What should happen to unclaimed rebate checks?

Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Jackie Crosby has a story in this Sunday's paper regarding the future of unclaimed rebate checks.

The article highlights the debate over what happens to unclaimed rebate checks. Rebate companies rarely report the unclaimed checks, and 43 states are now involved in a lawsuit to make sure that the money gets to its rightful owners. Of course, the states would be happy if that money went unclaimed with them, too, because then they'd get to keep it.

The best way to protect yourself is to remember to cash those rebate checks as soon as you get them. It's free money. Don't lose it.

P.S. And yes, this post is partly shameless self promotion! :-)

Super Savings Saturday: Walmart and Target

I'm a little slow in getting this posted, but I did want to brag, ahem... share.

The items in the photo are all things I got for FREE at Target and Walmart this week!

Here are the good deals I got this week at Walmart:

FREE Vlassic Pickle Relish using the coupons here.

FREE Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal after signing up to get the coupons here.

FREE Golden Puffs Cereal. It was a dollar a box and I used the coupon from here.

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta (14.5 oz) for 50 cents a box using manufacturer coupons

Here are the deals I got at Target:

FREE Jumbo Pack of Pampers (this was one of the coupons I got from Proctor & Gamble for being a parent of multiples)

FREE 8-ct bottle of Tylenol using a coupon I got here.

FREE travel sized packets of Boudreaux's Butt Paste (terrible name, I know) using the coupon from SmartSource.

Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire Sauce for 39 cents a bottle using a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon.

Lays Cracker Crisps for 50 cents a bag using a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon.

A BIG THANKS goes out to The Centsible Sawyer, Money Saving Mom and A Full Cup for helping me get these great deals.

Printer Problems Resolved with Persistence

I recently bought a new HP Pavilion notebook. My goal when I ordered it was to buy the best product I could afford that met my needs.

As much as I tried to resist the add-ons they always tempt you with, I could not resist adding on an all-in-one, wireless photo printer. For the longest time, I've wanted the ability to easily make photo copies (instead of using my scanner) and print straight from my computer to printer with no wires.

So, when I saw I could get a nice all-in-one with my notebook and then get a $70 mail-in-rebate on the printer, I jumped at the chance.

The only problem was that I never received the printer. Instead I got a phone call from Fed Ex telling me that it appeared my printer may have gotten wet. Actually their words were, "We opened the box and took everything out and the printer looks okay, but the box is really bad. Do you still want it?"

Well, gee, if it is electronic and it got wet, and you've removed it from it's original packaging and all, then NO, I don't want it thank you.

So Fed Ex returned it to HP saying it was damaged in transit. Unfortunately for me, I naively believed that HP would send me another printer and all would be well.

But they didn't. They just accepted it as a return and credited my credit card. When I finally called to find out where my printer was, they said I would have to re-order it.

And then there was the kicker: The customer service rep said I would no longer qualify for the $70 rebate because I wasn't ordering it at the same time as a notebook.

WHAT?!!!

I politely explained to the rep that I should qualify for the rebate because I DID order it at the same time as a notebook, and that I NEVER RECEIVED it due to no fault of mine. The rep was rather snotty and told me "well, that's the way it is" and asked me if I still wanted to re-order the printer. I told him there was no way I would re-order it unless I could get the rebate. He said there was nothing he could do. At this point, I got snotty and said, "Well I guess I'll have to buy my printer someplace else" and promptly hung up.

I was still mad about the whole thing, so I sent HP customer service an e-mail explaining my case. I got a quick response back from them that basically said they understood my problem but that I would have to call the 800 number again, ugh.

Well, I called again, and the customer service rep actually listened to my story. When I explained that I had previously been told I couldn't get the $70 rebate, he said, "Well that's ridiculous. Please hold for a moment."

When he came back, he told me he had talked to his supervisor and that I could re-order the printer (with free shipping ) and get a $70 credit on my bill! So now I will be getting my printer, and the credit and I won't have to send in for the mail-in-rebate!

I'm glad that I didn't let my anger over the situation prevent me from following through. My persistence paid off and soon I'll be printing coupons and other goodies from my new printer.

Save $10 At Walgreens FRIDAY ONLY

You can save $10 on a purchase of $30 at Walgreens, on Friday, May 30 ONLY.

The coupon can't be used for prescriptions, alcohol or tobacco, or gift cards, but it can be used at the Photo Center, so if you have a lot of photos to print, today could be your lucky day.

Here's the coupon. Chief Family Officer has some tips for using the coupon here. Happy saving!

Savings Bonds Just Aren't What They Used to Be

A recent report by ABC News confirms what I have suspected for some time: U.S. Savings Bonds just aren't what they used to be.

The report says federal changes will result in Series EE savings bonds earning a "miserly" interest rate of 1.40 percent. The Treasury has also reduced the amount of savings bonds you can purchase and, according to the story, seems to be encouraging investors to purchase other types of bonds.

"Taken together, the miserly interest rates offered on savings bonds, smaller
savings bond purchases and easier access to other Treasury securities, are
likely to diminish the attractiveness of savings bonds.
Savings bonds, however, offer one major advantage you can't get from other Treasury securities -- tax-free interest is available on savings bonds if they are used to pay for college expenses by an adult meeting income limits set by the IRS.
Also, the tax on savings bond interest is deferred, meaning you do not have to pay it until you cash in your savings bond. Even with these benefits, it's tough to
recommend the trusty savings bond." --- ABC News

My grandfather always bought his grandkids a savings bond for every birthday and Christmas. Ten years ago, I had enough money to put a dent in my college education. I had a few savings bonds left after college. (My first emergency fund!) My grandfather has since passed on, and one day when I was thinking about what to do with the bonds that would help me honor his memory, I started to think about what kind of interest they were earning. I realized that the bonds were barely earning any interest at all. I could have made more interest by putting the money in my checking account! (You can find out how much yours are worth by downloading the calculator here).

I decided that the best way to honor my Grandfather would be to use the money for my sons' college education. I cashed in the Savings Bonds last fall (about $1,500 worth) and divided it into three 529 plans for my sons. They'll earn more money there, which is something my frugal grandfather would appreciate it.

Ultimately, my goal is to fund our retiremement and then worry about the kids' college fund. But it still feels good knowing that our boys will at least be able to buy a couple of textbooks in 2025.

Huggies Rebate Offer Extended

The Huggies Choice Rewards rebate offer has been extended until June 15.

Here's the deal: Buy 3 packs of Huggies in a single purchase, send in the UPCs, the original sales receipt, and this form, and you can have your choice of a $5 check, a baby lullaby CD (valued at $16.99) or an exercise DVD (also valued at $16.99). You can listen to samples of the lullabies or view a clip of the videos. You have until June 15 to make your purchase and until July 31 to submit your request.

I opted for one of the exercise DVDs because I am bored with my current collection... and I figure if I'm not exercising, at least I can pretend I will exercise!

How a Board Game Helped Me Learn About Money

Ever since I was a little kid, I've loved board games. I'm pretty competitive and enjoy a good match of wits with friends and family.

And even as a kid, I was a saver. I made sure I saved part of my allowance every week to use for gifts at Christmas time.

Now that I'm older, I am still a saver. And in a way, I view saving money as a game. It's a challenge that I take on daily, and I enjoy the thrill of getting a great deal or solving a problem in a clever, frugal way.

I think the Parker Brother's board game, Paydayhad a lot to do with my introduction to the world of personal finances.

For those of you who may not know of this game, the board game is set up in a calendar format of one month. At the beginning of the game, you decide how many "months" you would like to play the game. The person who has the most money at the end of the game, wins. Throughout the month, you may get bills in the mail, have to buy groceries, get a windfall, or make a purchase. You can save money (at 10 percent interest) or borrow money (at 20 percent interest).

I still remember the lessons I learned from this game regarding interest. At a whopping 20 percent, it didn't take long for me to avoid borrowing money at all costs. I also remember feeling that pit in my stomach when I knew there was more month than money. You learn quickly that if you want to win, you have to be shrewd with your money. It's something I still carry with me to this day.

I also remember that my mother rarely wanted to play this game with me. She said it was too depressing. (This was during a rough financial time for my family). I think about that sometimes, and I realize that I want to do whatever it takes to make sure our family isn't in that same place.

The game really helps you to think about a budget; winning is dependent on your ability to make more than you spend.

Super Great Walgreens Trip

I had a really great trip to Walgreens this week.

Here's what I got:

2 bags of Chex Mix for FREE using coupons I got here.

2 bottles of Excedrin (24 ct) for FREE using coupons I got here.

2 bottles of Ajax dish soap for $1.59 using Walgreens coupon and a manufacturer coupon from the Sunday paper.

2 bottles of Pert Plus 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner FREE after Easy Saver Rebate and manufacturer coupons (I had a $1 off coupon and a Buy One Get One Free coupon).

Don't forget it's about time to submit your Easy Saver Rebates. There's still time to take advantage of the deals, which Centsible Shopper has posted here. The deadline for submitting the rebates is June 7. The new online form makes it super easy and you don't have to waste a stamp!

The new June Easy Saver rebate book should be out soon. Hot Coupon World has a preview of it here.

How Gas Prices are Changing "Me-Time"

As a stay-at-home mom of three boys ages three and under, it is VITAL that I get some time to myself. It helps me establish my identity outside of being a wife and mom and it makes me a better spouse and parent.

In the early months of my new stay-at-home mom status, my "Me-time" was spent bargain hunting and garage sale shopping in town by myself. (In case you haven't noticed, I'm a nerd who enjoys getting good deals!)

But now going to town is an $8 expenditure. My days of "bumming around town" are now much more limited. I am combining trips more than ever, and that often means I have to do my bargain hunting with my entire family in tow.

The situation has forced me to redefine how I spend "Me-time."

My Me-time is more often spent around my neighborhood now.

Sometimes my hubby lets me carve out a moment for me to scrapbook or do some card making while he watches the kids. I take walks by myself to clear my head. I spend time reading out on my deck. I write on my blog. I visit my parents or sometimes we go to town together (they're good people that way!). I spend time doing yard work. I work on projects around the house (like organizing things or cleaning). I plan future bargain hunting trips and hunt for deals online.

In a way, I'm kind of glad that gas prices are up because it is challenging me to be more creative in all areas of my life. I'm rediscovering old hobbies and enjoying being at home more than I ever have before.

Most importantly, I've learned that "Me-time" doesn't have to mean I'm in a store.

Free Bottle of Wish-Bone Salad Dressing

Wish-Bone is offering a FREE bottle of its new Bountifuls salad dressing via mail-in rebate as part of its "Go Greens! Eat Salad" campaign.

The dressings come in four flavors: Tuscan Romano Basil, Simply Sante Fe, Hearty Italian, and Berry Delight. Each of these vinaigrette dressings has 35 calories or less and 1 gram of fat or less per serving.

There's a really short purchase window for this offer: You must buy the dressing between May 30 and June 1, 2008 to qualify for the rebate. Then log on to www.wish-bone.com/Digital-Garden.aspx to download the mail-in rebate form and send it in with your receipt. Wish-Bone will reimburse the full cost (up to $4.50). You have until June 30, 2008 to submit the rebate form. Allow 6-8 weeks for your rebate check to arrive.

While at www.Wish-Bone.com, you can also plant a personalized digital garden and enter for a chance to win one of 2000 reusable "Greenshopper" grocery bags, which will be given away daily from May 12 to August 4, 2008.

The “Go Greens! Eat Salad” Campaign also benefits the National Gardening Association’s Adopt A School Garden program, which helps fund youth gardening programs at schools across the country.

Northern Cheapskate Post Featured in 127th Festival of Frugality

My post on "Why a Recession is Good for Us" is an editor's pick in the 127th Festival of Frugality hosted by Funny About Money.

This week's Festival has lots of great information on everything from coupon organization to entertaining friends on the cheap. Lots of good reads!

Got Debt? Get This Rock?

My frugal friend Michelle pointed out a great post from Kara McGuire of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Read Buy my rock, get out of debt. It's hilarious. It kind of reminds me of when I was a kid and I tried to sell rocks from the driveway to my grandparents.

Tips for a Tight Traveling Budget

Summer is a great time to travel. Unfortunately, with gas prices eating up our budgets, it's getting to be a challenge to find the money to travel. I will be the first to admit we don't travel much these days (with the little ones, it's a challenge), but when we do, we like to get the most bang for our buck.

One of the first things we do when we decide to go somewhere is to research, research, research. This means using the internet, the library, requesting info from state travel bureaus, and talking with friends and co-workers. Find out the best places to go and which ones to avoid so you don't waste your precious resources.

Saving on Getting There and Staying There
You can use services like Expedia and Travelocity to find deals on airline tickets, but even with the high cost of gas, it may still be cheaper to drive. Use sites like Gas Buddy to get deals on fuel.

You can use services like Hotels.com to find hotel deals, but I've had the best luck by simply calling hotels directly and asking for their best price. Take advantage of rewards programs if you stay at hotels frequently. Some programs will give you a free meal with a night's stay. Others will give you a free night's stay if you stay several nights.

My travel-savvy friend AnnMarie plans her trips based on where her friends and family are and stays with them for free. She says, "We often plan our vacations this way so we save on hotel costs but also get to catch up with old friends. When we stay with people, we usually take them out for dinner or pay for pizza delivery as a thank-you. We also don’t stay with people we hardly know, only good friends. We aren’t in it only for the savings, that’s just an added bonus."

AnnMarie also recommends Ebates for buying your tickets and car rentals. Ebates often has good deals and you'll get cash back on your purchase. Use a rewards credit card to save even more.

My frugal friend Susan frequently camps on her vacations. Once you have the equipment, it is very frugal to camp... and you really get to experience your destination.

Plan your trips during the off-season such as early summer or early fall. Hotels will be cheaper and tourist sites will be far less crowded.

Think about what you will do if the weather is unpleasant. Plan indoor and outdoor activities. Plan at least one day to do nothing. After a rigorous schedule of site-seeing and exploring, it's nice to have a relaxing day by the water.

Saving on Food and Beverages
Stay at places that have free breakfasts or continental breakfasts. If your room has a fridge and a microwave, you can also save money on snacks and meals. I know a hockey mom who brings her crockpot and a pizza oven on hockey road trips. All the kids and parents come back to her room after the tournament and they get a hot, inexpensive meal.

If you'll be out doing lots of walking/site-seeing, be sure to bring several refillable water bottles and a cooler. Each morning we would fill our water bottles and put them in a cooler in the car filled with free ice from the hotel. We had plenty of cheap, cool drinks for our activities.

If you're doing the road trip thing, bring your own snacks and beverages. It's much cheaper than getting them at the gas stations. Pack your own picnic lunch to avoid spendy fast food stops.

When you get to your hotel, be sure to check the lobby (and ask the front desk) about discounts that are available at local restaurants. We found coupon books in the lobby of a hotel we stayed at and saved more than $30 on eating out over the course of our trip.

And speaking of coupons, check out the Entertainment Book for the area you plan to visit. You can often get good deals this way. You can also visit Restaurant.com to find cheap gift certificates for restaurants.

Look for places where your kids can eat for free. This is a great strategy because you'll save money and know you'll get to eat in a kid-friendly atmosphere. Try My Kids Eat Free, Kiddie Menu, and All Kids Eat Free for some starting points. You may want to call ahead to the restaurant to verify that their policy hasn't changed.

Saving on Activities
One website that I find useful is Free Attractions. You can find all kinds of free things to do at that site. Be sure to ask the locals for tips, too. They know of things that are off the beaten path and what days are cheaper. For example, I recently learned that a popular museum in my area has free admission on Thursdays.

Saving on Souvenirs
As a scrapbooker, I feel that the best souvenirs are photographs. But, if you simply must buy things to remind you of your vacation, try to focus on things you will use and admire. Do you really need another shot glass or spoon? One friend of mine always buys local artwork for her house. Another buys t-shirts.

Don't buy your souvenirs at a tourist attraction. They are often cheaper elsewhere. I've found fabulous t-shirts at a local Walgreens. We got our Mount Rushmore t-shirts in Mitchell, SD, instead of Rapid City, because they were half the price.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays, Oh My!

I'll be taking a break from blogging for the Memorial Day Weekend. Sunday is my parents' wedding anniversary, Monday is my son's birthday, mother-in-law and aunt-in-law's birthday, and it's Memorial Day to boot! So my house is quite busy with all the celebrating!

Anyway, I hope you all have a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend. I'll be back to my regular posting on Tuesday.

Happy Saving!

Saving Money on Grilling

As you know, I adore garage sale season. But one of the other perks of summertime is grilling. It's so nice to be able to cook without heating up the house. And because there's an element of danger to grilling, my husband is more likely to volunteer to make dinner!

Here are some ways you can save on grilling this holiday season:

Save $2 on Kingsford charcoal after you sign up for their newsletter.

Lowes frequently offers rebates and special deals on grills and summer accessories. Click here before you make any major purchases to see what deals are available. Last Sunday's paper also had a $10 off a $50 purchase coupon in it. You can usually get the sales circulars by the doors at Lowes if you didn't get in the paper.

You can also check out all the deals on outdoor stuff at Home Depot here.

Buy a grill at Ace Hardware and take advantage of their Ace Rewards program. Hooray for Free-bates explains how it works here.

Get a free bottle of Country Bob's All Purpose Barbecue Sauce by filling out the form here. Limit one per household while supplies last.

Always been a Heinz person? Well, you can try Hunts Tomato Ketchup for a change and if you don't like it, you can get your money back (up to $3) using the form here.

You can get a 50 cents-off coupon for any flavor Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Marinades by clicking here.

Head to French's and get printable coupons for French's Mustard, Cattlemen's Barbeque Sauce and more.

This is just a few of the many, many coupons that are out there. Expect to see lots of great deals on all kinds of summer goodies - everything from ketchup to graham crackers to sunscreen between now and Labor Day. And of course, don't forget your local farmer's market. Farmer's markets are wonderful places to get great deals on delicious fresh produce. Take advantage of these great prices and stock up!

Save $5 on a purchase of $20 at Walgreens

If you're planning a stop at Walgreens to pick up a few things, you may want to wait until tomorrow.

Walgreens has a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $20 or more that is good for Friday, May 23 only. The coupon is good toward photos, too.

Don't forget there's still time to pick up free after rebate items from the Easy Saver catalog. Check out Centsible Shopper for all the current deals at Walgreens.

Why A Recession Is Good For Us

The media is expounding its gloom and doom depressing recession talk, and it's got me thinking.

There are some good things that come out of a recession:

Recessions force us to think. When the housing market is lousy or when we fear potential job layoffs, we make more calculated decisions. When gas prices sky rocket, we must make some decisions about our driving habits. We're forced to consider what things are "wants" and what are "needs." We're forced to consider our values and determine what our goals are. We're forced to get creative to make our dollars last.

Recessions help us to conserve. When the economy is bad, we're more likely to do things that will help us conserve our resources. We may cut back on driving. We cook our own meals. We may start using CFLs to save money on our electric bills. We recycle things. We fix things. We borrow and lend things.

Recessions inspire us to save money. We look at ways to eliminate our debts, to earn more money, and to make our money go further. We prepare for that rainy day because we can see the clouds on the horizon.

Recessions foster stronger communities. When times are tough, it's harder to buy gadgets and toys and go on vacations. Recessions help us find inexpensive, local activities to participate in. We get to know our neighbors and spend more time with our families. During recessions, we also are reminded that others may be having a hard time, and seek ways to help them, because we know what it feels like to struggle.

No one likes a recession, that's for sure. But during a recession there is potential for personal growth, innovation, and kindness that doesn't always appear when times are good.

Get FREE Mousepads and Prints at ArtsCow

My credit for my first 100 free prints from ArtsCow will expire on May 31, so I thought I'd better start uploading some photos.

I'm glad I waited to order because they have another bonus deal going on. If you make a purchase between 5/16/2008 and 5/31/2008, you will get credits for 5 FREE custom mousepads. If a single order amount is over $15.00 (including shipping fees!!), you will get not only 5 free mousepad credits, but also an EXTRA 400 FREE prints (including 200 4x6s and 200 5x7s).

If you haven't signed up for ArtsCow yet, you still can. New members will get credits for 400 FREE digital photo prints and an 8x8 Photo Book. Use this link to sign up, and I'll get a referral bonus (thanks in advance!)

According to Freebies4Mom, shipping costs just under 10 bucks for the 100 free prints, not too bad of a deal. She also reviewed the quality of prints here.

Get a FREE Appetizer or Dessert from TGI Fridays

Sign up for TGI Fridays new "Give Me More Stripes" rewards program and get a coupon for a FREE appetizer or dessert and a pass to move to the front of the line at their restaurant at your next visit.

Membership in the "Give Me More Stripes" program is free. Once you sign up, you'll receive a rewards card from TGI Fridays. For every $1 you spend at TGI Fridays, you will receive one stripe. Earn 100 stripes, and get a coupon for $8 toward any item off their menu (except alcohol). There's no limit to how many coupons you can earn. Gift card and alcohol purchases don't count towards rewards.

With your membership, you'll also have opportunities to participate in complimentary welcome tastings, drink upgrades, and preferred seating and parking.

TGI Fridays also has a printable coupon to treat your dad to FREE Beer-Battered Onion Rings on Father's Day, June 16.

Now if only there was a TGI Fridays near me!

Making Decisions for My New Laptop

I recently got a new laptop computer. I'd been stealing my husband's work laptop for a long time so that I could blog in the evenings while I watch television. Since it's his work computer, you can see where the conflict of interest was! Our desktop computer is getting older, and I wanted the flexibility of using the computer anywhere in the house.

The laptop I bought is a pretty simple, no-frills model. My primary purpose for it is to surf the internet and blog. I'll also probably do some digital scrapbooking on it as well.

While I was building the new laptop online, I realized that there were so many decisions to make. And with every decision came the opportunity to spend more money. It was difficult to weigh the value of the "upgrades." I was able to find a few ways to save money on the laptop when ordering.

First of all, I opted not to purchase Microsoft Office. The laptop comes with Microsoft Works, which has a word processor that will meet my basic computing needs. I can always use our desktop or my husband's laptop if it's absolutely necessary. This saved $149.

I did not buy anti-virus software. The computer comes with a 60-day trial of Norton. During that time, I plan to explore cheaper/free options. One thing I'm looking at is AVG's free anti-virus software. It's not as comprehensive in its protection as Norton, but it is rated well. I figure if I can couple that software with some free firewall software, I could save $50 a year on computer protection. My uncle sent me a link on security freeware that I will researching in depth.

Some software programs allow you to load them onto both a desktop and a laptop computer as long as you aren't using both at the same time. This also saves money on software expenses. I'll also be exploring educational discounts since my husband is a college instructor.

I got free shipping and a $100 rebate. I also was able to get a wireless all-in-one printer for $49. This was a splurge for me. I don't really need a new printer, but I would love the ability to photo copy things.

I recycled a laptop bag that I had from a very old laptop (think 1999, folks!) so that I could protect my new computer without having to fork out any cash. I'll recycle the old laptop too.

This wasn't my most frugal purchase, but then, I don't make big purchases like this very often. I feel that I got the best value for the money spent. And that's what matters.

It's Northern Cheapskate's 6-month Blogiversary

It seems like when you're pregnant, you think of everything in terms of weeks. Then, when your babies are here, you think in terms of months.

When you break it down into pieces like that, it makes it so much easier to believe they'll stay babies forever. Of course, we know that's not true.

Well, this blog is growing up, too. Today marks the 6-month anniversary of this blog's inception. On one hand, it feels like I've been doing this forever, but on the other hand, it feels like yesterday.

I've truly thankful for all of my readers. Without you, I'd be talking to myself. Well, I do that anyway, but you get what I mean! I have enjoyed your comments, questions, and ideas.

I've appreciated the media attention. I'm on KAXE 91.7 FM radio Monday mornings and had a blast doing the 2-hour Between You and Me show on KAXE with Heidi Holtan, I've been mentioned on KARE11 TV's website and featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Money section. The extra visitors I've gained from the media coverage, has helped keep me inspired.

I have enjoyed meeting new blog friends. I've learned so much from Heather at Freebies 4 Mom, Sara at Be Thrifty Like Us, and Kacie at Sense to Save. Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge with me.

Of course, Northern Cheapskate still has a lot of growing up to do, and I want to hear from you!

What types of articles do you like best? Least?
What types of topics would you like to see covered?
Is there a feature you'd like to see added to the blog?

Please share your questions, comments, and ideas with me, so that I can continue to make Northern Cheapskate a blog worth bookmarking. Post a comment here, or e-mail me. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

Entrecard Offers Free E-Book

I recently joined Entrecard so that I could take advantage of free advertising of my blog. I am enjoying Entrecard more than I thought I would. First of all, I am getting new readers to the blog. I'm also discovering a lot of great reading materials too!

Entrecard is still relatively new, but they're constantly improving. Now you can link more than one blog to your account. They also have a very helpful free Entrecard E-book that explains how Entrecard works and how to use it to grow your readership.

Free e-book on Debt Reduction

One of my favorite blogs, No Credit Needed, is giving away a free e-book. The No Credit Needed Debt Reduction Guide is an 8-page tutorial on how to chip away at your debts and live a better life. It's an easy-to-read guide that will help you decide which debts to attack and how to reward your victories - big and small.

The e-book is a great introduction to eliminating your debt, and No Credit Needed is a great resource - complete with podcasts and its own network to inspire you on your path to financial freedom.

A little blog business

It appears that there are people out there who have decided to post rude, offensive, and irrelevant comments and links to my blog.

Because of that, I have decided to start moderating comments that are posted. This means there may be a slight delay before you see your comment appear.

I really wish I didn't have to do this, but I cannot tolerate offensive, malicious, and irrelevant spam on my blog. I cannot allow comments that distract from my mission in helping my readers save money and live a frugal lifestyle.

To all of you who have every shared a helpful comment, tip, or link, PLEASE continue to do so. This blog is a better blog when you share your insight.

Quickie Coupons: Kraft, Coffee-mate, and More

Between my e-mail inbox and my surfing, I've found a few good coupons and other deals to share with you.

You can get two packages of Kraft LiveActive Cheese FREE after mail-in rebate by filling out the form here. (thanks to HotCouponWorld)

Speaking of LiveActive, you can save $3 off one box of LiveActive Cereal thanks to this printable coupon I found at MoneySavingMom. Rumor has it this cereal is less than $3 at Walmart, so you may even make a little money on this deal. I was able to print two coupons.

Get a free bottle of Coffee-mate when you sign up on their website. This deal is only good while supplies last and expires at the end of the month. If you participated in their free deal last year, you're not eligible.

Got a scar you want to minimize? Use this $3 off Mederma coupon combined with the $2 coupon from the Walgreen's Easy Saver booklet to save $5 on Mederma at Walgreens. The product is still freakishly expensive, but if you really need it, you could save a little.

Register at Neutrogena and get $5 off Healthy Skin Rejuvenator.

Need some moisturizer that protects you from the sun? Get a $1 off Eucerin Everyday Protection Body and Face Lotion here.