Going sale-ing

Want to know how to take full advantage of the sales? Follow these rules:

Rule #1: Only buy products you need.
Watch for sales, but only buy items that you would ordinarily buy. Otherwise, you’re just spending extra money on products you don’t really need.

Rule #2: Use sales to plan your meals.
In the case of groceries, you may want to watch for sales on fruit, vegetables and meat, and plan your meals according to what’s on sale. But watch that you don’t load up on junk foods or items that you don’t really need.

Rule #3: Take stock and plan your purchases around sales.
Just as you plan your meals, plan your shopping for personal items, clothing and major purchases. Keep stock of what you need and watch for great sales at www.flyerland.ca, or just go to the websites of your favourite stores. Make your move when you know the time is right. For example, my partner and I waited for several months before deciding to buy new furniture. We did so at the end of a great sale at The Bay and saved 75% off high quality leather furniture. I wanted to buy the Cuisinart 4-in-1 Griller, and saved $45 from its original price by waiting for a sale and watching the flyers.

Rule #4: Stock up!
When you find a sale on products you know you’re going to need, stock up to make sure you have enough to last you at least until the next great sale. Make sure the product isn’t going to expire soon, and that you can guarantee you’ll need it in the future. For example, products like contact lens solution, toilet paper, toothpaste, feminine products, and canned goods, will definitely be used and don’t go bad. So if you find a lucrative sale, go ahead and stock up!

The benefits of waiting for sales are many. You save off the normal retail cost, of course. In addition, you walk away from impulse purchases. You have more time to save up for things and are less likely to depend on credit. The other benefit is that when you stock up during sales, you go shopping less often. This saves you time and also saves you money, because the less time you spend in the store, the better!

If you want to keep an eye out for great sales, go to www.redflagdeals.com.

Free lunch from Campbell’s soup!

Today I was alerted by Red Flag Deals that Campbell’s is giving away free Healthy Request Microwavable soup bowls.  Go to http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/rediscover/ and they will send you a free product coupon via email.  It’s a free lunch!

Zen and the art of coupon clipping

Tip #1: How to use coupons

Some people have asked me where to get . Here’s 15 few suggestions of where to look:

  1. Save.ca – probably the best coupon site around
  2. Coupons.com – also has some great print coupons
  3. Frugal.ca – also has some excellent print coupons
  4. Go directly to the websites of your favourite coupons – you can get them at General Mills, Campbell’s, Tylenol, etc. You’d be surprised at what you can find just by checking out corporate websites.
  5. Whenever I go to a store, I keep an eye out for great coupons. But don’t just grab one – grab several so you can keep using them long after the coupons disappear.
  6. Canadian Living Magazine comes to your home every month with a pack of coupons when you subscribe. You can often find coupons within the magazine as well. Their December issue is especially great – it comes with about $20 of coupons, which more than makes up for the price of the magazine.
  7. When you change your address, you get a kit in the mail from Canada Post with amazing coupons, such as 20% off anything at Home Depot.
  8. Make sure to notice coupons on packaging – I have discovered coupons on boxes of cereal, granola bars, pizzas, tampons, contact lens solution and cartons of eggs.
  9. Skim through your junk mail to find coupons – occasionally you will find good ones in saver packs or fast food flyers.
  10. Before making a major purchase, google the product name plus “coupons” to see if there are online coupons.
  11. Email your favourite company sending a letter of complaint or praise – they may send you coupons in response!
  12. Check your weekly flyers. Not only do they provide you with great deals, sometimes there are coupons waiting to be clipped. I recently used a 2-for-1 coupon at Loblaws for Tampax and Always products.
  13. Check you bills. Often great coupons come with your credit card bills.
  14. Go to visaperks.ca to print online coupons for great stores like the Running Room and Via Rail.
  15. Go to the website of your favourite store before shopping to see if they have online coupons

Saver Queen’s tips on how to use coupons:

  1. Coupons are made available so that you try new products, and get hooked! So don’t be fooled into buying products that you would not normally buy or don’t need. Use coupons to save money on products that are on your shopping list.
  2. Only use the coupon if the coupon turns the product into the best deal around. Check the unit price before buying to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
  3. Don’t forget to use your coupons! I actually carry around a Ziploc bag with my coupons when I go shopping.

Welcome to Saver Queen!

This blog is here to offer you great tips, strategies, recipes, links and other ideas that will help you save your money. I hope to help others who live on a limited income, are trying to get out of debt, who wish to decrease their environmental footprint, or simply live on less.

How I learned to save
My first job out of school was for a nonprofit organization where I made approximately $18,000 a year. I supported myself on this income, while living in Toronto, paying nearly two-thirds of my income on rent. I learned quickly how to establish needs from wants, and how to get creative when it comes to saving money.

Why save money?
I have also found that living a simpler life, I lead a more joyful life; I appreciate my possessions more and actually feel more fulfilled. I take pride and pleasure in the things I do to save money. Mending my own clothes gives me a source of personal satisfaction. I enjoy cooking a meal with my partner, or using a Sunday afternoon to bake muffins or make a soup, instead of eating out. I enjoy slowing down, using my free time to play a board game with my partner, read a book, or take a run by the beach. The times when I save money, I feel better because I feel more in the moment, more present and appreciative of the bounty and beauty that already surrounds me. Furthermore, by being less wasteful, we reduce our environmental impact. Saving money then, doesn’t just benefit our bank accounts, it benefits the planet as well!

Here’s what I will provide in this blog:
• Exciting money-saving hints and strategies
• Suggestions of how to get great coupons
• Recipes for cheap dishes
• Notification of great deals, sales and stores
• Great books, blogs and other media findings

I hope that this blog will help you in your pursuit to save money, and will encourage you to share your own tips!

Happy Saving,