My Awesome Resources

It's been a couple of weeks since I started the blog and it's been a lot of fun! And, since the first post, I've been wanting to share my valuable resources with you all but haven't had a spare post to do that. So, today's the day! I have linked to several of these resources already so you may already be familiar with them but I wanted to give you more detail so you can do your own research for your own couponing needs.

Let's start with the coupon sites:

• Coupons.com - has by far the most printable coupons out there. It's easy to use and intuitive. The only thing to remember about this and the others is that you need to have your printer hooked up and ready before you hit print because they don't give you a print pop-up - they just go straight to the printer.
• Smartsource.com - has fewer coupons but still a good number. Some are the same as above but this gives you more opportunity for printing multiples. Usually, each site will let you print a coupon 2-3 times. You can get around that by using different browsers and computers, though so you really should be able to print off several of the ones you want.
• Redplum.com - has significantly fewer coupons but I always check there as well.
• Grocerysmarts.com - kindof is a one-stop shop for most online coupons. It has 4 "groups", the first three are just the above 3 websites. But, the last group is an alphabetic list of coupons that are out there on the web - much more comprehensive than any one of the other sites. I use this one to look for specific coupons or to be able to see most coupons on the web in one place.
• Proctor and Gamble - Has a lot of ecoupons that can be used on your Safeway card. Just register your card there and then click on the coupons you want and they automatically get added to you card and then deducted from your grocery bill. But, you'll want to print out the list of coupons you checked so you don't forget what you have when you go to the store.
• Shortcuts.com and Celffire.com- two other ecoupon sites - work just like the P&G site. But, some of these others will let you register other cards, like Raley's/Nob Hill. But, Nob Hill doesn't really have a card, unless you get one of the Quality of Life education/scrip cards, either from your PTA or by calling 1-800-925-9989. I am trying the number but if any of you know a PTA that is using this card, let me know! Be sure to print off your shopping lists after choosing your coupons. You don't want to forget the coupons that are on your card.
  
• UPromise.com - this one does not give you direct savings in money, but puts your coupon savings into an account that you can use for college for yourself or someone else. I like this one because they have tons of online stores that give you money in your account if you buy through upromise - of course not Amazon, which is where I do most of my shopping. So, I've done a couple of purchases where I compared the price to Amazon and then used a store on Upromise anyway because the price was better and I got money in my account.
• General Mills - boxtops for education. Focuses on GM products and donates money to education through their long-time boxtops program.
  

And, now for the blogs - the fun stuff

Mari's Musings - This is my best friend and coupon mentor's blog. She taught me everything I know! She shares deals she finds as well as spreadsheets on how she saves up to 80% on her shopping sprees.

My Frugal Adventures - A great blog on the west coast and she gives tons of deals and insight on how to coupon well. Here are some highlights:

• Become a fan of the FB page and get deals several times a day. These are ones I share often on my FB page
• Check out her "Where to Begin" page to start learning the basics.
• She has a great Acronyms page to help you learn the lingo
• Her drugstores 101 page will really help you with the CVS and Walgreens stores so you can take full advantage of their deals.
  

Bargain Blessings - my second favorite blog. It has a lot of the same deals and even has a spiritual theme, as well which I love. Highlights from BB:

• Become a fan of the FB page and get deals several times a day. I share these a lot, too.
  
• An intro page - telling how best to use the site
• Another Acronyms page similar to MFA
• Pages on several individual stores
• Posts on basic couponing - Couponing 101
  

If you know of others that focus on our area of the country - write a comment below!

Other resources:

The Scotts Valley store circulars online:

• Walgreens: get a sneak peek every week if you sign up.
• CVS
• Safeway
• Nob Hill

Restaurants.com - I love this one - they are always offering 60-80% off of their already cheap restaurant coupons. If you like to eat out, this is a great place. Just put in your zip code and search through the restaurants that participate. Normally, the gift certs are $10 for a $25 cert but if they offer the 80% off, then they're just $2! NOTE - just be careful and understand the restrictions. Usually only weekdays, dinner, sometimes food only or certain number of entrees.

Resources I need to research more:
These are ones that I have heard about but haven't researched a lot. Take a look and if you use any of them, let me know how you like them:

• Swagbucks - earn points toward free gift cards - learn more at MFA
• Huggies Enjoy the Ride program - I don't think I like this one - buy huggies and earn other prizes. I'd rather earn better deals on huggies - but check it out for yourself.
• The Coupon Clippers and My Coupon Hunter - sites where you can buy coupons for just a few pennies - haven't tried it but might be worth it if you know of a good deal.
• All You magazine - a mag just for couponers - with coupons, of course! I haven't subscribed my my mentor Mary loves it.
• Right at Home - has some special offers
• Vocalpoint - just got started but it's supposed to send me free samples so I can review products.

There are definitely more out there so let me know if you have a great resource to share with me and others - any way we can save money in this economy is a good thing so let's share!