QOTW: 4/30/12

What does “Limit one per purchase” mean?Most coupons read, “Limit One Per Purchase”, which simply means you may only use one coupon per item being purchased. There are some coupons that read, “Limit 4 like coupons per transaction”, which means you can only use 4 of that exact same kind of coupon per checkout transaction. In general, if you have multiple coupons, you should be able to use each of them, as long as you’re purchasing multiple items.

QOTW: 4/23/12

When a store promotion specifies Spend $25, save $10, does the $25 have to be my total after I present my coupons?

Usually No! You only must reach a minimum of $25 before tax. You may pay with as many coupons as you have. Even if your total after coupons is only $11.00, you will still save that advertised $10.00.

( Frugal Chick tip: Always check your store's coupon policy before going to shop)

QOTW 4/16/12: How do you track what you save?

I use a spreadsheet that I found on a coupon site that is no longer maintained. It is very overwhelming at first to look at, but it is very simple. All you need to do is plug in how much spent and how much you saved for the week and it does everything else for you. (Just mess with the boxes that are green).

Click here to download. (It’s in an Excel spreadsheet).

For those of you that aren’t spread sheet or math folks here’s how to quickly calculate your savings each week:

1. Add together the amount that you spent for all receipts
2. Add together the total amount saved (usually at the bottom of all receipts)

3. Add Total Spent and Total Saved together to get the total Value
4. Divide Total Saved by the Total Value, multiply that by 100.

You have the percentage saved for the week!

QOTW: 4/9/12 What does it mean to "roll" a catalina?

What does it mean to “roll” a catalina?
This refers to the practice of separating your purchase into multiple transactions in order to use register catalina coupons from your first transaction to pay for your second transaction. Another catalina prints from the 2nd transaction that pays for the 3rd transaction and so on.

QOTW: What are the "rules" to couponing? 4/2/12

People start out couponing breaking all the rules, some of which are:

• Taking newspaper inserts out of papers: whether it is taking inserts out of Newspaper stands, or out of your neighbors papers, it is not “taking” it is “stealing”!
• Trying to use two manufacturer’s coupons on one product. Even if they are for different amounts, you can never do this!
• Trying to use a manufacturer’s coupon on the wrong product. We call this “Pulling a J’aime” and is highly unethical, maybe even illegal…
• Trying to use store coupons at stores that don’t accept competitor coupons.
• One of the first rules a couponer learns is that photocopying ANY coupon is illegal and is punishable by fines and imprisonment.
• Using coupons correctly helps ensure future coupon acceptance, so we always want be honest in our couponing!
• Bar Code Decoding. It constitutes coupon fraud and is ILLEGAL. Decoders are shoppers who sneak legitimate coupons past their cashiers when using them for products for which the coupon is obviously not intended. Bar code decoders try to circumvent the computerized cash registers by decoding 12 digit UPC barcodes, usually using a high value coupon on a smaller or inexpensive product from the same brand but which is NOT listed on the coupon, thus getting it for free or with overage.Bar code decoding is completely dishonest and constitutes stealing from the store since the store must provide proof of the correct purchases to the manufacturer to get reimbursed
• Don't hold up the line if your going to make 10 transactions.
• Don't clear a shelf. Leave some for me ;)
• Make friends with your cashier, be kind, and use your manners.
• Don't take peelies off products your not purchasing

Frugal Chicks QOTW: 3/26/12~ Catalina didn't print

My catalina did not print. What do I do?If you catalina did not print there are 2 ways to handle it.
1. If the deal is listed in your circular or on a shelf tag, in most cases you can go directly to customer service.
2. If this is not a catalina deal that is in the circular then you will need to call or email Catalina Marketing company. There contact info is: 1-888-826-8766 or via email ncsc@catalinamarketing.com.
Do you have a question to ask.. message us on facebook or email us at sillymom2three@yahoo.com

I have been tagged....

Judi and Amy tagged me...



Here are the rules…

#1 – Post these rules.

#2 – Answer the 11 questions from the person who tagged you.

#3 – Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.

#4 – Tag 11 people and link them to your post.



#5 – Let them know that you tagged them





Here are my questions:



1. If you could have 3 people over for a dinner party, who would they be (and a short why)? Our President, My husband, and My mom.. I miss two of these people, and I love to give our president some encouragment.

2. Who is your favourite author and why? Hmmm I have too many right now I really like reading Alice Sebold right now. I have a vast reading group I love to read from.

3. What activities/clubs did you join in High School and what was your favourite? Band/drama/ majorette those were the 3 I breathed and lived...

4. Is there a movie that you can watch over and over again and never get sick of it? Why? Harry Potte #4 :) I love that one!

5. Do you have any hobbies? Tell us about them. Photography, couponing, blogging, crafts

6. Is there someone from your past that you have lost touch with but would like to have them back in your life…who is it and why? I have an Aunt whom we let stupid things in our past come between us. I miss her more then she probaly realizes. She was always someone I looked up too, growing up.

7. Tell us about your guilty pleasure: Cake Balls or creme brulee with a side of Kardashian Reality tv :)

8. Do you watch tv? What are your 3 favourite shows (and if you don’t watch tv, tells us why you don’t) I rarely watch tv but if I do it's reruns of things like CSI, sex in the city, or Kardashians.. I love junk tv :)

9. What did you want to be when you grew up? An actress or politican .. yep LOL... no jokes please ;)

10. Why did you start blogging? to share my crazy life and kinda keep a journal of sorts for my kids

11. Who do you most admire in your life? Tell us something about that person.

I admire a lot of people for alot of reasons. I am going to say I admire those people in my life who have stood by me no matter what crap has come my way. My husband, my mom, and my sisters for one. I am admire all mom's of special needs children. Because no one can understand the life we live, till you walk a day in our shoes, and I meet a new mom every week, that I admire. I have many friends who have overcome a lot, and still are.. Love you all!


Here are my 11 questions:

1) If you could do one thing with me, what would it be?

2) What is your go to comfort food?

3) What do you wish you did more of? less of?

4) What is a family tradition you have for Valentine's Day?

5)What is your favorite song to get you pumped up?

6) What is one thing you wished you knew when you were 10?

7) How did you meet me?

8)What is your favorite valentine's candy?

9)What is your super power?

10) What is your favorite outfit to wear?

11) What's for dinner?


I am tagging the following bloggers (who may have already been tagged, and that’s okay!!):

http://brandoesamerica.blogspot.com/

http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/

http://suziqcreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-wreaths.html

http://talesofablendedfamily.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/finally-friday/