budgetsmartgirl

Posts Tagged ‘deals’

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Meet New Contributor Georgine Kaczmarek

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on September 7, 2011 at 4:52 pm

 

Let me introduce you to the second new contributorto Budget Smart Girl, it’s Georgine Kaczmarek who started a site called Georgine Saves http://georginesaves.com/ She’ll be here every month to fill us in on the world of deals both online and in stores. Here’s a short interview with her.

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Tell us about yourself and your background?

Georgine Kaczmarek (GK)-I have been a professional penny pincher for over 40 years. I started when I was a teenager when I sent away for free premiums and I’ve been saving ever since! I live the suburbs of northern NJ with my husband, and have 2 married sons, one grandson, and another grandchild on the way. Saving money has always been my passion.

BSG-When did you start your Web site?

GK-The website was started in January 2009.

BSG-Any particular reason you decided to launch it?

GK-After my multiple appearances in magazines and on TV interviews had positive reader/viewer feedback, I decided I wanted to reach more people and offer them saving tips and timely deals. With our struggling economy, just about everyone can benefit with saving money, even if just a little bit here and there. Over the years I have given lectures and taught adult education classes on the art of using coupons, but my site allows me to give more because I post deals and tips all day long.

BSG-If someone’s new to deals and rebates, what are some beginner tips?

GK-Be sure to have your coupon codes ready for online ordering. Most likely, if there is a box asking for a coupon code, there is one available. Search for one if needed. For rebates make sure to save your cash register receipt, mail-in rebate form, and packaging. Too many times you do not have the right materials to qualify for the rebate. Be very aware of the date the offer is valid and must be postmarked by. Make copies of your submission including the address it was sent to and the dates you mailed them. And, most obviously, clip coupons! While it may be a little time consuming, the savings add up!

BSG-I love the idea that you include a list of Sunday coupons on the site, any suggestions for how we can get our hands on them if we don’t buy or subscribe to one?

GK-If you need coupons from Sunday newspapers ask friends, neighbors, and relatives to save you theirs. Check the local library… many have coupon exchanges. There are loads of printable online coupon sites to join as well. Keep your eyes opened in stores for special displays that have coupons, and also on the shelves near the actual product.

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The Blog-Get There Early for the Deals

In The Blog on November 16, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Seems like we’re all looking for great deals these days. My local DIY store started selling things like foods, body lotions, DVDs a few years ago. In fact, it’s one of the best places to get deals…and holiday gifts. This week they were advertising St. Ives body lotion for $3.49 with a mail in rebate of $3. I use that brand and for a final price of just 49 cents, what a deal. The sale started Sunday, I headed in there today (Monday) and the shelves were empty. A clerk told me they sold out within the first hour but will be having another shipment in today or tomorrow. I asked for a raincheck and realized I hadn’t needed one those in many years because they’re now called ‘sorry slips’. Another sign of the times!

While I was running errands I decided to do some holiday shopping. The stores were empty but the sales were everywhere. I wonder just how low prices will go on Black Friday. This is my favorite time of the year to stock the freezer. I’ve been combining sales at the supermarkets with coupons I’ve been finding at various sites…and shopping on double coupon day. Last week I saved $24 and the freezer is filling up.

And I’d like give another mention to Fantastic Sams. Remember the great haircut I got there for just $9.99? Last week I had my hair highlighted there for $64.99. I have two colors put in my hair and every place else charges me an extra $15 for the second color and it’s rare that I pay under $100 for highlights. I not only saved some money but once again my hair looks great.

This week on Budget Smart Girl…I go looking for some deals and free stuff on the Web. And some ideas for budget friendly entertaining.

Have a good week.

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The Blog-A Week of Deals

In The Blog on February 9, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Last week the writing community was buzzing with news about a product called the Fly Fusion pen. You write with it then connect it to your computer and it downloads what you’re written straight into a word document. This sounded like a dream come true for me. Most of the time I use my laptop, but sometimes when the muse strikes while I’m watching TV, I’ll start writing in a notebook. Problem is I have to spend time typing my notes into the computer. This pen sounded very tempting so I went to the Web site and discovered it was originally $79.99 now marked down to $19.99. Had I read correctly? Yep, seemed I had. I ordered one and have been using it since Friday. I love it and I love it even more because it cost less than $20. Yes, it made this Budget Smart Girl smile.

And why do I mention this, well, I checked out some other products on the Leap Frog site, and if you’re looking for some birthday gifts for children or even want to start holiday shopping early, check out www.leapfrog.com. Their current sale not only includes the Fly Pen but some other great learning toys and gadgets for kids. If you’ve got some extra cash right now, go ahead and do some holiday shopping. We might not see prices this low again.

It seems like every retailer is drawing customers into their store by offering deals and more discount items. On Monday when I went grocery shopping and I noticed the supermarket now has a whole aisle’s worth of products that cost just a $1. I thought I might as well give some products a try and bought a box of dishwasher powder, a package of those dishwasher pouches that are supposed to make everything sparkling clean, a package of baking mix that looks similar to Bisquick and a Devil’s Food Cake mix. I plan to give them a test run this week and will let you know how they compared to higher priced items. Many people say all these products are made by the same manufacturers, so we’ll see if it’s true.

On Budget Smart Girl this week… some low cost, but oh, so delicious recipes with a Mardi Gras theme. And if you have children’s toys and clothes sitting around the house and wish you could trade them for something else, I think you’ll want to hear about this new swap site.

Have a good week and Happy Valentine’s Day.

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