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Weekly Roundup: Become a Frugal Dad Fan Edition
I have finally taken the Facebook plunge! I created a personal account some time ago to reconnect with friends, but just this week I set up a fan page for FrugalDad.com. My goal for the fan page is to provide a place for readers to interact with me outside of the comments section, Twitter, etc. I enjoy chatting in those environments as well, but let’s face it – having a discussion is tough to do in 140 characters, or through the back-and-forth nature of blog comments.
Yesterday I tossed out a “Discussion” feature and a few questions to get things going. Since I removed the forums feature here at Frugal Dad, I’m hoping this can replace some of those features. Because many of the discussion topics are seeds for future posts, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Who knows, I might just mention one of your comments in the post and reference your blog.
Hope you’ll join me over at the new Frugal Dad fan page at Facebook! Click the banner below to join, and be sure to check out the roundup below.
The Frugal Roundup
Want to Get Out of Debt? Become A Master at Instant Gratification. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Read on to find out what Neal means about mastering instant gratification and using it to your advantage. (@Wealth Pilgrim)
Do You Need a Local Bank? We are fans of ING Direct, but also maintain a local checking and savings account. We keep a local emergency fund (the first couple thousand of our fully funded emergency fund) here just in case we need cash in a hurry. (@My Dollar Plan)
Finally Out of Debt? Here’s How to Stay Out. So many people fight for years to obtain debt freedom, only to fall right back in the trap of living beyond their means. (@Wisdom Journal)
Google Street View – Great For House Buyers. We have been entertaining the idea of relocating here lately and have found Google Street View to scope out a number of properties in other cities. (@Four Pillars)
Sneaky Ways Restaurants Use Menus to Entice You to Spend More. I’ve read a number of articles on the ways grocery stores use consumer psychology to make shoppers spend more. This is an interesting piece on similar strategies employed by restaurants. (@Wallet Pop)
Why Freelancing Benefits Your Day Job. Those who have read FD for a while now know I’m a big proponent of the “side hustle,” for exactly the reasons pointed out in this post. (@Fiscal Fizzle)
The “Local Store Premium” – How Much Is It Worth to You? This weekend I worked on a couple major household repair projects. Rather than going to the big box warehouse store, I decided to try our local hardware store for supplies. I paid a little more, and they had less product options, but I felt good about helping a local store this time around. (@The Simple Dollar)
Best of the Rest
- Become a Fan of Generation X Finance on Facebook
- Organizing Your Way to a Simple Christmas: Gift Lists
- What Kind of Spender Are You?
- How to Get Rid of $106,000 in Debt
- Price-Placebo Effect: Are You a Victim, Too?
- Trusting Your Intuition
- 3 Quick Tips to Make Your Life Better Today
- 7 Ways to Build & Maintain a Personal Network that Works for You
- Learn More About Lending Club Credit Rating and Collection Process
- How Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Works
- Loan Modification Companies vs The Fair Housing Authority
Hope everyone has a great end of the week. Just a heads up – only 10 weeks until Christmas. Don’t wait for the last minute and charge presents on a credit card. Start saving now and enjoy a cash-only Christmas!
Post by Frugal Dad
Old Navy Weekly: New coupon are UP!
Here’s what’s been found so far– if you find anything else, *please* post it in the comments section (don’t email it to me!) so everyone else can see it too 
~clink the pink and blue mugs at bottom together to get $75 off of $100(ALREADY GONE
~pick up the magazine in the bottom right corner and drop it inot the pink tote bag, bottom center, for $50 off of $100(ALREADY GONE)
~take the party hat off of Eva(wearing purple on left) and place it on Josh’s head(wearing yellow and white stripe l/s polo) for 10% off
~click on little toddler boy in orange fleece to turn it and red and then on Christopher in red fleece on top middle area to turn his orange and 25% off entire purchase will pop up(this was the best I could find)
~click on the number 15 candle on the birthday cake and get 15% off any in store purchase when you buy the item of the week
~click on the cupcake under the words 15 & Fantastic for a $10 off of $50 purchase
Happy Old Navy-ing!
Weekly Roundup - College Football Picks Edition
Late night tonight, and I have no energy to think of something witty to write here. I would normally come up with something fun to share related to money, but it’s approaching midnight, and I need sleep. When all else fails I turn to another subject near and dear to me - college football.
With fall practices well underway, who is your pick to win it all this season? Realistically, it is hard to count Florida out considering all the players they return from last year’s team. Note, I am not a Florida fan, but recognize they are a solid football team, top to bottom.
I’m an Auburn man myself, and this year with a new coach, a new (old) quarterback, and new coordinators all around, it should be interesting. My prediction for Auburn’s season sounds like most years - we’ll beat a team or two we shouldn’t, but we’ll lose just as many to teams we should beat. And so it goes with my Tigers.
Feel free to share a prediction for your favorite team in the comments section.
The Frugal Blitz
Stress-Free Back to School: Setting Up a Homework Zone. An excellent idea for those of us with kids heading back to school. I know I always work better with a clean, organized environment free of distractions. Even more important for kids. (@Organizing Your Way) Side note: Mandi is the newest member of The Life Skills Network!
Spend Time to Save Money. It’s true what they say, “time is money.” But the opposite is also true. Investing a little time can go a long way towards saving you money, as this article points out. (@Mrs Micah)
AMEX To Raise Late Fee and Rates on My Cards. The same thing happened to me with an AT&T Universal card. I know credit card companies have the right to jack up rates as high as they want, but I also have the right to put a sharp pair of scissors to their increasingly inferior products! (@The Sun’s Financial Diary)
The Get-Started-Now Guide to Becoming Self-Employed. If you have ever thought about venturing out on your own, read this. If you have never thought about venturing out on your own, read this. Either way, it will affect your opinion on being self employed. (@Zen Habits)
The Myth of Stable Employment. Gone are the days of 30-year retirement ceremonies, complete with a gold watch and a pension statement. No such thing as a “stable job” these days. (@Brip Blap)
How You Can Prepare For A Background Check. Most people feel pretty helpless when they discover a position requires a background check. However, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of passing with flying colors. (@The Wisdom Journal)
9 Really Weird Ways to Make Money. Trust me, there are some really weird ones listed here, but for good reason. Sometimes extreme circumstances require desperate measures, and if you really need the money, these are nine quick ways to generate extra cash. (@Moolanomy)
Personal Finance Basics: Key Purposes of Budgeting Systems. An excellent post on the seven key purposes of a budgeting system. (@My Super-Charged Life)
Pedal Your Way to Health, Wealth and Happiness. An excellent guide for those planning to become a bicycle commuter. This is something I have tried in the past, but never stuck to. Maybe the cooler weather will motivate me to put these notes to use this fall. (@Wise Bread)
The Library Still Rocks! Yes, I Like The Free Movies And More. My kids love to go to the library to check out books, and recently discovered movies there, too. Libraries are a great source of free entertainment for both children and adults, and the educational opportunities are endless. (@The Happy Rock)
Overtime - The Best of the Rest
- How To Be The Best You Can Be
- Certificate of Deposit Basics: How Do Bank CDs Work?
- 5 Tips to Avoid Overdraft Fees
- ING Direct Review and $25 Referral (Orange Key) Bonus
- Feeling Good About Feeling Old
- How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits – Eligibility Requirements
- 7 Ways to Save Money on Back to School Shopping
- The Carnival of Savings - 2nd Edition
Post from: Frugal Dad
The Home Depot Father’s Day Giveaway
The Home Depot has offered to give one lucky Frugal Dad reader a $100 Home Depot gift card, just in time for Father’s Day. What a great gift to present to dad, or if you’re a dad, what a great gift for yourself! Just think of the things you could buy at The Home Depot with your gift card. I doubt the lucky recipient will have a hard time thinking of ways to spend his gift card, but just in case, you may want to share the following links.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
The first lists Father’s Day gift ideas available at The Home Depot for less than $50. The second link displays gift ideas between $50 and $100, and includes a couple of things I’ve had my eye on for some time. I could use a new shop vac for cleaning out out our car (no sense pumping any more quarters into those machines!) and for cleanup around the garage. I could also use a floor lamp for my make-shift office, and I need to stock up on some CFL bulbs and air conditioner filters for these summer months when energy bills are sure to rise.
How To Enter
To enter to win The Home Depot gift card, simply tell us in the comments below why the dad in your life (father, husband, son, etc.) should win this giveaway. Perhaps they work extra hard supporting their family, or they don’t mind helping finish homework after a long day at the office.
Deadlines
The contest will end next Friday, June 12th at 11:59pm. At that time, comments will be closed to this post and no new comments will be allowed. Using random.org, I will select a random number corresponding to one lucky winner from the comments section. The winner will be notified via email, and this post will be updated to reflect the end of the contest.
The Home Depot Gift Card
Sometimes it is hard to find that perfect gift for dad. I know; my frugal grandfather and my stepdad seem to have everything they could possibly need, but I’m sure armed with a gift card from The Home Depot they could pick up some useful tools they probably wouldn’t normally buy for themselves. The gift cards never expire and no service fees will ever be charged when purchasing or using a Home Depot gift card. Gift cards may be redeemed at Home Depot stores.
Visit your local Home Depot, or shop online, to find three new gift card styles to choose from, including a gift card that looks and feels like duct tape and a gift card that comes with a FREE 3/8″ drill bit. How frugal is that?!
Good luck to all the frugal dads out there! Get your comment entry in today, and be sure to tell your family and friends to enter.
Post from: Frugal Dad
Tax Day Discounts: Cheap and FREE food: PF Changs, TGI Fridays, Cinnabon, McCormick & Schmicks, MaggieMoo’s, Taco Del Mar, Chick-fil-A, McDonalds.. know of any more?
PF Changs: 15% off all day, 4/15/09.
TGI Fridays: $5 Bonus Bites cards for purchases (excluding alcohol and tax) of $15-$25 and $10 Bonus Bites cards for purchases of $25+
Cinnabon: FREE Classic Bites from 5pm to 8pm (not valid at airport or travel plaza locations)
McCormick & Schmicks: $10.40 entrees and a $10.40 certificate good towards a future purchase
MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream: e-CONE-nomic stimulus package: a FREE single scoop of ice cream
Taco Del Mar: FREE taco with a coupon, find it HERE
Chick-fil-A: At SOME Chick-fil-A locations, if you purchase a meal on Tax Day and save your receipt you can get those same items free anytime within the 30 days starting on 4/16/09.
McDonalds: SOME locations, buy a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with cheese at full price, get a second one for just a penny!
Know of any more great deals? Post them in the comments section– or email me at jodi (at) neverpayretailagain dot net
Happy cheap and FREE eats!
Thanks, Allison from Malled! (visit her blog HERE) and Mandy, for the info!
Smart Shopping 101: CVS: How to start CVSing– and start getting TONS of household goods and toiletries for FREE!
CVS is one of my *favorite* stores and last year alone I saved over $1700 there(!) I rarely pay anything out of pocket for any of the following–in fact, oftentimes I “make” money buying the following:
-Shampoo
-Conditioner
-Hair styling aids
-Razors
-Toilet Paper
-Paper Towels
-Air Fresheners
-Toothpaste
-Toothbrushes
-Makeup
-Moisturizer
-Skin Cleansers
-Sunscreen
Now, it does take a little bit of time and planning to shop really well at CVS– but, in my opinion, it’s well worth it. Also, it does take a little bit of time to completely understand how CVSing works– I’m going to try to explain it as clearly as possible– but inevitably there will be questions– feel free to post any questions here in the comments section and I promise to answer them in a timely fashion.
Okay, ready? Here’s how it works:
What to do before you get started:
Step One: Go to your local CVS store and register for a CVS Extra Care Card– they’re FREE and you’ll get one instantly– you MUST have an Extra Care Card in order to get the sale prices advertised in the Sunday circular.
Step Two: Register your CVS card online and attach your email address in order to start receiving emails (including coupons–yay!) from CVS– you can register your card HERE (click on “create an account”)
You must present your card to the cashier each and every time you purchase an item or fill a prescription in order to get credit all of your purchases and in order to receive ECBs.
What the heck is an Extra Care Buck and how does it work?
Extra Care Bucks (generally referred to in the couponing world as ECBs) are issued at the register at the bottom of your receipt and they can be used as cash at CVS with a few restrictions: they cannot be used on prescriptions, alcohol, gift cards, lottery, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards and tobacco.
Your name will be printed on the ECB and your ECBs can ONLY be used with YOUR card– they’re not transferrable nor will CVS replace lost or stolen ECBs, so keep them in a safe place as they’re as good as cash. You also won’t get cash back if you buy an item that’s less expensive than the face value of the ECB (I’ll explain more how to best use your ECBs in just a moment.)
ECBs expire approximately 30 days after they’re issued– it is VERY important to use the ECBs before they expire as CVS will NOT reissue them (though some stores will accept them if they’ve *just* expired– you don’t want to run the risk of losing them.)
Items that earn ECBs are found BOTH in the weekly flyer– found in your Sunday paper, online and in store– AND in the monthly flyer, found in store. Each deal has a limit per card– generally between 1 and 5 deals per card– you can find the limits listed in the flyers AND at the bottom of your receipt once you’ve purchased the item.
In addition to earning ECBs from purchasing specific items, each quarter you also get 2% of your quarterly CVS spending back as ECBs and you also earn $1 in ECBs for every two prescriptions that you fill at CVS. Again, be sure to present your card to the cashier to ensure that you’re getting credit for all of your purchases and to earn your ECBs.
Overview of how to start CVSing:
Okay, you have your card and you know what ECBs are– let’s explain how to *really* start CVSing and maximizing your savings.
If you buy an item that is free after ECBs (i.e. buy Aussie shampoo for $2.99, get $2.99 in ECBs) you will then use the ECBs you’ve earned on Aussie to buy ANOTHER item that will earn you ECBs– say, Colgate toothpaste for $2.99 (and get ECBs back)– you don’t have to buy the second item on the same day or even in the same week, as long as you buy that second item before your ECB(s) expires. This is referred to as “rolling your ECBs”
Allow me to demonstrate:
Transaction 1:
Buy Colgate toothpaste: $2.99
Out of Pocket Spend: $2.99
Get $2.99 in ECBs
Transaction 2:
Buy Aussie Shampoo: $2.99
Use $2.99 ECB from Colgate, out of pocket spend is $0
Get $2.99 in ECBs from Aussie
The second item (in this case, the Aussie shampoo) is completely free (NO out of pocket cost)–PLUS you still have $2.99 in ECBs to spend.
So, if you do this right, you will have an initial “investment” that will generate ECBs and you can keep rolling the ECBs over and over and over (and over) again– that initial “investment” can and should be earned by transferring a prescription, if you have one, from another pharmacy to CVS which, if you have a coupon, will earn you a $25 gift card (CVS accepts competitors coupons for prescription transfers– as of today, 4/4/09, there is a Walgreen’s prescription transfer coupon available on my blog that doesn’t expire until 4/26/09– find it HERE)
How to get started earning ECBs:
Even if you don’t have a gift card, you’re only going to spend around $20 maximum to get started. Now, here’s the kicker– you might have to buy some things that you don’t need to generate some ECBs (if you don’t need them, please donate them to someone who can and will use them.)
It’s also best to start CVSing during a week that there is also a $3 off $15, $4 off $20 or a $5 off $25 coupon available– you can find those coupons in your email inbox (if you’ve registered with CVS.com) OR they can also be found in store from the coupon generator (more on this in a moment!) OR you can also find those coupons posted here on my blog when they are available.
The additional $s off your purchase coupons tend to be available just about every 2 to 3 weeks– and they allow you to REALLY maximize your savings since you can “stack” them on top of already discounted and sale prices AND coupons.
How to use coupons at CVS:
Ah, yes, coupons– CVS will accept ONE manufacturer’s and ONE store coupon per item, and they will allow overage– meaning that you can “make money” while buying items. No, they will not open the register and give you cash– but you can either earn more in ECBs than you spent or reduce your total out of pocket.
For example, let’s say Colgate toothpaste is $2.99 and you’ll get $2.99 in ECBs (also referred to FREE after ECBs)– if you also have a $1 off manufacturer’s coupon for Colgate, you will only be paying $1.99 ($2.99 less the $1 coupon) for the toothpaste, but you still get the FULL $2.99 in the form of ECBs– stack on a CVS store coupon for Colgate, if you have one AND a $3 off $15 coupon, if one’s available this week and you can see how you can start getting “paid” to shop at CVS.
Again, CVS won’t be opening up the register to pay you money– but you can either grow your ECBs (meaning that you end up with more ECBs than you originally started with) OR you can get additional items for free.
Let me demonstrate both scenarios:
Here’s how to GROW your ECBs:
Let’s say that you start with $7 in ECBs and then you purchase the following:
Gilette Razor: $8 (get $4 in ECBs)
Colgate toothpaste: $3 x 3 (get $3 in ECBs x 3)
Subtotal: $17
Less $3 off $15 CVS coupon
Less $4 off Gillette Razor coupon
Less $1 Colgate toothpaste coupon x 3
Total: $7
Use your $7 ECB to pay
Your OOP (out of pocket) is $0
AND you earned $13 in ECBs(!)– a net “profit” of $6(!)
Also, please notice that I was able to use the $3 off $15 coupon even though my after coupon total was only $7– so you want to be certain to give the $s off the total coupon FIRST, before you give any other coupons.
Here’s how to get additional items for FREE while shopping with ECBs:
Again, you are starting with $7 in ECBs
Gillette Razor $8 (get $4 in ECBs)
Colgate Toothpaste $3 (get $3 in ECBs)
Makeup Case: $4
Subtotal: $15
Less $3 off $15
Less $4 off Gillette Razor coupon
Less $1 Colgate toothpaste coupon
Total: $7
Pay with $7 ECB
Earn $7 in ECBs
So, in essence, you got the additional item– in this case, a makeup case, for FREE– and you spent nothing out of pocket– not too shabby, right? Also, please note that the Gilette razor in the above scenario was also free between coupons and ECBs– so even items that aren’t out and out free can still be “purchased” with no money out of pocket.
But, how do I get CVS store coupons for items?
You can get CVS store coupons in a number of ways: they are occasionally emailed to card holders, they are found in magazines sold at CVS, they’re in some free flyers at CVS– but MOST importantly, CVS coupons are available at the coupon machine in your llocal CVS– the coupon machine (which I affectionately refer to as the coupon spitter outer machine) looks just like a price scanner– ’cause that’s what it is–but instead of scanning an item, you just scan your CVS card and the machine spits out coupons.
You want to scan your card at the machine FIRST– before you do your shopping because oftentimes the machine will generate a coupon that you will want to use that day. And, unfortunately, not all CVS stores have a coupon generator– but you will still get coupons but only if you make a purchase, they’ll be printed on the bottom of your receipt, along with your ECBs.
Where to find the CVS deals:
You don’t have to do all the work yourself, others are happy to do it for you! Coupon matchups for CVS can be found posted here on this site weekly– and on a number of other sites including Swaggrabber and iheartcvs– and whenever there is a “moneymaking” deal available at CVS, I will be sure to let you know!
Happy CVSing!
And, again, if anyone has ANY questions– or additional tips– please either email me or post them in the comments section!
Old Navy: OldNavyWeekly.com coupons RELOADED!
Unfortunately a lot of the high value coupons are gone, but as of right now (8:26am EST) you can still get a 50% off a single item– if you do the following– at the bottom of the 5 models– vote for who has the best legs by clicking on the star ratings– wait a few moments and you’ll see a kite fly out between Heather and Michelle– click on it and you’ll get a coupon for 50% off a single item.
Again, ridiculous, I know! If any one has tips/tricks how to get other coupons be sure to post them here in the comments section so that others may benefit– thanks!
Happy discount shopping!
Thanks, Erin and Kelly!
State Of The Blog Address
It has been a while since I last posted a “State of the Blog Address,” so I thought I would put together some miscellaneous thoughts for a lazy Sunday afternoon. I plan to touch a variety of topics from blogging to my personal life to money stuff. Stay with me.
Frugal Dad News
First, I’d like to welcome all the new subscribers here at Frugal Dad. With your help, I’m half way to meeting my goal of 7,000 subscribers by the end of 2009 (I started the year with 5,000 subscribers). I’m humbled by the fact that so many of you receive my emails, check my feed, and visit here to leave comments each day. Thank you.
Schedule: I believe it is about time I published an official blog schedule. Of course, nothing is written in stone because sometimes life throws curve balls and you have to adjust a bit. But for the most part I will try to adhere to the following schedule:
- Monday - “Money/Frugal Living Post.” Mondays will (usually) be the weightiest post of the week, with an in-depth look at a money or frugal living topic.
- Tuesday - “Ask the Reader.” These have become one of the more popular topics here at Frugal Dad, I think because it provides an opportunity for us to share feedback/ideas in the comments section. The questions could come from other readers, or from me. I appreciate your willingness to provide feedback and adding to the community “feel” here.
- Wednesday - “Money/Frugal Living Post.” Similar to Mondays, another post on a money topic.
- Thursday - “Link Roundup.” Mondays and Thursdays tend to be high-traffic days, and I would like to take advantage of that by linking to a few of my favorite bloggers and their articles from the past week. I’ll add a few editorial comments to some links, and simply list others, to keep the size of the post down.
- Friday - “Guest posts, Special Features.” Fridays will be reserved for guest posts, or a lighter post if none are scheduled. I’m human - I don’t like to work hard on Fridays, so these posts will probably take on a lighter tone than some of the deeper thoughts published earlier in the week.
- Saturday - “Weekend Projects.” In the Frugal household Saturdays are mostly reserved for household projects. Many of those benefit our bottom line in some way (gardening, installing a programmable thermostat, etc.). Others are done for pure enjoyment/entertainment purposes, or to add quality time with our kids. Either way, I plan to share a little about what we’re up to over the weekend.
- Sunday - “Personal Money Stories.” A new feature here at Frugal Dad. I plan to give a more personal account of my daily money challenges and achievements from the past week.
Again, I’ll try to stick to this schedule for the most part, but on the occasion life gets in the way I may deviate a bit, or skip a post here and there to devote more time to a quality post the next day.
Personal News
Many of you have been following my mother’s recovery from an aneurysm and subsequent stroke suffered last September. It’s been a long seven months, and about half way through her recovery she suffered a major setback. Early last month Mom got very sick and we rushed her to the emergency room on a Thursday evening. She was admitted, and it was later discovered that the aneurysm was bleeding again. On Tuesday afternoon she underwent an 11-hour brain operation as a last-ditch effort to save her life - and she survived.
My mom raised me as a single parent, and I always knew her mental and physical toughness was second to none. But this fight has been unlike any other we went through growing up, yet she continues to fight. She’s been hospitalized the last six weeks or so, and recently began another round of inpatient therapy. She is still wheelchair-bound, still not able to eat, and still mad as hell that she can’t do things for herself!
The experience has had a profound effect on all of us. The reminder that a 53 year-old, healthy, independent woman can be struck down by something in an instant is sobering. I feel saddest for my children, who were so close to grandma and miss here dearly. We visit several times a week, but it isn’t the same as having her at home, having her at basketball games and school performances and birthday parties. All we can do is continue to hope and pray that she makes a full recovery so we can all experience those joys again.
Thanks to all of you who have continued to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers these many months. I truly believe those prayers have sustained her, and given her the strength to push through this ordeal.
Wrapup
This concludes the State of the Blog address for March 2009. Times are hard, in many ways, but we are also blessed in so many others. I have a job. I have a wonderful family. And I have many virtual friends I’ve had the pleasure of meeting through this new-to-me medium, blogging. If you are hurting, I hope things turn around soon. No matter how down things get, take inventory of the blessings around you. They could be as basic as a roof over your head, or food on the table. They could be as extravagant as enjoying a week away with your family vacationing. Either way, stop and smell the roses. Life is short; enjoy it.
Post from: Frugal Dad
