Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 52 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Year End Celebration Giveaway ~ Enter to Win 1 of 5 Magazine Subscriptions

In celebration of a full year of hosting the Frugal Tuesday Tip Linky the hosting blogs that it would be fun to celebrate the anniversary by hosting a giveaway for you!  We want to thank you for your participation ~ thanks for stopping by each week to link up your frugal posts and thanks for visiting the blogs that participated!

The Giveaway:  I will be giving away magazine subscriptions to 5 readers.

Each winners will be able to select one magazine subscription from the following options (available options are subject to change):

• Fast Company (10 issues)
• Coastal Living (10 issues)
• Cigar Aficionado (6 issues)
• Essence (12 issues)
• Details (10 issues)
• Allure (12 issues)
• Health (10 issues)
• Sunset (12 issues)
• Inc. (10 issues)
• Lucky (12 issues)
• The Atlantic (10 issues)
• Horse Illustrated (12 issues)
• Smithsonian (11 issues)
• Maxim (12 issues)
• Conde Nast Traveler (12 issues)
• Afar (6 issues)
• W (12 issues)
• Golfweek (40 issues)
• Glamour (12 issues)
• Cooking Light (10 issues)
• Vogue (12 issues)
• Self (12 issues)
• GQ (12 issues)
• Diabetes Forecast (12 issues)
• Prevention (12 issues)
• Travel + Leisure (12 issues)
• Golf Digest (12 issues)
• Golf Magazine (12 issues)
• Wine Spectator (15 issues)

After you have entered the giveaway here be sure to enter the Frugal Tuesday Year End Celebration giveaways being hosted at  juliecache and Learning the Frugal Life!

To Enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. (Please be patient in waiting for it to load. If you are reading this in an email you must click on the title of this post to view the form online and enter.)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure:  I'm personally sponsoring this giveaway.  Enjoy!

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 51 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 50 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

What I Saved in 2011 ~ Year End Finals

In 2011 I started using a Savings Tracking spreadsheet I downloaded at Savings Lifestyle.  For the first time in my life I wanted to see what I was actually saving with coupons. On this spreadsheet I entered every grocery trip, Walgreens run and Target outing.  I tracked what I spent out of pocket, what my total savings was including sales and what I saved by using coupons.  At mid-year my savings percentage was at 46%.  My goal at that time was to increase it to at least 50% and I'm happy to say that I acheived that goal.  In 2011 I saved almost $3000 just from coupons alone.  By combining coupons with store sales and promotions I saved over $4000.

 

My goal for 2012 is to achieve 60% savings at these stores.  What might hold me back?  I'm not going to make excuses if I don't reach this goal, but one reason I'm unable to achieve higher savings is the fact that I don't live in double-couponing region.  Other downfalls for myself are my love of soda and ice cream.  I'm very good at stocking up on soda when I get a 12-pack for $2.50 or less, but it's still a bad habit that adds up and adds to my grocery bills.  I've also always included alcohol purchases in this spreadsheet as well and unless you have mail-in rebates for items there's usually not much savings there.  Although we are not big drinkers it's still something we like to have for entertaining.  I will try to cut back on my splurge items in 2012, but I'm not making any promises!

 

Did you track your savings in 2011?  Please share your saving successes here!  Do you have a goal to save more in 2012?  I'd love to hear it!

 

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 49 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 48 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 47 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 46 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 44 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Still Spoiling the Kids

I have yet another confession of being not so frugal-minded at times.  I'm taking my kids to see Disney on Ice this weekend.  I spent money on tickets for something they don't really have to see, but I want to take them.  They share my love for all things Disney and I'm excited about seeing it with them.  I still try to save though even when the kids are being spoiled.  Here's how:

• In our family only one of the parents goes to the event to save money on tickets.  This works well in my household because my husband honestly doesn't care to see Mickey on skates and he is okay with just hearing about it from the kids vs. being with them.
• We try to buy our tickets at the box office when possible.  By buying tickets in person we save on online charges and service fees.  I know this isn't possible for everyone, so another option is signing up for ticket email clubs so you get notified of discounts on upcoming events.
• We usually get dropped off by my hubby to the shows.  Although our downtown area has lots of free parking available it is nice to avoid parking charges all together and get door to door service. 
• The only "extra" we buy is popcorn at the show.  The $10 balloons, toys and programs are not in my budget and thankfully I have kids that seem to understand they don't need those things.  I may just be lucky that way.

Are there ways you spoil your kids, but do it frugally??

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 43 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 42 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 41 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Why I Enter Sweepstakes

I've confessed my love of sweepstakes many times here on the blog, but wanted to share yet another reason why I enter to win.  Every once in a while I win something I need or in this case something my daughter needs.  Even though I don't have as much time to enter sweepstakes anymore I still try to enter one or two daily as I'm scoping them to post as a Sweepstakes of the Day.  At some point I entered a Nieman Marcus giveaway where I ended up winning a $50 Nieman Marcus Gift card.  I was very tempted to use the gift card to splurge on shoes or a new purse for myself, but I took a moment to think about what the family really needed right now.  My daughter is a growing girl and although I've picked up shoes here and there at garage sales for her she really didn't have much for tennis shoes in her next size up. Lucky for me Nieman Marcus had these Converse kids shoes on sale for $26 each.  I had a promo code to receive free shipping so I ended up spending $2.00 out of pocket for 2 pairs of Converse shoes shipped.  I'm thrilled to have paid only $1 each.  They're cute shoes that she loves and she should be able to wear them for a while.  That folks is why I enter sweepstakes.  And by the way, I won that chair the shoes are sitting on too.

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 40 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 39 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>

Saving with foursquare

I've mentioned before that I'm a new Android phone user.  I'm having lots of fun checking out all of the free apps that are available for it.  One app I didn't think I would use was foursquare because honestly I'm not all about telling the whole world where I am at any given moment.   However I've learned that there are definite benefits to foursquare.  There are specials you can unlock by "checking in" at certain locations.  Last month Kum & Go had a foursquare special that gave you a free fountain pop with your third check-in.  Although I didn't use that offer my Hy-Vee store offers a free loaf of bakery fresh Italian Bread with every check-in and a $10 purchase.  Since I'm new to this whole thing I don't know if that special is at all Hy-Vee's or just my store, but it's definitely worth checking out.  We love to make our garlic bread with the Italian loaf and normally it would cost $1.99. 

I would love to hear what kind of specials you have seen and taken advantage of on foursquare.  Are there any available right now I need to look into?

Frugal Tuesday Tip ~ Week 38 ~ Link Up Your Frugal Tips!

The Frugal Tuesday Tip is a linky blog hop, dedicated to encouraging the frugal lifestyle. It is hosted by:

• Frugal Playground
• juliecache
• Learning the Frugal Life
• and Confessions of a Frugal Mind!

Anyone with a frugal tip can share. Just post a frugal tip on your own blog, then come here to add your post with the linky tool.  Your post will appear on all of our blogs!  Be sure to link directly to your blog post and not the main page of your blog.  Your post may be deleted if you do not link directly to the page you want to share.   Everyone can follow the submitted links and find new ways to embrace the frugal life. Not a blogger? Just leave your frugal tip in the comment section.

Please use our Frugal Tuesday Tip button on your post to link it back. Just copy and paste the code below the button and add the button anywhere in your post in the html view. You could also put a “text” widget (WordPress) or an HTML gadget (Blogspot) in your sidebar. Thank you for spreading the word! 

<center><a href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ " mce_href=" http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg" mce_src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/teal-button.jpg"/></a></center>