Frugal

10 Companies That Send Out Free Coupons

April 26, 2021 By Vicky Monroe Leave a Comment

Using coupons is free and can save you an average of $30 to $50 per week. That’s an extra $1,560 to $2,600 per year you can invest or put toward debt. So if you don’t currently clip coupons, you should definitely start.

The Sunday newspaper and grocery circulars are decent places to look for coupons. But you’ll usually save the most money by contacting companies that send out free coupons in the mail. Believe it or not, many big brands like Chobani and Crayola will give you a big stack of high-value coupons with long redemption windows if you ask for them.

Here are ten companies that are known to give coupons and free product vouchers to loyal customers on request.

SC Johnson

SC Johnson owns over a dozen popular brands including Glade, Ziploc, Scrubbing Bubbles, and Windex. So if you want to save on cleaning supplies and other household essentials, then fill out their contact form and request some coupons. They’re usually pretty generous—one blogger received a stack of a dozen $1 off coupons for various SC Johnson brands like Off! and Shout, plus $2 off any product from Kiwi.

Unilever

Unilever owns 400 brands including Hellman’s, Lipton, Dove, Klondike, and Ben and Jerry’s. Just like SC Johnson, they might send you a dozen $1 off coupons if you reach out and tell them how much you love their products.

Horizon Organic

Organic products are better for your family, but buying them can get expensive. Luckily Horizon Organic will send you some coupons to offset the cost of their delicious, healthy dairy products if you ask.

Hostess

If you have a sweet tooth and love Hostess desserts like Twinkies and Donettes, then you’ll be happy to know they’re one of the companies that send out free coupons in the mail. They’ve been known to give coupons and vouchers for free products to their loyal customers on request.

Hot Pockets

Sadly Hot Pockets doesn’t issue coupons very often. But they may send you some if you email them and tell them that you’re a big fan of their products.

Crayola

School supplies aren’t cheap, especially if you have multiple kids you need to shop for. Before you stock up on crayons and art supplies, ask Crayola if they’d be willing to send you some coupons.

Chobani

Chobani sells delicious coffee drinks, Greek yogurt, non-dairy creamers, and more. If you ask them for a discount, they might send you coupons or even a voucher for a free product.

Cottonelle

If you have a big family that goes through toilet paper fast, ask Cottonelle for a discount. They often send out $2 off coupons to customers on request.

King’s Hawaiian

Another one of the companies that send out free coupons is King’s Hawaiian. They usually send a couple $1 off coupons alongside a handwritten note and some helpful recipe cards.

Mrs. T’s

If you tell Mrs. T’s how much you enjoy their pierogies, they might send you a couple of coupons, a voucher for a free product, and some cute stickers.

Although it takes some work to email companies individually and ask for coupons, it might just pay off. Some companies will not only give you coupons but also vouchers for free products and company swag like stickers. So if you want to save a lot of money on your grocery bill, start emailing your favorite companies and ask them for discounts.

Saving Money on Groceries

Smarter Shopping – How to Save Up To 80% on Your Online Purchases Using Effective Discounts

How to Get Mcdonalds Discount Coupons

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5 Ways I Treat Myself Without Breaking the Bank

April 21, 2021 By Rachel Slifka Leave a Comment

During the chaos of the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s become clear that self-care is essential to your well-being. But if you’re on a budget, or even out of work due to the pandemic, you may not have extra funds laying around to go treat yourself. Typical self care, like massages, facials, and manicures all cost a pretty penny. Here are 5 ways I treat myself without breaking the bank.

1) Buy Flavored Coffee

If you’re a coffee drinker like me, you know just how luxurious a delicious cup of joe can be. But before you go running out to your local coffee shop and splurge on a pricey drink, consider making your own instead.

I bought a cheap French-press at Ikea to make my own coffee at home. But I will splurge on buying nicer, flavored coffee, like caramel, French vanilla, and hazelnut. While the flavored coffee is a little more expensive than the old-school brands you can buy in bulk, overall, it’s still much more affordable than going out to grab a coffee on the go.

And you can take it a step further by buying flavored creamer, a milk frother, and a pretty coffee mug. It truly starts my day off on the right note, and doesn’t cost much money at all.

2) Do an At-Home Spa Night

Once a week, I like to treat myself to an at-home spa night. All you need is time and a few of your favorite products!

You can go as simple or as in-depth as you want. From hair treatments to bubble baths, at-home manicures, and homemade facials, you can pamper yourself without breaking the bank.

3) Go for a Walk

During a chaotic day, there’s possibly nothing better than taking a short break to take a walk, especially if it’s a nice day. And best of all? This is totally free!

Plus, you can take a timeout to listen to your favorite music or podcast. Personally, I love to take my dogs with me, which always puts me in a better mood.

4) Cook a Healthy Meal

Admittedly, I’m not a great cook. I tend to eat on-the-go, and rarely give myself time to really enjoy a meal, let alone cook one.

But recently, I have been experimenting with cooking simple, healthy meals. I have to say, it’s fun! You can take a few basic ingredients and make it into something delicious that makes you feel good.

So try out a new recipe and get out the nice dishes. Your body will thank you.

5) Take a Nap

Lastly, when I find myself really stressed or anxious, I love to treat myself to a quick nap. After all, how liberating is it to take a timeout to take a nap? I find that a nap is essential when I’m overwhelmed, especially on busy days. Then I can wake up rejuvenated and focused.

If you’re able to, find time to build a quick power nap into your day. It’s a luxury that’s completely free!

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

5 Things I Don’t Spend Money On

February 17, 2021 By Rachel Slifka Leave a Comment

Do you consider yourself frugal? Well, I’ll let you in on a secret – I’m a personal finance writer, but I’m not exactly frugal. I like to buy relatively nice things, such as clothing, furniture, and more. But even as a spender, there are 5 tings I don’t ever spend money on.

1) Dryer Sheets

Dyer sheets are a complete pain! There is nothing worse than finding them stuck to your clean clothes. And, for something you simply throwaway after use, they are kind of a waste of money.

Instead of dryer sheets, I utilize these reusable dryer balls. Not only are they reusable, but they are natural. Plus, they actually dry your clothes more quickly, so you can save money on energy usage!

I could go on and on about the benefits of using dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. You just can’t beat the cost savings, plus they are easy to find in your laundry load versus dryer sheets.

2) Cooking Spray

Before I found an alternative to cooking spray, I felt like we were constantly buying more. I hated purchasing expensive cooking spray, plus it was super wasteful and bad for the environment! However, I liked the ease of use of a spray.

After reading some awesome reviews on Amazon, I bought this reusable oil sprayer. It’s super easy to use! All you have to do is fill it with your favorite type of oil, and the canister will disperse it as a spray.

3) Late Fees

Late fees are obviously a good expense to avoid! With late fees, you’re being charged simply because you forgot to pay something on time. They are easily avoidable if you put all of your bills on autopay.

Whether you choose to utilize autopay or manually track when your bills are due, avoiding late fees is a super easy way to save money.

4) Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are pricey, and are full of harmful chemicals. Not to mention, there are so many cleaning products on the market, resulting in a cluttered home!

Instead of buying cleaning products, I’ve found that a simple solution of white vinegar and water cleans nearly everything. For just a few cents, I can have enough cleaner to last a year. And if I’m cleaning something, like a bathtub, I’ll just throw in some baking soda and give it a good scrub. No need for harsh chemicals!

5) Manicures

I love having my nails done, but I never go to the salon. I don’t like to spend the time or money to go somewhere to get my nails done, when I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost. Instead, I bought a cheap at-home manicure kit to do my own nails at home.

After a little practice, it isn’t hard to be able to paint your own nails. And you don’t even need a fancy manicure set to get started. A decent nail file, drugstore nail polish, and a high-quality top coat can work wonders!

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[Read more…]

Why My Family Stopped Giving Christmas Gifts

December 4, 2020 By Rachel Slifka Leave a Comment

The holidays are right around the corner, and Christmas shopping is in full swing. While you may find yourself deep into Christmas shopping, have you ever stopped to consider if you really have to give holiday gifts? In the past few years, my family decided to stop giving each other gifts. Here is why my family stopped giving Christmas gifts and what we do instead.

Why We Stopped Doing Christmas Gifts

I come from a fairly large family. There are six of us in my immediate family, and most of us are married. Once you factor in gifts for one another, spouses, and nieces and nephews, Christmas gifts quickly became expensive and tiring.

The final straw was when me and two other of my siblings moved away from our home state. If we want to come home for the holidays, it requires us to purchase a plane ticket. And if we have a spouse, it’s double the price to make it back to celebrate with family! Not to mention, the cost of boarding our pets and renting a car (since our hometown is not near an airport). If we can make it home for Christmas, it can easily cost $1,000. That’s the price of a mini vacation!

Now, with a family of 11 people, assume we each spent $50 on everyone’s gift. That’s $550 in just gifts. Add that on top of the price of travel, and it quickly became expensive.

And when you live far away, cost isn’t the only factor. You also have to consider how you will get the gifts to our family. Sure, you can try to stuff as many as you can in your suitcase. But that isn’t realistic. Of course, you could always ship gifts, but then you have to worry about wrapping gifts when you get there, or just not wrap them at all. It just added a lot of stress to us as a family!

Finally, my family realized the end of the year is busy for all of us. We are all busy at work, planning to travel, and trying to plan for the next year. Buying Christmas gifts just added to the stress, when really, all we wanted was to spend time with one another.

Alternatives to Christmas Gifts

In lieu of Christmas gifts, my family puts that money aside and takes a family vacation together once a year. It’s a great way to experience something new with all of us and form less-rushed memories together!

And while we don’t do holiday gifts, we did decide to prioritize birthday gifts instead. That way, we can truly celebrate one person on their special day versus buying gifts for everyone at once. And even then, most of our gifts are for experiences, such as classic car rentals, gift cards to a fancy restaurant, or tickets to a play.

If you haven’t considered alternatives to Christmas gifts, I highly recommend it. For us, the absence of gifts makes our holidays more focused on what’s truly important – spending time together as a family and celebrating together.

Frugal Recipes to Try When Money Is Tight

September 9, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Your food budget probably takes up one of the largest percentages of outgoing money each money. Therefore, if you can reduce your food spending then you can improve your savings. As a result, it makes sense to look for frugal recipes for a tight budget if you want to start saving money quickly. By arming yourself with a long list of recipes you love, but that are made from ingredients that don’t cost you a lot of money, you can do yourself a huge financial service.

Frugal Breakfast Recipes for a Tight Budget

Sticking to meals that are only one or two ingredients is a surefire way to save money on meals. Breakfast is one of the easiest meals that you can do that with. Buttered toast, a bowl of oatmeal, yogurt with berries, and scrambled eggs are all examples of simple meals that you can enjoy for breakfast without spending very much money. But for those times when you want something a little bit fancier and yet not expensive try these recipes:

- Cinnamon Sugar Pancake Squares. These affordable pancakes are made in the oven and taste so yummy.
- Country Breakfast Bowls. Buy the ingredients in bulk, make a huge batch, freeze it, and then microwave individual portions when you’re ready to eat.
- Overnight Breakfast Bacon and Egg Casserole. It’s as good as it sounds.
- Scrambled Egg Muffins. Easy to make and affordable as well, these are great if you need to take breakfast on the go.
- Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos. Of course, any breakfast burrito can be made affordably but these are a great option for the non-meat-eaters in the group.

Low-Cost Lunch Recipes

One of the best ways to save money on lunch is to eat dinner leftovers from the night before. A sandwich or wrap is always another smart choice.

However, that’s not always appealing. Luckily, it’s easy to find frugal recipes for a tight budget that are more than satisfactory for lunch at home or on the go. Here are some top choices:

- Copycat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich. Get a Panera-style lunch sandwich at a much lower cost using this recipe.
- Homemade Chili Dogs. Use this recipe to serve tummy-filling chili dogs to eight people for less than $10 total. And if you have kids at the table they might be satisfied with just a no-bun, no-chili hot dog for lunch which will save you even more money.
- Rice and Beans. This recipe will fuel you with energy for the rest of the day.
- Vegetable Soup. Don’t just open a can of soup and heat it on the stove. Instead, make this homemade version and reheat it when you’re ready for a warm lunch.

Frugal Dinner Recipes for a Tight Budget

Dinner is usually the most expensive meal of the day. Oftentimes, that’s because we dine out. However, it can get expensive even at home. Making smart choices about the dinner ingredients that you use will go a long way towards reducing your food spending when you’re on a budget. Here are some frugal recipes for a tight budget that will satisfy you at dinner time:

Barbecue Chicken on the Grill. Affordable cuts of meat that you can grill for flavor are good options for those non-vegetarians on a budget. This recipe serves six.
Beef Brisket. Eating meat isn’t always the most affordable way to go with dinner but if you prefer it then this is a good recipe option.
Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice. Or skip the chicken for an even more affordable vegetable fried rice dish.
Easy Roast Prime Rib. This recipe doesn’t just save you money but it also saves you time. It takes ten minutes to prepare then the oven does the rest of the work.
Grilled Flank Steak. If you enjoy eating steak but don’t want to spend too much money then ask your butcher about getting some flank steak. It’s a tasty alternative to more expensive cuts of beef. Generally you can get one-and-a-half pounds for this meat for under $7. Here’s a recipe that will serve six people for that prices.
Honey Glazed Ham. Like the Prime Rib recipe above, this is a meal that you can prepare quickly then do other things while the oven cooks it for you. It serves a whopping twelve people. Therefore, its one of the frugal recipes for a tight budget that you can bookmark for holiday meals.
Ramen Noodle Dishes. Of course, you could really save money and get the 50-cent soups but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about three different recipes for high-quality, extra-tasty, very satisfying homemade ramen noodle dishes that are also very affordable to make at home. These are also healthy dishes with one vegetarian option.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta. You can almost always make pasta dishes on a budget. If you see a discount on shrimp then make the purchase and use this recipe for a wonderful low-cost dinner.

Snacks, Sides, and Appetizers

Sometimes you just want to have a quick snack. A simple apple or handful of nuts will often do and can be your most affordable option. However, sometimes you want something a little bit more special. For example, you might want frugal snack recipes when you’re on a tight budget but still want to impress someone who is coming over to your home. Or you might want a cheap snack that you can bring to a gathering. Here are some good choices.

Beer Battered Fish: Although you can actually use this recipe to make dinner, it’s a particularly good option for making an appetizer or side dish for large groups of people.
Classic Deviled Eggs: Make half a dozen terrific and tasty deviled eggs for less than five dollars when you use this easy recipe. This is a Labor Day or holiday gathering favorite.
Honey Glazed Carrots. Make these in a slow cooker. You can serve up to ten people with this recipe.
Potato Salad. Potatoes are among the most filling frugal ingredients that you’ll find for any meal. Stock up on them and use them liberally throughout your cooking. This potato salad recipe will give you a unique snack, suitable to take to any group gathering. Moreover, it costs about $1 per serving. You can’t beat that!
Stuffed Mushrooms. Mushrooms are a simple food that can be dressed up with good stuffing. They are often affordable, and they work well as sides or appetizers for any meals. Make one dozen of them with this recipe.

Frugal Dessert for a Tight Budget

If you want to save money on meals then you should skip dessert. In fact, when dining at a restaurant, it is almost always best to skip drinks and dessert if you want to reduce your bill. But of course sometimes we want a little treat. You can use these frugal dessert recipes to enjoy that treat on a budget.

Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding. What a yummy option that will impress anyone you offer it to.
Chocolate Ice Cream. Ice cream is a popular dessert for all ages. Learn how to easily make your own.
Oven-Baked Smores. Who doesn’t love Smores? And you don’t even need a campfire to cook them. This recipe will cost you less than $10 to make. Nevertheless, it will provide dessert for fifteen people. Moreover, cooking and enjoying it will delight you.
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Simple chocolate chip cookies are a surprisingly satisfying dessert. Make six dozen of them with this recipe! Of course, you can cut the recipe in half to make fewer cookies and save more money.

What are some of your favorite frugal recipes on a tight budget? Share in the comments!

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12 Homemade Cleaning Product Recipes for Every Area of Your House

February 25, 2019 By Jennifer Derrick 38 Comments

With the prices of everything skyrocketing, making your own cleaning products can be an easy way to save money if you do not want to hire a cleaning services company. In addition to saving money, most homemade cleaners are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and safe for use around pets and children. They take very little time to make, so they don’t add to the workload. Friends and family members frequently ask for my homemade cleaning products recipes, so I’m sharing 12 of my favorites. I’ve tried all of these and found them to be at least as effective, if not more so than commercially prepared products.

Getting Started

Before you get started mixing things up, you’ll need a couple of spray bottles to hold your homemade cleaning products. You can get inexpensive bottles in the travel section of stores like Wal-Mart or Target, or you can use glass spray bottles like these on Amazon, which are reusable and come with labels.

You can also reuse spray bottles from commercial cleaners as long as you thoroughly clean them out to prevent unwanted chemical reactions. Be sure to label your bottles to prevent accidents.

You’ll also need some old rags, sponges, or cloths for scrubbing purposes. I use an old fashioned sponge for the heavy scouring work and microfiber cloths for cleaning surfaces like countertops. Microfiber cloths can be rinsed/washed and reused over and over, making them an inexpensive choice if you don’t like rags or old washcloths.

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12 Homemade Cleaning Products Recipes

Now that you’ve got your basic supplies, on to the recipes!

1. Window/Glass cleaner: Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. You can use a rag to wipe the glass, but a sheet of newspaper does even better.

2. Floor cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar into one gallon of water. Mop the floors as usual.

3. Countertops: Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe down countertops with a sponge or cloth. For stubborn stains, scrub with baking soda.

4. Tubs/sinks: Straight baking soda works well for scouring away soap scum and mildew. Sprinkle it into the tub and add just enough water to make a paste. Then scour away. Spray the chrome with the countertop mixture (above) of vinegar and water then wipe down to make it shine. If you have heavy mold or mildew, straight vinegar sprayed directly on the affected area works well for loosening it.

5. Toilets: Sprinkle straight baking soda into the toilet and swish around with a brush. Let it stand for a few minutes, swish a final time, and flush.

6. Fabric softener: Pour 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser or add manually during the rinse cycle. This softens clothes, removes excess detergent and does not leave a smell behind.

7. Carpet deodorizer: Sprinkle straight baking soda on the carpet, using more in heavily trafficked areas or where pets stay. Vacuum after 20-30 minutes.

8. Powdered laundry detergent: Mix 5 cups soap flakes and 7 cups of Borax and shake well to mix the flakes and Borax. Store in plastic container or old laundry detergent box. Use 1/2 cup per load.

9. Exterior house wash: If you have vinyl siding, this cleanser will get rid of mold and mildew. Mix one quart of bleach per gallon of water in a hand sprayer. Add 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid (hand washing liquid such as Dawn or Ivory, not dishwasher liquid). The dishwashing soap just makes the mixture “sticky” so it will adhere to the wall long enough for the bleach to do the work. Spray on the walls and then rinse with a garden hose or light pressure wash.

10. Drain Cleaner: Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and plug the drain until the fizzing stops. Pour one gallon of boiling water down the drain to flush out the clog. Prevent clogs by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain once per week.

11. Dishwasher Rinse Aid: Pour distilled white vinegar into the rinse agent compartment and wash as usual.

12. Furniture Polish: Mix 1/4 cup olive oil or mineral oil with 4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar and 20-30 drops of lemon essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well before using.

Homemade Cleaning Product Concerns

One of the concerns I often hear about the recipes that use vinegar is that the vinegar will leave a smell behind. Let me assure you that once it dries or runs through the rinse cycle in the washer, it no longer smells. One of the benefits of homemade cleansers is that most leave no scent whatsoever behind, so your home does not smell like a hospital. If you want to add some scent, you can experiment with essential oils such as peppermint or lemon. You can find these at health food stores, or places like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

Another concern is that these cleansers don’t kill bacteria. Research has shown that vinegar does kill certain household pathogens, so if you want to disinfect without using harmful antibacterial chemicals, vinegar is a great choice. Tea tree oil is another great disinfectant and can be mixed with water and used on countertops and in sinks, tubs, and toilets to disinfect.

Helpful Tips and Warnings

As with any sort of cleanser, test your creations on inconspicuous areas to make sure there’s no discoloration, scratching, or other adverse effects. And two final words of warning: First, never use vinegar on natural stone such as granite or marble because it will scratch and pit the stone. Second, never mix bleach with vinegar because it will give off a toxic gas.

Using homemade cleansers is just as effective and much less expensive than using commercial cleansers. Once you’ve mastered the basics, don’t hesitate to experiment with the concentrations and added scents you use to find what works best for you. Just remember to always test anything new before using it widely.

Do you make your own household cleaners? Share your tips in the comments below!