2 Bags Total: $3.14
      • -$1/2
      • Price Paid: $.57/2
  • Yakisoba Noodles
    • SS 10/14 $.50 off of 1 Yakisoba Noodle Product
    • Regular Price: $.99
      • -$.50/1
      • Price Paid: $.49/1
And if I did my math correctly (which I probably did not do) I saved 75%! 

My hope is that this wets your appetite a little. It really doesn't take that long, and it's such an easy thing to do. Start off small, and soon you too will be bringing home 8 bags of Halls Cough Drops!! Yayyy!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Save on Fruits and Veggies! And Milkshakes!


With every post, I hope that I can teach you a little something extra about saving money. Although my name is Coupon Queen, I have tried to showcase alternate ways to save money. I recognize that not every one likes to roll up to the cash register with a cavalcade of coupons. I hope this post will 
One of the most common questions people ask me is, "How do I save on fresh fruits and vegetables?" Rarely are there coupons in the newspaper for these items and although sales do occur on them, it could not hurt to know what is in season near you. There is this awesome website called EpiCurious. Since I live in Florida, I found out that some of my favorite healthy treats are in their season's peak. Not only does it tell you what is in peak, but it will give a description of the ingredient and some recipes. #Winning!



Also, I've found something sweet that most of my readers tend to like. Free stuff!!! 


Go to Arby's Website and type in  your name. Print that bad mamma-jamma and next time you get a hankering for some Arby's get yourself a free Peppermint Stick Swirl Shake. 

Thank you Coupon Geek for always knowing what's going on.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Year Holiday Spending Almost Hit the Trillions.

Everyone who isn't a Scrooge has begun to think about who they need to shop for this holiday season. I am the kind of gal who gets everyone something for Christmas. I have already officially created my "Christmas Gift Ideas" board on Pinterest. I can not WAIIITTTT to use some of my couponing expertise to multiply the gift giving even more. 

This year, holiday "sales are expected to reach $920 to $925 billion" according to Time: Business and Money. Already, stockings are hung by the store shelves with care, in hopes that a shopper soon will be there. October's nation-wide sales, have already shown us a peak of what retailers have in store.

Retailers with physical store front can expect to see a 3-4% increase in sales this year, but "non store" retailers are expected to see a much greater increase. Non store retailers, like catalogue sales, online sales, and TV sales will account for nearly $54 billion dollars of this season's profit. 

But, there's one Grinch who is trying to steal Christmas. Hurricane Sandy, who decided to go ten kinds of cray on the upper East coast, has put many suppliers on their toes. This New York Times article gives us a glimpse of what some companies are doing,"FedEx, for example, has rented fuel tankers to supply its delivery trucks as commercial gas stations run dry." Ryder, on the other hand, as informed all of their customers to expect a 72 hour delay on all shipments. For those of you who have never worked in retail, this is the beginning of massive holiday shipments. This disruption could cause companies to lose money because they don't have the product they need to supply to customers. 

It will definitely be interesting to see what will come this year. I love sitting back in the mall or Wal-Mart and watch people scramble from store to store in a Santa-induced rage. Bring on the crazies!


Thanksgiving Printable Coupons

Who else stuffs their face on Thanksgiving? I know I probably eat 4-7 plates on Thanksgiving Day, and that does not include my Grandma's Chocolate Lava Pie. (Is it Thanksgiving yet? I'm hungry...) 

This year, I am planning on having a big dinner on a little dollar. On top of newspaper coupons, many stores (including Publix and Wal-Mart) will let you use printed coupons also. A savings anyone could be thankful for! I've done a little digging to bring you some of the best printable coupons on the web. Feel free to save me baked goods as a thank you.


What you'll find:
  • Campbell's Soup $.40 off of 3
  • Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls $.40 off of 3
  • Betty Crocker Cookie Mix $.50 off of 1
  • Kraft Stove Top Stuffing Mix $1 off of 2
  • Kraft Cheese Chunks $1 off of 2
  • Betty Crocker Potatoes $.50 off of 2
  • Bob Evans Refrigerated Side Dish $.55 off of 1
  • Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough $1 off of 2
  • Bakers Chocolate $.50 off of 1

Whoa, whoa, whoa- hold up crazy lady, you've never really mentioned printable coupons before, wtf?!

One, calm down. 

Two, there are many printable coupon databases. They do not provide as many different types of coupons as in newspaper. You do get to avoid the rude looks from the gas station lady, but you are limited to 2 prints of each coupon per computer. Also, there is a print limit nation wide. The company allows X number of prints per coupon and once that print limit is reached, you are no longer able to print that coupon. 

Typically, printable coupons are worth more than newspaper ones, as companies do account for money spent on paper and ink. Be cautious of what sites you use though, coupon fraud is actually a real thing, no matter how lame it may sound. Stick with sites like Couponmom.com or sites sponsored by Red Plum, Smart Source, or P&G so you know you are printing a real coupon and not something that was created on Photoshop.

Be sure that the barcode of the coupon is not altered, punctured, or otherwise damaged as it may affect its ability to be scanned at the register. And please, don't be rude- never ever make copies of your coupons. It is actually illegal and you will actually get arrested and it will actually suck. 

I'll keep you updated on any other goodies I find for Thanksgiving, and of course, I'll do my best to update you on any Black Friday steals. =]]

Even our Troops Coupon!

So, I need to tell you a little secret. Sometimes, I don't use coupons before they expire. GASP.  Don't tell anyone, pinky promise? And every month, I toss money in the recycling bin. It breaks my heart, but who will let you use coupons after they have expired?

Now, there's a way to help other people with the coupons of month's past. Our troops are fighting their a**es off for us, and most people don't take the time to give back. I suck at volunteering, I'm poor so I can't donate, so sending coupons overseas makes me feel like I am contributing to the men and women I owe everything too. 

In military bases, grocery stores will accept manufacturer's coupons up to 6 months after they expire! Which is great news for families, many of which are surviving on one income. One charity that handles this, Troopons, that have provided an address for us to send these coupons too. Troopons, The Krazy Coupon LadyThe Happy House Wife, all have various programs to help out the troops. The links above will provide you with the addresses you need!

Overall, their requirements are:

  • Manufacturer Coupons
  • Printed Coupons
  • No Store-Specific Coupons (Target, Publix, Walgreens, etc.)
  • Separate Food from Non-Food
  • No Coupons 6 Months Expired or More
It's November 4, meaning October's P&G flyer is totally expired. Why not start by sending that in?