FREE and cheap Summer Movies

See movies for FREE or very cheap this summer!  Type your zip into each website to find the closest locations and showtimes!

Regal Cinemas:

Updated: Summer 2012 list is up!:
Cinemark Summer movie Clubhouse

(Dates should be posted soon or check your local Cinemark theater)

And don't forget FREE bowling!

 
Have Questions? (866) 798-4502

How 10 little things can save you BIG money

There are some little things you can do RIGHT NOW to save over $2000 in the next 12 months or less. 

(And these won't even require you to clip a coupon.)

1. Look closely at invoices for healthcare-related services.  Did you know that 9 out of 10 invoices may inadvertently charge you for supplies or equipment that wasn't even used?  Closely monitor your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company and compare that to the bill you received from your doctor.  Persistance pays off.  After an 18 month battle with a hospital after having my son for charges that had ALREADY BEEN PAID by my insurance company, I won.  And saved about $500.

Potential savings: Around $500

2. Save on pet food by using Amazon's Subscribe and Save feature which charges you once every few months to automatically send your order.  You get to determine how often your order ships and shipping is FREE.  You will save around 10-15% on a 40lb bag (compared to pet stores) and never have to set food outside your house. I used this for diapers, applesauce, and other items.

Potential savings: Around $50

3. Save on DVD rental by using Redbox or Blockbuster kiosks.  Never pay for a Redbox again by checking this website for discount codes.  You may use each code once per credit card.

Potential savings: $50-$100 depending on how often you rent

4. Cancel your landline and invest in an internet phone.  We recently switched to Ooma. You pay a one time fee (around $200) then never have a phone bill again.  Ever.  Voicemail is even included.  Take it from me though--make sure you security system is compatible with the internet phone service first.  Or cancel your landline altogether--especially if you have a cell phone and it is your primary way to make calls.

Potential savings: $100

5. Wash everything (EVERYTHING) in cold water.  You don't realize how much energy you are using by using hot water.  I save up the items I need to wash in hot water or sanitize and run that cycle ONCE every two weeks.  Or if you really want to save, air dry your laundry!

Potential savings: $100

6. Stop paying for TV channels you don't watch.  This is self explanatory--it just requires a phone call.  I made a phone call and found out I qualified for a 6 month $20 a month discount, and I didn't have to change one thing about my plan!

Potential savings: $120

7. Use discounted giftcards to purchase essentials like socks, underwear and T-shirts.  I love plasticjungle.com and giftcardgranny.com.  You can buy gift cards at a discount of about 30% off (I love free money!) or sell unused gift cards that you have received for stores where you don't shop that often.

Potential savings: $100  

8. Call your local power company to see if they have an energy regulation program.  My local power company enrolled me and came out to install a device (for free) that regulates my power usage in high demand times.  So far, we haven't noticed a difference!

Potential savings: $150

9. Lower your internet speed.  Maybe you moved and the company gave you a great introductory rate on their highest internet speed.  But is it still necessary?  If your internet usage is limited to checking email and social media sites, you could probably downgrade without noticing a difference.

Potential savings: $350

10. Find the cheapest gas station.  Download the app GasBuddy to find the cheapest price in your area.  I found a gas station just 4 miles away (in a direction I don't normally go) but it saved me nearly $.20 per gallon.  That's significant!  And guess what?  I found a Target nearby!  Now I take my weekly trip to that Target and fill up on the way home!

Potential savings: $500

And just because I like you, I'll give you a freebie.

11. PLAN to eat out.

Many restaurants have "kids eat free" nights on a regular basis.  Find out what those are and PLAN to eat out on those nights!  If a kids meal is $5, and you have two kids, that is $10 a week.  That's $40 a month and a whopping $480 a year.  

And you know your kids don't eat half of what they order anyway, so why pay for it!?

So there you have it!  Get busy and save yourself some money before the end of 2012!!

Another great newspaper deal for Orlando and surrounding areas!

See below for TWO AMAZING offers from Groupon.  

However if you follow my link, you will be supporting the non profit, 

The Simple Truth Foundation 

who assists those in need.  

Why not do good AND snag yourself this fabulous deal?


Some reminders: 
Publix BOGO sales allow you to use a coupon on the item that you are purchasing AND the one you are getting free!  
Get subscriptions in 
multiples of TWO 
to maximize your savings!
Read each deal's fine print.  
Each offer has limitations per address.

Click the pictures to subscribe.
This deal is BETTER than Groupon because you get a $5 gift card with your subscription!!!

And for Brevard county readers:
(no gift card, but fabulous price!)

Walmart Toy Clearance

Check out the deals I got at Walmart today on clearance.  There was an entire aisle dedicated to the clearanced toys, and an employee told me they bring out new toys every few hours. I have also heard reports from others that their Walmart stores have been doing the same thing (with some of the same toys!)

Again, not all of this is for my kids, but rather to put up for birthdays they are invited to throughout the year or to donate.

Check out my haul!

Here is the breakdown:

2 Huffy bike helmets

Retail $19.97 each

Paid $5 each

2 Moon In My Room lamps

Retail $19.97 each

Paid $2 each

Cars pop up tent

Retail $32.97

Paid $8.50

Fisher Price Big Action Construction truck set

Retail $49.88

Paid $20

Little Tykes Fire Station Ramp

Retail $19.99

Paid $5

Matchbox helicopter set of 4

Retail estimate $10

Paid $3

Lego Cars set 

Retail estimate $19.99

Paid $5

3 Easy Bake Oven mixes

Retail $5.99 each

Paid $1 each

Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar

Retail $24.99

Paid $5

Total Retail value = $255

Total Out of Pocket = $63

75% Savings!!!!!

Let me know if you are able to find some great sale toys as well!!

Amazing new special for the Orlando readers!

Here is a great deal you will WANT to take advantage of!!

See below for details, then click on the link to go get your subscription (or additional subscriptions) TODAY!

GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION HERE:

Travel

Here is a little freebie for you. My friend, Marji, passed this exhaustive list onto me many years ago (it used to include things like diapers, bottles and baby paraphernalia) but I have edited it to fit our needs now.  This is THE BEST THING because there is little I have to "try to remember" as I am packing.

Here is why it works:

1. I don't have to remember things while I will (inevitably) get distracted about a dozen times while trying to pack up our family of five.

2. I don't forget anything.  This list is TRIED AND TRUE.  I have used it for years and I have found it fool proof. In other words--we never forget stuff! (And I really mean never!) 

I recently found a similar list from the Container Store for $11.  What?  Yes. Really.  After Marji and I pined after all the money we could have made from her list, we decided to share (as she did with me several years, and kids, ago) for FREE.

So here you go: in case you are traveling this Spring Break or over the summer or sometime in the future (which I hope you will be!)  Print out a new copy whenever you need it.

Marji wanted to leave you one last tip for using the list: 

"Write the weather/temperature of the place you are traveling on the list so you can pack accordingly. And cross off anything you don't need for that particular trip prior to packing."

And big thank you to Marji for the helpful list!!

I hope it makes your packing a lot easier too!!

Download here:

Travel Checklist

Finding Your Couponing Groove

Now that I have been "scaling back" my blogging and couponing (which, by the way, I'm sure you're GLAD now that I don't blow up your newsfeed throughout the day) I only check "coupon stuff" about once a day. (GASP!)

 Sometimes it's mornings, and sometimes it's in the afternoons or evenings. In doing so, I inevitably miss a few deals (and some that I would have really liked to have gotten!).  But this is just a reminder that ANY SAVINGS IS BETTER THAN NONE and (say it with me) EVERYTHING GOES ON SALE AGAIN EVENTUALLY. 

I love to save, but sometimes it isn't possible.  Like today--I NEEDED toilet paper and the request from the husband was to "quit buying the scratchy kind you always get on sale."  So there I was, paying full price for some nice soft Charmin today at Publix.  

I just wanted to share that because couponing doesn't have to be like another job that takes lots of time.....IT SO DOES NOT!  It's a way of life, just like eating healthy or working out.  It's a conscious decision to do WHAT you can to make sure you are saving as MUCH as you can with the time you have.  It's shopping CONSCIOUSLY.  EDUCATING yourself on grocery sales cycles and pricing. Making a commitment to a self-awareness about what is going in your cart. ORGANIZING your shopping trips and not just walking into a store without a plan.

I have been couponing for the last seven years.  SEVEN.  I have found what works for me after many, many trials and errors. So if you are new and just dipping your toes in this pool of couponing, keep in mind that developing what works for you takes time, practice and patience.

If you come to one of my coupon classes, you will hear me say that saving any money is better than you were doing before coming to my class. I mean it.  If saving 20% on $100 grocery bill each  week makes you happy (which it should!) then you are saving $80 a month!  Eighty-dollars: Just from making some small changes after coming to a class. 

Try not to compare your trips to the ones you see online where people have saved 80% or 90%.  That is rare (and to be applauded) but it's not the norm.  

And, by all means, if you have been going at it and are getting burned out--do what I have done--SCALE BACK!  TAKE A BREAK!  LET SOME DEALS GO!  I promise you will settle into what works for you.

This Spring I will be starting a series where I address some frequently asked coupon questions! I think it will really help clarify many confusing issues for you!

I would love to have you weigh-in on your most perplexing coupon issues!