Shop online and save money (guest post)

Save Money Shopping Online

One of the biggest pitfalls of successful budgeting involves splurge spending during shopping outings. We've all done it. Going to a store to pick up a few necessary items can lead to buying the latest trends in fashion or the much desired household items you've been eyeing. While this can be a lot of fun, it can also do major damage to our bank accounts and spending plans. If kicking the splurge spending habit just isn't a reasonable option, shopping online can really cut back on the costs of some of those highly desired items. These three tips will help you make the best of your online shopping experience.

Make a List

While this may sound silly for shopping online, having a list of the things you plan to get online can really help you shop more quickly and without distraction. Write down the things that you would like to find online and stick to getting only those items. At the bottom of the list write down what your budget is so that you won't overspend if you find something that is particularly grabbing. Keeping a shopping list helps you stay organized and keep track of the deals on various websites.

Shop Around

One of the biggest benefits of online shopping is the ability to shop around without having to leave your chair, couch, or bed. Go to several different websites and hunt for the best deal. There are numerous shopping websites out there. Some, however, have much better prices and offers than others. If you find an item that you like, bookmark the site and then search that specific product on other sites. Try to find the best deal. However, be wary of cheap initial prices on sites that hike up the shipping costs. They can be very sneaky. Don't spend too much time looking, but do look around a bit for a deal.

Utilizes Special Promotions

Perhaps the biggest perks of online shopping are the special promotions and deals that are offered. Even some of the most expensive and lavish stores offer web exclusive sales to individuals on their emailing list. If there are a few stores that you shop at regularly, sign up on their emailing list and receive promotional deals and coupons regularly. Of course, this can be an easy area to slip up in. Don't make the mistake of using every coupon that you are offered just because it is a deal. Use only the coupons and sales that are useful for you. Don't waste your money on something you don't need just because it is cheaper than it should be. Using online promotions is a great way to save some money and still pamper yourself just a little.

Online shopping is often looked down upon by the traditional budgeter. Find ways to make online shopping work for you. Save time and save money.

By-line:
Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online degrees.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com. 

Lucky Me- A Prize in my Pasta

So, I was making dinner the other day. I was cooking some of the free pasta I'd scored. (now that I'm such a good little couponer)

I started the water boiling and added the pasta. These were fun cork-screw-like pasta and I noticed there was a larger than pasta sized, flatter shape in the water.

It looked like this:

Here is the box it came from:

And the back of the "prize" 

Hubby thinks it's a piece that broke off of the equipment. Who knows.. I'm not going to throw a fit, but I might mention it to the company. By the way, it did blend in pretty good, but you'd think someone would catch that upon inspection.

UPDATE: May 31, 2011

I contacted the company to let them know. They were very friendly and called to make sure I was ok. They will be sending me a coupon for a replacement box of pasta and will be evaluating my "prize". Once they find out what it is they will contact me and let me know their findings. 

Addicted to coupons

I've always had a pretty good eye for a deal. For awhile I thought coupons were a waste of time, because I could usually get the store brand for less money without a coupon.

However, I used coupons here and there to get name brand stuff.

Over the last year or so I've used coupons more and more and every now and then scored a really good deal or even a few things for free.

Then I saw the Extreme Couponing show on TLC.  I acquired a binder and I did a little more research. I am branching out to other stores because I am finding out about great deals. Before I'd just check the deals at Smiths or Walmart. Well I rarely go to Walmart anymore, at least not for groceries. I'm hitting up Smiths and Walgreens now, sometimes twice a week each. I'm not spending much more than I was before, but I'm getting more. It's kind of addicting.

Pretty soon, I'll be a pro!

I'm not going nuts with it though, I'm only getting things we'll use.

I'd like to share my favorite links for finding great deals with your coupons.

1. http://coupondivas.com/
2. www.grocerysmarts.com

Do you use coupons? What tips/links do you have to share? 

Supercross SLC 2011 Woohoo, what a ride! (plus hubby's comments)

Over the last few years I've become a fan of Supercross thanks to my husband.  I started watching races with him on tv starting in 2005. Last year was the first year I went to a live race with him. We even took our kids and stayed over night downtown.

We were all very excited to go last year. We went and hung out at the Pit Party and got plenty of pictures, autographs and free stuff. It was rainy off and on and there was a lot of walking around. By the time the race started, we were cold, wet and miserable. We still enjoyed it all, but we (the kids mainly) could only take so much and we didn't stay for the whole race. We left with about 30-40 minutes left in the race.

This year as the time grew nearer, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go. (not sure why) I guess I just didn't want to get rained out again. Hubby of course wanted to go and asked me to get tickets. I decided I'd go with him, but we'd leave the kids this time. So I found tickets and got us a hotel downtown. I was lucky enough to get hooked up with a nice suite at a nice price thanks to a cousin in law.

I felt a bit spoiled. And I loved it!

We'd been needing a weekend getaway and I was excited for it all.

The morning of Supercross, we had a nice breakfast at the hotel (Waffles, eggs, fruit) Then we got ready for the adventure.

Johnny showing his Nitro Circus Pride!  :)

First thing we did when we got to the Pit Party was potty. LOL. Then we checked out our seats. They were up 60 rows. (nice workout on stairs) Johnny knew a good area to get tickets where we'd be covered. I was so happy, because it was snowing off and on. I had wished it hadn't rained like last year. Well, be careful what you wish for. (it really wasn't that bad, just cold off and on)

John started off with the Toyota Teeter Totter Challenge.

You have to try and balance the truck. Best time wins. (longest time)

Video:

We went and hung out a few more places...

No pics of this, but we entered a Monster (energy drink) guzzling contest. We didn't win, but Johnny came close. We sure felt the effects for awhile. P.S. We prefer Rockstar, shhh.

It was fun, I broke out of my shell a little more than usual. I even decided after awhile that I'd try the Teeter Totter challenge. The issue wasn't that it was "hard"... I just don't like people watching me do stuff. Unless it's a singing contest, I can somehow sing in front of people.

We were more than happy to catch a glimpse of Chad Reed. Even if it was from behind. I didn't mind at all! 

We later got to see him from the front. We thought we were going to get to meet him and all that.. but apparently you had to get a ticket earlier for that. We didn't know.

At least John got to get his picture taken with Travis Pastrana.

 (Ok, so it was just a cardboard cutout...) That's ok, we have met him twice before. Bummed to not see the Nitro Circus Crew, but later John did run into Greg Godfrey.

We did get to meet these 2 cute guys.

We saw Ryan Dungey:

Don't know the other people, we were just walking by and taking pics.

Finally, we see Chad Reed's front side:

Johnny decided to try the Teeter Totter Challenge again.

And then I decided to give it a shot. Now let me explain something... I got in and was still kind of shaking from guzzling the Monster. So I had to take a minute to calm down and then I asked the guy if I needed to put on my seatbelt. He said it was a good idea. Oh and someone had left something in there earlier, so the guy was checking for it.. not there. (so that's what's all going on inside for the first 30 seconds)

Then hubby tells the guy I don't drive a lot... trying to help me out or something. Thanks hon.

Time for the Race:

It's taking forever to upload pics... so I will add the rest later.

I'll leave you with my husband's comments.

Easter Weekend Giveaway (and book savings for the rest of the month)

What better time for a Giveaway than Easter Weekend? Enter now through Sunday night.

Let's celebrate Spring and Birth and The Resurrection.

Up for grabs:

• A signed copy of Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers by Jill Hancock Reeder (that's me actually) with stickers and bookmarks (the book will also be on sale for the rest of the month @ $3 off, plus buy 3 get 1 free)

• $10 to buy something Springy for your home from Scentsy (good through me only)

You can enter one or both giveaways. I will randomly select 1 winner for each.

How to Enter:

Please leave a comment about which giveaway you'd like to be entered in and why. You can comment right here on this post.

For additional entries (1 each):

Follow me on Twitter

Follow Surrogacy Books on Twitter

 Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter of course. (please add "courtesy of @surropepperbird" in your tweet)

 Comment on my Mormon Surrogate Facebook Fan Page 

 Comment on my Surrogacy Books Facebook Fan Page

Become a fan of 1 or both pages above

Follow my blog if you aren't already following

Follow through Google friend connect

Follow Surrogacy Books

Spread the news about this giveaway in your own clever way

E-mail me why you are entering. If you're entering for the book, tell me what interests you about it. If you're wanting Scentsy, tell me what you'd order.

Please please please e-mail me to let me know what you've done to earn extra entries so I can keep track. Thank you!   :)

Winners will be announced Monday, April 25, 2011 right here on my blog. So stay tuned and good luck.

Happy Easter and have a wonderful weekend!