Recently a Southern Savers reader posted the following question on our Facebook page: “How do you budget and save? Our bills are paid, but I want to cut back and start saving more. Can anyone share how they save or budget?” Of course, the whole point of Southern Savers revolves around this question, so I have a ton of answers, but I always like to see what you all have to say.
As usual, there were tons of helpful responses. I’m excited to share them with you in the hopes that the original reader who asked the question—as well as anyone else—can get some new inspiration.
How to Budget and Save Money
I’ve tried to divide up the responses into different categories. I continue to be amazed at the variety of answers!
Shop at certain stores
Several readers suggested loyalty to a certain store. This can be a great idea if you focus on how that store does sales and coupons and become an expert. There are also usually rewards associated with certain store credit or debit cards.
Lori J.: “Target offers the online shopping with pick up. They offer a debit card that, if you use it at Target, saves you 5% off of anything you buy. That’s on top of sales and coupons.”
Lori G.: “I save so much time and money ordering online and just pick up on my way home from work. Kroger’s website allows you to see any available digital coupons as you select your items, too. We use the Kroger credit card so every $100 purchased gets us an additional 10 cents off gas.”
Take a Close Look at Your Utilities
Examining the different parts of your budget is another way to save money. I recently shared 24 ways to save money on utilities.
Crista A.: “Check your cable, phone, and Internet plans. We switched carriers recently, made changes on our plans, and saved a good bit. We deleted channels that we no longer watched!”
Judy D.: “Some ways we cut our expenses was getting rid of home phone and cable. We were paying for a home phone we never used except when a telemarketer called. For cable, we use the Pluto app to cast to our tv. We also installed solar panels (we are in Florida), and though we still are paying off the loan for the panels, that payment is 100+ dollars less then what we were paying without them each month.”
Right now through 5/5, you can score FREE PlayStation games! Sony has launched a Play at Home Initiative where they are offering FREE games to keep PlayStation fans entertained at home.
Head to the PlayStation store and you can download Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (a three-game trilogy) and Journey PS4 Digital Games for FREE!
Even better, once you download the games they are yours to keep!
This deal ends 5/5.
See more freebies.
Here’s an amazing deal for you at Kroger. Use a coupon, Ibotta rebate, and Kroger Cashback together to bring Allegra Children’s Allergy down from $10.99 to just 99¢. That’s over 90% off!
Tip: Both of the cashback offers are a limit of 3, so stock up if this is something you use regularly!
Kroger Deal:
- Allegra Children’s Allergy, 12 ct. or 4 oz, $10.99
Use:
-$4 off Allegra Allergy 24HR 24-ct+, or Children’s product, limit 2, SS 4/05 or RMN 04/19
Total Due: $6.99
Submit For:
-$3 off Allegra Children’s, any, limit 3, Ibotta mobile app
-$3 off Allegra Children’s Allergy, limit 3, Kroger Cashback eCoupon
Makes it 99¢
Check out more great Kroger deals.
Here are the deals from the new CVS ad that starts on Sunday, 4/19. Get FREE Rimmel eyeliner, FREE toothpaste, and more.
Extra Care Deals – Beauty
-
$4 ECB WYB $12 L’Oreal Cosmetics, B1G1 50% off, limit 3
L’Oreal Infallible Lip Gloss $10.99
L’Oreal Liquid Concealer $9.99
L’oreal Infallible Eye Shadow $8.79
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara $8.49
-$4 off L’Oreal Cosmetics or Facial Care, CVS Coupon, printing at Coupon Center (starting Sunday)
-$3 off Cosmetics for eyes, lips, face and nails, any purchase of $12, printing at CVS Coupon Center (EXP 4/24)
-$3 off L’Oreal Eye Cosmetics, printing at CVS Coupon Center (EXP 4/24)
(buy (2) at $8.49, use $4 off, makes it $2.36 ea.) - $10 ECB WYB $30 L’Oreal Facial Care, , limit 1
L’Oreal Revitalift Wet Cleansing Towelettes, 30 ct., $7.49
L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream, 1.7 oz, $19.79
L’Oreal Derm Intensice Serum, $30.49
-$4 off L’Oreal Cosmetics or Facial Care, CVS Coupon, printing at Coupon Center (starting Sunday)
-$2 off L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives item (sign up) printable
-$5 off Facial Cleansers or moisturizers purchase of $22, printing at CVS Coupon Center (EXP 4/24)
(buy (1) at $30.49, use $5 and $2 off, makes it $13.49) Read More→
I’m excited to share a deal on my favorite play kitchen ever! Through Saturday night you can get PopOhVer Kitchen play sets 40% off.
These sets fit over and dining room chair and instantly transform into a fun play kitchen.
Grab the Stove or Counter Top Play Set for $19.49 (reg. $30)
They also have their Food Sets for $12.99 (reg. $20)
With 5 girls we’ve had a play kitchen in the house for over 13 years. I got so tired of the big wood and plastic versions taking up prime space in the house that for a couple years we kicked it out…
Enter PopOhVer Kitchens! They are cloth playsets that pop over any chair and make an instant kitchen. We set them up and play for a bit and then when I want my space back we take them down and tuck them away for bit.
Honestly, being able to take them down is perfect for me and the girls. I get my space back, and they get the thrill of a new toy every time it comes back out!
Right now during the Children’s Place dress sale you can score dresses for 80% off! I found a summer-staple tank dresses for just $3.39.
Even better, shipping is FREE!
Note: Right now you can also spend your Place Bucks to get an even better deal! If you earned any Place Bucks from a previous purchase, use them now to get $10 off every $20 spent.
Deal Ideas:
Girls Print Racerback Dress – $3.39 (reg. $16.95)
Girls Denim Skirtall – $6.99 (reg. $34.95)
Girls Rainbow Striped Tank Dress – $5.09 (reg. $16.95)
This deal is for a limited time.
See more online shopping deals.
Here are the Kroger unadvertised deals I found this week! Get FREE Chobani coffee creamer, Allegra children’s allergy for 99¢, and more.
Note: Right now Kroger is offering FREE pickup on groceries with no minimum (some stores are pretty backed up so go ahead and get your order in). Also, some store have modified store hours, so check their website for more information.
Closeout Deals
- Annie’s Lemon & Chive Dressing, 8 oz, $1.49
-.50/1 Annie’s Dressings or Condiments, Kroger eCoupon
(makes it 99¢) - Food Network Kitchen Inspirations Salad Dressing, 12 oz, 82¢+
- Ocean Spray 100% Juice Cranberry Blackberry, 60 oz, $1.80
-$1/2 Ocean Spray Juice or Juice Blends, 60 or 64 oz, SS 04/05
(makes it $1.30 ea.) - The Pioneer Woman BBQ Sauce, 18.5 oz, $1.74
- Welch’s Red Sangria, 64 oz, $1.80
- Hot Shot Fogger with Odor Neutralizer, 3 ct., $4.24
- Hot Shot No-Pest Strip, $2 Read More→
Spruce up your outdoor space with this sale from JCPenney! They’ve got a bunch of different patio sets on sale right now.
Plus, use code SPRING44 at checkout to get an extra 30% off!
Note: Shipping is FREE with orders of $49 or more, but some orders will require a $15 oversized shipping fee.
Deal Ideas:
3-Piece Bistro Set $100.79 (reg. $240)
3-Piece Wicker Chat Set $335.99 (reg. $800)
This offer is valid through 4/20.
Read More→
If you’ve been cooking more at home lately, an extra set or two of these Ziploc Containers may be helpful for leftovers. Use this printable coupon to get them at Kroger for just $2 each. Tip: For the time being, Kroger is waiving all fees for pickup orders!! That means you can order online, pick a time slot and drive up to get your groceries.
Kroger Deal (ends 4/21):
- Ziploc Containers, 3 pk., $2.50
(ends 4/21)
-$1/2 Ziploc Products, any printable
(makes it $2 ea.)
Check out more great Kroger deals.
