Frugal Tips | Mindfully Frugal Mom

Earn $10 in 2 Weeks When You Sign Up with Ibotta

May 23, 2013 By Sarah Leave a Comment

One of my most indispensible shopping apps, Ibotta, just came out with a fabulous offer!

If you sign up for Ibotta today, May 23, you can earn an extra $10 if you redeem 5 offers in the next 2 weeks. That is $10 on top of whatever you earn from redeeming the offers on items that you would buy anyway!

Ibotta works at store that you probably shop at: Target, Wegmans, Walmart, and tons more!

You can see some current Wegmans deals using Ibotta here. I earn money with Ibotta nearly every time I shop, and to date I have cashed out over $80, just by using this app.

My Netflix Mea Culpa: Why I Re-Subscribed to #Netflix

May 21, 2013 By Sarah 9 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX. I have been compensated for my time, but all opinions are my own, and my family are current Netflix subscribers.

Netflix

Time for some Mea Culpa.

A year and a half ago, I wrote a post about how I cancelled my Netflix subscription.

When I wrote that post, we had full-on 200 channel cable. So getting rid of our 1-DVD a month plan wasn’t a huge deal. And also, I was kind of miffed and the shake-up in their business model.

Well, that was before we cancelled cable and bought a Roku box.

Now, when we want to watch something, it has to be available to stream, or available on *GASP* network tv.

I recently re-signed up with Netflix and I have been pleasantly surprised by the selection of shows they have, especially for kids (and it doesn’t hurt that the hubby and I can stream movies for free that we would actually like to watch).

Our favorite shows on Netflix include:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Car Toons: Mater’s Tall Tales
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax
Curious George
Angelina Ballerina

The dedicated kids section has family favorites appropriate for children ages 2- 12. All content is selected with help from Common Sense Media to provide ratings, reviews and information so parents can easily make choices for their kids!

I love that there are options from Disney Jr. because that is the one channel my kids really miss since we cancelled our cable. And thank goodness for Netflix this week! My 5 year old son broke his wrist – right at the beginning of the summer. There are times he has to rest and ice it, so those are times we flip on Netflix and let him watch his favorites.

Netflix

When everyone is well, our routine is to watch a show or two right when the kids get up — because it’s generally about 6 am and I am just not ready to get moving yet! That gives me time to ~~drag myself out of bed~~ greet the day and grab a cup of tea.

Eating Breakfast with Curious George

I do like Netflix too because I can stream it for no extra charge wherever I am — on the computer, on my iPhone, or on the tv. I love the Netflix app for my phone — it has been a lifesaver when I have to drag multiple children to each other’s doctor’s appointments.

The Netflix App on my iPhone

You know what else is great? No commercials. It is annoying to watch commercials when I am paying for a streaming subscription. And EVERYTHING Netflix offers streams free with your subscription, which is only $7.99 — much more economical than using cable or dish.

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere.

And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

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How to Save Money On Women’s Clothing by Shopping Consignment

May 9, 2013 By Sarah Leave a Comment

It used to be that online consignment shopping was just for kids’ clothes. Finally, there are some options to save money on women’s clothing that doesn’t involve Ebay, which I am irrationally terrified of.

Two of my new favorites for women’s online consignment are ThredUp and LikeTwice.

Thredup isn’t just for kids anymore. ThredUp has now launched a new Women’s division. There are many items priced under $10 for brands like Gap, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor Loft. I love this bright Old Navy skirt and pink Jason Wu for Target top. And they’re both under $10!

Plus, when you order through this link, you’ll get $15 off your first purchase! And I’ll get $10 credit too, so it’s a win-win. If you’re a new ThredUp customer, use code LADY15 at checkout (through 5/10 only) to get $15 off your first order!

With the credit, you’ll be able to get any item up to $7 — and there are many — for FREE!

Shipping starts at $2.99, but is free when you spend $50.

Another of my favorite women’s consignment online shops is Like Twice. When you sign up here (my link again!) you’ll get a $10 credit when you make your first purchase! Since LikeTwice has been around a little longer, they have seriously cute stuff, like these adorable Urban Outfitters dresses:

Or these super-cute bright Gap skinnies! For only $15, that is a steal.

I am a big believer in “recycled” (aka gently loved) clothing. Heck, I’ll even troll garage sales for clothing — and I’ve found some great pieces!

Would you purchase gently used clothes for yourself? Have you done it in the past?

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3 Ways to Conserve Water | Watersavers Giveaway for Earth Month

April 30, 2013 By Sarah 18 Comments

I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips for conserving water. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
Watersavers

Even though Earth Month is coming to an end, I try to stay earth-friendly throughout the year. Watersavers and I have three tips to conserve water usage throughout the year.

1. How to Be Green and Clean Your Driving Machine – Keeping your car clean with regular washing is an important part of responsible maintenance, but washing at home with a garden hose can use more than 60 gallons of water in as little as five minutes. Furthermore, you’re putting harmful chemicals and detergents down storm sewers and that ends up polluting our rivers and streams.

You may be surprised to learn there is a greener way to keep your car sparkling: a professional car wash. A common misconception is that professional car washes waste water, when in fact the opposite is true. WaterSavers professional car washes, for example, use an average of no more than 40 gallons of fresh water per vehicle – less than the average home washing machine, which uses 41 gallons per load, according to the EPA. Professional car washes also responsibly dispose of — and in many cases recycle and re-use — the water runoff.

2. Go Green and Keep Your Whites White – It’s easy to take steps to conserve H2O and keep your wardrobe fresh. First, only run the clothes washer when you have a full load. Make this habit for both your clothes washer and dishwasher, and you can save up to 1,000 gallons of water a month, according to Wateruseitwisely.com.

You get extra green points if you use cold water when washing your clothes. Approximately 86 percent of the energy used by washing machines is for heating the water. Washing with cold water eliminates 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year from just one household, according to the Sierra Club.

3. Break Bad Bathroom Habits – Bathrooms are water hogs, accounting for about 75 percent of a home’s water usage. Adopting a green mindset in the bathroom can save major water and money. Start by switching to a low-flow showerhead, which National Geographic says saves 15 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower. Keep the occasional bath for a special treat because the average tub takes about 70 gallons to fill, so showers are much more efficient.

If you’d like to read more about Watersavers, you can check out WaterSavers on Facebook and Twitter.

Watersavers is offering one lucky Mindfully Frugal Mom reader a prize pack to help you use Water more wisely!

watersavers

TheWaterSavers prize package includes:

· Tote Bag

· Folding Umbrella

· 22 oz. Guzzy Water Bottle (filtering water bottle)

· Jelly Stick Non-Slip Grip for Car Dash

· 16 oz. ThermalView Insulated Travel Tumbler

It’s easy to enter; just fill out the form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My #GElighting Adventure | Reduce Reuse Recyle

April 23, 2013 By Sarah 5 Comments

As part of my partnership with GE, I received coupons for my GE light bulbs. All opinions posted about my GE Lighting experience are my own.

My family moved across town two weeks ago. Along with all the other random stresses a move brings (like all 4 of us sleeping in the same room!!), we realized after moving in that none of the rooms except the kitchen and bathroom have overhead lights. I guess we were spoiled in our old house as all the bedrooms had built-in ceiling light fixtures. The first couple of days in the new house, consequently, were spent in the dark.

Fortunately, I received coupons for GE EnergySmart lightbulbs to use at Walmart. I was able to buy a new lamp for our living room AND plenty of lightbulbs to use in the rest of the house.

Here’s what I picked up:

I was able to purchase 12 Energy Smart bulbs – I hope that’s enough to light up the new house!

My family has made a commitment to only using energy efficient light bulbs in our home. Just 1 EnergySmart light bulb can last up to 11 years and save $72 over the life of the bulb. I also really like that since these EnergySmart CFL bulbs last longer than traditional bulbs, there is less waste! We are reducing our energy bills and energy usage.

Ready to try them out:

If you’d like to see more of my #GElighting journey, you can check out my Google+ album!

It is important to recycle CFLs when they (finally) reach the end of their life. Many retailers such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Lowe’s have CFL recycling programs. Call your local store to verify participation.

And don’t forget: Turn off the light when you leave a room!!

If you are interested in learning more about GE Lighting options, you can f

ind the right Energy Efficient light bulbs for you, or follow @GElighting on Twitter.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and GE Lighting #cbias #SocialFabric. All opinions and experiences are my own.

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Is Couponing a Fad whose time is over? Or, have the “extreme” couponers ruined it for the rest of us?

March 28, 2013 By Sarah 6 Comments

For the past couple of months, I’ve been noticing a subtle shift on coupon blogs and message boards. I couldn’t point to one specific indication, but I have been getting this feeling that the time of the “crazy couponer” may be fading away from popular culture.

And then today I read this article which lays out a decline in coupon use and blames it on shoppers being savvier. One comment in the article I completely disagree with. Phil Lempert, the “Supermarket Guru,” speaks of coupons as:

“It was like the training wheels … to teach people how to save money,”

Anyone who has done a serious couponing trip, one where you save over 60% on your grocery bill, knows that couponing is not for newbies. It’s hard work, and you need to be hyper-organized.

are coupons history?

However, the stats tell us that fewer coupons have been released and redeemed in 2012-2013 than in previous years. I know I personally use fewer coupons than I did in 2008-2010, but it has nothing to do with coupon availability or low value (two reasons cited in the article). I’ve simply been doing less typical grocery store shopping.

What do I do instead?

::I get my meat from a local farmer and buy in bulk to get the very best price.

::I belong to a CSA and get my fresh produce and herbs directly from Wickham Farms 20 weeks of the year.

::I use my coupons strategically. For example, I know Trader Joe’s has the best prices on Applegate lunch meat. So I print my Applegate coupons and use them at TJs to get the best price on nitrate-free lunch meat. I also know where to get coupons for the products I use most. Mambo Sprouts has a great selection of organic coupons. Organic brands come up frequently on Coupons.com, like Yes to products, Muir Glen, and Cascadian Farms.

::I make stuff. Some of my best stockpile items like chicken stock, face soap, and cereal, are all things that I have been making myself. It’s just not as fun to stock up on these things whenthe stuff you can stockpile for free is full of chemicals and you can easily make your own healthy versions for very little money.

The day when I don’t shop at Wegmans on a regular basis is not going to come. That’s pretty much a guarantee. But I am using coupons at Wegmans as only 1 way to save money on groceries and household items, not the sole strategy. You’ll still see Wegmans coupon Matchups on the blog to help you save money every week. In addition, you can see my Trader Joe’s Matchups.

What do you think? Is the time of “Extreme Couponing” coming to an end? Or is couponing still going strong? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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