If you have a question or would like to begin maximizing your savings today, please call 215-474-6603 to schedule a consultation with Miss Coupon Diva. Thank you in advance!
August 21, 2013
Coupons are and always have been another source of money. Just like money you have to take care in how you spend them. You use a coupon when it will give you the most in savings. For example, this would be when the item is on sale. To get even more savings look for in store specials that will stretch your coupon dollars further.
August 22, 2013
You are able to get many items free with coupons. However not everything. The savvy shopper pays little for items that you do not get free. For instance, I love the veggies that come in the self steam bags. They normally go for $3.29/bag. So when they are $0.99/bag, they are still a savings of $2.29/bag. Of course I love when I have a coupon that will make them free, however I still purchase them when they are on sale. I figure at $0.99 I am able to purchase three bags for less than the price of one.
August 23, 2013
Just a reminder: Remember to know the store's policies where you shop. They can change them at any time. If this does occur though, ask to see the change in writing. That is a sign of good and fair business practice. Happy Shopping!
August 26, 2013
I find myself puzzled when I meet a client and they hand me a list of items their child will not eat. Most of the time it's veggies on this list. I say I am puzzled because my next thought is always where do they work. If the child is not employed how do they dictate your budget to you. Remember most of the items your child has eaten come from you. Growing up we ate what was served. I did the same with my children. We ate what I could afford. Since I have always been a coupon shopper we were able to try a variety of items. So if treats were on sale that week they were on the list. Shopping is a valuable teaching moment for your children. It teaches them to purchase what they can afford, thus teaching them how to budget. Happy Shopping!
August 28, 2013
Ketchup is OK!
What a crazy busy day I had today; however I received so many emails about my picky eater blog I had to respond. Once my daughter she decided she was not going to eat her cabbage. I had made fried chicken, mac and cheese and cabbage for dinner. When my children were young they had to eat their veggies first. Well she ate all but her veggies this night. Her sisters moved on to their desert while sat there looking at her cabbage. I am not sure why she decided she did not want to eat hers this day. However in our house I could not afford made to order menus. S o she sat there while I cleaned up the kitchen. Back then I worked 7p to 7a nursing shifts, so I needed a quick nap before work, so I told her to finish her homework and then get ready for bed. No muss no fuss. I kissed my girls goodnight and off to work I went. Unfortunately for school was closed the next day due to a snowstorm. Since I did not have to rush the girls to school I could fix them a weekend breakfast something I loved to do when I had time. We had leftover raisin bread that I had made so French toast and bacon was on the menu. I fixed their breakfast and dished up the plates. Two had cinnamon French toast and the other you guessed right warmed up cabbage. She looked at me with her big brown eyes and said "mom can I have some ketchup?" After she ate her cabbage she happily enjoyed breakfast with her sisters. I know some will think this harsh however in our household we had to do what we could afford.
August 29, 2013
Imagination
As long as you have one you will never go hungry. Tonight I looked in the frig and made stuffed shells and spaghetti. Yummy!
September 1, 2013
Really!
People if you are not using coupons. YOU JUST AIN'T BEEN BROKE ENOUGH! I have heard so many excuses this past week I just can not take it anymore. People if you are having problems paying for your groceries and other needs, and you are not utilizing coupons to help yourself then ...
September 4, 2013
I am enjoying being caregiver to my little Diva. She loves resting on her gmom. Back to work; coupon deals should pick up next week. The first week of the month and holidays are usally slow. This is a cherry picker week.
September 6, 2013
Time Out GMOM
I have been enjoying caring for my two generations. I see my daughter when I look into my little diva's face. She has already decided which side she likes to nap on. So everytime she moves I am there to pick her up. It does not matter where I am in the house I heard her. So yesterday when I went to pick her up when she hiccuped my daughter put a chair in the corner and said time out for you GMOM you have to put her down when she goes to sleep. I responded I was only trying to let you rest, (wink-wink). I just can not help it. I promise I'll behave, lol. Later :)
September 8, 2013
Can you really Afford It?
I know we all have items that are our favorites. That brand we just can not live without. However, in these trying times we might have to make a few concessions. I went shopping with a client recently and she told me how tight her finances are. However, when we shopped she picked up the most expensives items. Although she had coupons for a few of the items; she was not able to get the other items that she needed. Once we reviewed the ingredients she decided to try what was more affordable; thus allowing her to get all of her groceries. I am happy to say today she told me she was happy with her choices. She and her husband had a great dinner for under $3 with leftovers for lunch. She realized she was broke enough!!
September 14, 2013
If you plan on baking for the holidays, don't miss out on the savings. Sugar, flour and other baking items have started to cycle. Look in your pharmacy ads too. Most of my spices and dried fruits I have found at a better price than the supermarket.
September 26, 2013
You Can't Make Them Drink
My neighbors are a young couple that I can see could use some help. I noticed they both frequent the corner stores to purchase coffee and tea. I asked how much they spent for it. I offered my extra coffee pot to help out. I then mentioned how little it would cost to purchase the tea and coffee from the grocery store especially catching them on sale and using coupons. I noticed they purchased all their grocery items at the corner store also. So I offered to take them shopping so they could get more for their money; services that I normally charge for. I was turned down on both counts. Sadly, I can only shake my head. Those little changes would save them so much! Unfortunately, people are not willing to change how they manage their funds even when they see it's not working for them.
October 10, 2013
It's been a minute. Thank goodness for Diva shopping tips. I haven't been able to do much couponing lately. My daughter got the virus that was going around here in Philly then give it to my granddaughter. Thankfully everything we needed was already in the house. Having worked the night shift comes in handy in times like this. I had to do every 2 hour feedings. It's been a long time since I had to do that. Well, the house is getting back to normal. Next week I have the honor of being a panelist with Circle Of Sisters in New York. I love sharing coupon tips. Let me know what deals you found.
October 18, 2013
I AM NOT SURE IF I CAN HELP YOU.
I decided to give a free consult (I normally charge $150) to a young lady who contacted me to help her with her budget; she told me there was nothing in her fridg but a jar of old mayo. Okay, she arrived with a cereal container from a convenience store. So I asked how much the cereal cost. $1.50 for 1.8 ounces of cereal and a cup of hot chocolate. She told me she did this often. I sat her down and showed her the circulars for the week. On the front page was an 18 oz box of the same cereal for $1.99/box. The hot chocolate was $.99/box. I also mentioned she could have eaten at my house.
Lesson one: you have to change your spending habits when you are trying to save. You cannot save stopping at those stores. We went through my power point presentation. She wrote her list. We then checked the ads. I shared my coupons and off to the store we went. The first stop lunchmeat counter. Turkey breast $7.99/pound. So I showed her in the ad was a whole turkey breast $.99/pound that I would show her how to cook. I buy them when they are on sale. I get it butterflied. Ground show then roast it and slice it for sandwiches. She said no. After a very long shopping trip, we go to check out. Once we reach her limit very quickly because she wanted to do what she always does. She had to take items off and decide what was more important. I presented the coupons and she was able to add the items back on. I tried to show her how she could have gotten more for her money had she been willing to try new options. Once we paid the bill she said I'm thirsty. I said we could get a glass of water over there. Instead she purchased a soda for $1.65 ... equivalent to almost two pounds of the turkey breast she did not purchase.
When you are trying to feed your family, it is really that serious. If what you are doing is not working; you have to be willing to make a change. I did not feel good about this shopping experience. If you need to shop are already behind the eight ball because you decrease your shopping dollars. There is so much more I could say. I am not here to lecture. I do this to help others feed their families. I share because I know what it is like to have to make those choices. I have been broke enough!
October 27, 2013
IT DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN
Went to store first thing to purchase degree deoodrant, because I knew it was free with coupon that expires today. I can now donate them while working towards my free turkey. I was able to get them and my cleaning supplies. My original price $121.60 after coupons and store card $6.42. If you seen me on television you know my favorite coupon place. It really does not take much time once you get started. You just have to be willing to do a little work. Off to teach a class everyone have a great day. Happy shopping!
November 3, 2013
IS YOUR BACK REALLY ITCHING?
The other day while at the grocery store, I overheard a gentleman getting very upset. He had returned some items without his receipt. The store policy is when you do not have your receipt they will give you a store gift card. Well, this would not help him since he needed the money now to purchase a transpass so he could get to work (transpasses are bus fare in Philadelphia). The store would not accept the gift card for payment again their policy. Hearing this I offered to give him the money. He thanked me, purchased his transpass and ran to catch his bus. A lady behind me asked why did you give him the total amount; you should have given him half. Why? I was going to give that same money to the store, so why not help him if I could. I did not need to gain anything by his peril. Which brings to another practice people have.
When someone is running short of cash, they ask for your help and offer to trade something they have (we all know what I am talking about). So you offer them half of what its worth. Really this person you know is a hard worker struggling to keep it together. This month the cash just does not cover the necessary expenses. And you give them half. You were planning to give the store the full amount before you received the call from them. It is okay to help someone without benefiting it. Believe me, blessings come when you least expect. If your back isn't itching just scratch theirs and feel good that you helped someone you knew needed your help.
December 6, 2013
YOU ARE ALWAYS ON MY MIND
Although I do not post everyday you all are always on my mind! Thank you for your emails and continued support. I hear you loud and clear. However, I do not think you hear me. Yes some of the coupon values have changed but you can still save money. Yes, coupons are money and every coupon that you use gives you the opportunity to help your family in other ways.
While shopping the other day I noticed a young lady purchasing flour. She had picked up a 2-pound bag priced at $1.89 a national brand. I asked her why she had made that choice. She said it was what she could afford. I asked had she reviewed her store ad prior to going coming to store because the 5-pound bag of the same brand was $.99 this week. She could actually purchase 10 pounds for $.10 more than the 2 pounds she had in her cart. She thanked me and with the amount of flour she actually wanted. The stores spend a lot on their ads to showcase their deals for the week. When you shop without reviewing them you decrease your savings potential. You also spend more time in the store thus more impulse shopping occurs. Just following this one step will help you start saving. Happy shopping!
December 31st 2013
Happy New Year!!!! Hope everyone had a great year and saved like they wanted too. I want to share my DIVA PHILOSOPHY with you again. Here are the tips I use whenever I make a purchase.
Coupons are money
Observe the price differences in your circulars
Unit pricing gives you the best deals
Policies: know your stores’ policies
Only buy what’s on your list
Never allow a cashier to deter you
Diversify: you can use the coupon policy everywhere
Important: make saving your money important
Value: Each dollar you save can be used elsewhere in your budget
Always look for the best deals before you leave home
“My goal is to help consumers stretch their hard earned dollars. Let me help you to begin maximizing your savings today!
Miss Coupon Diva
