Scheduling A Class

Want to start using coupons to save money, but don't know where to start? I can teach you everything you need to know to start saving BIG!

**Please note, the prices below for the Private Class and Coupon Party are for those living in San Antonio within a 25 mile radius of 78253. For those living outside of these area, please contact me for a quote. Thanks!

A Private, One-On-One Class:

Cost is $25 for 2 hours at your home. If you would like for me to go shopping with you, it will cost an additional $10 per store. Choose from: CVS, Walgreens, HEB, Walmart, and Target. I will explain the store policies and help you with coupon match ups along with showing you tips/tricks at each store to help you maximize your savings.

Coupon Party:
 

Host a You CAN Save Coupon Party in your home! Just $10 per person and a special gift for the host (minimum of 5 guests please). Door prizes and a Quick Reference Guide given out to each guest. Have your guest bring their coupons, put out the food, and get ready to have a blast while learning to save money with your friends!

Large Group Coupon Party (20 or more):

I will come speak to your group for a discounted flat rate. Please email me for a quote. Power Point Presentation, Quick Reference Guide for each person, and Door Prizes available.

Here's what you will learn at both the Private and Coupon Party Classes:

*Why Coupon?
*Where to find Coupons
*Understanding Store Sales, Matching Coupons with Sales, and Stockpiling
*Couponing at Target
*Couponing at Grocery Stores
*Couponing at Drugstores
*Coupon Organization
*Coupon Ethics
*Other Ways to Save
*Finding Freebies
and MUCH MORE!

Please contact me for questions, quotes, and to schedule a class at youcansave@yahoo.com

Cash

We follow Dave Ramsey in our home. We love his principles for paying off debt, saving, and building wealth. My favorite quote of his is "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else". One of the things I have been doing for years is following a cash budget. Now, I don't go to the extremes that others do, paying cash for everything, but I do like to have cash funds for certain things like clothing, auto maintenance, medical/dental, date night and so on. The key is, when we don't spend it for the month, it rolls over to the next month, thus we have more money in the cash fund. I believe Dave calls these "sinking funds". So, if we don't go on a date for March, that means it rolls over to the next month, thus I have more money to spend in April for our date. I take out cash every month for our sinking funds which we have designated in our budget. I still use our check card for a lot of things which I track in our budget app on my iphone, but for the 10 or more things I have sinking funds for, I don't have to worry about tracking every little purchase and I like that it builds up over time. So when that unexpected doctor visit comes up, I can pay in cash instead of it causing a dent in our budget. The picture above is a cash enevelope system I ordered off Etsy.

Freebies In My Mailbox

Look what I got in the mail today! By taking just a few minutes to sign up for freebies online, you can get products you will use and high value coupons too! P.S. Make sure to set up a seperate email account when you sign up for freebies/newsletters so your personal email won't be full of spam. I check my spam email every few days to print off coupons from the newletters.

Menu

We are on Week 2 of Why Menu Plans Work...What Sounds Good vs Stockpiling When Planning a Menu

I have menu planned what SOUNDED good or when I wanted to try a new recipe rather than what I had on hand and you don't really save money that way, although it is cheaper than going out to eat. When I use to plan my menu, I was still spending $100-$200 each week or more because I had a huge list of items to buy. The huge problem with this? I bought items that weren't on sale, that had no coupon, or had a coupon but it didn't make much of a difference in price (because it wasn't on sale), and I made impulse purchases because, heck, I was already spending $200, why not just buy more?

But I learned how to combine coupons when the item went to it's lowest price and stocked up on that item. Once you start to stockpile, you incorporate those items you have stockpiled in your freezer or pantry into your menu and you will see your grocery list and your grocery budget go down. I also sat down with my husband and created a budget so that helps me to stay on track and avoid impulse buying.

My goal in the next 6 months...spend $50 a week on groceries by buying items at their rock bottom price/using coupons thus building my stockpile. I will only be able to spend that little because I menu plan. I will be sharing my deals as well so you can check my progress as I try and reach my goal. Next week, Cooking from Scratch to Save Money


Here is my Menu for this Week:

Mon-Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Salad

Tues-Nacho Chicken, Corn, Salad

Wed-Stackems

Thurs-Breakfast Night (pancakes, bacon, eggs, smoothies)

Fri-Tacos

Sat-Honey Rosemary Chicken, Pasta Salad

Sun-Eat Out for Lunch after Church/Scrounge for Dinner (we typically have cereal or leftovers)

Kroger: 3 boxes snack bars, 2 bags m&m's, blackberries, 2 taco seasonings,onion, potatoes, 4 cans biscuits, 4 cans crescent rolls, and 2 pkg ribs & a roast (not pictured). Total=$28.39

I also finished off my weekly shopping trip at Walmart and spent $30.99.

Total spent for this week=$59.46

I'm over my budget ($50/week) a little but I do have next weeks groceries bought and then 3 meals for the following week so it should even out-I hope, lol!

CVS trip: 2 revlon lipsticks, 2 bags cheese ball snacks, 2 skinny cow candies, razor cartridge, and colgate toothpaste. Total=.08 cents and got back $13 ECB (extra care bucks) to use on my next purchase! 

Warehouse Clubs-Do or Don't?

I have been asked at several of my workshops if I think Warehouse Clubs are worth it?

My answer, yes and no. I have a love/hate relationship with Sam's and Costco.

I do have a Costco membership and shop their about once a month.

So what do I buy? I DON'T ever buy toiletry, cleaning items there because I can get those for little to nothing at other places. I can't believe a razor kit cost almost $20 (or more) when I have bought most of my razors for nothing! I have seen people get caught up in the fun of it all but so many of those items can be bought so much cheaper by combing the right sale with a coupon.

I do get yeast, flour, spices, fruit, and sometimes cheese, chicken, ww bread, and chips. I find the prices are very reasonable there and sometimes much cheaper than I can get at the store, especially because there is rarely coupons for those things.

I also buy cheese sticks,fruit, various items for our lunch boxes, and found organic unsweetened applesauce for an incredible price. I also like their children's clothes too. They also have a good selection of organic items.

So, Warehouse clubs are not all bad just be careful what you buy. Have a plan and check the unit price to see if it would be cheaper to buy it at a non-warehouse club. Make a plan so you don't impulse buy (better yet, carry cash), and know what the non bulk item costs compared to the bulk.

You can always get a refund if you aren't satisfied at any time.What do you buy at your Warehouse club? Do you think it's worth it?