Summer Must Haves To Fit Any Budget!

If you have a family, most of your time and money is spent on everyone but you. The kids will get the new summer clothes, new shoes and the latest gadgets to keep them busy.  The house and landscaping will consume some of the budget and the rest will go to feed the mongrels that live in said house. What about you? Once again, you will get to you later. Later, when you have a little extra money, a little extra time, and when no one else is in need or want of anything.

Well, that is never going to happen and this summer we are going to make it a little about you! Even the basic wardrobe staples need replacing from time to time and a few accessories never pushed me over the budget.  Let’s get started!

I love Linen. Every lady needs at least one, neutral colored, piece of Linen clothing. Linen is cool and crisp and can be worn anywhere and you will look like you strolled from Vogue.

A great bathing suit is a must. Choose black, white or navy.  White I would choose if you already have a black or navy.  Whatever style you choose make sure it is a well fitted piece.  An inexpensive one will look fabulous as long as it is fitted to your shape.

I am all about cotton, but it must have a little spandex to go with it. A cotton T-shirt, no matter what the price tag, will look horrid in a short period of time. Spandex will help hold the shape and will look better on you.

Strapless dresses are wonderful! Again stay away from loud prints or designs. We are building the basics and on a budget. White, Camel, Navy, Black are what to look for and then use accessories to build your look.

Khaki shorts are blah, but we should own at least one pair. They go with absolutely everything and can be dressy or casual. I just always feel like a school uniform, but they have came in handy in a crunch.

Well fitted jean capri’s are perfect. Every closet must have a pair or two. If you are not fond of shorts these are the perfect solution. The jean material will last and can also be used for casual or dress wear. They can go with flats, flip-flops or heels.

The key to building any wardrobe is to have the simple, basic, never go out of style pieces and add to them.  Invest a little more in a great fitting pair of jeans and you can pair with it a less expensive t-shirt and look great.  Spend more money on the pieces that you will get more wear out of and that you don’t want to repeatedly replace.  Stay away from filling your closet with the latest trends. They never last long and you have wasted your money.

Saving money is not about being cheap. Being frugal is  not  about how much money you spend, but how you spend it!

Shopping To Save Tips (pt.2)

I shared in the previous post that I am not a fan of Walmart, but sometimes they are just a necessary evil and must be utilized. So, if we must shop at Walmart there is no reason not to really save some money.  In order to truly save money you need to be aware of their policies and regulations regarding coupons and such.

The best suggestions I can give you is to print out their coupon policy and stash it in your purse. My biggest pet peeve is for an employee not to be familiar with their own stores policies.  But, when I am having one of “those” days I just love teaching the cashier what she should already know. The only way to politely do this, is for you to know more about the store policies than they do.  And remember, before you go postal on the person behind the counter, they encounter all types of people throughout the day and you never know what nut-case they just finished with. The bad attitude may not be intentionally aimed at you and being patient and polite (yet firm) will get you a long way.

I am going to give you a brief overview of Walmart’s coupon policies, but again my suggestions is to go their website and print out the full policy.  Walmart will accept Print-at-home internet coupons in black and white or color. They must be a manufacture coupon with expiration date and scannable bar code. There must also be listed a valid manufacture address and must be legible. If you have a internet BOGO coupon it must specify  a price (ex. buy one for 2.49 and get the second one free).

A regular manufacture coupon is acceptable along with competitor coupons, discounts/coupons on soft drink caps, and check out coupons. Each type of coupon has guidelines for being acceptable. These rules are listed clearly in the Coupon Policy. I will admit that the list of coupons they will take are longer than the list of ones that they will not.

What Walmart will not accept are checkout coupons that give dollars/cents off of basket purchase or a percentage off the entire purchase. Print-at-home coupons are not valid if they require no purchase.  Most BOGO coupons are required to have a specified price for the items, and no coupon can be double or tripled.

Now here comes the good stuff. I was amazed at the overall guidelines and limitations. I felt that they were fair to the consumer, especially since it is Walmart after all.

They will only accept coupons for merchandise they sell.

Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.

Item being purchased must be identical to the coupon. (ex. size, quantity, brand , etc.

There is no limit to the number of coupons you can use per transaction.

All coupons must have an expiration date and be used prior to that date.

*** If the coupon value exceeds  the price of the item, the excess may given to the customer as cash or applied to the total purchase. **** (This rule does not apply to WIC or SNAP recipients.)

Walmart brand coupons are also not eligible for the overage to be give as cash back or applied to the total purchase.  (Still not to shabby)

Now, be prepared, because certain coupon transactions will prompt a supervisor or floor manager for approval. If you use 40 or more coupons during a transaction, 1 coupon with the value of $20.00 or more (let me know where you find those), and 50 dollars or more in coupons during one transaction. If you are prone to being embarrassed, or if the checkout is already backed up, I would suggest wondering around the store or waiting until things die down a bit.

Sometimes a store will count on a consumer getting easily frustrated or embarrassed. They also can count on consumers not knowing their coupon guidelines.  My personal opinion is that my money, no matter how much or little I spend, is important to any store’s bottom line. In this economy a consumer’s spending power is very important to any business. If it isn’t, then you should not be shopping there. Period.

 

 

Shopping To Save Insider Tips

I am not a big fan of Walmart. I am also not a hater of Walmart. It is what it is. A huge irritating store with way to many people in need of  a stylist (or just a mirror). However, I will give them props for being just about the only store around me that stays open 24 hours a day. Many a trip I have made past midnight to grab last minute school project supplies. At that time of night it really doesn’t matter what the price is, you just have to have it before the sun comes up.

Most assume that Walmart has the lowest prices, biggest selection, and “Rollbacks” are the only way to save extra money. Well, that is just not the case. While doing some research I located the coupon policy for Walmart Stores. It is rather lengthy, but well worth reading if you want to save some cash.

Walmart does have a Ad Match Guarantee Policy. The best part is you no longer have to have the competitor’s ad for them to match the price. All cashiers are suppose to have all the information needed at their registers to match prices. You also do not have to wait in the horrid customer service line to request a price match. Again, the cashier is able to handle it all. According to Walmart policy they will match any local competitor’s advertised price. However, items purchased must be identical to the ad. Which means, the same size, quantity, brand, flavor, and so on.

They will even match buy one get one free offers as long as a price is specified. For example, the competitor’s ad states buy one for $3.49 and get one free, it will be honored as long as you are purchasing the same as the ad specifies. The Ad Match Guarantee also applies to produce and meats when the price is offered in the same unit type (lb for lb, each for each).

I do recommend printing out the Walmart Ad Match Guarantee Policy and keeping it with you when you shop. Most managers, cashiers and customer service are usually not familiar with their own policies, and if you think they are going to take the time to look it up for you, think again.

Taking a little extra time could save you some extra money. It may take me a little while to get these tips posted, but as previously promised, I will keep them coming!

Countdown To Chaos

In a previous post,  I firmly declared that I am not a fan of the Back to School thing. There are numerous reasons why, but no need to vent again in this post. One good thing is I am back into the savings game. Yes, even frugal people fall off the wagon sometimes. We need a 12 step program to keep us on track.  (No disrespect intended for the 12 step programs.)

Office supplies are such a joy to me, but not school supplies.  Office supply stores have some organization and not such a cluster of mess. Most companies do not send their employees to not swarm the store, leave it in disarray and put items in the wrong places.  Parents, however, are a different story.

Never go shopping for school supplies during the peak “parent” times.  The isles are overcrowded with rude, pushy, and determined child owners. Do not expect them to move out of the way.  Items are shoved, squished, thrown and left a mess. With this past weekend being the tax free weekend in NC you can only imagine the annoyance factor at the local Walmart.  I wanted to utilize the tax free thing, but did not want to encounter the social event with other parents. Walmart is not my favorite place to shop, and they do NOT always offer the best deals. However, they are the only store still open around here at 1:00 a.m. .  That is the time I went back to school shopping and had a very peaceful trip. I also recommend going without the children (which I did) and it will be even less stressful. I purchased all the hum-drum,  run of the mill pencils, paper and notebooks. The girls can go with me and pick out their book bags, lunch bags and clothes.

Going without the children can also save you a lot of money. It is amazing how much you can spend on tissues, pencil boxes and highlighters (and not even the pretty ones).  Check for online coupons, and newspaper coupons before heading out.  That is another way to maximize your tax-free weekend.  Be sure you stick to the items on the classroom list. Only buy the number that is required and do  not purchase the “donation” items as of yet. Every teacher has items that they request donated, but sometimes wind up getting 50 of the same item and none of the rest needed.  Wait on donated items until a few weeks into school. Plus keep a list of the items needed with you and keep your eyes open for good deals.

One of my biggest pet-peeves of the supply list are those ziplock bags in all sizes. REALLY?? What is being done with all those blessed bags. My girls rarely bring home anything in ziplock bags, and if they do, they use the same one all year long.  Plus, it is not a real “earth friendly” thing to be using for most things and I would love to suggest some alternate choices.  But the school is just not “open” to suggestions from me. I wonder why??

The countdown to chaos has begun and the first few tasks I have handled rather well. Plus I found ways to save money. However, I will keep the Martini’s handy because it could be a bumpy road ahead.

 

 

Eating Healthy Is Your Choice, Not Our Governments

A recent study has been published that  concurred that eating healthy is more available to the wealthy than any other group of people. It also suggests that our government do more to make sure all people have the opportunity to access healthier food choices. Well, first of all the government is a having a hard time right now deciding if they should rob Peter or Paul first. I believe we have given away to many of our rights and I refuse to have them tell me what I should be consuming. I am not making light of the fact that millions of people in our world, not the third world, are currently having trouble providing any type of meals for their families.

What I do believe is that anyone can eat healthier, no matter what they have to spend. The “study” made the excuse that pictures being shown of a healthy plate of food consisting of leafy vegetables and salmon are out of most peoples price range. Well, once again I beg to differ.  A can of Sardines is healthier than a portion of salmon. Plus Sardines are less likely to contain forms of mercury that have been detected in certain salmon.  Sardines can cost as little as $1.00 a tin, up to $2.99. A bag of spinach is in the price range of $2.89. Grab a bag of potatoes, which can be found for around $4.99 or less for a 5# bag.  There are other stores that carry the 10# bag for even less. Potatoes are a wonderful source of protein and fixed in various ways and Martha Steward even eats sardines.

An average family of 4, going to the local fast food joint, will spend more than $25.00 on “value meals”. Which in reality contain no value at all whatsoever. That same money could be spent on healthier items and have enough to serve 4 or 5 meals vs. the one meal. But it is a matter of choice on what anyone eats no matter what financial status they have.

Brown rice is another “super food” of sorts that will not break the bank. It provides vitamin B1, B2, B3, Iron, Magnese and dietary fiber. It is also a complex carbohydrate that gives us energy.  Rice again is not an expensive food, but most American’s, by choice, will choose the greasy, artery clogging, hamburger over something that may be potentially good for them.

American’s have made the prices for healthcare increase, not the government.  This is a society of  greedy, overeating, overweight people that have gotten in the habit of blaming everything on the over consumption of food.  Searching for happiness is not found by staring at the bottom of a chip bag.

Choosing to be responsible has become very scarce these days. We would rather give up the freedom of being able to make choices instead of admitting any fault of our own.

This blog is being written by a skinny, spinach eating, avocado fanatic who has first hand knowledge of the effects of unhealthy eating habits being blamed on the pocketbook. (I am married to one!)

End Of Summer…Savings Begin!!

In a little over 3 weeks the school buses will start running and the fun times of drop off and pick up begins! I hate this time of year.  I hate shopping for school supplies, which is not to be confused with office supplies,  searching for the coolest back packs and clothes. All this really annoys me and the worst is having to set the alarm clock and get the girls back on a hectic schedule.  In case you haven’t noticed it is “all about me”. I do so wish the school systems would check in with me on occasion and I could give them some advice. (like they would listen)

The only thing I do enjoy is the peace and quiet of the several hours a day the girls are at school.  I have become a little slack on finding deals and saving money during the summer. I do not want to sit down and clip coupons or figure savings when I could be watching the latest episode of reality shows on Bravo (at least I am honest..ha). Clipping coupons seem to be a “seasonal” thing for me anymore and I do not recommend this to anyone else. We should be saving or being thrifty all year round.

So, if you have been a little lazy this summer, let’s get back into the swing of savings. Especially since all of us with kids will be spending money on supplies, clothes, field trips, lunches, school pictures, extra curricular activities and the list goes on.  This coming week I will be conditioning not only myself, but the girls, to get ready for the awful idea of getting up early and going to bed on time.

The end of summer is upon us and let the savings start up again! I will be posting more and have some great time and money saving ideas for the upcoming months and how to keep money in the bank!

Penny For Your Thoughts….Oh, Wait, I Don’t Accept That Form Of Payment!

I have the tendency to be slightly over opinionated on occasion. But, on those certain occasions,  when my opinions go into overdrive, it is for something that I feel very strongly about.  There is no use in getting worked up for no reason, and that is why I usually feel the need to share my (always right) thoughts with others. It is always for a justified and good reason.

All that brings me to this. Is the penny no longer a form of acceptable currency within the United States. The last time I checked it was, unless the government has chosen to ban this little item and failed to share it with the rest of society.  According to a news story a man in Utah was attempting to pay a medical debt of $25.00 and brought it in in pennies. The facility clearly stated they accepted cash as a form of payment, yet they called the police on the man who brought in pennies to pay his debt. First of all, with this cluster of an economy and the ever rising cost of medical care, the facility should happily accept any form of legal payment. Obviously the witch at the desk who called the police is ignorantly unaware of the expense of operating a medical facility. Does she not realize that those mans pennies help pay her salary.

As I learned in elementary school, pennies can be made into dollars. Those dollars made with pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters all go back into the economy and create a cash flow within the economy. I do not know why this would not make sense to anyone, unless they worked within the government, and we know that common sense is not required to hold office.

The medical office should be charged a fine for calling a police officer, being paid with tax dollars, to such a waste of time.  My guess is this, the person collecting the payment would be responsible for counting the pennies and was to lazy to do so. It would have taken away from her time of gossiping about the patients and their medical histories.

Slowly but surely our laziness and need for immediate gratification will allow the government, local and federal, to take away our rights and ability to think for ourselves and use common sense.  When did it make sense to call in the authorities for someone paying a bill, using pennies, a legal form of currency.

I would suggest you refrain from the saying “Penny for your thoughts”, as that form of payment will probably not be accepted. However, they would gladly let you put that on a credit card, which charges a usage fee to them, and charges daily interest to you.