Peanut Butter

So I just got back from my Target Run and I was especially on the look out for Peanut Butter deals.  I'm done to my last bottle and need to restock it for my stock pile.  Before that show Extreme Couponers came out, I was able to get about a years supply for a couple of cents or free.  Now, lately its become real scarce finding those kind of deals. Grr...

So at Target a 18oz bottle of Jiff Peanut Butter is $2.99  (I'm hopping there will be deals because of back to school so be on the look out)

This week at Rite Aid the Jiff Peanut Butter is $1.99

With my $1 off Rite Aid Video Values coupon, I’ll get it down to $.99

I normally don’t like to spend so much but since Peanut Butter Coupons are not really that often published and I have a feeling that finding extreme deals are going to be a little tougher now; I’m going to buy this on my next trip.  And this is how you grow a stockpile.

Rite Aid Video Values

One of the top ways I save money and build my stock pile is RITE AID.  I'll go into that later but for now, I want to highlight their Video Values program. Its basically a Rite Aid program where you watch advertisements and get a Rite Aid only Coupon for the product.  Its great because their current coupon policy allows you for each product to use a {Rite Aid Coupon and an additional Manufactures Coupon}.

Every month they reload their selections and I ALWAYS go straight to the "Exclusive Rite Aid Offers" section.  Every month they have this $1 off anything in there store coupon and its awesome!  The video is about 3 minutes but totally worth it. I just hit play and walk away from my computer for a glass of water and come back toward end to enter the code and BAM coupon will be in your queue to print when you need it.  Just make sure to pay attention to the expiration date which is usually a month away.

So signing up for the Video Values will take about a minute, its not linked to your store card either or their rebate program.  So you really only need to be super accurate about your name.

Start by going to this link: Video Values

And create your account to start saving some Money!

End of July 2011 Results

So I got paid this Friday!!!!!  Immediately, when I got a chance I paid all my end of the month and beginning of the next months due bills.  This way, I don't forget anything and get charged a nasty late fee.

And the results for this month (note numbers are wacky for this month because I only started tracking when I started this blog). 

$772.75 is what I'm sending to my Ally Bank Online Savings account.

So in order to meet my goal of saving $10,000 by the end of this year I have 5 months to go and $ 9,227.25 more to save.  I re-crunched the numbers and that is like going to be a super HIGH goal.  Not sure if I'm going to make it but I'm going to really try.  

I will need to cut back on my Entertainment budget fortunately it was mostly Groupons I havn't used up yet.   Plus I have to keep being diligent about using my Stockpile to make meals.  I really could not have done this without it and my awesome mini garden of Mint and Basil.  

I think the only way I'm going to meet this goal if I get desperate is to go back to investing; which is a risk I don't want take right now.  I'll re-evaluate when I hit the $5k mark.

The other option, is I need to step up my side income.  Maybe really get off my ass and find my USB so I can Ebay or Craigslist my some of my stuff.  So far this July, I've only accumulated $45 worth of assets. Which many would think is pretty miniscule but consider this.  If you had $10k in cash right now even in a high earning bank account, you'd earn about $10 a month (not counting taxes).

Goals for August:

Lower my Entertainment Costs (use my Free Museum admission work perk)

Keep Food Costs low (use my stockpile and Garden for recipes, freeze meals ahead to save time)

Ebay and Craiglist stuff in time for Back to School Season

Start to get back into couponing to replenish Stockpile and find money makers to reduce fresh food costs

Cut down on smoking

Target Frugal

Hurry and Print these coupons! Go to this link if you don't know how to navigate their site: Target Coupons

You can print 2 per computer.

Just in time for back to school is usually the best time to get staples at Target like underwear and socks.  Essentials you need in 100% cotton.

Starting this Sunday July 31 their going to have a pretty great Hanes deal for you to stock up.

Buy 4 Hanes Bonus Packs, Receive $5 Target Gift Card

Hanes Boys Crew T-Shirts, 5+1 pack or Girls’ Panties, 9+1 pack $5.50

Hanes Women’s Panties, 6+2 pack $7.00

Hanes Women’s Socks, 8+2 pack $8.00

Hanes Boys or Girls Socks, 6+1 pack $4.00

Hanes Men’s Socks, 6+1 pack $6.00

Hanes Men’s Boxers, 3+1 pack $8.99

Hanes Men’s Tanks, 5+1 pack $10.00

Hanes Boys or Girls Socks, 6+1 pack $4.00

Best Scenarios

Buy 4 Girls’ Panties, 9+1 pack $5.50

Use 4 of the $1 off Target Coupons on Hanes
Pay $18.00, Get $5.00 Target Gift Card
Final Price $3.25 a pack WYB 4  (that’s $.33 a panty)

Buy 4 Hanes Boys or Girls Socks, 6+1 pack $4.00
Use 4 of the $1 off Target Coupons on Hanes
Pay $12.00, Get $5.00 Target Gift Card
Final Price: $1.75 a pack WYB 4 ( that’s .25 a pair)

$3 off select Denim Coupon, check your clearance isles.  The Flushing Target had some cute $7 skinny jeans.  With coupon it would make it $4.

One of the reasons, I posted this deal is because unless you've been living under a rock this debt ceiling news has really made me stop and think. We've all seen our salaries shrink and the cost of everyday staples rise.  I'm scared to think of hyperinflation which would allow each current USD you have buy even less.  Since I can't do the typical Rich People strategies to an effective scale, I am turning back to STOCKPILING.  While most foods and even health products are some what perishable and take up a lot of space.  Underwear and Socks, are small to store and absolute necessities you really can't live without.  So if I ever have to face a reality where underwear suddenly becomes $20 a pack, I'll just turn to my existing stock pile to replenish.

Bonus Tip:  I'm short and around size 4-6 so I can actually get away with gettting the size 14 in Girls underwear.  Its a lot cheaper than buying the size small in Womens.

**Update, some of the kids socks and underwear have additional $.50 manufacture peelies which you can use on top of your target coupons  !!  also I bought the boys size large socks and they even fit my moms size 7.5 feet

Free Tampax Pearl Tampons

Another freebie, a sample of 5 free Tampax PEARL tampons

Just go to this link tampons and fill out your info.  You don't have to be Costco member just leave that blank.

Kashi Free Sample

I love kashi bars their like guilt free cookies but their super expensive. So this is great way to get yourself a free treat. Just Hurry on over here .












All you do is put a name, address, email and your done.  One minute of your time and you get a yummi treat to stash in your work drawer for hunger emergency. 


Tip: If you have a work address and home address you can score two.


And why not add a milk coupon along with that free kashi bar.  

If you click here ; just fill out quick and simple info and they'll send you a $1 off coupon for milk in 8 weeks.  Unless your lactose intolerent or make over $80 an hour; this is totally worth your time.


Another tip about surveys, lie! You honestly don't need to give anything but a name that will get you your delivery, your secondary spam email address and DOB that shows your over 18.

doesn't the pic from Groupon say it all ?? the best part is its nationwide, just make sure if your store participates by putting in your zip code and finding your store.  if your store says GROUPON then your golden.  :)

I totally got it because it works at the 34th ST store; which is perfect for those days when you happen to be shopping or watching a movie near by and you get hungry.  Typically, in NYC even if you try for the cheapest restaurant you end up paying at least 12 bux for the cheapest thing on the menu.  So $6 bux for two sandwiches thats awesome! A) bc you and your companion can eat for $6 bux total, no tipping just a full stomach B) you can keep the extra sandwich for next days lunch or dinner C) you can keep this groupon for a day you forgot to bring lunch or are too lazi to cook

I would totally hurry and if you havn't ever bought anything at Groupon before you can use my referral link

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6821823


PSS.  to get your moneys worth, totally would use the opportunity to stock up on condiments and utensils; i'll talk more on that later

Housing Works Warehouse Sale Goodies Part 2

Not to brag but EVERYTHING I got only cost me a total of $8.50!!  At this sale you’ll find a good amount of male Hipsters which is the norm. But this time, I actually saw a couple of Yuppies.  Which really does say something about the NYC economy; if you think about it.

So this post is about the Mens Shirts, I got at the sale.  The Banana Republic Non- Iron shirt and Canali shirt; I picked up because they were in like Excellent condition.  The shirts were still crisply ironed and the colors were super bright vs Faded and worn in.  And total retail would have been about $330.

Usually you’ll find a lot of worn in Brooks Brothers dress shirts. One thing to check for with all dress shirts is the collar and arm pit stains; which is super hard to remove.  If you don’t know about brands; it’s easiest to just  run your hands over the cotton.  You can usually feel which is expensive vs the common $20 dress shirt.

Which brings me to the Ermenegildo Zegna shirt.  Why would I buy this shirt when its worn in and definitely not regiftable?  Not because the tag said made in Italy.. but because the cotton was super high quality.  It’s the kind where as you wear down the shirt, it starts to feel almost like silk except you don’t have to dry clean!!  This is how quality shirts used to be made.  AKA awesome PJ’s!!

PS I apologize in advance for the bad quality of my pics, my real digital camera is out of batteries and its USB cord is AWOL

But hey this is a blog about how I'm gonna save 10k by end of this year and being frugal so yea not gonna waste money for nicer pics

Housing Works Warehouse Sale Goodies

I luv shopping!! This haul was pretty epic. Literally everyone there as intense as me, when it comes to deals lol. 

I was alil late because I stupidly thought who would be crazi enough to go shoppin during heat wave.  Boy, was I WRONG; apparently for broke ass NYers everyone!

Heres peek at the non Clothes I got; I actually really was looking for a toiletry bag for travel and leather belt  so finding it here was like the perfect score.  Kiss my ass retail stores.

BTW... they acutally are having some more sales this summer but at its normal bag price of $25

I'm going to try and resist going again but for those of you thinking of it heres the dealio.

You go in (no price for admission) and they will give you this good sized paper bag.  There will be tubs and tubs of clothes. O and they are so cool with you and a  friend sharing a bag. My strategy, I go for stuff that is not gonna take too much space in my bag unless its super amazin or CASHMERE (yes i noe i'm a cashmere whore).  Small acessories are the best but they go super fast.  I usually gather everything I'm interested in and then sort.  Tip: its best to roll up stuff so that you can fit the max amount of stuff. Here's pic of what I mean.  

Basically, when I decondensed my stuff from their paper bag it barely fit into my huge sturdy bag.  Big tip: BYOB because it will be no fun carry that one heavy paper bag home if it rips.

How To Clean Your Air Conditioning Filter

Being that we’re day 5 into a Heat Wave in NYC; I earlier this week I finally looked into how to clean my Air Conditioning Filter.  Ok background, I AM NO WAY a DIY house maintenance person.  But this was actually super easy and now not only does my Air Conditioner work much faster; but as many Personal Finance Articles attest to.. this will save you some $$ on your electricity bill.

Step ONE : Find your Filter

Step Two : Gently Tug out the Filter

                                           This is what a Clean One looks like

Step THREE:  Clean off the dust, I'll look like your dryer filter.  I suggest taking a paper towel and just gently running through the dusty areas.  If you've never done this before with your AC, it will look like think layer of dirty cotton.  So then I suggest lightly grabbing as much as you can and trashing it.  Obviously if you wet it, wait for it to dry before inserting back into your Air Conditioner.

Passive Income and Savings

Every personal finance book I've poured over in the past year keeps referring to a concept of a CASH COW.  Something that allows you to draw passive income, literally earned for little or no work or attention.  Ideally it would be a business that you set up and have other people do the work while you sit back and collect the Green Paper.  Similar to practically every job in NYC the young worker busts their asses while the boss usually takes a million vacations and just dictates orders to you.  They pay you enough for you not to quit while they make exponential sums out of your labor and expertise.  With the Corporate Earnings season almost over this quarter; I decided its really time to start putting my money into an online savings account.  Just setup your auto transfers and let your money grow.  Key word here is ONLINE, because your standard bricks and mortars bank will pay you typically less than .30% and you'll constantly be tempted to tap into easily with your ATM card. 

So I picked just opened an account with Allied bank.  Mostly because it has awesome Bank IRA products that are super flexible. And who's really gonna put money in this crazy financial climate.  Where I'm still waiting on the conclusion to the Debt Ceiling talks and doesn't it feel like everyday you read a new article about some municipality failing.

So for this 10k goal, I've set for myself I'm gonna stash it with Allied bank and their currently offering 1.04% which is super competitive.  Plus if you go to their site, they even have a wait time estimator on their website for customer service.  BIG PRO not having to talk to India for customer service.  

And yes for those of you, who say 1% is pathetic, 2 years ago I would have agreed.  But you have to really look at whats going on today, all the prevalent fraud in the economy and gosh even US Treasuries may be downgraded soon.  So I'll happily take my 1% and be worry free.  Plus, this will help you set up a habit and when rates rise again you'll hopefully have a ton more money earning higher rates.

Housing Works Warehouse Sale

My favorite Charity in NYC is the Housing Works , which raises money to help New Yorkers Living with HIV/AIDS.  Seldom throughout the year they have their Warehouse Sales which is just a Frugal Fashionista's dream come true.  For 25 bucks they let you comb through tons of clothes and accessories and stuff as much as you can into one pretty big brown paper shopping bag.  I literally score my whole seasons wardrobe with one trip. And the BEST news today was that there is a GROUPON deal on it.  So instead of $25 a bag, you can buy a Groupon for $10!!! I almost had a heart attack at work when I saw this.

The deal ends in 3 hours today.  Warning though for retail only shoppers, it can be alil messy and I would definately recommend hand sanitizer at the end but its so so worth it.  It's for an amazing cause and you help save the environment alil.  Personally, if you don't mind the shifting through tons and tons of stuff and getting a huge bag full of treasures I'd buy more than one deal. I'm so tempted.  But I must resist, I honestly have to many clothes.
And if you've never done Groupon before you can use my referral code.
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6821823

Another amazing tip, is if you have a Discover Credit card go through their ShopDiscover program because you get 15% rewards cash back. Which for me made the deal literally $8.50. Gotta love New York!

SOLD New Yorker moving to NASHVILLE

                                           

just so BIG!!! with a lawn and tress like heaven

I found my dream home, if prices can stay this low I may one day be able to own this baby .. this is why I'm forgoing Starbucks and becoming a crazy coupon lady.  Its $246,750!! the price of a ugly, tiny studio in the the ghetto areas of NYC.  Makes Nashville very likely to be my future home state.

I can picture me having a Gorgeous Wedding here, think of all the money I could save by having a wedding in my own backyard!

Just think of all the lovely entertaining my wannabe Martha Stewart self could do here

One thing living in NYC has made me is some what Claustrophobic, just look at the space in these rooms!  Gosh, just need to hope a house like this will be available for me when I do finally get my career and finances in order.  Is it awful to hope housing markets will stay like this just so I can have a decent chance of buying a real home?

Free Blockbuster Express Codes

For those nights when you just want to stay in and rent a movie.  NYC libraries are the best, there so many DVDs and CD's you can borrow for FREE (typically for 3 days).  


However, for newer releases I love Blockbuster Express.  Especially with their codes that make most rentals free. And its so convenient because you can borrow from any Duane Reade with a Kiosk and return the DVD to any other store with a Kiosk.

Here are several new FREE Rental codes you can try at your local Blockbuster Express! Codes are limit 1 per credit card. Movies are due by 9 pm the following day to avoid paying an additional $1 to rent the movie another 24 hours.

Valid through 7/22:
62MDEB7
23ZGDB8
86EHJR3
29KBDJ5
44NCRP7
35SVEM6
33MMMT9

Still Valid through 7/18:

83MDEB5

68ZGDB5

42EHJR5

24KBDJ5

62SVEM7

Thanks to Coupon Katrina for this info!

http://couponkatarina.com/2011/07/blockbuster-express-7-new-free-rental-codes/

Bye Bye Monthly Cell Phone Bill

 

I eliminated my cell phone plan and got a prepaid pay as you go plan. I love “Platinumtel” because it’s the cheapest for my needs.  I really only use my phone for quick meet ups and job interviews and the occasional meet up text.  Personally I don’t really talk so much as I email so I get the $10 prepaid load which at 5 cents a minute, gives me 200 min. The catch is every 90 days you have to reload at least a minuimum of $10.  For me Cost per Year is only $40!

If want to read more about their other plans heres the link below:

http://www.platinumtel.com/

You do have to get one of their cell phones as a one time cost.

At the time of this post, they have a super deal where you can get a free refurbished LG phone Regular price: 69.99 for free if you get their $100 card which you don’t have to refill for 365 days plus free shipping.  So for $69.99 (no shipping or handling fees or expensive taxes); you get one cell phone, $100 worth of service and the best part is you are not required to refill for a whole year!

http://www.platinumtel.com/phones/free-messaging-phone

Hello

I've creating this blog to publicize my journey to making something of myself.  I'm female, single, college educated, almost thirty with no real assets and no real career path in one of the most wealthiest cities in the world “NYC”.  My goal starting today is to save 10k by then end of 2012.  I hope my tips and journey will help others get ideas and be motivated to do take charge of their financial destiny.

Since my career at this point is hopeless and the recession makes searching very futile; for now I’m going to focus on being frugal and saving what I get from my paychecks while reducing my spending. And little side opportunities to make money.

Stay tuned..