Merry Christmas everyone! I have been too busy with holiday parties, friends, and shopping to keep up with the deals of December. I found that during the holiday season, stores give better deals on toys, clothes, and other gift merchandise rather than steals on household items. So for the past few weeks I have not bought much groceries besides milk and bread. Which I can do because my stockpile is big enough that I don't need to shop every week if unnecessary. I have however found some other great ways to save money.
Target Christmas present scenario:
For Christmas, my husband wants a full rotation and tilt mount for our larger t.v. in our living room. This costs $99.99 at Target. This is a little steep for our budget this year so I put it on the "maybe" list and waited to see if I could get a good deal on it. On Black Friday, I went shopping with my best friend, Laura Pearl, and when we went to Target, a catalina coupon printed off after her purchase for a Target coupon for $10 off your purchase of $100 or more. She didn't want to use it so I told her I would take it just in case if I decided to go ahead and get the mount. The following week, I received a catalina after my Target purchase for a Target coupon for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more. The next day, my mom called me saying she had a coupon for Target to receive a $15 gift card with a purchase of $150 or more. Meanwhile there was a coupon on Target.com/coupons to receive a $10 gift card with a purchase of $50 or more. So after having all these amazing coupons, I figured I would be able to combine them with my regular grocery trip to be able to afford a wonderful Christmas this year. After making my list and checking it twice, I headed out to Target. I bought the t.v. mount and $50 retail value worth of groceries. My total, before coupons, came to around $160. I gave the cashier the highest value coupons first: $15 gift card with purchase of $150, $10 gift card with purchase of $50, $10 off $100 purchase, and $5 purchase off $50. After those coupons were scanned, I proceeded with my coupons off my grocery items to bring my cost down as low as possible. I also have a Target RED debit card that saves me 5% off my total cost spent, which is a great service Target gives since it is absolutely free to get! After my coupons were scanned, my price dropped from $160 to $106 PLUS I received $25 in gift cards. So I got my t.v. mount and my week's worth of groceries for the cost of the mount and $25 for my next visit. That is how Christmas is done! This is also a good example of why you should always keep coupons until they expire even if, at the time, you don't think you are going to use them. Something may go on sale or someone else may need the extra coupon. :)
Always be on the lookout for deals that restaurants give out for birthdays. Since my birthday is on Wednesday, I have found a couple awesome deals for my birthday. :)
During these hard economic times, restaurants have been experiencing setbacks so many have developed different marketing gimmicks to fill their tables which can mean a great birthday dinner! BD's Mongolian BBQ offers a free dinner bowl on your birthday. To get this deal, you have to come in on your birthday or you can sign up to their online e-club and receive a coupon to use it within two weeks of your birthday. The other day I noticed Mr.Goodcents will give you a free sub for your birthday if you sign up for their online e-club. Other companies such as Olive Garden or Red Lobster may send you a small coupon off your total dinner purchase for your birthday and Applebees with give you a free dessert when you celebrate your birthday there. Other household company websites (such as nestle) that have memberships may give you a special coupon for your birthday for your grocery items. The savings are endless. If you're birthday just passed, still sign up right away because sometimes companies will still give you a belated birthday coupon. What reason could you have not to sign up for free stuff?!
Well Merry Christmas and Happy Savings!
