Free Giveaway "Wow! You Saved How Much?" Step by Step Money Saving Guide

You can buy “Wow! You Saved How Much?” here for only $7.95, but it is worth far more and you can save more than the price of the book on your first trip to the store, if you follow the simple steps provided! Plus, you have the chance to win a copy for yourself right here. Simply leave a comment.

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For your extra entries to be counted, be sure to leave an additional comment directing us to your entry. Only one additional entry per method (i.e. While multiple tweets are great it only one will count as one drawing entry.) The contest runs until 10/15/10 at 11:59 pm EST. One winner will be notified by email on 00/00/10 and receive a copy of “Wow! You Saved How Much?” by snail mail. The Winner will have 48 hours to complete the claim form or a new winner will be chosen.

Review by A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Wow! You saved how much? is a book for anyone interested in saving money with coupons. If you already use coupons there is still information in this book that is worth the price of the e-book. The author Renita R. Perrone is a stay at home mom who home schools her two children. She started couponing in order to save her family money after she quit her job that paid more than her husbands salary. They had to learn to make ends meet just to pay their mortgage. Sound familiar to anyone? It’s becoming a common story lately.

Renita routinely saves over $500 a month using coupons and she lives in an area that doesn’t double coupons. That has always been my frustration with coupons. The area I live in doesn’t double, most stores don’t accept other stores coupons or printed coupons. I live in an area with large families so you’d think that the stores would be a little more coupon friendly than they are.

The other problem I have had with coupons is that I’ve never had a consistent system that made sense to me. Renita walks you through that problem in an easy to understand, simple way. If you have had trouble in that area then this is a book for you. She lays it out step by step and includes tips and tricks to stay organized and get the most from your coupons. I loved the easy style in which she wrote this book. You feel like she’s sitting next to you and you are just having a casual friendly conversation about coupons.

There are two ways you can get this book. You can order her E-book for $4.95 or you can order a printed book from Create-a-Space for $7.95.

I bought my own copy of this e-book and was so excited about it I contact Renita to ask if she would like to do a giveaway. I received no monetary compensation to write this review.

If you would like to host a "Review and Giveaway please contact us at wowyousavedhowmuch@gmail.com We will provide a signed hard copy or a E-Book of "Wow! You Saved How Much?"

Money Saving Blog & weekly deals for 2/4-2/10/10

Most of you know by now that I write a weekly blog for Boca Raton Magazine and The Examiner.com. I would very much appreciate your views and comments as it makes the editors happy too! :)

I found and compiled some excellent information on saving on fuel that I'm sure all of us can use! In addition, I've highlighted the super deals at Publix for the week of 2/4-2/10.

You can find it here.

The Value of a Dollar

When is the last time you checked out a “dollar store?” Or maybe a discount store such as Big Lots? Well, it may be time to do so again.

In the last couple of years, I have noticed that many dollar stores seem to have disappeared. It really didn’t surprise me as I’m sure it takes a considerable volume of sales to pay the rent. However, just recently it seems that I’m seeing more dollar stores opening up again. In my quest for furthering my dollar, I decided to check them out.

I found Dollar Tree to be surprisingly good. This store is a true “dollar store,” meaning that every item in the store sells for $1 or less. They seem to consistently carry a variety of name-brand products. And even their food items have been within the “sell-by” date. In the past I have seen a fair amount of “outdated” foods in various dollar stores so I’m always cautious about the expiration dates. I even bought a loaf of bread from there that was fresh from the bakery – name brand, whole wheat! You can find a wide variety of items – greeting cards, paper products, seasonal items, cleaning products, food, and much more.

I’ve also seen Dollar General and Family Dollar stores opening up. These stores do not sell every item for $1, but they do have some good discounts on name-brand items. Be sure to know your prices before going shopping because other store sales may be the better deal. But, you may just find some incredible bargains as well.

Big Lots also seems to be expanding their store locations. Big Lots are usually fairly large stores that sell just about everything, including furniture. Their prices are discounted considerably as well. I always advise to check expiration dates on any perishable items.

I’m sure there are many other similar stores around the country. I encourage you to go check them out periodically. These stores won’t always have everything in stock, but when you find what you need, it’s usually for a great price.

**** Save money on eating out ****
Restaurant.com is offering an 80% off special right now! If you order online using the discount/coupon code INDULGE you can purchase a $25 gift certificate for $2!! Go check it out! You can do a search to see which restaurants participate. Code is valid through January 19, 2010, but gift cards don’t expire for a year after purchase.Now, on to some local deals for the week

For more information on my book, please visit my book's website here.

Publix Shopping 5/13/09

Went to Publix to hit the sales before they ended. Spent more than I wanted but still did good. I was bummed though. I'd been told that Publix had Chinet plates on sale for $2 and there were coupons for $2 off in 5/3's paper. They didn't have any and it was not listed in any of their sales flyers so I couldn't get a rain check. :(

Acronyms first:
BOGO - buy one, get one free
MC - Manufacturer coupon
SC - Store Coupon
OOP - Out of Pocket

So here's what I got.

4 Gorton's Shrimp Temptations - BOGO for $7.49, less 4 MC for $1 each - or $2.75 each
6 Del Monte green beans, canned - BOGO for $1.29 less 3 MC for $0.45 off 2, or $0.42 each
6 Del Monte Corn, canned - BOGO for $1.29, less 3 MC for $0.45 off 2, or $0.42 each
2 Publix black beans - no sale $0.83 each
2 pkg lender's bagels - BOGO for $1.99
2 Breathe Right strips - $12.79 less 2 SC for $3 and 2 MC for $1 or $8.79 each
2 kids Bandaids - sale for $1.99 less 2 MC for $1 - $0.99 each
Kraft Bagelful's - sale for $2 less MC for $1
2 pkg Kotex - 2 MC for $1.50 each - $1.95 each
Kashi Go Lean Waffles - $2.79 less MC for $2.79 (thank you Vocal Point)
1 2-roll pkg Viva paper towels - $4.49 less SC for $1.25 and MC for $1 - $1.12 each
1 30-ct corn tortillas - $2.09
1 Palmolive Pure/Clear - $3.19, less MC for $1, have rebate to get $2.99 back
2 Friendship sour cream - $1.39 each, less MC for $1 off 2 - $0.89 each
1 pkg Phil. Cream Cheese - $1.99 less MC for $1
Ground beef - $2.79/lb - $9.44 less SC for $1 off meat
2 Oscar Mayer lunchables - sale 2 for $4 less MC for $1 off 2
2 Quilted NOrthern TP - sale for $6.49, less 2 MC for $1 off each
Total before sales & coupons: $144.94
Total OOP - $78.48

Almost $150 in Groceries for under $60!

This is from my shopping trip on 5/6/09.

First some acronyms...
BOGO - Buy one, get one free
MC - Manufacturer coupon
SC - Store Coupon
OOP - Out of Pocket

Ok…so here’s how I got almost $150 in groceries for less than $60!!

2 Publix Ice Cream – on sale 2 for $5, used 2 store coupons for $1 off each (1 from the Publix Family Style magazine and one from the Preschool Pals program)
2 Farm Rich French Toast Sticks – BOGO for $3.29 less $1 MC
1 Publix Texas Toast – on sale $1.67
7 Kashi frozen entrees – half price sale for $1.89, less 7 MC for $1 off
3 Kashi Pocket bread sandwiches – half price for $1.59, less 3 MC for $1 off
Onions - $2.35
Canteloupe - $2
2 pkg Strawberries - $2.50 each
Plum tomatoes - $0.74
4 Corn on the cob - $1
4 Breakstone sour cream, 8 oz – BOGO for $0.99 less 2 MC for $0.55 each, so $0.22 each!
4 Contessa Complete meals, on sale for $4.99 (reg. $7.99), less 4 MC for $2 each that were right in front of the product!
1 Oscar Mayer Deli Creations sandwich – MC for FREE
1.5 lb shrimp - $7.68 less SC for $1 off
1 can Publix Black beans - $0.83
1 lb Publix Sweet Ham lunchmeat - $6.05
2 boxes Capri Sunrise juice pouches – on sale for $3 each, less 2 MC for $1 off
Ground Chuck – sale for $2.69/lb - $3.79, less SC for $1
1 box Bandaids- $1.99 less $1 MC
1 pkg 30 ct Corn Tortillas - $2.09
1 Country Hearth bread - $1.89
1 Publix Multigrain Bagels - $2.59
Also had a coupon from a mailer for $5 off $30 or more.
Total retail value: $146.56
Less coupons & sales - $87.20
Total OOP: $59.36

Today's savings - 3/21/2009

Well, today was a very good day for shopping! I went to my favorite local store to get some lunch supplies and purchase some good deals. I spent $58.87 but I SAVED $73.81 and still have $2.49 coming back to me on a rebate! YIPPEE!

Here’s what I purchased and how I did it:

2 Lender’s Bagels – BOGO (Buy one, get one free) - $1.99

4 No Yolks Noodles – sale for $1.59, less manufacturer coupons: 1-$1.00, 3-$0.50 for a total of $3.86 ($0.96 per bag)

2 Light & Fluffy Egg Noodles – sale for $1.50 less manufacturer coupons: 2-$0.50 for a total of $2.00 ($1.00 per bag)

8 Knorr Pasta sides – BOGO for $1.59, less manufacturer coupons: 4-$0.75 off 2 for a total of $3.36 (0.42 per package)

1 Strawberries – on sale for $1.67, less store coupon for $1 - $0.67

1 Store brand cream cheese – $2.29 – no sale but cheaper than name brand even with coupons

8 Smart Balance Buttery Spread – BOGO for $3.09, less manufacturer coupons: 4-$1.00 off 2 for a total of $8.36 ($1.045 each)

4 Smart Balance ½ gallon milk – FREE!!! Used for manufacturer coupons that gave the milk free when you purchase Smart Balance Buttery Spread.

1 Over the Moon ½ gallon chocolate milk - $3.49, less manufacturer coupon of $1.00. Also have a rebate for the remaining $2.49, so this was also FREE

6 South Beach Living Granola Bars/100 Cal bars – on sale for $3.00 each, less manufacturer coupons: 6-$1.50 off ($1.50 each)

1 Mini seedless watermelon – on sale for $2.99 less $1 store coupon

1 French’s Worcestershire sauce – on sale for $1.50, less manufacturer coupon: $0.50 - $1 total

2 Sweet Onions – no sale but $1 store coupon - $0.69 total

1 Folger’s Decaf singles - $4.49 – no coupon or sale but hubby was desperate! J

1 Canteloupe – sale for $1.50

4 Campbells soup – sale for 4 for $5, less manufacturer coupon: 2-$0.40/2 – total of $4.20 ($1.05 per can)

1 lb lunch meat - $6.05

1 package fresh green beans

Total before sales & coupons: $132.18
After: $58.87

56% savings

Not bad for an area with no double coupons!

Grocery Store Savings

I am not going to say a great deal about this subject on my blog because I am currently in the process of writing a book on it, and I'd rather you buy my book! :) But, I wanted to share the highlights of my shopping spree today!

My local grocery store has Nature Valley Granola Bars on sale BOGO (buy one, get one free). I grabbed six boxes. I had five coupons for $1 off one box. The regular price is $2.89. So, after the sale and coupons, I spent $3.67 for all 6 boxes, or $0.61 each! PLUS I also had coupons for a free box of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks when you purchase 2 boxes of Nature Valley Granola Bar. But that's not all. Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks were also on sale for BOGO. I had 3 coupons for the free box, so I picked up 6 boxes of fruit snacks. The coupons were good for a value of up to $2.60 and the fruit snacks cost $2.75, so I did pay $0.45 for all 6 boxes, or less than 8 cents per box. That's a deal you can't pass up!

There were quite a few other sales and deals as well. My grand total before coupons and sales would have been $118.65 but I only spent $51.26. I had a store coupon for $5 off $50 and a couple of other good store coupons. And, this was a mystery shop so I'll get $17 back from that, making my out of pocket total only $34.26

Now...does that make you want to learn more? If so, I will be posting on here when my book is available.

Grocery Savings with Meal Planning

Before grocery shopping, get the sales flyer and plan your week's meals around whatever meat is on sale. Create a recipe/box file and sort the recipes by main ingredient. So, the next time that variety of meat is on sale, you can go to your recipe box and pull several recipes that can be made around that variety of meat. Obviously you'll want to keep adding to that file so you don't get bored with the same thing all the time, but at least it gives you a place to start. I also keep a handy "shopping list" of regularly used ingredients so I can watch for sales on those items and stock up when they go on sale. If you have freezer space available, you may want to consider buying large quantities of meat - like purchasing 1/2 a beef - and you can save money that way. Unfortunately that is not an option for me, but I do remember my parents doing that when I was growing up.