Coupon: Windex Touchups
Make cleaning the kitchen a little bit easier. Get this coupon for $1.50 off on any Windex Touch-Up Cleaner products. I absolutely love my Touch-Up. It just sits on the counter and when I need to quickly wipe down the microwave or oven door it is right at my fingertips. I’m sure you will like it just as much as I do. Pick one up the next time you are at the store.
Host a Stockpile Swap Party
If you are a big couponer, you most likely have a great stockpile of stuff. You may even have stuff that you are not going to use and maybe got because it was free. Here is a great way to host a Stockpile Swap Party:
- Pick a day of the week when the majority of your friends can attend
- Advertise and invite your friends and family via Facebook
- Be very clear on the guidelines of your party.
- Each person generally is asked to bring ten new, unopened grocery, cleaning or toiletry items. Make these terms very clear. Also ask each participant to check expiration dates and double-check that the items had never been opened or used.
- Some people may also want to bring other things that are new and free, like free samples (grouped in a bag) or free items like books, cell phone covers, vouchers for free products and more! If your friends can jams and jellies, they may want to bring those.
- Give each person a name tag with one of four different colors. These colors were used to divide into four smaller groups. Then established an “order of play”. An example might be, a rotating cycle of Pink, Green, Red, Blue.
- As a color group would go to the tables, each person can select only one item. rotate through the same four groups until everyone had accumulated ten items.
- If there are any extra items, you can raffle them off or donate them to a local charity.
It is encouraging to see people go home with ten new items because you knew they were things they hand-picked and really could use! You can also have a table full of coupons that were free for the taking and door prizes to give away. Encourage others to bring coupons they are not going to use.
If it is a hit, plan one for about every 3-6 months to give people a fun way to swap and save!
New Ibotta App is Available
The New Ibotta App has just been released! It is really cool! If you are using the Ibotta app already now you will need to update to the new App because they will be discontinuing their older version. So grab your iPAD, Phone or other smart phone and do it now before you forget!
The coolest thing is with the new Ibotta App you will now be able to see bonuses, store extra’s and new features which makes this app even better to use! When you see the New Ibotta, just go to the Main Menu of the app and then you can explore Bonuses which allow you to earn additional cash when you make your purchases. You can complete Bonuses, that will unlock even more and more savings as you buy the items.
What is Ibotta and how does it work?
Ibotta pays you for things you already buy. It is really quick and easy and you can organize what you will buy when you make your weekly shopping list and organize coupons. All you need is your smart phone!
Currently, Ibotta works in every: 7-Eleven, BI-LO, CityMarket, CVS Pharmacy, Dillons, Dollar General, Dominicks, Duane Reade, Family Dollar, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, Ingles Markets, King Soopers, Kroger, Meijer, Pathmark, Pavilions, Pick ‘N Save, Publix, QFC, Ralphs, Randalls, RiteAid, Safeway, ShopRite, Smith’s, Stop & Shop, Target, Tom Thumb, United States Armed Forces Commissary, Vons, Walgreens, Walmart, Wegmans, WinCo Foods, Winn-Dixie
So if you have never used it, here is the best way to do just that. You start saving right away and you can be rady to shop with the app in just a few minutes.
Follow this tutorial:
- Step 1: After signing up and logging in and going through the initial app tutorial, you select the product offers that are of interest to you and complete the tasks that are of interest to you to start organize your savings plan.
- Step 2: Once you have activated all of the items you intend to purchase, then hit the store and go shopping!
- Step 3: Upon return from the store, select “Redeem” in the lower right-hand corner of the Ibotta Product Gallery. From here, select the retailer you have purchased your items from.
- Step 4: Read the tips, then select “Continue” at the bottom of the page. (Don’t forget to upload the entire receipt including the logo, date and total). This is super important!
- Step 5: After uploading the receipt, check and barcode scan each item on the receipt available for redemption (Note: for iPod 4th generation and iPad2 users, you will not be prompted to barcode scan). Once submitted, your receipt is now on it’s way to us for review, and most receipts will receive credit within 24 hours!
It really does add up fast! You just have to remember to add this process into your planning. If you use meal planning…this will be an amazing app for you because you can use the featured products to plan your meals and save even more!
Organizing Coupons
Let’s Get Organized
There are four basic ways to organize your coupons. Choose the one that best fits your organization habits, as well as your time management. I am listing them in my favorite order.
1. Keep your Inserts Whole (No Sunday Clipping)
This method saves a lot as time as far as clipping coupons. Let’s face it; by the time some coupons expire there are several we haven’t used. That’s ok. Don’t use a coupon just because you have it. Use it because it’s a great deal. Because of this you might not want to spend your time clipping every coupon in the paper.
Get a file box with separate files. Inside each file put manila folders in it for the inserts. So, if there are four weeks in the month, put four manila folders inside the file. You will have twelve files, each with folders inside to hold the inserts of each week in the month. So, I label each file Jan-Dec. Then so I can reuse the manila folders each year I label the folders 1-4(or 5). The first set of Sunday paper inserts go into the folder that says one, and so on from there. When you file away your inserts mark the date big on the front of the insert so you don’t have to waste time finding the tiny print on the spine.
You are probably wondering how you will ever find your coupons if you use this method. Simple. You can use the coupon database as you make your grocery list to type in the items and cut them as you go. This way you only cut what you are shopping for that day. Also, if you follow a store’s weekly match up prices, the coupon long with where it is located will show up underneath the item. This method saves a lot of time for those of you looking for a quick way. The only downside to this method is when you are shopping and there is a product on surprise clearance, you won’t have your coupons with you. But if you don’t mind missing a few deals and saving more time, this method is for you.
2. Portable File Box
This method is almost exactly like the first except you use a portable file case. It looks like a smaller version of a briefcase, so you can actually take all your coupons with you! When using this method, you still keep the inserts whole and only clip as you go. However, just to make sure you never miss a great deal in the store you can carry your case with you at all times. This usually works best is you have a smart phone or some type of tablet so you can search exactly where the coupon is located using the coupon database. Remember, we use the coupon database because it lets us know where a coupon can be found in the insert and how much it is for.
3. Check File
For this organization method you will need a small-medium accordion file with separated pockets. Leave the first pocket empty because as you shop you will find the coupons you need and place them here. Label the rest of the tabs with YOUR most popular items. Ex. Baby, Toiletries, Frozen, etc. Even though it might not take that much time to organize your coupons using this method, it will take longer making your grocery list or just using it in the store. Also, if you have a bigger family and buy more than one paper, your folder will eventually become too small.
4. Three Ring Binder
This is the most popular filing method among couponers. With saying that, it is also the most time consuming. For those of you looking to save time and money, this is not for you. Go with #1. If you have time to put into cutting, organizing, cleaning out when expired, then this is a good option. A plus is that you will always have the coupons with you in the store so if there is ever an unadvertised deal, you will be prepared.
You will need a three ring binder (one that zips) with dividers and baseball card holders. Label the dividers to your liking. Place your coupons (with multiples together) in the card holders so you can see each coupon. That’s it! You have all your coupons in one place and you are ready to shop. I still recommend planning your list and coupons before you get to the store, just to save on store time. But having your binder with you can help on last minute decision purchases.