Savin' Bacon!

Friends!

This post will feature coupons, savings tips, bank accounts, and more!

The 52 Week Money Challenge

Recently, my husband stumbled across this really neat website that gave suggestions on how to save money fast! It's so simple, yet so creative. Put away a dollar per week of the year. For example, for week 1, put $1 in your savings account. For week 2, put $2 in your account. My husband and I decided to double our savings and do $2, $4, $6, $8, etc. It is so simple! He does it every week and I do it once a month. I know I'll probably be kicking myself towards the end of the year, but I can always convert back to once a week!

Here's a grid to give you an idea! If we both double our savings, just think how much that would be! So far we've been very diligent in our saving, so we'll keep you posted!

*Author unknown

Coupons!

Seriously, friends, coupons are your best friend. It is SO worth the savings! Be careful, though, and don't feel like you HAVE to buy it because you have a coupon. Believe me...I've been there. Treat yourself to a few things every now and then, but don't feel too pressured to buy it "just because"!

Walmart will double all coupons on Tuesdays! (Check your local area restrictions). That $.75 you'd save on you Special K Red Berries? Wait til Tuesday! Ingenious.

I went to Walmart one day and refused to buy the product if it didn't have a coupon! Now, obviously this isn't every time I got to the store, but it definitely determines what I buy and where I will go. Buying the Sunday paper is definitely worth the $1.50 each week. AND you get to read the Comics!

Price Matching!

I know I mentioned this in my previous post, but I'm going to do it again! Honestly, price matching is so easy and logical. Grab up any and all ads and circle all of the items in a red marker. Take it to Walmart and show them the ad. Be sure to verify the dates of the ad. They check.

Also, I've just discovered that Target will do the same! I don't normally shop there, but with this new price matching "matching" they're doing, it might be worth it.

My husband and I received buckets of gift cards to Target, so I definitely know the pricing! Check out Target coupons at http://coupons.target.com/ :)

Walmart: http://coupons.walmart.com/

Also, here's a great website for deals all over the place! http://savvyshopperdeals.com/

Wholesale!

Costco. WinCo. Sam's Club. 

I got a Costco membership years ago even as a poor, single, college student. It was so worth it! Toilet paper, paper towels, etc. were always expensive every week. With Costco, all of my roommate and I  could chip in $3 every few months to get a 36 pack of TP! Winning.

WinCo is awesome because it doesn't require a membership! My husband and I love them for their produce and dry goods. They have HUGE vats of flour, grains, cereals, dog foods, and more! You name it, it's there! And it is dirt cheap.

WinCo Coupons: http://www.wincofoods.com/extra-savings/coupons/

Research the closest wholesaler nearby. Most of them require a membership fee, but I definitely think it's worth it!

Thrifting!

Girls, men, children all around! The easiest way to recycle is to thrift! I grew up in a large family that was a strong advocate for thrifting. My mom was complimented left and right that she had some of the best dressed kids in the entire school. Ironically, 90% of all clothing came from the thrift stores around town. Yay!

Many thrift stores will give you a discount after donation. We get a 20% off coupon every time we donate at least grocery size bag of items! What a deal.

My husband and I are thrifting geeks. The other day, a sweet worker at Savers said "I should know you by first name by now!" Embarrassing, maybe, but we don't care! The biggest thing we purchase is BOARD GAMES! Honestly, our greatest collection of sweet games came from Savers. Brand new games that run for $60 and $80 on Amazon!

Monopoly: Here and Now is running from $80 to $129.99 +10 shipping! 

Friends Ultimate Trivia Game in a Tin:  $101!

Our collection also includes Connect Four that we paid a whole whopping $1.99 for!

All of these games are either still in their shrink wrap or at least have all of their pieces. We count before purchasing.

We have all intentions of reselling these games, but we'll see!

I hope this has helped you at least a little bit!

Let us know if you have any tips or tricks! Or any requests for posts!

Love,

Penny