Book Review - Frugal Isn't Cheap by Clare K. Levison, CPA

Frugal Isn't Cheap
Spend Less, Save More, and Live BETTER
Author - Clare K. Levision, CPA
IBSN 978-1-60163-260-9

Frugal Isn't Cheap is a book for everyone.  I feel everyone can relate to this book one way or another. Whether you are in debit or not.  This book will show you the best way to save money while being able to do the things you love.  I love the way she she uses experiences in her life as a learning experience for her readers.

I have 2 favorite chapters in the book.  Chapter 5 - Creating an Investment Plan That Works For You.  This is definitely the area that I need the most help.  Everyone needs to know how to prepare for their future.  Everyone should be able to enjoy their retirement years.

Chapter 10 - What You Should Teach Your Children  This chapter came in very handy.  I am in the process now of trying to teach my 6 year old daughter the value of a dollar.   She is definitely a girl because she loves to shop.  She is still learning the differene between a want and a need.  She currently saving for a big ticket item that she wants.

If you are looking to change your financial status and get on the right track, then this book will get you started.  Each chapter is full of useful information that we can all understand and relate to.



Disclosure:  I received this book to review for free.  No compensation was received.  My opinions are my own.

Thought of the Day

Never put things off until tomorrow that you can do today.

Ways I Saved/Earned Money This Week

- I read all of my MyPoints emails daily for my account and my husband's to add points to receive FREE gift cards.


- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including -dishwasher tablet, lotion, fabric softener

- Only used my dishwasher once this week.

- Canned 6 jars of salsa with tomatoes from my garden.

- Froze 3 dozen ears of corn.

- Requested a few FREE samples.

- Stuck to my menu plan. No eating out.

- Continued to cut my dryer sheets in half to save.

-  Planned my grocery shopping using sales and coupons. 

- Entered Coke Reward Points and Huggies Rewards points to each account for FREE gift cards, coupons and gifts.

- Read a couple of FREE magazines = FREE entertainment.


- Stayed home 3 days this week.  Saved gas by doing so.

- Enjoying our days by playing outside and playing in the pool.  

- Cashed in Swagbucks for a $5 Amazon gift card.

- Did a sponsored post.

- Payton and I are continuing to read our library books.

- Paid a few bills online.  Money saved without having to purchase stamps.

- Printed several coupons to use on future shopping trips.

- Still enjoying eat lots of fresh vegetables from our garden.  Less money spent at the grocery store.

- Continued to prepare for consignment sale for kids clothes in September. 

- Return a couple of duplicate gifts from Bryson's birthday party.

- Cleaned out my closet and added items to my yard sale containers.

- Went to our local minor league baseball game with FREE tickets we were given.  Tickets also included FREE food, drinks and snacks.


What did you do to save/earn money this week?

My Favorite Lowes Foods Deals This Week 8/7-8/13

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Lowes Foods this week. Remember, Lowes Foods doubles coupons up to .99. You can use 20 coupons per transaction. They will accept 4 "like" coupons and 2 "like" internet coupons.

Also, you can earn .05 per gallon fuel rewards with every $100 spent.

Fresh Rewards e-Offer

Red Baron Pizza - $2.88
Limit 2

Limes - .25 each

Cabbage - .57 per lb.

Hunt's Pasta Sauce - $1

Chef Boyardee Pasta - $1
Buy 4 and Use $.50/4 coupon 8/4 SS
Final Price - .75 each

Minute Instant Rice - $2
Use .50 printable coupon
Final Price - $1

Buddy Fruits Fruit Bites - $1

Buddy Fruits Apple Chips - $1

Hunt's Snack pack - 4 Pack - $1 

Pepsi 2 L - $1.25

Aim Toothpaste - .89

Pepsodent Toothpaste - .89

Dazzling Bleach - $1.50

Sparkle Towels, 6 big or 8 regular rolls - $4.99
Use $1 coupon - ALL You - July issue
Final Price - $3.99

$10 off your next order coupon when you buy $50 in participating gift cards
XBox, Toys R Us, Belk and Applebees Gift Cards
Limit 1 per transaction - 8/7-8/20


You can find this weeks sales ad here!

FREE Box of Lance Crackers

Click here to print your coupon for a FREE box of Lance Crackers.

Coke Reward Members - FREE Shutterfly 8 x 8 Photo Book This Month

During the month of August, enter 5 Coke Reward Codes and you will receive a FREE Shutterfly 8 x 8 Photo Book.  I just got mine.  Wow, thats 2 FREE Shutterfly books!  I can't wait to make mine!!

FREE Shutterfly 8 x 8 Photo Book

Click here to receive a FREE Shutterfly 8 x 8 Photo Book thanks to The View.  You will have to pay approximately $8 in shipping.  Offer expires September 20, 2013.

FREE Back to School Photo Printables for the 1st Day of School

Paper Coterie is offering a great FREE back to school printable for the 1st day.  Available for any grade.  They would definitely make a great picture.

Directv Customers - FREE Cinemax This Weekend

If you have Directv, make sure you check out Cinemax this weekend.  I love these FREE offers.  I always record lots of movies on my DVR = FREE entertainment.

York Photo - $5 Apron

 

Buy a customized apron for only $5.  This would make a great thrifty birthday or Christmas gift.

FREE Sample Pack of Ovaltine

"Like" Ovaltine on Facebook and request a FREE sample pack of Ovaltine.

New Coupons Available

Here is a list of some new coupons available.  Print them while you can.

  $1.00 off any TWO (2) Dial Body wash

  $1.00 off 2 HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE products

  $3.00 off NINE(9) Weight Watchers Smart Ones

  $0.50 off any (2) DOVE Silky Smooth Chocolate Bars

$1.00 off Spot Shot Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator

  $2.00 off L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Product

$3.00 off any Phillips' Fiber Good Gummies

$3.00 off your purchase of Wings

$3.00 off the purchase of Mud on DVD or Blu-ray

$4.00 off Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle Razor

$1.00 off TWO (2) Post Honey Bunches of Oats

$1.10 off any Colgate Total Mouthwash

$2.00 off LamisilAT or Lamisil Defense product

  $1.00 off 1 lb. of Sara Lee meat at the deli

  $0.75 off (1) Orbit, 5, or Eclipse Car Cup Pack

$0.55 off one A.1. Steak Sauce, 10 oz or more

Sunday Coupon Preview

There will be 2 coupon inserts in this Sundays paper -1 - Smartsource and 1 - RedPlum.

Here is a few of my favorites:

Garnier Fructis $1.50/1 shampoo, conditioner or treatment
Colgate $.75/1 4oz toothpaste
Colgate $1/1 8oz+ mouthwash
Ken’s $1/1 16oz dressing
Kleenex $.50/3 50ct+ or 1 bundle pack
Nabisco $.75/2 cookie or crackers products 6.5oz+
Nature Valley $.50/1 granola thins
Nature Valley $.75/1 protein crunchy granola


You can find a complete list here!


You can also find lots of great printable coupons available from Coupons.com, RedPlum, and Coupon Network.

Mega Swagbucks Day

If you haven't signed up with Swagbucks, you definitely need to. It is a great search engine where you can earn swagbucks every time you search. I average 20-30 swagbucks a day. You can also download the Swagbucks Toolbar and Swagbucks will give you FREE swagcodes occasionally.

You can redeem your swagbucks for great prizes. My favorite prize is Amazon gift cards. With 450 swagbucks you can earn a $5 Amazon gift card. I apply my gift cards to my Amazon account and save them to use at Christmas.

You can sign up for Swagbucks here and earn 30 swagbucks just by signing up!

Thought of the Day

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."

Aristotle

Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets Review and Giveaway

I knew as soon I received my package I was going to love my Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets.  I could smell them before I even opened the package.  I love the Sweet Lavender scent.  I was excited to hear that Purex was coming out with dryer sheets and they didn't let me down.  They are wonderful.  My husband even commented on his clothes smelling wonderful and that says a lot!

Purex Fabric Softener Sheets:

- Add freshness and softness throughout your household - trash cans, drawers, shoes, hampers, linen closets
- Reduce static cling
- Repel pet hair and lint
 
Purex Fabric Softener Dryer sheets are available at Walmart.  Coming soon to other retailers.

Make sure you follow Purex on Facebook to keep up with all the latest products and promotions! 

Giveaway - 3 Winners

-  Leave a comment and let me know if you have ever tried Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets.  (Required)

  5 Extra Entries: 

- Follow me on Pinterest. 

 

- Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 extra entry) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Follow me on twitter - and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Tweet about this giveaway (@mariathriftyWAI) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.

 

This giveaway will close on Thursday, August 15th at midnight (EST). The winners will emailed and announced on Monday morning .  They will have 48 hours to respond or

new winners will be chosen.

Disclaimer:  As a Purex Insider, Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Fabric Softener Dryer sheets in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Hallmark - Get Carded Challenge for Bloggers

Are you a blogger? Do you like to send cards?  If you answer yes to both questions, then sign up for the Halllmark Get Carded 7-Card Challenge?

I love to send cards and receive them.  I love the personal touch of picking out a card for someone.  Picking out just the right card with a special note for a person is so rewarding to me.  In a world full of technology, we don't always get that personal touch like we use to.  I also love to receive cards in the mail and so do my children.  I can't wait to take part in the 7-card challenge.  I know exactly who I want to send them to.

For the Challenge:

- Sign up here.

- Decide who you want to send 7 cards to.  It can be anyone in your life - a friend, a family member, etc.

- Personalize and mail a card each day for 7 days.


I hope I receive some cards in return.

Blog readers - Receive 30% off any Hallmark.com order with coupon code BLOG30.

Disclosure:  All information was provided by Hallmark.  I will receive 10 free cards to participate. No other compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.

My Favorite Drug Store Deals This Week - 8/4-8/10

Here is a list of my favorite deals at CVS this week:





Revlon Nail Polish - $4.99
Receive $3 ECB
Use $2 coupon 7/28 SS
Final Price - FREE after coupon and ECBs
Limit 1

Spend $10 on Physician's Formula, Receive $$7 ECBs
Use 20% coupon printing at CVS coupon machine
Final Price - As low as a $1

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Walgreens this week:







TRUEresult Blood Glucose Monitor - $12.99
Receive $12.99 MIR
Final Price - FREE

Lipton Pure Leaf Tea - .99
Receive .99 ECB
Final Price - FREE after RR
Limit 1

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Rite Aid this week:







Wet n Wild Cosmetics - .69 each
Buy 3 and (3) $1 coupons 7/28 RP
Final Price -  FREE plus overage

3 of my Favorite Thrifty Pins This Week

Here is a list of 3 of my Favorite Thrifty Pins This Week:

8 Ways to Reuse Baby Wipe Containers - I have thrown so many of these away!

1st Day of School Teachers Gift - So cute.  Payton would love to take this to her teacher this year!

Handprint Rudolph - I can't wait to do this with Bryson!

Kohls - $10 off $25 Purchase

Click here to print your coupon for $10 off $25 purchase at Kohls. Coupon expires 8/18.

FREE Sample of SoZo Coffee Sample

Click here to request your FREE sample of SoZo Coffee.

FREE Escada Perfume Sample

Click here to request your FREE Escada Perfume Sample.

AC Moore Coupons

Click here to print these awesome coupons.


- 50% off any one regular priced item - SUPER TUESDAY - TODAY ONLY!!
= 40% off any one regular priced item - Valid 8/4-8/10
- 60% off plus + an additional $10 off Custom Framing - Valid 8/4-8/10

Menu Planning Monday

Monday - Roast, Fresh Green Beans, Fried Squash, Cream Pototoes, Salad

Tuesday - Spaghetti, Salad, Bread (Never got to this last week)

Wednesday - Minor League Ball Game - FREE tickets and FREE dinner

Thursday - Grilled Shrimp Salads

Friday - Chicken Tenders, Rosemary Fries, Tomato Salad

Saturday - Grilling Out Steaks with Baked Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Salad
  
Sunday - I try to leave Sunday because dh likes to cook!



You can find other great weekly menus at Menu Planning Monday at Organized Junkie!

New Coupons Available

Here is a list of some new coupons available.  Print them while you can.

  $3.00 off the purchase of Mud on DVD or Blu-ray

  $4.00 off Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle Razor

$3.00 off your purchase of Wings

 $1.00 off Two 64oz Old Orchard 100% Juice Blends

$1.00 off one GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLING Product

$0.75 off ONE Pillsbury Gluten Free Dough product

$0.75 off THREE Pillsbury Toaster Strudel