The Secret to Couponing: Buy Low, Use High

I recently received this question from a friend:

Ok. I watched this. Seemed rather simple. But I didn’t see anything healthy in her pantry. I saw lots of boxed foods and frozen pre-made food. My biggest expense is fish, veggies, & meat. You are the coupon guru…..are you able to save on healthy fresh food? Yes, I saw she got fish. But it was a ¼ pound of various fish, not one type of fish. I want only the healthy fish.

The main key to winning with couponing is NOT using coupons. It is stacking savings. What that means is you want to buy when you can get the product at its lowest possible price—its "rock bottom" price.

Dollar for dollar, item for item, your goal is to buy as much as you need to last for 3 months (about how long it is between rock bottom prices) when the price gets as low as it will go. For most of your grocery purchases, you can stack savings on top of the rock bottom price by using store coupons, manufacturer coupons, your store card, and rebates. On some items, the coupons are a little harder to come by, but that doesn't change the principle of "buy low, sell (use) high."

For "healthy fish," you need to watch the flyers and track when it sells for the least and stock up and freeze as much as you'll use in 12 weeks. If it's a certain brand you want to buy, look up the brand online and see if they have (a) coupons on their website; (b) an email newsletter in which they send out coupons; and/or (c) a contact email that you can request coupons.

Have you taken my mini-course: Getting Started Saving with Coupons? Also, see my article on Frugal Hacks: Five Secrets to Maximizing Your Coupon Savings.

Hope that helps.

"Shop on your own time, in your jammies"

Wow! The last time I shared the basics of Getting Started Saving with Coupons, I got some great feedback that I wanted to share with my readers. What a blessing to know how much it's is helping people and changing lives! I'll try posting just a few at a time.

Q: Would you recommend "Start Saving with Coupons"?

YES!!! It is much easier than I expected when you think in terms of stocking up with coupons. Sometimes coupons seem so tedious even if you have them organized, but when you are shopping from your stockpile, you can do it on your own time, in your jammies, and then only go to the store when you see a really great deal!  —MaryBeth Welch, Buhl, ID

Yes. Times are tough, most people I know don't have a lot of extra money hanging around. If they are willing to take the time, they will save. —Angela J., WA

Absolutely. Everyone needs to know these tips! —Kate H., IN

Yes, I want to share this with my daughter and daughters-in-law as they get their new homes started! —B. H., CA

Thanks to the 354 people who showed up at for the webinar!

"I just have to share!"

"I just have to share!"

That was the subject line of an email I received from one of my students on Monday.

Here's the entire note:

I just have to share. This week I've been shopping at Walgreens. I've spent a total of $27.39. If you calculate the actual retail price of all my 86 items, it is $380.47. The sale price total was $291.12. Based on the retail, I saved almost 93%. Based on the sale price, it was 91%. Regardless, it was fantastic! My per item cost came out to $0.32.

Since taking your online class in September, I have totally stocked my 2 refrigerators and deep freezer. I have a huge stockpile of cleaning products, personal care items, etc., etc. I was able to purchase Christmas presents for my extended family by the end of October. Plus, I have excess funds in my budget. It is absolutely incredible. The cost of your class was well worth the money.

Now, when I go to Aldi [a store known for very low discount prices] to get necessary items, I cringe when I have to pay full price for an item. So sad.

I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to do the class and answer the questions I had.

Thank you, again.

Nancy

Wow! What can I add to that? You can join Nancy in building a stock-pile and having excess funds in your budget, by signing up for my one-of-a-kind home study course.

Start Saving with Coupons - Home Study Course
http://www.startsavingwithcoupons.com/students/signup.php

And, if you order by Sunday at midnight, you get the home study course with over 5 hours of training for only $57 (Nancy saved almost 6 times that, just this week!), by using:

$40 off Coupon Code CAA246

Stop overpaying for groceries!

Blessings,
Jim Bob Howard
http://www.startsavingwithcoupons.com/

SharePoint Live Virtual Conference & Expo: Intro to Tools by Steve Fox

The SharePoint Live Virtual Conference & Expo was held "live" yesterday. If you missed it, you can still access the site and all of the resource materials through February 5, 2010 at:

http://sharepointvcx.com/default.aspx

I highly recommend, if you have ANY interest in SharePoint 2010, that you "attend" the On-demand portion of the conference before February. Especially, go to the Auditorium and click on Track 1 (the skewed graphic on the right):

And watch the on-demand presentation by Steve Fox, Intro to SharePoint Tools.

Steve Fox did an excellent job covering SharePoint Designer 2010, Expression Blend, and Visual Studio 2010. Though I felt I was drinking from a firehose, I did jot down some key take-aways I gleaned from the presentation.

Key Take-aways

• Web experience incorporates MS "ribbon" look, feel, and intuitivity. Inline design tools to manage user interface experience without cracking open SPD or VS.
• Workflows reside in both SPD and VS 2010. WFs created in SPD can then be ported into VS for lower-level detailing.
• Manage security and permissions from SPD, not just in the browser experience.
• Tremendous integration story between web experience, SPD, VS, Expression Blend, and Silverlight.
• SPD can create site columns, site and external content types, and even content without flipping over to the browsers experience.
• External content types (ECT) have read/write connectivity to external sources: SAP, Siebel, etc. ECTs then "act" like a SharePoint list.
• VS has lots of built-in SP templates, and can be used for Site Level workflows

Summary

• Multiple tools for different development scenarios
  
• Web-based
• SharePoint Designer
• Expression Blend
• Visual Studio
• Great integration story across tools
• Tools strengthen SharePoint 2010 as a first class platform
• Tools will make all the difference in 2010

Great news! And great demos by Steve!

You'll also want to hear more from Steve regarding the Topline Features he outlined for each product.

Topline Features

Developing using SharePoint Designer 2010

• New Look and Feel
  
• Ribbon-based experience: a better way of approaching development = greater productivity
• Manage Security & Permissions
• Create Content & Content Types for SharePoint Sites
• Connect to Data
• XSLT List Views
• Connect to External Systems
• Workflow

Developing using Expression

• Design tool for WPF & Silverlight
• Build compelling user interfaces
• VS 2010 Integration
• Rapid prototyping
• Standards-compliant
• Ties developers and designers together

Developing using Visual Studio 2010

• Evolved Tools that meet developer needs
• Leverage .NET skills
• Create, Explore and Debug
• Develop on Vista/Win7
• F5 Debugging

Two other slides regarding the changes in VS between 2007 and 2010:
SharePoint 2007 Development

• Visual Studio Experience Is Limited
  
• Visual Studio Extensions for WSS
• Visual Studio Tools for Office with VS2008
• SharePoint developers reliant on community tools
• Developers have to deal with tedious details
  
• Manually editing CAML files
• Understanding RootFiles directory of WSS
• Manual edits to manifest.xml file
• Building .wsp file for solutino package

Visual Studio 2010 SharePoint Tools

• End-to-end SharePoint 2010 developer story
  
• SharePoint Explorer for site exploration
• SharePoint 2010 project and item templates
• Visual designers for core scenarios
• Migration path for Visual Studio 2008 for WSS 3.0
• Extensible by 3rd party developers
• Benefits to SharePoint developers
  
• Abstracts away details of RootFiles directory
• Abstracts away details of building .wsp file
• Lessens/eliminates need for external utilities

A Fundraiser for Christmas

Dear Family and Friends,

My 12yo son is privileged to be participating in the Christian Choral Society of Austin's Men's Choir, an elite all-male choir for Jr. High-aged young men. They will be giving performances at the Capitol, the Zilker Park Trail of Lights, several area nursing homes, and many others this winter.

To build the choir's music library, they are having a fund-raiser selling Christmas greenery through Evergreen Industries. Orders are due this Friday (Nov. 6), so if you would like to participate, please let us know quickly.

Balsam Fir One of our most popular items, this wreath is made from fresh, fragrant and long lasting Northern Balsam Fir. Decorations include 3 white tipped pine cones with 4 red holly berries per cone. The wreath is 22-24 inches in diameter. Our beautiful bows are made from either velvet or plastic red water proof ribbon. Plastic bows come attached to one style wreath, while the velvet bows, our most popular style, come assembled and boxed for easy installation. All wreaths can be hung from a wire attached to the bow. Sent via UPS or FedEx in a holiday gift box (continental 48 states only). A gift card can also be included if you would like to send as a gift. We will deliver between Nov. 27 — Dec. 7. Your cost: $41 (shipping and handling included).

If you would like to order one (or more), please let me know by Thursday night, so I can turn in the order Friday. You can pay me by PayPal (to jimbobhoward {at} gmail {dot} com), or send a check made out to: Jim Bob Howard. I will write one check CCSA for all orders turned in by Thursday evening.

If you would prefer to pay by check, drop me an email and I'll send you the mailing address.

Blessings and thanks for reading,
Jim Bob

5 Secrets to Maximizing Coupon Savings

I didn’t realize she was talking to me, at first. Undeterred, she tapped me on the shoulder and repeated her emphatic question, “How did you DO that?”

"That" was checking out with two carts overloaded with groceries with an initial total of $498 and then paying only $187 for all of it while receiving a handful of coupons from the cashier.

I looked at my questioner's shopping cart with a few store brand items and then back into her imploring eyes and I knew what she was thinking. I had been there myself only a few months before. But that was before I learned the five secrets to taking home carloads of brand-name products for much less than I used to scrimp and save on generics.

Though I had some dairy products that I needed to get home quickly, I was able to quickly share with this desperate mom a few of the secrets I had discovered.

1. Buy low
   It’s the classic investment strategy: Buy low – Sell high. With a slight variation. In this case, you’re going to buy low and USE high, meaning: You will use the products you bought at a low price later, when the price is higher.
   
   Every week, grocery stores drop a portion (about 1/12) of their merchandise to its lowest offered price. Over a three-month period, almost the entire store goes to its rock-bottom price. And that’s when you should buy your groceries from that portion of the store.
   You’ll use it later; when the price has gone back up.
   
   
2. Stack savings
   Multiply your savings by using a store coupon in conjunction with the rock-bottom price. Throw in a manufacturer’s coupon for more savings. Use a store loyalty card, store rebates, and manufacturer rebates, to stack on even more.
   
   All of these savings can be stacked on one product, making your groceries pennies on the dollar!
   
   
3. Buy more than you need
   When you need it right now, you’re willing to pay more for it. But if you can plan head and buy all you can use between rock-bottom trends, when you need it, you will already have it.
   
   Known as stockpiling or food storage (though many more items than food can be stored for future use), buying more than you need is simply a continuation of “buy low.” You don’t want to run out of something before that low price cycles back around, so buy more than you need, but not more than you will use.
   
   
4. Use a coupon for every item
   Leave no product un-couponed. Even on “free” items, use a coupon. When you’re taking advantage of a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal, you are getting two products; use two coupons. Although it seems you’ve already gotten one item for “free,” what you really have is two products that have been marked down 50%. You can realize additional stacked savings by using a coupon for each item. Alternately, if you have a “save $ on two” coupon, you can use it in a BOGO deal because you have bought two items.
   
   Bonus: if your coupon is a manufacturer BOGO and the store is offering a BOGO sale, both items are free. This works because the store marked it down 50% and the manufacturer gave you 50% off, for a total of 100% savings!
   
   
5. Understand the fine print
   Stacking savings is great, but not always allowed. Understanding the fine print on your coupons will let you know when you can—and can’t—stack savings.
   
   One coupon per customer means you can only use one coupon, regardless of how many items you purchase, or how many transactions you go through. But, do you have other “customers” in your family?
   
   One coupon per transaction means you can only use one coupon per payment. Check with your store for their preferred method of allowing you to make multiple transactions to multiply savings. Typically, you can make multiple transactions during one visit to the checkout counter.
   
   One coupon per purchase means you can only use one coupon per item. An individual item is a purchase, not your entire shopping cart, and not everything you ring up in one transaction. If you buy two bottles of shampoo and have two “one coupon per purchase” coupons, you can use one on each bottle of shampoo; each of which is a single purchase.
   
   Not to be combined with any other offer means any other “offer” from that entity. In this case, you wouldn’t be able to stack a manufacturer coupon with a manufacturer rebate. But if the store puts it on sale, a manufacturer coupon is still redeemable with the store’s “offer.”
   

Now that I have it typed up, I’m going to print this list and keep some copies with me when I go to the store, for the next person who asks, “How did you DO that?!”

To learn more about maximizing your coupon savings, join me for a class already in progress (replays of missed classes will be provided): Start Saving with Coupons, a 3-part interactive online course, held Thursdays through October 1. Watch a free screencast at http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStartedReplay, then join us this Thursday at 8PM Central.

Did you register for tomorrow night's special event?

In case you missed it, I post a note here on my blog before my FREE webinar with my bride takes place this coming Thursday evening.

http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStarted/

Remember, Amy and I will reveal...

- How an ordinary person without extraordinary talent or skills can save hundreds of dollars EACH WEEK on their groceries, whether they're buying for one... or for a LARGE FAMILY!

- How a homeschool family of seven slashed their budget $1000 in their first month and saved over $18,500 in the first year almost by magic...

- The 5 steps to getting started using and saving with coupons, and how each step plays a specific role in teaching you HOW to save the most with coupons!

- How buying what you DON'T NEED saves you multiple times over buying what you need.

- How to turn EVERY trip to the store into a JACKPOT of savings!

Bottom Line: On this 70-minute Webinar, you'll discover more about how to get started REALLY saving on your groceries ...than you've ever heard anyone reveal before!

It's happening THIS Thursday, September 10 at 8:00PM (Central Time) especially for you.

Right now, lots of people have already claimed their spots...

At this rate, it's a sure bet the call will be completely booked -- so make sure you register below while you still have time!

Here's the full scoop:
http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStarted/

Not only will you be able to hear Amy and me talking about the fast and painless way to save thousands on groceries, but you'll also get to SEE and WATCH it happening in real time on your computer screen, complete with real examples! Don't miss out!

P.S. - We will have special content that ONLY the LIVE ATTENDEES will see. And a special offer that ONLY the LIVE ATTENDEES will be able to take advantage of. These will NOT be on the replay. Make sure you are there!

http://www.StartSavingWithCoupons.com/GettingStarted/