Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘free stuff’

I figured it’s about time I make a post…I’ve been blog-lazy recently! Anyways my weekend was filled with what I like to refer to as free and/or low-cost shopping. Upon a few requests, I’m going to share some tips, tricks and secrets for getting the most for your money!

While I am not extreme couponer, I thoroughly enjoy getting stuff at a great price; it’s exciting and makes you feel good. It’s almost like a game, how cheap can you get stuff. Despite the fact I am 26 years old, I have no shame in handing over a stack of coupons (or in some cases scanning a ton of them on my own at a self checkout line!). The one important thing to note is that I don’t put a lot of time into couponing. In fact, I really wouldn’t call it couponing at all. I refer to it as simply paying attention.

Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Pay attention to your mail. Don’t assume everything is junk mail. Look through the advertisements. Trust me, you’ll find plenty of coupons. For instance, my “junk mail” this week contained a coupon for a bag of free baby carrots and a free box of noodles. Why not?
  • Utilize offers from Victoria Secret and Bath and Body Works. When they send you a coupon for a free trial-sized item or a free pair of underwear, go use it! Just ask the sales associate where you can find the item and head to the register quickly. Don’t be tempted by other items in the store or the fact that you coupon may also be good for 20 percent off of a bra. Remember, you are just there for the free item!
  • Watch the television commercials during your favorite shows. A lot of times, you may notice and advertisement telling you to visit their website, follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook to print out a coupon for a free sample or a dollar amount off.
  • Check out this website: SweetFreeStuff.com for legit free samples as well as coupons.
  • Visit Target and Walmart’s website, they often have free sample giveaways as well as printable coupons.
  • Keep a small folder of coupons. Each week when your grocery store advertisements come in the mail, look at what is on sale and what you need. Then, check and see if you have a coupon to go along with the sale items. This should only take five to 10 minutes if you are organized. Check out the ads in your Sunday paper as well and compare it to your stack of coupons.
  • Only use coupons on items you normally buy or on items you need (unless you are getting them for free of course!). Coupons won’t end up saving you money if you buy an item just because you have a coupon!
  • Avoid convenience stores. You’ll pay for the convenience.
  • Look for printable coupons. Check out the websites of products you constantly use for printable coupons; sometimes you’ll even end up with free samples too.
  • Find out if your local grocery double coupons. This can often lead to you getting sale items for pennies if you have coupons.

Longchamp Savings!

I purchased the Large Longchamp Le Pliage tote for $107!! Regular $145 and rarely on sale. Here’s how:

  • I did a Google search for Longchamp sale and came across a website called bagshop.com (which is actually a purse boutique like store in the North East).
  • I did plenty of research to make sure this store was going to send me a real bag!
  • I checked out there website for different colors. Turns out, the fall colors are onsale. I found a color called “Praline” which is just a slightly darker variation on the beige color with a darker inside.
  • Checked for coupon codes. Retailmenot.com had a 10 percent off coupon for Bagshop.com
  • Website offered free shipping, plus no tax!

Read Full Post »

Not really sure what I was thinking this morning, but I really, really wanted chocolate for breakfast. So, that’s what I did!

  • A chocolate and caramel Atkins bar (it was a free sample that came in the mail.
  • Greek yogurt mixed with a little chocolate syrup and some vanilla almond granola.

Part healthy, part sweet!

If you follow me regularly, provided I haven’t bored you to death, I ordered a Longchamp bag at the end of the week. It arrived this week and guess what? They sent me the wrong bag. I ordered a large and got a small. While I was only charged for the small bag, there is no way the small bag can fit all of my stuff!

Needless to say, it will be returned. The good news is: I actually found a large Longchamp bag on sale online. I’ll be paying $107 for the large opposed to $145 plus tax. The small one I was charged for totaled about $133. I guess patience is a virtue. The wait is saving me money!

Now that I’ve finished up my work for today, I’m gathering up coupons to do to a little bargain shopping tomorrow. I’ve got a ton of coupons for free stuff that are about to expire. I’ve got coupons for free carrots, free pasta, free underwear, free lotion, free yogurt and free juice. Why not? I can definitely see how people become addicted to couponing. It feels great to save a lot of money on stuff you really need!

Read Full Post »

I’m finished with my Christmas shopping, but tagged along with my mom yesterday afternoon to finish up her last couple of gifts.  I had a massive amount of coupons for stores like Express, Hallmark, Victoria Secret and Ulta, so I decided to cash-in and get myself some goodies.

I don’t know if any of you received the VS cards that are worth $10-$500. I had two. I wanted some new sweats (my black ones are so worn in they almost look gray). I asked the cashier if she’d ring up my purchases separate so I could use both cards. One was worth $10 (big surprise, right?). Then, much to my surprise the other was worth $50!!! I was pretty excited about that. Making my purchase just $34 instead of $94.

Then it was on to Ulta, were I had a reward coupon to cash in. I know what you are thinking when you see bright yellow nail polish. Wow, what is this girl thinking. This is Pittsburgh…and I practically live at Heinz Field and Consol Energy Center this time of year. Yellow nail polish is only appropriate. Total cost of this purchase $0.

Next stop, Express. $15 coupon for any purchase totaling $15 or more. Since I didn’t really need anything, I decided to see how much of a bargain I could get with this coupon. My grand total $1.10!  I purchased a wristlet and a lip gloss.

Finally it was onto Hallmark with a $5 coupon. Making my adorable new Pittsburgh Penguins ornaments just $5.

All and all, I’d say this was a very successful shopping trip!

Read Full Post »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 263 other followers

%d bloggers like this: