MyCouponsBlog

And a Diet Coke, please.

mycoupons — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:10:46 -0400

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason, and it does NOT have to be about coupons or money. Just keep in mind, I think I know everything, when in reality, well, yeah, I know everything.

Today’s question comes from Danielle H. of MD. Danielle asked:

Cici,

I have a question for you that came up at a party last weekend. Everyone answered, and I thought ‘Cici would LOVE this question!’ So, here it is. “If you won $10,000 and had to spend it in ONE trip, at ONE store, on ONE thing, what would you buy?”

Of course I love this question! I will explain to my readers that Danielle sent me this question TWO weeks ago. I have had to do some serious thinking since then.

This a HUGE decision to make. I do not work well under pressure.

I started thinking of all the possibilities, and then got worried. What if I changed my mind? Could I return my purchase and get a gift card? Would the purchase qualify for Extra Care Bucks? If the item qualified for a mail-in-rebate, would I be entitled to it?

Does the $10,000 include tax- or do I have to pay that out of my pocket? In my county, sales tax is 7%- that’s $700. So technically, my purchase power is down to $9,300.

What to do. What to do.

My first, knew jerk reaction was simple. Jimmy Choo. But even Jimmy doesn’t make a shoe carrying a 10K price tag. And if he does, he certainly doesn’t list it on his website.

I thought of Target next. But I do not think Target sells a SINGLE item above $500. That falls about $8700 short of what I need to spend.

Oh the pressure!

I could easily wipe out Bed, Bath and Beyond with ten large bills, but I can only buy ONE thing!

I could go to Cartier or Tiffany’s and buy a diamond necklace- but that’s not my thing.

I could buy my husband a seventy-two inch liquid plasma surround sound television- but I’m too selfish.

I could buy my kid’s the mother of all playground sets- complete with built in roller coaster- but, I don’t have a big enough backyard.

After two weeks of sleepless nights, tossing and turning, and dreaming of dollar bills laughing at me, I came to the conclusion.

I will go to a Godiva store. I will ask their head chocolate maker to build a life sized replica of my house out of chocolate. It will be milk chocolate, not that dark crap.

I will have them build it around me, sitting in the middle on a chair.

Once complete, I will eat my way out of the house.

I figure this will kill a few birds with one $10,000 check.

I will never want to eat another bite of chocolate for the rest of my life, I will have spent the money on something I truly love, and I will be able to say I ate myself out of house and home.

I really love chocolate.

And pizza, I love pizza too!

Great question, thanks, Danielle!

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Charlie and the chocolate factory

mycoupons — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 06:41:18 -0400

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason. My opinions are strong, and I make no promises that my answers are correct. But, send them anyway!

Diane C. from Maine said:

Cici,

Not sure if you can answer this on your blog, since it has nothing to do with coupons. I am due to have my first baby this month. Some friends tell me to get an epidural and drugs some tell me to go natural. My doctor tells me it’s my choice. I’m confused. I know you have kids, what are your thoughts?

Diane,

I will answer any questions- money related or not. And I LOVE this question.

Congrats on the baby- better you than me!

I can certainly give you my thoughts about epidurals, but like Sanjaya singing well, I have never actually done it.

I had two early C-sections. I have never even had a contraction! And let’s all take a moment to thank God for that. I have the pain tolerance of a child. A paper cut sends me into a crying fit.

I was honored when my friend Monica invited me to the birth of her son. I watched the videos in Junior High health class. I thought I knew what to expect.

I thought wrong.

Monica, who is normally level headed and calm turned into a monster.

A very mean, foul mouthed monster with bad breath.

She had decided to go natural and ‘enjoy the experience’ of bringing her son into the world.

I tend to believe that pushing a wet St. Bernard through a cat door is far from enjoyable.

Monica had instructed me to talk her down from the ledge when the pain got bad.

“No matter how much I complain, do NOT let me get an epidural!” She demanded of me.

Easy for her to say over chips and salsa when she was eight months pregnant.

When the big night came, and labor progressed, Monica’s resolve lowered.

By the time we arrived on the maternity floor, she had changed her mind. I gently reminded her of her conviction to go natural.

Two hours and a whole lot of complaining (from me) later, she was still begging for an epidural. I finally broke down. I told her to go for it.

I calmed her by telling her that there was no special award for doing it drug free. I would still think she was a hero.

She got the epidural, and her son was born without a hitch.

A few hours later as we were looking at her son, Monica angrily said to me “I can’t believe you let me get an epidural!”

“And I can’t believe you just gave birth to a baby that looks like an oompa-loompa!” I bit back.

We both started to laugh, and peace was made.

My point is, Diane, do what feels right for you. If you think now that you want to try and go drug free- fine. If you change your mind at some point, that is fine too. There really is no special award for doing it drug free.

I even asked my friend Stacey, a labor and delivery nurse, when the best time for a woman to get an epidural is.

“As soon as the pregnancy test comes back positive!” She said.

Sounds about right to me!

Good luck and please let me know when the baby arrives.

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

The tribe has spoken

mycoupons — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:13:58 -0400

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason. Of course, I am not an expert on anything, but I do like giving advice and pretending I know what I am talking about.

Laura B. from Green Bay, Wisconsin sent the following question:

We (DH, me and 1 child) are having trouble making ends meet. We live paycheck to paycheck and never seem to have enough money. We rent an apartment and want to buy a house someday. We do not drive fancy cars or go on vacations. Dh and I are fighting all the time about money and I am about ready to crack. Do you have any ideas for me?

Well, Laura. First, breathe. In. Out. In. Out.

If your situation is really as grave as you portray, then I have to point out the obvious. The fact that you emailed this letter to me is the start point. Unless you telepathically sent me this message, I am going to assume you have internet service. I hate to tell you this, but that is an expense you can cut right away. Having access to the internet sure FEELS like a necessity, but it is a luxury. If you absolutely cannot live without checking your email or reading a re-cap of The Amazing Race- go to your local library, they have computers where you can access the internet for free.

You stated your situation is dire, so I am going to give you straight answers here.

If you are having trouble making ends meet, your problem is simple. Your ends are too big, or your means are too small. Or both.

If you have already cut out every imaginable expense you can, and are still having trouble making ends meet, then you need to make more money.

Cutting expenses is HARD. Almost inhumane. But, there are tons of things the average family spends money on that are not needed.

All you really need to sustain life is shelter, food, and clothes. Have you ever seen Survivor? Yes, seems archaic and extreme, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Boy, do I have some desperate measures for you!

Cancel your internet service. Turn off your cable. Stop delivery of your home newspaper. Do not renew magazine subscriptions. Turn your home phone service to the lowest possible base plan. Turn lights and appliances off when not in use. Carpool. Drink water instead of soda or juice. If you smoke, quit. Use disposable diapers. Make your own baby wipes. Get movies from the library (You’ll be there using the internet anyway!) Cut your own hair. Do your own nails. Start a weekly potluck lunch at work. Eat hotdogs and macaroni for dinner instead of steak and asparagus. Grow your own fruits and vegetables. Shop at Goodwill and garage sales instead of the mall.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

If you have to get a second job (or a first) do it. Same for your husband.

Put your dreams of home ownership on hold for now. You need to focus on the present. And don’t worry, you’re not missing much, the housing market stinks right now. With the cost of insurance and property taxes on the rise- homeowners are getting shafted.

Just remember, food, shelter and clothing. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING else is a pure luxury. And remember, it won’t be forever. A few months of living like a castaway can change your life.

You may realize you don’t miss some luxuries, and don’t need them back. You also may find that you are spending more time with your husband and your child, doing simple things, like playing tag outside.

I know it stinks. I have been there. But, a lot of sacrifice can pay off in the end. In more ways than one.

Your situation will not improve on its own. You have to change it.

Good luck,

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Like a good neighbor, I am here.

mycoupons — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 06:30:17 -0400

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. Email me and any reasonable questions will be answered to the best of my ability.

Lacey J. from Cape Coral, Florida asked the following question:

Dear Cici,

Should I buy the extended warranty that I am always offered on electronics, appliances, and so on?

Dear Lacey,

The answer to this question can separate the masses. On one side you have die-hard warranty lovers, who would purchase a warranty with a toothbrush if they could. On the other side you have those who believe a fool and his money are soon parted and usually during the purchase of extended service plans.

I am more a member of the latter group. That is not to say that I have never purchased an extended warranty, because I have.. Extended warranties are like insurance- you don’t need it until you NEED it.

Extended warranties or service plans are offered by third parties, like the store or a separate agency. They are an ‘up sell,’ a way to increase profits.

When we bought our laptop last year, we were offered an extended service plan of 2 years for $149. The salesman told me it covered the laptop for two years after the manufacturer’s standard one year warranty expired. Before purchasing, I read the plan.

It was an inclusive plan, which meant that the extended warranty WAS for two years, but started at the day of purchase. So in essence, for the first year, I would be covered by the manufacturer AND the store. The hook here is that I really would only be getting ONE year of extra protection.

Extended warranties CAN be helpful on certain big ticket items. Our 65” big screen TV for example. A quick Google search showed that a replacement bulb for this TV would be $475! We watch a lot of TV- chances are the bulb would burn out eventually. The $129 warranty was a better bargain.

Nine months after we bought the TV, the bulb blew. Magnavox sent out a tech, he replaced the bulb. Free of charge. I was VERY glad I had the warranty.

I wouldn’t recommend buying ANY warranty that will cost more than 10% of the purchase price. Do your research. Did you know you can buy your computer at Best Buy, and purchase an extended warranty on it at CompUSA?

Truly, the best thing you can do is subscribe to Consumer Reports. For a nominal fee, you will have access to literally thousands of reviews. There will be no need to pony up an extra fifty bucks for a warranty on your new microwave if you find out BEFORE you buy it that 9 out of 10 people thinks it stinks.

Purchasing a warranty is a very personal decision. Like insurance, you need to decide how much risk you are willing to take.

Hope that helps!

Until we meet again,
Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

mycoupons — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 06:30:05 -0400

There comes a time in every woman's life when she realizes that she is not a girl anymore.

That time came yesterday for me.

I am getting old. How is this even possible? I am cool!

I graduated high school in the NINETIES! (The early nineties, but the nineties.)

But, I am old. My hairdresser found a grey hair last week. On my head. Attached to my scalp.

I am young enough to remember where I was when The Challenger exploded, but not old enough to be able to say I know where I was when President Kennedy was assassinated- I wasn't even BORN yet!

I woke up feeling young and lively and then in a cruel sequence of events I realized I was OLD.

By nightfall, I was looking for my prune juice and attaching a clapper to my lamp.

It all started when I was dropping my daughter off at school. I was at a red light. Two 'dudes' pulled up next to me- they were high school age, in a red convertible, listening to some awful music. I actually thought to myself- What is that NOISE they are listening to?

After I dropped Lauren off at school, I went to the grocery store. I am making dinner tonight for some friends. After gathering my low fat cheese, multi-grain bread, and low acid tomato sauce, I remembered I needed drinks.

I didn't go to the beer aisle; I went to the WINE aisle. And I actually picked a bottle of wine for its taste, not its price.

Once I checked out and DID NOT get asked for my ID, I pushed my cart with my baby in it to my MINIVAN. I moved the soccer gear, stroller and diaper bag out of the way and put the groceries in.

On the way home, I realized I needed gas. So I pulled in to the station and filled up. Ten years ago, I was lucky to put $5 in my tank- and that was because I happened to find some loose change. And here I was, filling the tank- to the brim. I even splurged on a $3 carwash for the minivan.

Once home, I unloaded the groceries as the exterminator arrived. It struck me that this is THE epitome of adulthood. I am paying someone to keep my house free of bugs! Only adults do this. My college apartment was a living science experiment!

After the exterminator left, I made my son lunch- and it had VEGETABLES in it! I remember thinking when I had kids, I would never make them eat vegetables if they didn't care to. Yet, here I was, making airplane noises and pretending peas were flying elephants to get him to eat.

Once lunch was cleaned up, a load of laundry was put in the dryer, and the beds made, I went back to school to get my daughter.

The director of the school asked if I would come in and do a speech for career day. She wanted me to talk to the kids about the legal profession, and what it is people in the field do all day.

Is she SMOKING CRACK?? I clean up baby vomit and watch Oprah all day! I haven't been inside of an office that didn't have toys in the waiting room for SIX years!

Once we left the school, we went to Target. After telling my daughter no to EVERY toy in the department, and telling my son to sit down about thirty-seven times, we were at the checkout.

As I loaded by purchases on to the conveyer belt, I took stock. Reality hit like lightning!

Tums. Pepto Bismol. Soy chips. Good Housekeeping magazine. Pledge. Diapers. And the knife in my heart; a three pack of Hanes Her Way white cotton briefs.

You read it here first, folks. I bought GRANNY PANTIES.

The truth is I have come too far in life to worry about pretty.

Practical is my new middle name. Cotton briefs are the wave of the future.

My future anyway.

When my husband got home from work, he found me crying into my middle school yearbook. Those were the days! All I worried about was whether Kevin Sicard liked me, and if Mr. Martin was going to figure out that I cheated on my math test. (No, and yes.)

I wish I could go back in time and tell that girl that the things she worries about are not really worries at all. I want to tell her that acne and nasty rumors both dry up and go away. I want to tell her that the heartache she feels because Kevin Sicard doesn't like her is NOTHING compared to the heartache she will feel watching her firstborn fight for life in an incubator.

My daughter saw me looking at the yearbook and inquired what I was doing. I explained what a yearbook was, and showed her my picture. She said "Mommy, you were so beautiful! And a little kid just like me!"

I smiled and thought how sweet- she made me feel instantly better.

Until she dropped the bomb.

"But now you're old and look like Grandma!"

Dear God. Shoot me now.

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

I'm gonna wash that salad dressing right outta my hair!

mycoupons — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:30:38 -0400

Thursday's are reserved for YOUR questions- send me a question- if I use it my blog- you win a $5 Target gift card.

Amber J. from Seattle, Washington asked the following question:

Dear Cici,

What is the best way to get crayon off of walls?

Thanks!

Amber

Dear Amber,

I am the PERFECT person to answer this question. I live with the world's most creative colorer. My son does not need to be bothered with paper or coloring books- the world is his canvas.

If the child comes in contact with ANY type of writing instrument, you can be sure he will use it to create murals and masterpieces anywhere he can. He has colored on walls, leather furniture, (with a pen) his big sister, his crib, and unsuspecting appliances.

I swear he finds writing instruments, and hides them, like a squirrel. Just when I think I have safely secured every form of crayon, pen and marker- I find him quietly in a corner coloring away.

This is all new to me. My daughter never thought to do such a thing. The thought never occurred to her that she could color on something other than paper. So, like you, I am learning.

Here is what I have found.

For crayon on walls- Magic Erasers work. And they work well. The only problem with them is that they wear out VERY quickly. 10 seconds with a red crayon on a white wall = 4 Magic Erasers. Considering they run about $1 a pop, this is not very cost-effective.

Another way to remove crayon from walls, and certainly cheaper is to use a hair dryer on HOT to warm the crayon. Then use a piece of bread- yes- the eating kind, and rub the crayon off. It really works!

You COULD be like my husband, and decide that instead of actually CLEANING the crayon off, you should PAINT over the crayon marks completely. This works well for about two days. Then the wax (oil) based paint bleeds through the water based paint, and you have ghost marks.

To remove INK from leather furniture and clothing: Hairspray! I have leather couches, AND leather covered coffee and end tables. A spray of Aussie Mega and a paper towel, and the ink is gone.

To remove markers from clothes: Use shaving cream- the foam kind- not gels. Cover the spot in foam, let it sit for thirty minutes, and rinse with cold water. This works with all markers I have tried- except Sharpie's.(Guess when they say permanent they are not foolin' around?)

To remove chewing gum from hair: How do I know THIS neat trick? Because my daughter spit her gum in the trash. My son retrieved it, and put it in his hair.

Gosh! You must think I don't supervise my kids- but the kid is FAST I tell you!

Anyway, coat the gum in cooking or olive oil. Wait about 20 minutes and comb out the gum. The gum will be gone; the oil will last for about ninety-three shampoos.

Hopefully these tips help you Amber, and you are back to clean white walls by sundown.

Readers: do you have any other tips to share? Click on that little link at the bottom that says comments and type away!

Have a great Thursday- Grey's Anatomy is new- could life BE any better??

For the record- I am McSteamy girl.

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Hunka hunka burnin' love

mycoupons — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:30:59 -0500

Thursday's are reserved for your questions. I will try to answer any questions within reason- and if I use your question, you win a $5 Target gift card.

Gina J. from Modesto, CA wrote:

Dear Cici,

I got engaged on Valentine's Day, and now need to start planning.My fiance and I disagree about the size/cost of the wedding. What do you think an appropriate cost for a wedding is? Thanks!

Dear Gina,

First, let me offer my congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

When I got engaged, I started to remember when I was twelve, staring at myself in the mirror, with a pillow case on my head. I would cry happy tears at the mirror, and imagine my first dance (To Air supply!) and dream of my white picket fence life with 2.5 kids and a golden retriever in the yard.

The night I got engaged, I went home, and took out my calendar and a notebook. Two months later, I had morphed into bridezilla. I wanted white roses DYED a light green. But not so light that they looked green. I wanted a band that played every genre, but not the chicken dance. I wanted a cake so light and fluffy that you couldn't even taste it. And I wanted a Vera Wang dress and pearl white, rhinestone crusted Jimmy Choo shoes.

I drove my mother insane, calling her up to 15 times a day to talk about flowers and menus. My groom-elect and I went to several 'tastings' with the caterer, to figure out THE perfect menu for our wedding.

One night, about 3 months after our engagement, I was on the phone complaining to my mother about how expensive releasing doves was going to be, but I just HAD to have them. She said something to me that struck like lightning. " Cici, focus more on your marriage and less on your wedding."

There you have it.

She was absolutely right. The wedding is ONE night out of thousands. Here I was worried about a cake no one could even taste, instead of focusing on the fact that I was getting MARRIED!

My father, being the benevolent gentleman he is, struck a deal with me. He had a pre-determined amount set aside in his mind. I could spend it on doves and green roses, or I could have the check.

I chose the check.

I am sitting her today to tell you that it has been eight years since then, and I do not regret not having that big wedding.

I still had a wedding, and what a wedding it was! It was a PARTY. Our DJ was awesome, although I did NOT allow the chicken dance. I had NO flowers; except for my bouquet- instead I opted for balloons. I made my OWN centerpieces, out of CANDY! My mother hand crafted my dress with her bare hands, and it was BREATH taking. She even sewed a piece of my baby blanket into it. I had no doves, I had no green roses. But, I had a wedding, at sunset on a golf course with 125 of my family and friends helping celebrate. And, I had my rhinestone crusted Jimmy Choo's (A girl DOES have her priorities!)

The ONLY food I consumed that day was the bite of wedding cake that my husband fed me. I was too busy dancing, and visiting to eat. I can look back today on my pictures and tell you what EVERY SINGLE person at my wedding is doing this week. I filled my celebration with people that I KNOW and LOVE.

My friend, Kari got married two years ago. Word around the campfire is that the wedding cost her father close to twenty large. <Eyes pop out> It was a fun wedding, no doubt. If you ask Kari and her EX husband about it, they will tell you they really don't remember many details. They were too busy getting their pictures taken and greeting guests to enjoy their own wedding!

What's my point, you ask? It is to spend what YOU feel comfortable spending. Do not make your wedding about other people. Don't try to out do your friends, or your cousin, Sally. If you want to get pulled down main street in a horse drawn glass carriage, go for it. If you want to run away to Las Vegas and get married by Elvis- PLEASE INVITE ME- I LOVE Vegas!

Remember, it is ONE night. ONE.

In the words of a wise woman, focus more on your marriage than your wedding.

Good Luck!

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

All in the name of research

mycoupons — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:15:00 -0500

Thursdays are reserved for YOUR questions. If I use your question in the blog, you win a $5 Target Gift Card!

Jennifer J. from Las Vegas, NV sent me the following email:

Dear Cici,

How much do you think a family of four needs to have in savings at any given time? We are FINALLY debt free, and now we want to start saving money- so we do not have to go into debt AGAIN if something comes up. Thanks!

Dear Jennifer,

First, let me applaud you for being debt free. I see you live in Las Vegas. If I lived in Las Vegas, not only would I NOT be debt free, I would also owe my first born to some guy named 'Guido Bag of Doritos.'

I LOVE Las Vegas! The lights, the sounds, the smells. The food, the money, the timelessness of the city. I wish I was there right now.

Enough about me- let's talk about you. What do you think of me?

Ok! Ok! About you- where were we? Oh yes! Savings!

Well, "They" say you should have three months worth of monthly expenses socked away for a rainy day. First of all, I have NO idea who 'they' are, and why they have an opinion on every subject. Second, I think it's unrealistic to believe that most people can afford to sock away the chunk of change needed to create such an account.

I can't give you a number- every family is different. You need to decide what constitutes an emergency in your family, and what doesn't. Then decide what you would be willing to pull out the plastic for. As an example, let's say you have a $1,000 emergency fund for things like a new tire, or an ER co-payment. That would be great. But what if you needed FOUR new tires, and an alignment, AND to pay the deductible on your car insurance? The $1,000 would not be enough, and you'd be looking for the plastic. Are you willing to go back into debt for that? If not, then you need to make your savings bigger.

Of course, you COULD take the $1,000, head to The Mandalay Bay and put it all on red. If you win- you have $2,000- if you lose- well, you realize why I sit and write this blog for a living as opposed to being a financial planner.

Many people have their savings account with their home bank. I recommend you do that for your 'emergency fund', so you have access to the money immediately. But, for anything bigger, you may want to put it in an account with a bigger return. Like ING Direct. Last I looked; the yearly interest rate was close to 5%! Do NOT touch the emergency fund for ANYTHING BUT emergencies. A new pair of J.C.'s does not constitute an emergency. I know, they should. But they don't.

I have my emergency fund threshold, an amount that I do not feel cozy going below. If I use any of the funds from this account, I can not sleep until I am back at my level. I make it my first priority to pay myself back. You should too! Charity begins at home.

A great way to start a new emergency fund is to pick 2 days a week as 'Save days.' Do not spend a dime on these days! No gas, no food, no shopping. NOTHING. Take what would have been your 'allowance' for those days ( Your weekly budget divided by seven- times the two days) and put it in savings. It can add up VERY quickly!

I also heard that certain banks are now rounding up debit card purchases to the next whole dollar- and putting the difference into a savings account for you. If you charge $2.62 at CVS, the bank will make the total charge $3, and put the .38 in your savings account. You won't miss the .38 in your checkbook ledger, but at the end of the month- you can have a nice little account started.

If you would like, I can ask my boss if I can fly to see you, and we can sit down and make a blueprint for your savings plan. I would estimate we will need approximately ten days, and a suite at Bellagio- only the best for us, Jennifer! A per diem spending account would help too! What do you think?

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

After all, marshmallows are basically just air!

mycoupons — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:15:27 -0500

Thursdays are reserved for YOUR questions. I will be picking my favorite questions- If I use your question on this blog, you will win a $5 Target Gift card- so start sending them in!

Melissa G. from Yorktown Heights, NY asked this question:

Dear Cici,

I notice on the boards that some of the ladies are grocery shopping for families of 4 or more and only spending $75 a week! How is that even possible? It is just my husband and I and our dog- and I spend EASILY $150 a week. PLUS we still eat out 2-3 times a week. PLEASE help me cut my grocery bill!

Dear Melissa,

They lie. Or they have eating disorders. And by disorders, I mean do not enjoy eating. I cannot even begin to fathom spending only $75 a week at the grocery store. I feed one husband, two children, and two cats. (I eat too!) And even with my meticulous planning and budget conscious shopping, I am lucky to escape the store for less than $150.

This is quite an improvement from my former self. $300 for 10 days was normal. Then I realized I was spending almost $1,000 a month on food. I sat down and made a list of ways to cut expenses, and I am happy to share them with you. Of course, every family is different and cannot do without certain brands.

Take for example, my husband. The man is a ham snob. He cannot eat the "wet slimy" store brand. He even has a bumper sticker on his car- 'Give me Boar's Head or give me death!' I choose, for the time being anyway, to give him Boar's Head. Of course that is subject to change at any time. $8.79 a pound for his cold cut addiction is a small price to pay for my sanity.

I also have a bit of bias when it comes to cheese. I like my cheese to be, well, cheese. I cannot eat 'Pasteurized processed cheese food' and will not subject my children to it either. $6.19 a pound was the street value of my white American, sliced thin; last time I checked. So the basic ingredients of a sandwich have already tallied the bill to around $15.

In these parts, we go through approximately 5 gallons of milk a week. I *almost* had my husband convinced it would be cheaper to buy our very own cow, but he surmised that eating cookie crisp while gazing at the source of his milk would surely ruin the experience.

So, I came up with better ways to cut our bill.

1. PLAN AHEAD! Sit down and make a menu for the week. Plan for lunches, dinners and snacks. Complete a detailed list of what you need to buy to make that menu come to fruition. I know it's no fun deciding Sunday morning what you will want for dinner on Wednesday night, but planning is KEY. Buy ONLY what is on your list.

2. Do not shop hungry. Going to the grocery store while you are hungry is like going to a singles bar the night after you get dumped. In both cases, chances are good you will go home with something you wish you hadn't. Shopping hungry also adds to impulse buying. The first whiff of rotisserie chickens coming from the deli, and you are buying a box of chocolate covered grasshoppers because they sound salty AND sweet.

3. Some people will tell you to buy day old bread or short dated meat. I am NOT one of those people. I like my bread fresh and my meat fresher. But if you come across a good sale on either; some wax paper and Ziploc bags will help you freeze them.

4. Join a wholesale club. Costco, BJ's, and Sam's all qualify as wholesale clubs. I find their dairy (Milk, eggs, and butter) to be cheaper than my grocery store. Be careful though, it is VERY easy to assume you will have the need for 212 Snickers bars.

5. Clip Coupons- I know, it's time consuming and you never remember to bring them anyway. BUT, if you avoid it at all costs, at least check the store flyers that come in the mailbox. Around here, there is ALWAYS a $5/$50 to SOME grocery store and my store takes competitor coupons.

6. Cook ahead- There seems to be a trend sweeping the nation- once a month cooking. People will set aside an entire day to cook a months worth of oven to table meals. Holy crap! I don't even want to cook ONE day's meal, nonetheless a whole months worth! But, these aggressive cookers are on to something. Having a meatloaf ready to pop into the oven and eat within an hour is a far more budget friendly decision than calling Pizza Hut.

7. ALWAYS have a staple food available. When I brown ground beef for a recipe, I always cook a pound more than I need. I freeze the crumbles, and sleep better knowing it's there. On the days when I just don't feel like making dinner, I can throw the crumbles in a pan, add some water and seasoning and we have tacos!

8. Shop the lower shelves of the grocery store. The more expensive name brands are usually at eye level, while the store brands are lower. This is no mistake. This is marketing in its most beautiful form. We are a lazy breed. It's much easier to grab the box of Froot Loops at our level, than to bend down and pick up the box of Moot Loops. I like to challenge myself; I pick whatever is on the absolute highest shelf. I am only 5'3'', so I often give up.

9. Take advantage of BOGO ( Buy one get one free) Sure, you may not NEED two jars of Mayonnaise this week, but you WILL need it sometime, may as well get two while the second one is free.

10. Once you have your budgeted amount set, and your list ready to go, take that amount of CASH to the store with you. Do not bring your debit or credit card, or checkbook. You will think twice about throwing a box of mallow mars in your cart when you realize you could be standing at the cashier with ten people waiting behind you; all waiting for you to decide what's more important, mallow mars or apples. (For the record, I would choose the mallow mars.)

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@mycoupons.com

Going once, going twice- SOLD! To the lady in the red hat.

mycoupons — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 11:15:31 -0500

**Editor's note** Thursdays and Fridays are reserved for your questions, please read the WELCOME post for contact information. Without your questions and comments, I will have to resort to typing song lyrics for entertainment***

Teresa from Shelburne, VT asked the following question:

Dear Cici,

How do I SAVE money?? I need to save $3000 by the end of the year! Any tips would be great. Love your blog by the way!

Dear Teresa,

Last year after Anthony was born, I asked my Doctor how to lose weight. "Stop eating like you have two rear-ends!" was his medical advice. Reminds me of a joke I once heard: What do you call the guy that graduated last in his class in medical school? Doctor! But, I digress.

The answer my Dr. gave me is simple, and so is the advice I am going to give you- STOP spending like you are a Rockefeller! (I am of course going on the assumption that you are NOT a Rockefeller.)

So many of our 'needs' are not really needs at all. They are luxuries. I recommend making a list. Pick your top three CDW€™s (Can't do with outs) and go from there.

Of course, utilities, car a payment, mortgage payments and the like are €˜needs€™ but is the French manicure? (I guess to a hand model on QVC it is- but again, I am assuming you are not a hand model on QVC!)

My family CDW's are as follows:

Charmin Ultra toilet paper- My husband swears that if the day ever comes when we have to live in a refrigerator box at the corner of
Main and Elm, he will still buy Charmin Ultra. Once early in our marriage I made the mistake of buying another brand on sale- You'd have thought I asked the man to clean his tender bottom with a sandblaster!

Huggies Supreme Diapers- Evidently, bottom tenderness is hereditary. We have tried several other brands, only to be up at 2am changing wet crib sheets- which leads us to my next CDW-

Tide laundry detergent- I like the way it smells. I'm big on smells.

So, Teresa, pick your top 3 CDW's and be prepared to compromise on the other stuff. Do you USE all 2 million and seven minutes on your cell phone plan? Do you watch all 582 channels on cable? Do you HAVE to have the Grande caramel no fat soy chai tea latte from starbucks everyday?

Go through every closet and drawer in your house, and put together a sale pile! Head over to eBay- or the MyCoupons Garage Sale Board and start selling. You'd be amazed what people will pay for your old ~~crap~~ uhhh treasure.

Get a part-time job if you have to! Make it something fun, that won't feel like work. And DO not work anyplace where you will end up OWING money on payday!

Get movies from the Library instead of the video store, cut your own hair, groom your dog yourself, (Hey! You'll have the same stylist!) And find little ways to stop spending.

Just last week I realized a new way to cut MY expenses. I get drive-thru Wendy's for my daughter every Wednesday after school. (All she really cares about it is the toy!) So instead of getting her a kid€™s meal- I just buy the chicken nuggets (.99) and the toy. (.99) Since we drive-thru, I give her mandarin oranges and milk at home. Saves me $2! May not sound like a lot, but, it's $8 a month- $96 a year!

Good Luck, Teresa. You CAN do it. And if at the end of the year you still don't have the $3,000- you may want to consider auctioning off your husband. (I am assuming of course that you haven't already done this!)

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@mycoupons.com