1)  Give less candy.  Kids don’t need all of that sugar anyway.  I’ve even been to some houses that just have a big bowl sitting out on the porch.  Cut back on the amount of candy you give.

2)  Buy in bulk.  If possible, check out deals at warehouse clubs.  Most times the prices are less and they have assortments of candy just for Halloween.  If it’s too much candy, split it with a friend or neighbor.

3)  Consider giving alternate treats.  I like those little bags of pretzels because it gives kids a snack rather than just candy.  In addition to this idea, be on the look out for low prices on small toys, trinkets, stickers, etc.  You can also pick these up on clearance after Halloween this year and save them for next year.  I bought several packages of insects, snakes, etc after Halloween last year for $.25 per pack.

4)  Save candy from other events.  Before Halloween actually comes around, chances are your children have gone to Halloween parties, fall festivals, parades, and other events.  Save the excess candy for your trick-or-treaters.

5)  Stay away from the chocolate.  You can pretty much guarantee that you’ll find great prices on gum, lollipops, and other hard candy.  Chocolate is much more expensive . . . but so tasty! mmmm

What ways do you save on Halloween candy?

Please also check out ways to save on Halloween – Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

image sxc.hu

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I inquired about the pull-ups in the bin because they had been opened and taped with packing tape.  I thought perhaps I could get them to mark down the pull-ups since someone had opened them.  At first the lady told me that they weren’t going to mark them down and then a few moments later she came back to me and said that they would mark them half price. 

The original price of the pull-ups was $10.  They marked them down to $5 and then I asked if they accepted manufacturer’s coupons.  The cashier said that they did so I put my stuff down and went out to the car to get my $1.50 coupon.  I ended up paying $3.50 for the package.  Sometimes it pays to ask.

Has asking for a discount ever paid off for you?

image from walgreens

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In December, our family moved to a very rural area.  It’s beautiful out here.  The neighbors have llamas, donkeys, horses, and cows.  It’s nice and quiet.  There’s just one problem . . . the only grocery store around is Food Lion. 

Food Lion does have some nice weekly specials that I like to stockpile, but I am really missing my Lowe’s Foods.  Each week, I would print out The Grocery Game list for Lowe’s Food, clip my coupons, and I felt a great deal of satisfaction when I rolled out of there saving such a nice chunk of change.  It was a personal goal to keep our weekly grocery budget under $75.  Many weeks I did not spend half that amount.  Some weeks I did, but our cabinets were so full!!!!  After my husband was laid off, we ate off our stockpile for months and was able to share with others too!

There are other groceries stores around in the larger cities, but who wants to drive 15-20 miles to the grocery store?  I sure don’t.  That takes a lot of extra time from my schedule. 

Since moving here, I have had to increase our food budget by at least $25 per month.  Now that we have an active, growing 11-year-old (who eats more than I do), I find I’m spending even more.  As a very thrifty person, this is really hard for me.  Sometimes I am spending over $100 per week on groceries!!!!! 

I need to put all this out of control spending to rest.  I think if I had a regular plan in place, I could start saving a lot more money.  I’m thinking I need to plan one day each week to go to “the big city” (lol) to do my grocery shopping.

What do you think?  How can this thrifty mommy get back on track?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Across the internet there are mixed reports about which coupon special Kmart is running.  Some are saying it’s double coupons up to $2 and some are saying up to $4.  One person has said that some coupons are being tripled, depending on their value.  It seems the news varies according to your area.  I would say to call your Kmart for more information but it seems that in general their people are not very friendly.  It might be easier to just go with your coupons and hope for the best.  You may be able to find out more info at kmart.com. 

Before you head to Kmart, be sure to print off this coupon good for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more.  Present the coupon BEFORE you hand over your manufacturer’s coupons.  (Thanks to Nicole’s Nickels for the coupon link.)

Let us know of any great coupon match-ups you find.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For those of you who have not used Restaurant.com before, this is a real website.  My husband and I have purchased many certificates from them.  The simple catch is that you have to spend more than the value of the certificate.  With a $25 certificate you have to spend $35.  It’s a great way to try out new restaurants though.

This offer ends Monday, April 13, 2009.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

We may be at a new location and have a new look, but don’t worry; we will continue to help you save money.  Thrifty Mommy will still provide you with coupons, tips, strategies, recipes, sales, and many other ways to save you time and money.  Feel free to leave a comment letting us know any topics you’d like tackled.

We look forward to many more great conversations with you.

Image: istockphoto

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

How many of you have tried Restaurant.com?  You can get restaurant gift certificates at reduced prices.  Yes, there a few rules to using them, but it’s a great way to try out a new restaurant.  If you’re lucky, your favorite restaurant might even be featured.

Right now, Restaurant.com  has their gift certificates for 80% off.  You can get them for only $2!  Simply enter the discount code MENU at the checkout and hit “apply”.  This sale ends Sunday, March 15.

image from restaurant.com

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For many, money is tight this year.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great Valentine’s Day.  Dismiss your expectations about what Valentine’s Day should be.  This is a day to make your mate feel special and to spend time one another. 

1)  Make a romantic dinner at home.  I don’t know about you, but in the past few years, I have given up on going out on Valentine’s Day.  It is not fun to go to your favorite restaurant and wait an hour or more to be seated.  It’s not romantic at all!  Instead, make a special meal at home.

2)  Create a romantic ambiance. Dim the lights, light some candles, and play soft music.  You probably already have the candles in your home.  If not, you can pick up some for just a few dollars.  If you don’t have the music, set up a free playlist at youtube or borrow some music from your friends.

3)  Make your own Valentine’s cards.  A store bought card that says, “Love you” isn’t very special.  What makes a card special is that someone took the time to write something meaningful inside the card.  A handmade card also shows sincerity.  There are websites out there with free clip art or you could make a card and put a picture of the two of you on the cover. 

4)  Swap babysitting with a friend.  Offer to watch her kids on February 14 if she’ll watch your kids on February 15.  Remember, you don’t want to go out on the 14th anyway.  You could also wait until the kids are in bed to celebrate.

5)  Enjoy a movie at home. Last year, my hubby and I did not have a sitter, so I made a special dinner and after the kids were in bed, we enjoyed the silence in our home and watched a movie together.  I bought some sparkling grape juice for just a few dollars and some strawberries.  It was fun just to spend time together.

6)  Make your own decorations.  The internet is full of crafts, garland, and the sweetest decorating ideas.  Many of them aren’t time consuming.  For a fun activity, get the kids involved.

7)  Make your own fabulous desserts.  Enjoy a special treat together such as the famous frozen hot chocolate.  No Fuss Fabulous has a recipe that sounds pretty simple and they show you how to make it as a gift for friends.  Or use your left over candy canes to makes the cutest heart lollipops and cupcakes or make heart shaped cheesecakes from Skip to My Lou.

8)  Forget the store bought gift and give your spouse something special from you.  You know your spouse and you know what he/she likes (or at least you should!).  If your husband is always begging you to go to the car show with him, then tell him you’re taking him to the car show.  If you husband’s love language is touch, then give him a 30 minute massage.  If your husband’s love language is words of affirmation, then make individual hearts for him with special sayings on them or things you appreciate about him and place them in random places throughout the house, or you could tape them to the door for a heart collage.

9)  If you want to buy something for your special someone, begin shopping ahead of time and looking for something that doesn’t cost a lot.  If your honey likes cars, then maybe you could buy a magazine subscription.  If your significant other likes coffee or chocolates, then you could make them a basket of homemade treats with a few favorite store bought items.  Get creative and stay within your budget.

10)  Let the kids be thrifty too.  My kids love to make things.  Get the kids involved by letting them make their own valentines this year.  Family Fun has some really cute Valentine card ideas.  Of course, you can search the web for printable Valentines too.

11)  I know I said 10 ways. Consider this a bonus.     Try not to send flowers this year.  The mark up at Valentine’s Day is insane.  If you do want to give flowers, consider buying them from your local grocery store or supermarket.  They actually have some nice fresh flowers and arrangements for a fraction of the cost.

Also consider checking out 50 Thrifty Links for Valentine’s Day.

What ways can you save this Valentine’s Day?

images used with permission of SkipToMyLou

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Last year I was at a yard sale and spotted some oak living room furniture.  It came with a tv stand, two end table/cabinets, and a bench type coffee table.  The lady told me she paid over $1000 for the set and I got them for $125.  Our bedroom furniture is my husband’s furniture from when he was a kid.  It’s solid wood.  He just sanded it and refinished it to make it look new again.  My kitchen table was purchased from a junk store.  It is an old oak farmhouse style table with lots of marks and dings on it.  It has a lot of character.  I only paid $35 for it and I get lots of compliments on it from others. 

If I recall correctly, the only new furniture we have is a bunk bed set that I purchased from Big Lots.  Truthfully though, if I were going to buy new furniture, I’d spend my money on antiques. 

How do you save money on furniture?  Do you buy used furniture or do you look for sales on new furniture?

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Lifeway has a great deal on the Prince Caspian dvd.  You can pre-buy the dvd for only $19.99 (reg $29.99).  When you pre-buy the dvd, Lifeway will also give you two $5 cards towards another purchase.  This pre-buy special is good until December 1st.  This is a great opportunity to save some money on Christmas purchases.

image from Lifeway

Post from: Thrifty Mommy