If you have a Smartphone you know it’s capable of a lot of fun things, but if you’re like me, you rarely have time to experiment with new apps.
One of my goals right now is to use the phone to save money and help it pay for itself.
I recently realized there are so many helpful money saving apps that I was missing out on. Check out this list of frugal Apps for iPhone or Android and help offset the cost of your phone by saving extra money!
Gas Buddy
View prices at gas stations nearby to get the best price.
Pros: Save 10-40¢/gallon just by doing your homework
Cons: Gas is still expensive
CardStar
Keep store cards organized on your phone
Pros: Keeps key cards at the ready without filling your purse
Cons: Cashiers may look at you funny, but you’re used to that with coupons
Red Laser
Use your phone camera to scan any barcode and comparison shop instantly.
Pros: See if you are getting a good price without leaving the store
Cons: You might spend the rest of the day scanning things
Coupon Sherpa
Find retail coupons when you’re on the go
Pros: Makes tons of printable coupons available on your phone
Cons: Retailers may require the printed version for redemption
Groupon App
Save paper & redeem Groupons straight from your phone
Pros: Groupons are always with you
Cons: Might tempt you to buy more Groupons!
Living Social App
Never print a Living Social certificate again
Pros: Buy, share and redeem straight from your phone
Cons: If you find one, let me know!
Cellfire Mobile App
Add coupons to your store cards while you’re out
Pros: Easily add coupons when you can’t get to a computer
Cons: Sometimes the coupons take a little while to activate
Do you have another money saving app you use regularly?
Okay, so far we have the basics understood and you’ve got your coupons, now lets put it together.
I need to use these coupons and sales to get everything my family needs, not just have some crazy amount of toothpaste and starve because we still can’t afford food.
To truly start to feel like it is coming together is going to take time, about 6 weeks to be exact. Each week you need to pull up the list on Southern Savers for the store you shop at and purchase anything on the list that you will use. Get enough of those items to last you 6 weeks, because they will not be back on your Southern Savers list for a few weeks.
For the first few weeks you will still have items you need. Remember that anything you need that is not on sale is full price and is going to hurt not only your budget but also your savings totals. For these items buy one weeks worth only. Hopefully soon you will see them on sale and can stock up then.
Each week you keep buying six weeks of the sale items that week and one week of your “have to get” items. Week by week your needed items list will get smaller and smaller as you slowly stock up. Also week by week the amount that you save will start to go up. By week six you should be seeing that 50% saved or more!
If your stores are not listed on Southern Savers, open up your weekly ad. Circle everything in the ad that is buy one get one or all the items that are 40% off or more. Now open up the coupon database and look for coupons just for the items you have circled. You’ve just made your own store list!
Remember: To truly save money you have to still focus on what you are buying. If you begin buying everything that is a great deal even though you don’t really need it in your house you really aren’t going to save any money. Just because something costs 50¢ doesn’t mean you have to get it, if you continue not buying it (as you always did before coupons) that is 50¢ saved!
A few tips to save even more:
Buy any item that makes you money. It’s just that simple. If you see that vitamins are going to be on sale for $2.50 and you have $3 in coupons, that means in most stores that you will get 50¢ off your total purchase. That becomes 50¢ off your milk, meat, produce… In the end donate the items you don’t want. We keep a box in our pantry and when I get home if items were purchased that we won’t use they go straight in the box. When the box is full give it to the homeless shelter, food bank or even take it back to the grocery store most have donation bins right there!
Utilize rain checks. Most every store offers rain checks on deals in their weekly ad. For grocery deals the store doesn’t need to be out of every item, just one variety. This actually makes getting a rain check pretty easy. Head in to grab Pop Tarts and there are 23 (or some other crazy number) different flavors. Odds are one of the types you wanted will be out. You are still able to get a rain check, and don’t have to make your kids suffer through some horrible type. Tell customer service in most grocery stores what you were wanting and they will write the rain check. Most stores will write the rain check for the entire brand, not just the flavor you wanted. So now I could come in and get any kind of Pop Tart I wanted.
Special days to shop and extra incentives. Many stores have senior shopping days, special sale days or even incentives to use your own shopping bag. Take a few minutes to get to know the folks at your store and just ask! They will give you the scoop on anything they offer.
With summer coming up, we can’t let our kids get out of the habit of reading. This Usborne Books & More giveaway brought to you by Joyce has come at a great time! Usborne books & More believes that children should have every opportunity available to them, especially a good education. That’s why the books they offer are unsurpassed in quality, content, illustrations and photography.
Usborne offers a huge variety of books for children of all ages. These include the very popular reference books with Internet links, enchanting baby board books, puzzle books to stretch the imagination and everything in between. Usborne books entice even the most reluctant readers to dive into the information and surface again eager to learn more.
Usborne has so many awesome books, so let me share our favorites The Farmyard Tales Collection. It’s one of the most popular books in the Usborne collection and it comes complete with all 20 Farmyard Tales (328 pages!!) and a read-along CD. Something cool about this series is that it is a dual level reader. This means there are two levels of text: a simple line at the top of the page that can be read to younger children ready to turn the page, and text at the bottom that can be added when the child is ready for a more complete story.
Shop for Charity
Joyce is throwing a show for Southern Savers readers now through July 12th! Head over and stock up on some books. Make sure you check out all of their sales and specials (they normally have a number of books up to 60% off)!
All proceeds from the show will be donated to a local ministry called Heartworks Ministry which strives to turn the hearts of inner city children and their families towards Christ and academic excellence.
The Giveaway – over now
Joyce is giving away 4 copies of The Farmyard Tales Combined Volume with CD (each is a $25 value).
You have 2 chances to win (feel free to do as many as you like)
1. Tell me what one book your kids (or you) would love from Usborne.
2. Follow Southern Savers on Facebook, Feed Reader, or Daily Email and leave a comment below that you are.
You can also enter to win $50 in FREE books when you sign up for Joyce’s email newsletter.
With 3 little girls running and dancing around, it’s not a good idea to keep candles burning in my house. I still want my house to smell good without worrying about the open flames. That’s where Scentsy comes in. Scentsy is a direct selling company that sells safe, wickless alternatives to scented candles.
Unique Scentsy warmers use a low-watt bulb to melt the specially formulated wax slowly, maximizing the fragrance time of the Scentsy Bar or Scentsy Brick. With no flame, soot or wick, the Scentsy system is a safe way to enjoy more than 80 Scentsy fragrances.
One more thing you should check out, they have three great options to be able to take scents with you on the road! You can get scent circles, scent paks, or fragrance spray and foams. I live with a suitcase packed basically so I love the idea of a scent pak packed in my bag to make things smell wonderful everywhere we go!
Shop for Charity
For June only, Scentsy is offering 10% off the June warmer and scents of the month.
We’re teaming up with Brandi from Scentsy on this one, and she is also giving a free Scentsy bar with every order $50 or more!
Brandi has set up a party for Southern Savers readers to shop, she is also donating all proceeds from this party to a local ministry called Heartworks, helping Inner City Kids. So, hop over to her website and “join the party” with Southern Savers!
The Giveaway – over now
Brandi is giving away three different prizes to three winners:
- Warmer valued at $30
- Scentsy Buddy valued at $25
- (2) Scentsy 6 pack scents valued at $25 ea.
You have 2 chances to win (feel free to do as many as you like)
1. Tell me what scent you would enjoy the most from Scentsy.
2. Follow Southern Savers on Facebook, Feed Reader, or Daily Email and leave a comment below that you are.
Stay on top of Scentsy sales and specials by getting Brandi’s newsletter!
The Mary Kay company was started by Mary Kay Ash 50 years ago using her life savings. It is family owned and operated, and is based on the principles of faith first, family second, career third.
Cosmetics and facial care are one area that I tend to neglect when money is tight, so I was excited to learn that Mary Kay has an entire section of their site called Beauty on a Budget! If money is tight learn the basic beauty items you shouldn’t do with out, or check out the 90 different products they have all under $10.
Shop for Charity
Mary Kay Consultant Brittany, is partnering with us on this one and offering a 20% discount to Southern Savers readers during this giveaway only. Plus every order $20 or more gets FREE shipping! All proceeds from this party with benefit Hannah House Women’s shelter.
Looking for a new look for summer or products that will protect you from the sun? Check out the great Summer SPF products such a tinted lip balm spf 15, day solution spf 25, and the tinted moisturizer spf 20.
Visit her Mary Kay website to claim your 20% discount enter the coupon code SOUTHERN SAVERS. Note: The discount will be applied at the time your card is charged, so if you don’t see the discount as you checkout don’t panic Brittany will get it all set us!
The Giveaway – over now
Brittany is giving away (2) Customized Mini Compacts filled with your choice of the following:
- (1) Cheek color
- (3) Eye Shadows
- Brushes
You have 2 chances to win (feel free to do as many as you like)
1. Tell me what product you want to try the most from Mary Kay.
2. Follow Southern Savers on Facebook, Feed Reader, or Daily Email and leave a comment below that you are.
Interested in starting your own home based business? As a beauty consultant, Mary Kay consultants earn 50% commission on all products sold and team building commission from their corporate office. Learn more about how to become a Mary Kay consultant here.
Tastefully Simple offers a wide selection of convenient, easy-to-prepare foods designed to help people spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the rest of their lives (which is just what every busy parent needs). Their products are available through independent Tastefully Simple consultants primarily at home taste-testing parties nationwide.
Their products are so awesome because they can either be enjoyed right out of the package or prepared in a snap! They sell everything from beverages and breads to fun gifts!
If you have never tried their seasonings and mixes you are missing out! We have a number of their classics: Onion Onion, Garlic Garlic, Beer Bread Mixes and more. Most of their appetizer and bread mixes require adding one or two ingredients and you’re ready to go. The thing I love the most though, is that every item they sell can be used in tons of different ways. They even have recipes and ideas online. You select the product you have and the meal type you are trying to make (i.e. sides, entree, dessert) and it will give you a long list of ideas.
Shop for Charity
Sarah, a Tastefully Simple consultant, has set up a party online for us. Order anything you like off her site and enter host Southern Savers at checkout. All host proceeds will go to Hannah House Woman’s Shelter in Columbia SC. So have fun shopping and help to pamper these special ladies!
If you are browsing their catalog for the first time, I would highly recommend looking at their spices! Also don’t miss their sale section, they have a number of things 50% off or more.
The Giveaway – over now
Tastefully Simple is giving away $20 gift cards to (5) Southern Savers readers!
You have 2 chances to win (feel free to do as many as you like)
1. Tell me what product from Tastefully Simple excites you the most.
2. Follow Southern Savers on Facebook, Feed Reader, or Daily Email and leave a comment below that you are.
Stay up-to-date with Tastefully Simple’s deals and specials by following Sarah’s Tastefully Simple Facebook page!
Kids are so excited when school lets out for the summer, but it only takes a little while before the boredom sets in. Here are some great things to do with your kids this summer to keep them and your budget happy this summer, because your budget may be limited, but fun doesn’t have to be!
Movies
Regal Summer Movie Express $1 Movies
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse, 10 Movie Tickets for $5
Bowling
Kids Bowl Free – 2 Free Games of Bowling Per Day
Free Brunswick Bowling – Free Game Every Day
Museums
National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)
Jacksonville Maritime Museum (Jacksonville, FL)
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame (Aiken, SC)
Columbia Museum of Art (Columbia, SC) – free admission on Sundays
McKissick Museum at University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC – free admission always
Greenville County Museum of Art – (Greenville, SC) – free admission always
Mint Museum – free admission Tuesday 5-9 pm (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Greenville Museum of Art (Greenville, NC) free admission always
Knoxville Museum of Art (Knoxville, TN) – free admission always
Tennessee State Museum (Nashville, TN) – free admission always
Imagine It! (Atlanta, GA) – free admission on the second Tuesday of each month
Center for Puppetry Arts Museum (Atlanta, GA) – free admission on Thursday afternoons
Workshops
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic, Saturday Mornings
Home Depot Kids Workshop, First Saturday of every month
Apple Workshops or Summer Camp
Michaels Craft Workshops – The Knack
AC Moore Craft Classes for Kids – Wednesday from 3-5 pm
National Parks
Blue Ridge Parkway
Shenandoah (Virginia)
Kings Mountain (South Carolina)
Cape Hatteras (North Carolina)
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Tennessee)
Chattahoochee River (Georgia)
Little River Canyon (Alabama)
Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi)
New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park (Louisiana)
Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Padre Island National Sea Shore (Texas)
Other Things
Volunteer at a local Organization
Go Geocaching
B1G1 Minor League Baseball Tickets w/ Kraft Singles Wrapper – Tuesday Nights
Georgia Residents – Free Family Pass to Zoo Atlanta from Library
Now that season one of Extreme Couponing is over, I thought we would take a week and actually teach you the “real” way to coupon! Most (if not all) of this has been covered over the years on Southern Savers, but it never hurts to have a refresher.
Can you do what you saw on TV?
Yes. But do you really want to? Sadly, watching an episode of Extreme Couponing won’t teach you much on how to save on your entire grocery and household budget. You will be a pro at buying Powerade, Rolaids and floss though! If you’re goal is to go into a store and get $1000 in groceries for $8, that’s pretty much all your gonna be able to get. Your family however is not gonna be happy if this is dinner.
Remember that what you watched were planned and calculated trips where the goal was to spend nothing. In reality we should aim to save 50-70% off ALL of our purchases each month. It is very easy to do, just make sure that you are starting first with a realistic approach.
Check out this recent trip for me. We got a ton of produce, meat and even paper goods. This is an awesome trip! It would never be “TLC worthy” because I spent money, but we got a ton of stuff that we needed and still saved 60% or $93!
How do we get started??
As I talk to groups and just different people around town I keep getting the same few comments. “I see what you save every week but I just can’t figure out how you do it” or “Can you just come shopping with me once?”
Here is my secret: If it is not listed on Southern Savers for that week, I don’t buy it! It’s a pretty simple secret. To be able to shop this way I had to build a stockpile. When something is listed on Southern Savers as a great price I don’t just walk in and buy 1, I go in and buy enough of that item to last me until the next time I am going to find it on sale again. Generally that is about 6-8 weeks. Remember everything listed on Southern Savers is a rock bottom price for that store, so if it’s on the list go ahead and grab it if you need it.
The concept of making a grocery list of things that you are out of, is the way that grocery stores want you to shop. Publix even has nice little shopping list pads they will send home with you. If you are out of an item then you are going to put that item into your cart no matter the price. If I ran out of peanut butter for example, I would go out immediately and buy it no matter the price or else lunch as we know it would stop in our house.
If you are just starting out then continue to make a list of what you need, but along with your list add in the items that are on sale this week. I don’t care if you just bought it at regular retail price last week, odds are you didn’t buy enough for six weeks, buy it now on sale and stock up so that you don’t have to get it again in a couple of weeks. Slowly you will find that your stockpile is growing and your “needed shopping list” is shrinking. It will take the full 6-8 week sale cycle before you will have everything you use on a regular basis stocked but once you reach that point it is a wonderful day. Now you are no longer at the mercy of the regular retail price and you can name your own price for everything you use.
One disclaimer – only stock up on items that you use. Even though I make the lists for you, I only end up grabbing maybe 12-15 different items on a normal trip. If you buy everything just because it is 25¢ you will save nothing in the end. One exception, if the store is going to pay you for an item (overage) then grab it and think of charities that can use it. The local shelters here are in need of everything from coffee to toothbrushes. Read More→
Even though school is out, reading shouldn’t be! Summer reading is vital for improving your child’s literacy skills to prepare them for the upcoming school year.
There are a ton of great programs to keep your child’s brain active this summer. These programs encourage your child to read by providing fun incentives.
Read 8 books and record them in the printable journal and get a free book when you turn in the list to a participating Barnes & Noble store.
Log in the minutes your child reads online. When you child reaches their weekly reading goal they win digital prizes.
Border’s Double Dog Dare Challenge
When your child reads 10 books they get 1 free. Just list the books on the entry form and then use the coupon for a free book.
H-E-B Grocery stores mail kids a package of cool prizes after they read 10 books. Just fill out the form and mail it in. The package arrives in 3-4 weeks.
Half Price Books Feed Your Brain
Read for 600 minutes in June and July to get a $5 gift card to Half Price Books. Complete the form and take it to your local Half Price Books.
TD Bank will deposit $10 into a new or existing TD Young Saver bank account when they read 10 books. Just fill out the form and take it to your local TD Bank. If you are creating a new account you will need a picture ID for your child.
Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards
Earn 10 free tokens when you child reads for 2 weeks straight. Food purchase is required. Just take this form to your local Chuck E Cheese.
Complete a reading list and get a free book. Just fill out the form and take it to a local store.
Don’t forget to also check out your local library for their summer reading program!
Do you know of any other programs?
