Thrifty Tuesday Finds August 12th

Stretching the dollar, using coupons, and shopping sales are all ways we try to save money and be thrifty MOMS. Here are this week's 24/7 MOMS Thrifty Tuesday Finds:

Stretching the Mighty Dollar:
This week for our Thrifty Tuesday Finds I found some GREAT kid tips online at Dollar Stretcher http://www.thedollarstretcher.com/ from a 10-year-old boy named Joel.
Here are some of Joel's tips on how to shop thrifty and barter for deals, even with your parents:
Get up before your mom in the morning and start calling resale shops, pawn shops and Wal-Mart to compare prices on your current "quest".

Go online to your newspaper's website and request that the classified ads be sent to you by e-mail. You can specify the items you are looking for - games, bicycles, whatever.
Bug your parents to take you to make your lay-away payments. But not too much, or they might say, "Forget the whole thing!" You don't actually have to make two payments in one week just because you have the money. Your mom can keep the money in her wallet for you if you are afraid you will spend it.

Make deals with your dad on things you know he wants, too. Offer to pay half!
Before investing in a game or video, you might want to rent it first, or preview it at a friend's house. Otherwise, your mom might not let you keep it, and you might not get your money back. This is not good.

If the man at the Pawn Shop acts "weird", go next door and pay $10 more at the friendly resale shop. It'll be worth it to know you are dealing with people you've learned you can trust.
Don't be afraid to ask for a discount. (Joel does this even in situations where mom wouldn't... and usually succeeds.)

Make a list of what you really want so you won't get sidetracked by cheap, dollar store toys that break before you leave the parking lot.

Calling 1-800-COLLECT does not save your parents money if you are calling your aunt who lives in the same town.

If you put something in layaway and make regular payments, sometimes your parents will help you get it out because they are proud of how you are maturing and managing your money.

They want you to know that if you work toward something bit by bit, often, God and the whole Universe will work with you to meet your goals. They learned this the hard way, and they want you to know it from the start.


FREEbies :

My Kids love getting mail and especially like getting new things to try out, so this week here are three FREEbies your kids will enjoy:


FREEbie GeoTrax DVD - 3 animated episodes that take you all over Geo Town: https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=139

Kids love cereal - get your FREEBie Oatmeal Crisp Cereal sample at http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid48500.aspx

FREEbie Planet Heros DVDs are still available at: https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=141

FREEbie Orville Rednedbacher 100 calorie mini popcorn cakes sample

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid48622.aspx

ONLINE Bargain:

The Back to School sales have begun – even though my brain is still on summer vacation.

http://www.ezschoolsupplies.com/ is a website that specializes in making Mom's life EZ when it comes to purchasing back to school supplies for their children Get a 10% discount by using code EZMB066 at check out.

JCPenny http://www.jcpenny.com/ is offering FREE shipping on orders of $49 or more and is currently having a back to school sale of 20-50% off.

1. For every $50 (pre-tax) you spend you will receive TWO $25 too buck cards which can be redeemed on future purchases. Details at http://www.limitedtoo.com/customerService/TooBucks
2. You can purchase Webkinz for $5.90 each when you spend $50.00 at Limited Too.

Justice for Girls http://www.shopjustice.com/I_Love_Deals has some great online deals. Check out all of the I LOVE DEALS offers going on right now.

The Children's Place http://www.thechildrensplace.com/ is having a big fall savings sale right now.

Shopping Bargain:

This year establish a back to school budget for each child in your home and begin teaching them to bargain shop as you hit the malls and local stores.

I now enjoy watching my teenagers shop for their bargains on clearance racks, thrift stores and weekly store specials. Not only have they realized they can get MORE for their money when they shop sales and bargains, but their friends want to shop with them to find the great deals, too.



Coupon Queen:

Before you head to your local grocery store to do your weekly/monthly shopping, log onto their web site for potential printable coupons to use on your shopping trip.

Here are a few I found: (Google your local grocery store for their web site address.)

http://www.albertsons.com/ For printable coupons, click on Special & Savings, then In-store coupons.

www.safeway.com For printable coupons, click on weekly savings then Print FREE coupons. Also sign-up for weekly savings emails.

http://www.kroger.com/ Click on in-store, then coupons. You can load your coupons directly onto your Kroger plus card.

http://www.ralphs.com/ Click on Shortcuts then begin loading your coupon savings to your Ralphs card.



How are you being THRIFTY these days? Comment and share your ideas with the 24/7 MOMS.