Finances always tend to get a bit tighter this time of year. Between school and the various upcoming holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc) the checking account is often left a bit high and dry.

For pet owners the squeeze can be even tighter. The costs of food and other necessities has crept steadily upward as well over the last little while, and any luxuries for our pets seems to be something they and we can do without. However, several companies online make sure to offer coupons, deals and discounts — check them out:
~ Pet Mountain is offering savings up to …read more

I registered with Morningstar Farms today. They have a newsletter and all sorts of tips and recipes available. There are sections on nutrition and meal planning.
You can learn about new products or find new ways to use old favorites, for example, there’s a recipe for Qesadillas that uses the Morningstar Farms Hickory BBQ Riblets. (I love those riblets).
The recipe uses basics I already have around my home including Monterey Jack Cheese, flour tortillas, corn, canned green chiles, and sour cream. The entire recipe takes about 15 minutes. It’s located in the Comfort Food Makeover section. Other family favorites in the …read more

We all like a good travel deal, and providing a good deal for travelers, and their favorites charities, is the goal of GoodShop.com.
The site lists hundred of coupons and deals, with a percentage of every sale going back to the charity of the traveler’s choice. Travel coupons include Expedia, cheaptickets, Hotels.com, Travelocity, Fairmont Hotels, Alaska Airlines, Avis, Budget Rent-a-Car, and more.  Some of the coupons include Las Vegas package discounts on Southwest Airlines and a 5-night vacation through Travelocity.
It’s easy to use:  Go to GoodShop.com, designate you favorite cause, and then click through to the appropriate online store to …read more

A lot of pet stores and online shops are upping their availability and discounts lately to help pet owners out.

Drs Foster and Smith are offering a 100 Days Sweepstakes, with two $100 prizes given out every week. Be sure to check out their Sale Center and Clearance Outlet. Expires 7/29/09
PetSmart is having a Super Summer Sale with deals up to 20% select items. They also have an online coupon for $5 off orders of $25 or more. Use code APRIL at checkout. Expires 5/26/09
National Pet Pharmacy can save you $10 on an order of $75 or more. Use coupon code …read more

It’s a common myth that coupons are only good for high calorie, convenience foods. While there certainly are a number of those out in the marketplace, you can also find a reasonable number of coupons for organic foods, dairy items, meat products, and produce. Here are a few sources:

Coupons.com – The offerings on this site change daily and while you’ll see a full compliment of sugary cereals and such, this week’s offers also included good discounts on salad mix bags and bags of sliced apples.
Smart Source – Similar to Coupons.com, their offerings change frequently, so check often.
Kashi – The …read more

When it comes to buying for my pets, I love being able to use samples or at least discounted items to see if they like the product first before I pay full price!

~ Free sample of Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food
~ PetSmart coupon – $5 off an order of $25 or more: Use coupon code APRPERKS at checkout (until April 14)
~ PetSmart coupon – $10 off an order of $60 or more, just use your Visa card. Coupon code VISA60F8 (until June 30, 2009)
~ Free sample of Milk-Bone treats
~ Pet toy sale at Wrapables.com (ends today)
~ Free SoBe-Dog tag
~ Buy …read more

I pride myself of being frugal, fiscally responsible and downright cheap.
It’s downright genetic and in my upbringing and out of middle-class economic necessity.
Inflation is out of control as going to the grocery store gets more expensive every time I go. The increased price of gas is leaking out to the price of everything.
I’ve been combating the guilt and frustration at the grocery store by raising my budget and saying, It’s out of my control. We have to eat. I don’t control the price of gas or groceries.
Imagine my shame when I heard Kate Gosselin, mother of twins and sextuplets from …read more