CHRISTMAS GIFT DEALS

On an earlier post, I mentioned the savings I found on Christmas gifts. Now that the big day has been celebrated, I can show some of the deals.
A few are shown here and below. A 60% savings made this gift only $44 from the original $110 price tag. The person did not have a coat of his favorite team...that is, until our gift exchange yesterday.

I RECEIVE FRUGAL GIFTS

I benefited from frugal Christmas shopping as well. This set was regularly $120, but my husband saved 75% and paid only $30. The savings went toward some beautiful jewelry!

:-)

I TAUGHT HER WELL

I am reaping the benefits in many ways. My daughter did her online research, found coupon codes that negated shipping/tax, and saved over 66% for this beautiful sweater for me.

SAVED 91% ON THIS CHRISTMAS GIFT

The recipient of this fleece jacket said that $42 was a good price.

Suuuuuure ~~~ I paid $3.97.

$34.99 SHORTS FOR BASKETBALL PRACTICE

Here is another great deal. I saved over 71% when I paid $9.99.

ANOTHER FRUGAL GIFT FOR THE SPORTS FAN

This licensed-apparel shirt was discounted 70% to only $7.50 from its regular $25 price tag.

SUPER DEAL

My son-in-law loved all his official sportswear and immediately used his new $60 hoodie. Being frugal also, he was glad we saved 70% and paid only $18. He was particularly grateful that all our savings resulted in him receiving many additional gifts!

LAST-MINUTE FRUGAL GIFT IDEA

I shared the easy-to-assemble 'Hearty Soup Mix' recipe in my book. This makes a perfect gift for practically anyone including teachers and neighbors. The cost is 50c or less per individual mix.

SWEET TREAT

I make these mints for numerous occasions. They may be made ahead since they freeze well. Ingredients are very inexpensive and depending upon the mint size, a yield of 200+ per recipe is possible.
When I made a delivery yesterday, she ate all of her mints immediately. She remembered my mints from last Christmas and was excited to have them again.

ONE MORE

My friend Catherine makes organic pure vanilla extract for those on her Christmas list. After she shared the recipe with me, I now give to many throughout the year and especially during this holiday season.

$5 MEAL

Another super cheap meal. The meat was on sale ~ everything else was free by combining *coupons* with sale prices.

100 CALORIE SNACKS

Do-it-yourself is one of the easiest ways to save money on snacks and packed lunches. I look at these pricey 100-calorie boxes, often $5.99 or more, with amusement.

You will save at least 75% even if you pay full price (which I rarely do) for the food and bags.

Yes, on occasion I have 'bought' the prepackaged product, if getting free counts as a purchase price.

FRUGAL GIFT IDEA

One of the easiest money-saving gift ideas is appropriate for any boy or girl on your list. Marked-down Halloween costumes will stock a child's dress-up box for hours of entertainment. I found numerous outfits this year, many reduced 90%, and paid less than a dollar for most. I could not wait until Christmas to give this one to my grandson. Have you ever seen a more adorable hippo?

PACK A FRUGAL SHOE BOX FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

My family has enjoyed contributing to this charity for a long time. These may be the only gifts the children receive at Christmas, if not all year. We typically fill numerous shoe boxes (or plastic containers) with free and clearance items. I begin to look for bargains as soon as we finish the current boxes, stockpiling them in preparation for next November.

I spent more on this container's contents than normal ~ a full $3.69.

The pajamas were regularly $16.99, reduced 90%, and the doll set was $2 on clearance. Everything else was free.

R & R

I recently enjoyed my annual trip, referred to as the sabbatical or mental health days by my family. I share in my book how and why this tradition began. The getaways have become lengthier and nicer over the last 18 years.

I worked a little and rested a lot. I shared laughter with a dear friend and her husband. I saw the apartment where we lived when our oldest child was born. I enjoyed fresh seafood every day. I found great deals for future gifts, which I cannot share for obvious reasons. Maybe later.

Yes, the restaurant of which I wrote still serves my favorite appetizer for a meal.

Did I mention I had fresh seafood every day??

SCRIMP WHERE YOU CAN ~ SPLURGE WHERE YOU MUST

I wrote about this in my book and teach at my workshops, but it cannot be stressed enough. Scrimping is not a good practice when safety issues, quality and priceless memories are the issue.

Baby cribs, car seats, medicine, and specific foods for a diabetic are just a few that immediately come to mind where safety and quality are concerned.

Hire the best photographer you can afford for those special moments in life. I love my (very!) dated but priceless wedding pictures.

SAVINGS OF 75%

There is no way I would want to pay $130 for this order! Paying $33 is an amount more in line with my shopping history.

PASS IT ON

Readers have asked me about many stories I shared in my book, especially the neighbor from so long ago. She taught me an invaluable lesson, appropriately told in the 'Pass It On' chapter. Her entire family was living all over the world at that time. Her hope was that someone would be there for her children, in-laws and grandchildren.

That sweet lady is now 94 years young, and I visited her recently. As always, we shared a wonderful time together. We reminisced about those days and our memories, both commenting how quickly the years have flown by. She reminded me that 'you don't have to take time out of your vacation'. SHE did not have to extend her love and friendship to that young military wife. I will never forget her kindness. The 'pass it on' philosophy has come full circle in our lives.

When I looked at the picture, I realized that it spoke volumes. It captured where she had reached out and held my hand...and my heart.

COUPONS TO GO

I used coupons for everything in this order. Some items even had coupons on them that I will use at a later date. :=)

I saved 75%, regularly priced @ $107, and I paid $27.

ALWAYS TAKE YOUR COUPONS

I saw this wonderful ad while traveling for book signings. For a second, I thought I must be dreaming. I quickly composed myself....thankful that I practice what I tell others to do. Always, always take your coupons.

I confess that I also get behind with my coupon binder. I updated it one afternoon, while watching a movie and the rain outside my windows. Even a bad day at the beach is a good day.

THE UPDATED COUPON BINDER

Once I discovered the ad (and updated my coupon binder!) I was able to take advantage of this particular store's policy of 20 coupons per day. The following five days, I spent $75 for $415 in groceries and household items...82% savings.

One day, I paid $2.49 for $70 in products.

This shows only a few of my deals. Practically everything pictured was free ~ I paid pennies for the remainder.

GROCERY SAVINGS WORKSHOP

This in-depth couponing workshop will show you how to routinely save at least 50% on groceries and household items. Typical results yield 75-90% savings with many free products. This system easily adapts to your individual needs.
Question & Answer Session will follow.

DATE & TIME

Saturday, October 24, 2009
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION

Adventure World Skate & Fun Center
200 Midway Plaza Drive [behind Corning]
Christiansburg, VA

FEE

$10 payable in advance ~or~ at the door

GIRLS' SPA DAY

Getting a busy group together is always difficult. Organizing this day was particularly challenging because our circle had the disadvantage of several hours' travel time.

Everyone shared their specialty...facials, massages, manicures, pedicures,expertise in business, savvy computer skills, chef, etc. We each benefited from the others' successful experience.

Our spa menu was boiled shrimp, cocktail sauce [recipe in my book], baked potato, salad, and fresh fruit.

At the end of our wonderful day, one of the ladies commented that we had practiced frugal bartering~ which was not the plan.

We look forward to our next time.

OCTOBER BOOK SIGNINGS

10 - 17 -09
~ Saturday ~
12 noon - 2 p.m.
Dee Gee's Gifts & Books
508 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC

10 - 16 - 09
~ Friday ~
7 - 9:30 pm
Writers' Night Out
West Park Community Center
Cedar Point, NC

10 - 10 - 09
~ Saturday ~
10 am - 12 noon
Carteret County Public Library
1702 Live Oak Street
Beaufort, NC

FEED 4 FOR $4

A complete, balanced meal cost me only $4.

There were leftovers, making the total for

each plate less than 80 cents.

SEPTEMBER BOOK SIGNINGS/TALKS

Free & Open To the Public

Books Available For Purchase

• 9 - 29 - 09 ~Tuesday ~ 7:00-8 pm

Blacksburg Public Library

200 Miller Street

Blacksburg, VA

*****

• 9 - 17 - 09 ~ Thursday ~ 7-8:30 pm
  Jessie Peterman Memorial Library/Floyd, VA

****

• 9 - 13- 09 ~ Sunday ~ 2-3 pm

Christiansburg, VA Public Library

PAID $1.25 FOR $45. SHOES

A $10. coupon was wonderful to use with clearance shoes.

A 75% discount off the original price, combined with the coupon, allowed me to save over 92%.

85% DISCOUNT

I PAID $14. FOR THESE ITEMS THAT WERE REGULARLY PRICED AT $90.

$60 SHOES FOR $4.98

I RECENTLY MADE JEAN PURCHASES (ON SALE, OF COURSE!)

THE STORE OFFERED A PROMOTION TO SAVE $10~ MY PURCHASE WAS TWO PENNIES SHY OF THE TOTAL REQUIRED.

I COULD HAVE ADDED AN INEXPENSIVE DOLLAR ITEM. INSTEAD, I CHOSE TO MAKE THE $10 DISCOUNT STRETCH ~ I SCANNED THE 75% SHOE CLEARANCE.

$2 AND CHANGE WILL BUY ...

.... WHAT IS IN THIS PICTURE!

I SPENT $2.26 ~~~ 67c ON THE ICING & $1.59 FOR CHICKEN.

EVERYTHING ELSE WAS FREE.

$673 WORTH OF GROCERIES FOR $132.50

PICTURED HERE & BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE DEALS WHERE I SAVED OVER $540 IN GROCERY DOLLARS. OVER 80% SAVINGS LOOKS LIKE:

SPENDING $13.02 FOR AN ORDER THAT IS REGULARLY PRICED AT $97.00.

75% SAVED

I LOVED SAVING $29. ON THIS ORDER, PAYING ONLY $9.78! THESE FOODS & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS WOULD HAVE TOTALED $39. AT THEIR REGULAR PRICE.

CONVENIENCE FOR PENNIES

PAY $26. FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF COOKIE MIXES & LUNCH-SIZE PACKAGES OF CHIPS? NEVER!!

YET...I FELT SPENDING $3.88 OF MY GROCERY BUDGET FOR ALL THIS WAS WORTHWHILE!

SNACK TIME @ 85% DISCOUNT

JUST ONE OF THE PACKAGES OF WATER ~OR~ SNACKS WOULD HAVE COST $4.

I PAID $4.04 FOR EVERYTHING ~ WHICH WOULD HAVE TYPICALLY COST $27.

'IS THAT ALL YOU ARE PAYING' ?!?

A LADY BEHIND ME WANTED TO SEE HOW MUCH I WOULD SAVE UTILIZING COUPONS. SHE COULD NOT BELIEVE I PAID A TOTAL OF $26.77 FOR THIS ORDER.

I SAVED $125!

THE BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN $151.77.

COOL SAVINGS

I DOUBT YOU PREFER TO PAY $48. WHEN YOU COULD SPEND $11. I SAVED $37 (77%) BY COMBINING SALE PRICES WITH COUPONS.

YOU CANNOT COOK WITH THIS

I AM OFTEN ASKED ABOUT STRETCHING THE BUDGET FOR HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES. YOU MAY SPEND MANY DOLLARS, YET ARRIVE HOME WITH VERY LITTLE STAPLE ITEMS OR MEAT TO FEED YOUR FAMILY.

I OFTEN GET SIMILAR ITEMS IN THE PICTURE FOR PENNIES OR FREE. YET, I STOCKPILE ANY ITEM WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE FOR A GOOD PRICE. THIS PURCHASE WAS REGULAR $24; I PAID LESS THAN $9 TO SAVE 63%.

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE GROCERY STORE

THIS SHOPPING TRIP WOULD HAVE COST $113. ~YET~

MY COST WAS $16.60:

THIS WAS EASY TO ACCOMPLISH...BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF UNADVERTISED SPECIALS, MANUFACTURER & STORE COUPONS ALONG WITH $30 OF *FREE* PREPAID GIFT CARDS. THE VISA GIFT CARDS WERE FROM A GROCERY MAIL-IN REBATE PROMOTION.

INCIDENTALLY THE BREADS, MILK & SWEETENER (NECESSITIES AFTER VACATION) WERE @ REGULAR PRICES.

SOMETIMES EVEN I HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE!

VACATION

CHAPTER 7 ('TRAVELING') OF MY BOOK EXPLAINS WHY VACATIONS ARE VALUABLE...

'Vacations have always been something we strived to do with our children. That was important to us. A child's memories of family vacations are priceless. We cut back in other areas of our lives and vacationed accordingly to what we could afford. Don't charge or go in debt for a vacation. I have never borrowed money for this. Stay within your means'.....

WE RECENTLY SPENT A WEEK DURING PEAK SEASON, ENJOYING NICE ACCOMMODATIONS (HAMPTON & RADISSON) AND SIGHT SEEING.

WE CHOSE TO BE FRUGAL IN CERTAIN AREAS, WHILE SPLURGING ON OTHERS.

EASY-TO-TRANSPORT SNACKS & DRINKS REMOVED THE NECESSITY TO PURCHASE STALE SANDWICHES FOR $5. DOLLARS SAVED HERE WERE UTILIZED FOR ADMISSION TICKETS AND NICE MEALS.

SEE WHERE THE LOCALS EAT FOR THE BEST RESTAURANTS. WE WERE GIVEN EXCELLENT RECOMMENDATIONS (IN ADDITION TO FABULOUS SERVICE) BY A SUPERB WAITRESS.

THANK YOU, SPENCER!!!!!!!!!

*FLOWER* PIZZA FOR FREE

EVERYTHING TO MAKE THESE WERE PURCHASED FREE OR FROM MY GARDEN:
PATTYPAN SQUASH
SPAGHETTI SAUCE
PEPPERONI
PEPPERS
ONIONS
CHEESE


OTHER SUGGESTED TOPPINGS:
PIZZA SAUCE
MUSHROOMS
OLIVES

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND FOR:

MILK ~ 2 GALLONS

OIL ~ 1.5 qt

POPTARTS ~ 12-pk

HORMEL ~ 3

CHERRIES ~ 2 lb

________________

$3.26 TOTAL

ANOTHER INEXPENSIVE MEAL IDEA

_TURKEY HAM & POTATOES AU GRATIN

_GREEN BEANS

_APPLESAUCE

_BREAD

COMPLETE MEAL FOR UNDER $2.00

ANOTHER GRAND SAVINGS

I RECENTLY SAVED 84% ON GROCERIES ~ SPENDING $112. FOR WHAT WOULD NORMALLY COST $700.
A CASHIER GAVE A NICE COMPLIMENT WITH 'YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS'.
SEE A FEW OF THE DEALS PICTURED BELOW.........

$2.75 WILL BUY:

EVERYTHING WAS FREE EXCEPT: FRUIT CUPS ($1/PKG) AND YOGURT (25c PER EA 6-PACK)

SAVED 90%

THIS COST $5.60 ~

POTATOES WERE REGULARLY PRICED @ $1.88 ea;

THE DRIED FRUIT @ $4.65 ea;

WATER @ $1.29 ea

SURPRISED WITH SAVINGS PERCENTAGE

$8.79 WAS WHAT I PAID FOR THIS ORDER ~~~ ALMOST A DISCOUNT OF 68%.

SUGAR FREE ALMOST FREE

$4.52 BOUGHT EVERYTHING ~ JUST ONE OF EACH WOULD HAVE COST THAT MUCH.

IS $3.96 TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR THIS ORDER?

ITEMS I PAID FOR & THEIR PRICE:

CLEANER ~ 70c ea

DRINKS ~ 69c

KETCHUP ~ 39c ea

87% SAVINGS

I PAID $6.53 FOR THESE GROCERIES ~ OVER $50 WORTH

FREE MEAL!

SAVVY SHOPPING WITH COUPONS ALLOWED EACH ITEM & ALL INGREDIENTS TO BE FREE!

THE CUCUMBERS ARE FROM MY GARDEN.

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!!

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE FREEDOM TO LIVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY. SAYING 'THANK YOU' SEEMS INADEQUATE FOR THE SACRIFICE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR MILITARY.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY