Friday, October 9, 2009

Frugal Friday

After last weekend’s post a few of you asked me “Hey, where did you get those coupons?”  So, here is your answer!

My number one source of restaurant coupons is this:

topnav

The 8th graders at my daughter’s school sell this for a fundraiser.  For $20 you get a discount card which is about the size of a credit card, and a coupon book.  I bought this 2 weeks ago and I have already saved $21 with it!  What kind of coupons are in there?  Well, for example…

Two weeks ago when I posted about drinking a whole pitcher of Margaritas, we went here:

El_Burrito_LOGO 

The coupon was buy one entree, get one free (up to $9.00). 

Last weekend, when we went here:

vitales-comstockpark-mi 

I used a coupon for $5 off your $20 purchase.  They also have a coupon for buy one entree, get one free, but it is only valid Mon-Thurs.  Don’t worry, I’ll be back to use that one!

It’s not just restaurant coupons either!  There are coupons for:  tanning, dry cleaning, oil changes, car washes, movies, golf, hair salons, and more.

Unfortunately, when I was on the key card website, it looked like this fundraiser was only in Michigan.  I could be wrong though.  If you do live in Michigan and you have the opportunity to buy one, definitely do it!  We had the card and book last year too, and we save $100’s of dollars.

My next favorite spot for restaurant deals is:

restaurantcom_520x289

If you have never been to restaurant.com, stop reading this blog right now, and click over there!  This website has restaurants nationwide, so it’s for everyone!  They sell gift certificates which you print from your computer.  The $25 gift certificates generally sell for $10 or less.  Right now if you use the coupon code “FOUR”, you can get $25 certificates for $2.00!  Seriously, run, don’t walk to restaurant.com!

Now, what about the clothing coupons?

This is very simple.  I am the mailing list for all my fave stores!  I get coupons in the mail almost everyday for some type of clothing store for either myself or my daughters.  Getting on the mailing list is easy, just go to the store’s website and you can usually sign up there.

Also, if I’m going shopping and I don’t have a coupon for a store.  I just Google “printable coupon for (insert store name)”.  Usually something pops up.

Lastly, I save money at stores by being a frequent shopper and earning points.  Last year when we cut up all of our credit cards, the only one I kept was this one:

gap_credit_card 

Mine is actually a Gap Silver Card which gets me even more great stuff!  I get free shipping every single time online at Old Navy, Gap, and (my favorite) Banana Republic.  I also get 10% off the first Tuesday of every month, free alterations at Banana, and I get every single coupon that comes out for each of those stores and their Outlet stores.  The best part though is the reward points!  Don’t tell my husband, but I bet I’ve earned at least $250 in free merchandise this year with my rewards!

I wish I could say I was one of those coupon clipping moms who gets crazy good deals on groceries too, but I’m not.  Sorry to let you down.

Does anyone else money saving tips for Frugal Friday?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I have one...marry a woman who doesn't like to shop. :)

Love you sweetheart.

RN Mama said...

Bah! Very funny. Love you too.

Brittany said...

Awesome! There is nothing like saving money. I love the Gap any way I can save there would be a good thing! :)

Anonymous said...

Whoa! Thanks for all the tips girl!! I am totally trying to save money..but not doing a very good job at it! HA! I loved your comment this morning! OMG being a coder..I can totally see the hugeness of that boo-boo! Hope y'all have a great weekend! = )

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! My best money saving tip for groceries is to make menus for the week. Eventually you'll have enough to have 4 weeks (or more) worth of meals. Then all you have to do is check to see what ingredients you need then go get just those. And always make a list and (this is the hard part) stick to it. I shop Kroger brands and there isn't a lot of coupons for that so I just wait till the things I know I'm gonna need go on sale and I buy 1 or 2 extra.