High School Juniors and Seniors, it's that time again. For maximum scholarship amounts, apply often and apply early. Here are a few to get you started:
University of Alabama (deadline December 1)
Coca Cola Scholarship (seniors only), deadline: October 31
Burger King (opens November 15)
Jacksonville State University (various deadlines)
It is best to apply for admission after your first report card. You can always update financial aid information after January 1 when the new FAFSA forms come out.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Washing Powder
Don't you hate when you need to wash a load of clothes (big or small) and discover you have no washing powder? Here's my tip so that never happens to you again.
Keep an empty jar in your laundry room. Each time you open a new box of washing powder, add one scoop to the jar. Before long you'll have a nice stash of washing powder and you'll never run out.
Keep an empty jar in your laundry room. Each time you open a new box of washing powder, add one scoop to the jar. Before long you'll have a nice stash of washing powder and you'll never run out.
Sam's Club Box Tops
Now through 9/30/12, Sam's Club is giving away 5 Box Tops per purchase. After making a purchase at Sam's, enter the 4 digit code located at the bottom of your Sam's Club receipt.
Click here for more information or to enter your codes: Box Tops Click and Earn. This link will also take you to other click and earn opportunities.
Box Tops for Education is a great way to earn money for your school without buying things you don't need/won't use.
My youngest daughter's school was a $25,000 winner of one of their contests, so I know the value of saving box tops, as well as entering their sponsored contests.
Click here for more information or to enter your codes: Box Tops Click and Earn. This link will also take you to other click and earn opportunities.
Box Tops for Education is a great way to earn money for your school without buying things you don't need/won't use.
My youngest daughter's school was a $25,000 winner of one of their contests, so I know the value of saving box tops, as well as entering their sponsored contests.
Children's Place Code
Save 15% off your next Children's Place order with the code: K3H2012. The code is valid online or in the store and expires 8/8/12. Go to Children's Place website to print in-store coupon.
50% off Domino's
Domino's Pizza is again offering 50% off the regular price of ALL pizzas, if you order on line. You can pick up your order or have it delivered. This special is good 8/6-8/12.
Click here to begin your order Domino's
Click here to begin your order Domino's
DOUBLE POINTS
For 5 days (7/4-7/8)
www.mycokerewards.com is
offering double points when you enter codes for the following
products:
Powerade Zero
Coke Zero
PoweradePowerade Zero
Drink up and get those double
points!!!!
If you don't have a
www.mycokerewards.com
account, it's easy to sign up. All Coke products have codes
imprinted on them and can be redeemed for prizes. Prizes include
magazine subscriptions, kitchen items, and tickets to World of Coca
Cola, Six Flags and many others. Schools also have www.mycokerewards.com accounts and can
earn playground and other physical education equipment.
50% off Domino's Pizza
June 11-17, you can receive 50% off ANY pizza from Domino's when you order online. I have ordered online before (for both delivery and pick up) and have never experienced a problem.
And HALF OFF is a deal you can't (shouldn't) resist. The Code is added automatically at checkout. Offer not valid with other deals. Offer valid on regular priced pizzas only. See website for complete information.
www.dominos.com
And HALF OFF is a deal you can't (shouldn't) resist. The Code is added automatically at checkout. Offer not valid with other deals. Offer valid on regular priced pizzas only. See website for complete information.
www.dominos.com
FREE MUSIC
FREE MUSIC
Amazon.com is at it again. Click the link above that says FREE MUSIC then follow the instructions on the page to receive $2.00 credit to be used in Amazon MP3 store. Music from Amazon's "cloud" is automatically converted to most MP3 players, including Apple.
If you have a previous promotional credit remaining, you must use it before you can add the new one.
Hurry!!! You must claim AND use the code by 6/15/12.
Amazon.com is at it again. Click the link above that says FREE MUSIC then follow the instructions on the page to receive $2.00 credit to be used in Amazon MP3 store. Music from Amazon's "cloud" is automatically converted to most MP3 players, including Apple.
If you have a previous promotional credit remaining, you must use it before you can add the new one.
Hurry!!! You must claim AND use the code by 6/15/12.
June Shopping Tips
Somehow I forgot to post a May shopping
tip list, so please forgive me. Here is the TO BUY list for June.
Although there will be sales on items not listed below, these items
typically have their deepest discount during the month of June. Save
money where you can and Happy shopping!
Cruises: With hurricane season
starting June 1, many cruise lines mark down fares to attract
customers. Just remember to buy trip insurance.
Gym memberships: Most resolutions are
long forgotten, so gyms/clubs offer discounts to make money until New
Years.
China/Dishware: With June weddings
come discounts on popular wedding gifts: china, silverware, and even
Champagne. Cheers!!!
Suits: Men suits go on sale in hopes
of retailers making money for Father's Day
What NOT
to buy in June: Grills, tools, outdoor furniture, TVs (all of these
items increase in price due to popularity as Father's Day gifts.
Swagbucks Code
Hurry, there are 8 Swagbucks available on the Swag Blog
Swagbucks Blog
The 2 codes expire today (5/9) at 2pm CST (3 EST)
Swagbucks Blog
The 2 codes expire today (5/9) at 2pm CST (3 EST)
Free Admission
In honor of National Public Gardens Day on May 11, Better Homes and Garden and the American Public Garden Association are offering FREE ADMISSION to public gardens nationwide.
National Public Garden Day
Click the link above to find a participating Public Garden in your area and to print your admission coupon.
Some participating gardens include: Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Callaway Gardens, and Atlanta History Center.
Stop and smell the flowers this weekend!!!!
National Public Garden Day
Click the link above to find a participating Public Garden in your area and to print your admission coupon.
Some participating gardens include: Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Callaway Gardens, and Atlanta History Center.
Stop and smell the flowers this weekend!!!!
$3.99 CD
New CD Release from Melanie Fiona now ONLY $3.99. Includes hit song 4am and digital booklet. All of Amazon's music downloads automatically convert to i-Tunes
April Shopping Tips
Spring is here and so are the savings.
Below are items that can usually be purchased at a deep discount
during the month of April.
Cookware- purchase early for graduation
and wedding gifts
Laptops- March ends fiscal year in
Japan, so new models come out in April. You should be able to score
good deals on “older” models.
TV's- same reason as laptops
Vacuum Cleaners- SPRING CLEANING
Used Cars- clearing inventory for
summer sales
Cruises- many people start planning
fall and winter vacations early
This list does not include items which
may go on sale or be offered at closeout prices. Happy Shopping!!!!
LeapPad ebooks on Amazon
Here is a link to the LeapPad ebooks on Amazon.com. Click the ebook you like and the coupon information will appear. Happy reading.
LeapPad ebooks
LeapPad ebooks
LeapPad coupon
Coupon for $3 off Leap Pad ultra ebook. Coupon is printable for use in store, there's code to use on leappad.com or there's a link to use on Amazon.
$3 LeapPad coupon
$3 LeapPad coupon
Price Matching
The purpose of couponing and deal
hunting is to save money. But how can you save money if all of your
deals are located at different stores? PRICE MATCH!!!
Nearly all stores offer some form of
price matching. Price matching is when a store will sell you an item
at their competitor's lower price. For example, if Food World has
strawberries on sale for .$99/lb, Walmart will honor that price and
sell you strawberries for the same price. Each store has its own
price matching policy. Some require you to provide a printed ad
showing the lower price. Some take your word for it and give you the lower
price. A store's goal is to have you as a repeat customer. So if you
want to purchase something at their store for a lower price, they're
just glad you chose to shop at their store instead of their
competitor.
It is very helpful, (you're saving time
and money) to become familiar with your favorite store's price
matching policy. Below are links to few stores' policies. Although
the information listed on the website usually applies throughout the
chain of stores, check with your local store for any local
restrictions. Each local store maintains a list of who they consider
to be their competitor and whose ads they will match. For example,
my Walmart will not price match Publix because the nearest Publix is
40+ miles away.
So, if you're loyal to one store or see something on sale at multiple stores, use
the price match policy to keep from missing out on good deals.
You'll not only save money, you'll save gas and time.
15% off Party Supplies
Here's a code for 15% off at www.celebrateexpress.com Now's a good time to buy graduation or summer party items.
At checkout enter the following code: HARDBZYR3CK Code expires 3/31/12
At checkout enter the following code: HARDBZYR3CK Code expires 3/31/12
It's Time!!
Don't forget to set clocks ahead one hour tonight before you go to bed for Daylight Savings Time.
Easy way to remember time change: Spring ahead one hour in spring; Fall back one hour in Fall.
Easy way to remember time change: Spring ahead one hour in spring; Fall back one hour in Fall.
Old Navy Coupon Code
Ok Swagbucks members: Save 30% off any purchase of $29 or more at oldnavy.com when you enter code THANKYOU at checkout. In addition to saving 30%, you'll also earn 250 swagbucks. In order to earn the swagbucks, you must click the link from the swagbucks homepage.
If you're not familiar with Swagbucks, click the swagbucks link on the right hand side of my homepage for more information. Swagbucks.com is a fun, easy way to earn "swagbucks" which can be cashed in for gift cards and other items. My last cash in netted my $30 worth of Lowe's gift cards.
Happy Swaggin'!!!
If you're not familiar with Swagbucks, click the swagbucks link on the right hand side of my homepage for more information. Swagbucks.com is a fun, easy way to earn "swagbucks" which can be cashed in for gift cards and other items. My last cash in netted my $30 worth of Lowe's gift cards.
Happy Swaggin'!!!
March Shopping Tips
Continuing with my monthly shopping
tips, below are the best items to get a deal on during the month of
March:
Winter coats (again, stores are making
room for spring items; the first 2 weeks of March is usually the
latest you will see winter items)
Jewelry (after Valentine's Day, there's
a lull in jewelry shopping until Mother's Day in May)
Winter sports equipment (making room
for spring items)
Gas grills (before it gets warm and
prices go up due to demand)
Happy shopping!!!!
Check your receipts
When eating at fast food restaurants,
be sure to check your receipt. Many restaurants offer free food or
discounts for completing a survey about your visit. Here are the
ones that I know offer something on their receipts:
Burger King: Free whopper for
completing survey (every receipt)
Arby's: Free Roast Beef or Beef N
Cheddar sandwich for completing survey (every receipt)
Sonic: Free Route 44oz drink (random
receipts)
Captain D's: Discount on next purchase
(random receipts)
ENJOY AND DON'T THROW AWAY FREE FOOD
!!!!
Healthy Living
Many of you may have started the New Year with the resolution to lose weight and get healthy. I have found several books and websites that will help you. Before I give you all the GOOD information, I have to give you the BAD information: If you are not MENTALLY ready to lose weight and get healthy, there is NO book, website, diet, or person that can help you. None of the items I'm listing are considered "diets". Diets fail you because they often restrict your favorite foods or add horrible tasting foods. None of these products/books do that. It's all about healthy choices. Start small and enjoy the results.
I have found it easier to focus on one change at a time, so you don't feel overwhelmed. I started with one all fruit and vegetable day per week. Now I'm up to 3 fruit and vegetable only days per week.
This book was featured on the Steve Harvey show and several other talk shows:
Lose Weight without dieting or working out by JJ Smith
http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Weight-Without-Dieting-Working/dp/0982301871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335918198&sr=1-1
There is a website, Facebook page and TV show for Hungry Girl. If you have used the Weight Watchers system, she converts all of her recipes into the points system:
Hungry Girl
There is also a Facebook page and cookbooks to go along with this website. The focus is only "clean" eating and provides easy to follow recipes and information on how to get started:
The Gracious Pantry
These are a few to get you started. I started before the New Year and I've lost ten pounds. Good luck and check back often to see my progress.
I have found it easier to focus on one change at a time, so you don't feel overwhelmed. I started with one all fruit and vegetable day per week. Now I'm up to 3 fruit and vegetable only days per week.
This book was featured on the Steve Harvey show and several other talk shows:
Lose Weight without dieting or working out by JJ Smith
http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Weight-Without-Dieting-Working/dp/0982301871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335918198&sr=1-1
There is a website, Facebook page and TV show for Hungry Girl. If you have used the Weight Watchers system, she converts all of her recipes into the points system:
Hungry Girl
There is also a Facebook page and cookbooks to go along with this website. The focus is only "clean" eating and provides easy to follow recipes and information on how to get started:
The Gracious Pantry
These are a few to get you started. I started before the New Year and I've lost ten pounds. Good luck and check back often to see my progress.
MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
Seniors, don't leave this scholarship money out there. Even if you have applied for and received other scholarships, keep applying. You can NEVER have too much money for college. If you are planning to attend a community college or a technical college, many of these scholarships can be used there also. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY.
Regions Bank (no bank account required)
http://promo.regions.com/RidingForward/default.htm?CID=20861&WT.ac=CaseAd_Personal_RidingForwardEssay&V_TID=955595&ProspectID=9722CEFEC41C4D22BBB82D479D88DB6D
Family Savings Credit Union (no account required)
http://ig.libertyonline.net/ImageGallery/Custom/cu0571/PDFs/Meritscholarship12.pdf
Diversity Foundation
http://diversityfoundation.net/apply.html
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/
GOOD LUCK!! Remember to seek help from your guidance counselor if you have questions,
Regions Bank (no bank account required)
http://promo.regions.com/RidingForward/default.htm?CID=20861&WT.ac=CaseAd_Personal_RidingForwardEssay&V_TID=955595&ProspectID=9722CEFEC41C4D22BBB82D479D88DB6D
Family Savings Credit Union (no account required)
http://ig.libertyonline.net/ImageGallery/Custom/cu0571/PDFs/Meritscholarship12.pdf
Diversity Foundation
http://diversityfoundation.net/apply.html
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/
GOOD LUCK!! Remember to seek help from your guidance counselor if you have questions,
Kids, Kisses, and Chaos: Opportunities for Scholarships and Employment
Kids, Kisses, and Chaos: Opportunities for Scholarships and Employment: I was asked to share these opportunities...please do the same. 1. Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend...
COUPONS
I am often asked where I get coupons.
The easiest and most obvious source is your local newspaper. On
Sundays, I generally buy 3 newspapers, one from each of the cities
closest to my home. If it is a particularly good coupon day, I will
buy multiple newspapers or get newspapers from relatives.
There are also several online coupon sites which allow you to print the coupons at home or load them to your shopper card (for select stores). Manufacturers often offer more coupons with higher values on their website or coupon websites than the newspaper coupons.
Below are some online coupon sources. Check your online reward program (mypoints, swagbucks, etc) to see if you can earn points for printing and using coupons printed from their site.
www.smartsource.com
www.redplum.com
Once you begin to seriously coupon,
look into newspaper subscriptions, which may save you time and money
if you're able to get them delivered to your home.
There are also several online coupon sites which allow you to print the coupons at home or load them to your shopper card (for select stores). Manufacturers often offer more coupons with higher values on their website or coupon websites than the newspaper coupons.
Below are some online coupon sources. Check your online reward program (mypoints, swagbucks, etc) to see if you can earn points for printing and using coupons printed from their site.
www.smartsource.com
www.redplum.com
Also check the website and Facebook
page of your favorite manufacturer. They often have Facebook only
deals!
Happy Saving!!!!!!!
MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
Below are more scholarships. Remember
to keep a chart of scholarships applied for. Also keep up with who
you ask to complete letters of recommendations. Keep scholarship
information handy because most of the information is repetitive.
Also remember to fill out our FAFSA
asap!!!!! The early bird gets the worm.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Scholarships ending SOON
Below is a list of scholarships with
upcoming deadlines.
(Deadline: Feb 15)
http://www.kfcscholars.org/scholarships/
(DEADLINE FEB 8!!!)
http://www.emmabowenfoundation.com/index.php/application.html
(Deadline Feb 15) Thanks to http://ctherd.blogspot.com/
for info
https://bestbuy.scholarshipamerica.org/register.php
(Deadline Feb 15)
Scholarship Search
It's scholarship application time!!!!!
All high school and current college students should continuously
search and apply for scholarships. Here are 2 sites that can help
with the scholarship search:
Both of these sites lists hundreds of
scholarships. Set time aside each day to research and apply for as
many scholarships as you can. Basic information needed on most
scholarship applications include most recent GPA, financial
information of parent/guardian, and ACT/SAT scores. Many scholarships will also require an essay and/or recommendation letters. Check with your
high school guidance counselor for recommendation letters, if needed. Also seek information/recommendations for local alumni of the college(s) you are interested in attending.
I find it helpful to keep a chart of scholarships I qualify for, needed information, and the deadline to apply. As you apply for the scholarships, write the application date down. You may also find it helpful to have an email address dedicated solely to scholarship/academic information.
Also, EVERYONE needs to fill out FAFSA
information at https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/fafsa?locale=en_US.
Not all scholarships are need based and more higher income families
are qualifying for some type of financial aid.
GOOD LUCK in your search!
February Shopping Tips
While January was the month to buy
appliances, February is the month of the home theater system. Getting
ready for new models and the Super Bowl, stores will have good
savings on big screen TV's and other home system components
(speakers, projectors, etc). So hurry out before the BIG GAME and
score BIG SAVINGS!!!
Other products to buy during the month
of February include:
- Cameras (Trade shows occurred in January so new models are in and old models are discounted)
- Prom Dresses (Spring styles are available, prices are low and there's plenty of time for alterations)
- Winter Clothes, especially coats (Spring wardrobe is in and stores have no room to storm current styles which will be out of style next year) When buying winter clothes, buy a size or two larger to accommodate growth during the year. Or if your New Year's resolution was to lose weight, go ahead and buy a size DOWN or two to celebrate your success!!!
Happy shopping during the month of
February!
Recipe For My Family's Favorite Dish
Here is a recipe that my entire family
LOVES! I eat it as a soup. Hubby and the kids eat it on top of
tortilla chips as nachos, adding sour cream and jalapeno peppers.
Either way is delicious and is sure to cure the cold weather blues.
This recipes makes enough for leftovers and it freezes well also. I
recommend using a 6 quart stock pot or larger due to the amount of
soup this recipe makes. To make it less spicy, use plain diced tomatoes without chiles. ENJOY!!!!
1 can of pinto beans
1 pound of ground turkey (or beef)
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes with chiles (Rotel or
generic brand)
1 can of great northern beans
1 can of dark red kidney beans
1 can of light red kidney beans
1 can of black eyed peas
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of white corn
1 can of yellow corn
1 can of black beans
Add all vegetables and half of taco
seasoning pack to stock pot and heat.
While veggies are heating, brown and
drain the meat. After draining the meat, add remaining half of taco
seasoning packet.
Add meat mixture to stock pot. Add
water until soup is to your desired consistency. I usually add 1/2 cup. Simmer 20 minutes.
Eat and enjoy.
Kindle Deal
This is an great price on an awesome book!
Kindle Daily Deal
The Kindle edition is FREE to Amazon Prime members and ONLY .99 for non-prime members. And if you are a "hands on" reader, the paperback copy is less than $10.00
Kindle Daily Deal
The Kindle edition is FREE to Amazon Prime members and ONLY .99 for non-prime members. And if you are a "hands on" reader, the paperback copy is less than $10.00
FREE tax filing
You may be eligible to file your taxes
FREE!!! The IRS offers free e-file for certain age and income ranges. If
you prepare your taxes or if you hire a tax professional, go the the
IRS site to see if you qualify for FREE e-file.
Some of the companies participating in
the IRS's free e-file program include: H & R Block, TaxAct, and
Turbo Tax. Each company has different qualifying income amounts and age restrictions, but
incomes up to $57,000 per year may qualify for FREE tax filing.
Go to www.irs.gov/freefile
to see a list of participating companies and to find out if you
qualify to file your taxes FREE!!!
Choosing a Tax Preparer
Choose your tax preparer wisely. Steer
clear of tax preparers who are only available during the prime tax
season of January to April. Tax laws are ever changing and you need
access to your tax professional year round. A good tax preparer can
assist you in changing your withholding amounts so that you're not
having too much or too little taxes coming out of your paycheck.
When choosing a tax preparer, ask for
references from family or friends. You may also want to consider
getting information from the Better Business Bureau.
Tax Season Tips
As tax-filing season begins, I will be
providing some tax Sanity And Money Saving (SAMS) tips. The first
and most important tip is make sure you say NO to “Rapid” filing.
With upgrades in electronic filing, there's no reason to pay a fee to
get YOUR money back fast. The IRS processes all payments at the same
time and generally refunds are available in 10-14 days. Filing
“Rapid” is actually a loan you are getting from the tax preparer.
Your “loan” amount is based on your estimated refund amount.
Because this is a loan from a private company, your refund amount is
not guaranteed by the IRS. If, after reviewing your tax information,
the IRS determines a different refund amount, you are still liable
for repaying the “Rapid” refund fee.
Make sure you don't fall for scams that
can COST you money.
January Shopping Tips
If you're in the market for new appliances, January is the month to shop. Whether you're looking to upgrade or remodel, you'll find cheaper prices on appliances during the month of January. Stores need to sell older models to make room for new models coming at the end of the month and in February. Other big ticket items on sale in January are:
Bed linens (think Big White Sales)
Video Games (new ones came out in Nov and Dec for holiday sales)
Christmas wrapping paper and cards
With all purchases, shop around to find the best price. But remember, don't sacrifice quality to save a few dollars.
Bed linens (think Big White Sales)
Video Games (new ones came out in Nov and Dec for holiday sales)
Christmas wrapping paper and cards
With all purchases, shop around to find the best price. But remember, don't sacrifice quality to save a few dollars.
Travel Sanity Saver
Here is my best travel sanity saver:
A power inverter for your car. With this handy gadget, you can plug "house" plugs (DC plugs) into your AC (car) plug. It also has an I-Pad/Pod outlet also. So if someone's batteries die or the toy/game doesn't have a car plug, this tool will allow you to use your regular plug for continuous power.
This was not only a sanity saver, but a life saver on our recent 850 mile trek across country.
A power inverter for your car. With this handy gadget, you can plug "house" plugs (DC plugs) into your AC (car) plug. It also has an I-Pad/Pod outlet also. So if someone's batteries die or the toy/game doesn't have a car plug, this tool will allow you to use your regular plug for continuous power.
This was not only a sanity saver, but a life saver on our recent 850 mile trek across country.
Sorry for my absence
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Let me apologize for being away for so long. I thought after completing grad school I would have more time to do the things I enjoy. My family had other plans for me. I've attended parties, practices, performances and somehow managed vacation in all of that. Nevertheless, I'm back with Sanity And Money Saving tips for you.
Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to your comments.
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