personal finance in a coupon blog

As I sit here in my lounge chair watching my kids roam around the backyard exploring (probably looking for bugs and frogs!), I'm thinking that this won't last for long. Next thing I know they'll be asking to ride bikes, play baseball, go somewhere, etc...

These days my kids' attention spans make for some interesting adventures. How do I keep them entertained, but not wear myself out or spend all my money this Summer? Let's face it, backyard baseball, riding bikes, and hanging in the 2 inch kiddie pool will only be entertaining for so long..... 

The Savings.com DealPros have some awesome tips to help you save and have fun at the same time this Summer! Here are 10 unique ways to have some frugal fun this year. 

1. Plan a Staycation! What's a Staycation you ask? It's a great way to have a vacation for less, by staying in your local area. You'll get to do more, and have a lot more fun while spending a lot less money. 

2. Grill it up on a budget! Everyone loves some Summer grilling, and it can actually be a frugal way to eat! Grilling can even save you time! Read up on these 7 tips for saving on Summer Grilling.  Read More »

We're only a few days away from our Memorial Day weekend! As we honor all our Veterans who have fought so hard to defend our freedom, we also celebrate and kick off the summer.

With Memorial Day being one of the best times to buy certain items such as appliances, office furniture, apparel, new cars and more, if you need it, this is the time to buy it. You will not only see items on sale, you will also get coupons to save on top of already slashed prices. Memorial Day sales are definitely memorable!

Having said that, here are this week's top 5 deals that will kick your summer off on a positive note: Read More »

Did you get a chance to read my post on 5 things to do for free during your Los Angeles staycation? You don't have to go far to enjoy some time off. With more and more people living on a tight budget, staycations have become a popular way to spend time with the family while staying close to home.

If you don't live in Los Angeles, there are so many great staycations in other cities across the country. Please take a look at the long list of cities where you can enjoy a staycation near you: Read More »

If you're anything like me, you like free shipping the way you like ice cream and shoulder rubs. Nothing wrecks an online shopping experience more than getting to the checkout page and discovering you're on the hook for $10, $20, or even more for shipping. Read More »

Happy National Waiters and Waitresses Day!

One of the reasons I go out to eat at a sit-down restaurant is to get good service. At home, I am the chef, waitress, busser, dishwasher and more. So going out means getting the service I deserve.

While the food aspect is important, if I don't get good service, it's probably safe to say I will never return even if the food is extraordinary. If the food is so-so but the service is excellent, I will probably return.

With good service, you should always reward your waiter or waitress accordingly. They make less than minimum wage and tips are really what they live off of. If you don't know if you're tipping correctly, here are some tips that will come in handy when you go out to eat next time: Read More »

When I think about taking a vacation, I dream about sipping a cocktail on the tropical islands of Hawaii or going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and sharing a sweet kiss. Did I say dream?

Not everyone has all the money or time in the world, so in recent years stay-cations have become very popular. The fact that you don't have to spend on hotels, car rental or even on food are all attractive qualities and reasons to have a staycation. Read More »

Summer is nearly here! I can't wait to throw on that bathing suit and hit the kiddie pool in the back yard with the kiddos. Oh, am I the only one that likes doing that? Well, it's fun and a great way to stay cool, but let's face it - we want more exciting free things to do this Summer than just hanging out in a small circular device that holds two inches of water and gets dirty every time a kid steps in from the grass...

So here are 6 fun things you can do that you may not have been aware of. They're unique, fun and best of all.....FREE! 

1. Geocaching! It's an out-door, worldwide treasure hunt that is absolutely free to participate in. All you need do is visit the Geocaching website for more info and to get started!  Read More »

The warmer days and shorter nights tell us that summer is well on its way! With it comes plenty of free time since children will be on summer vacation and as an adult, you might find yourself with some extra free time too.

So, what do you do with all of this free time? The thought of filling it with all sorts of family fun may seem appealing, but your budget may be telling you otherwise. So, do you resort to staying indoors all summer in front of the television? No way! There are plenty of ways to still enjoy a fun summer even on a tight budget. Below are ten tips for enjoying summer on a budget and making your dollar go further.

You don't have to invest a great deal of time or money into family friendly summer activities. You just need to be flexible, have fun, and think outside of the box. Ready to learn more? Grab your summer sandals, sunglasses, and a glass of lemonade and let's go! Read More »

Does shopping at the Commissary really save you money? My answer, it depends. From my experience as a 11 year military wife, it depends on the state you live in, the surrounding areas, and the time at which you shop.

If the cost of living is higher where you are stationed, then the Commissary is always the place to go. If the nearest grocery store is 25 minutes away from post, then the Commissary is cheaper after you factor in gas, etc.. To each its own, but here are my personal tips for saving at the Commissary: Read More »

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Summer is right around the corner and school is almost out! Hard to believe, right? Well we're going to celebrate in a big way with lots of fun on Twitter, cool prizes, and definitely some cool people! You guys!

We'll be chatting it up on Thursday afternoon, May 23, 2013 at 12pm PT/3pm ET in the #SummerSavings hash tag on Twitter. 

Hosts: @aleamilham, @mommysavesmoney, @daytonsavings, @crystalecollins, @savings, @savingsclasses, @valpakcoupons

RSVP: Put the link to your Twitter handle below in order to RSVP.   Read More »

In recent years, eating a gluten-free diet has become very popular with celebrities, fitness professionals and the general public. With stars losing weight and raving about it, it has become a growing trend.

While it has garnered a lot of attention, the gluten-free lifestyle is one that is very serious for celiacs because their life depends on it. Celiac Central says that an estimated 1 in 141 Americans has celiac disease, but 83% of those people are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. . Read More »