As I was standing in Starbucks waiting to order yesterday, I noticed a stack of cards on the counter that were for a free download on ITunes. Every Tuesday Starbucks picks a different artist and song to offer as a free download. Now, I have NEVER (yes never) downloaded something from ITunes (a benefit of having a music guru as a husband), but I thought, I like new music and it is free. It was then that I realized that there are TONS of these "free" opportunities around me everyday that for years I have not taken advantage of. No more! I will be keeping my eyes open from now on and taking advantage of these offers.
Looking back, there are a lot of offers that I have submitted since I started saving. For example, Flinstones vitamins were on sale with a smart source coupon at Rite Aid a few weeks ago. There was an offer in Smart Source next to the coupon for a free Madeline book with one UPC code and receipt. I filled this out yesterday and mailed it in. Wouldn't a Madeline book make a great back to school gift for C? And this past weekend, CVS had a great deal on Welch's jam so I sent away for a free sandwich keeper with the purchase of 2. Great for the kids lunches. Every week it seems that I see a handful of offers on different saving blogs or even in the coupon section of the newspaper.
I also hit Target yesterday and it was the first time I used my new Target Debit RedCard. I was a bit dubious at first about getting another "credit card" for a store. This one however, has the option of being used as only a debit card, drawing directly from your checking account. We looked over the details of the card with a fine tooth comb and could find no drawbacks. With this card you get 5% off every purchase made at Target or Target.com. It comes off immediately at check out. Also, 1% of all of your purchase go back to the school of your choice as long as you register a school. There are some added benefits when using it to pay for prescriptions as well. So yesterday, on my $18.00 bill, I saved another $0.90. That is just like using another coupon!!!!
One of my guilty pleasures is Starbucks. There is a store right next to where I work and so I now only indulge when I go to work, which most weeks is only one time. And of course because of all of the baby baking I am doing, decaf it is! Last Christmas, I got a Starbucks gift card which I found out you can register on the Starbucks website. When you register your card, you get drink points added to your account for every drink you purchase. Right off the bat, you get a card for a free drink on your birthday at any Starbucks. I also receive emails with special offers quite regularly. I am 2 drinks away from getting my Starbucks gold card (yes, it is gold!) which allows me a free drink for every 15 drinks.
These are just some of the "deals" I have taken advantage of. I know there are TONS out there. I would love to learn about others, so feel free to leave comments!
Looking back, there are a lot of offers that I have submitted since I started saving. For example, Flinstones vitamins were on sale with a smart source coupon at Rite Aid a few weeks ago. There was an offer in Smart Source next to the coupon for a free Madeline book with one UPC code and receipt. I filled this out yesterday and mailed it in. Wouldn't a Madeline book make a great back to school gift for C? And this past weekend, CVS had a great deal on Welch's jam so I sent away for a free sandwich keeper with the purchase of 2. Great for the kids lunches. Every week it seems that I see a handful of offers on different saving blogs or even in the coupon section of the newspaper.
I also hit Target yesterday and it was the first time I used my new Target Debit RedCard. I was a bit dubious at first about getting another "credit card" for a store. This one however, has the option of being used as only a debit card, drawing directly from your checking account. We looked over the details of the card with a fine tooth comb and could find no drawbacks. With this card you get 5% off every purchase made at Target or Target.com. It comes off immediately at check out. Also, 1% of all of your purchase go back to the school of your choice as long as you register a school. There are some added benefits when using it to pay for prescriptions as well. So yesterday, on my $18.00 bill, I saved another $0.90. That is just like using another coupon!!!!
One of my guilty pleasures is Starbucks. There is a store right next to where I work and so I now only indulge when I go to work, which most weeks is only one time. And of course because of all of the baby baking I am doing, decaf it is! Last Christmas, I got a Starbucks gift card which I found out you can register on the Starbucks website. When you register your card, you get drink points added to your account for every drink you purchase. Right off the bat, you get a card for a free drink on your birthday at any Starbucks. I also receive emails with special offers quite regularly. I am 2 drinks away from getting my Starbucks gold card (yes, it is gold!) which allows me a free drink for every 15 drinks.
These are just some of the "deals" I have taken advantage of. I know there are TONS out there. I would love to learn about others, so feel free to leave comments!
