Frugal Versus Cheap

Frugality has become very popular over the last several years due to the economy, job market, and rising cost of things like groceries and utilities.  A change in a person's living situation, or simply a desire to be debt free or spend less can set off a chain of events that lead to an examination of lifestyles and ways that money is being spent.  Frugality is a mindset.  It is a way to look at the money you have available to you, what you desire in your life, and using your resources wisely.  Unfortunately, sometimes, people can become overzealous with their frugality and go over to cheap.  What's the difference?  For some people, it's semantics.  One person's cheap is the other person's frugal.  My personal definition of cheap is when your actions take away from others or from your or someone else's quality of life.  While it's great to save, moderation in all things is best.  

So how do you know the difference?  Here are some examples below: 

Frugal:  Buying paper towels on sale with a coupon.

Cheap:  Hanging up paper towels to dry that have been used for “wet only” items.

Frugal:  Using a 2-for-1 coupon to purchase meals at a restaurant or splitting a meal.

Cheap:  Failing to tip the server or only tipping for the 1-meal price.

Frugal:  Using wrapping paper from the dollar store or buying it on sale after Christmas and storing it.

Cheap:  Using birthday, wedding, or happy anniversary wrapping paper for Christmas because you’re too cheap to buy more. 

Frugal:  Having a pot luck meal, making the main entrée, and asking others to bring sides. 

Cheap:  Having a pot luck meal and assigning things to bring so that you don’t have to do anything except set the table…. And then keeping the leftovers. 

Frugal:  Agreeing to dinner and then splitting the tab.

Cheap:  Agreeing to split a dinner tab but ordering an expensive meal, drinks, appetizer, and dessert while the other person bought an inexpensive entrée and drank water.  

Frugal:  Purchasing an outfit on sale, at a thrift store, or by using a discount coupon.

Cheap:  Buying an expensive outfit, wearing it, and then returning it to the store.

Frugal:  Agreeing to carpool to an event and splitting the cost of gas.   

Cheap:  Agreeing to a carpool and then not chipping in for gas when everyone else does.

Frugal:  Buying vegetables on sale or that are marked down and close to their expiration date to be used immediately.

Cheap:  Going home and exchanging your fresh vegetables you just bought for ones that are starting to go bad and then taking them back to the store and demanding a refund, claiming your fresh veggies went bad too quickly.

Frugal:  Buying an item on sale, and enjoying it to its fullest extent, being sad if that item tears up or becomes defective after receiving a lot of use from the item.

Cheap:  Buying an item, using it well, then having it tear up.  Going into a store, buying the same item but repacking the well-used and broken item in the box, claim it’s defective, and then demanding your money back.

Frugal:  Saving leftover condiment packages such as ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, etc., from carryout or drive through meals for later use (i.e., items that were voluntarily given to you along with your meal).

Cheap:  Entering a restaurant and stuffing your pockets with sugar, salt, pepper, plastic utensils, napkins, ketchup packets, hot sauce packets, etc. (i.e., not given to you but offered to go along with meals in a restaurant and putting the restaurant at a disadvantage by taking them). 

Frugal:  Using coupons to get discounts at a restaurant.

Cheap:  Going to a restaurant and asking the cashier to use coupons other people have turned in.   

Frugal:  Learning to cut your family's hair. 

Cheap:  Taking your kids to free haircut days at JCPenney, having the kids' heads shaved so they can go 3 months without having a haircut, and then failing to tip the hair stylist. 

These are but a few very real examples of things that people have done in the name of saving money.  You have to decide for yourself how far you are willing to go to save money, but keeping the above examples in mind can help decide if you're being truly frugal or cheap. 

Huge List of Printable Coupons

Why is this reposting?  Because I went to edit it and deleted the stupid thing.  Arrghhh!!!  

I have added links for Campbell's Soups and Better Oats instant oatmeal to the bottom of the list.  

So sorry for the duplicate post! 

Loadable Coupons:

Savingstar.com

This is for people who have savings cards issued from stores.  Check to see if your store’s savings card is listed, sign up, and then shop.  When the purchase is confirmed by Savingstar, your account will be credited.  Once you receive $5.00 in credits, you can request that money be issued to you in the form of a direct bank deposit, Paypal deposit, or gift card from a retailer. 

https://savingstar.com/

Cellfire

These are coupons that are loadable to your cell phone.  Check to see if there are participating retailers in your area, then just bring up the coupon and have the cashier scan it at the register. 

http://www.cellfire.com/

Printable coupons

Coupons.com  

This is a great site for printable coupons.  You can check to see what’s available under not only your own zip code but under other zip codes throughout the country, as well.  To change zip cods, click on the link titled “Local Coupons.”  Enter a zip code in a spot on the left-hand side, and press enter.  Then click the “coupons” tab.  You can then sort by Food, Beverages, Household goods, etc.  Coupons.com also has a savings club that offers exclusive printable coupons to members that are not available elsehwere.  If you watch for promotions, oftentimes there are offers to get a year for free.

As a note, coupons.com requires that a small printer driver/applet be installed on your computer.  It is safe and is necessary in order to be able to print coupons. 

http://www.coupons.com/

Red Plum

Again, may require you to install a small printer applet that is considered safe for use.

http://www.redplum.com/

Coupon Network  (Also a source to find out what Your Bucks/Catalina offers are available or coming soon.*)

Again, may require a printer applet in order to print; considered safe for download.

http://www.couponnetwork.com/printable-coupons

Smart Source

**This is the website where it is most important that you not only have Java installed, but make sure you accept their printer applet and turn your popup blocker off.  It’s the trickiest one about not printing or giving some obscure error such as telling you that you’ve violated some rule. **

www.smartsource.com

Common Kindness.org 

These are coupons that serve as both discounts and fundraisers.  Sign up and choose a local organization to help, and then you can print coupons.

**I strongly advise printing these coupons one at a time, as sometimes the coupon sheets across the next pages if there is more than one coupon and then will not print again.**

http://www.commonkindness.com/

Hormel (Hormel lunch meat, Cure81 hams, Hormel Always tender meats, Hormel entrees, Lloyd’s Woodfire heat and eat products, Hormel Chili, and numerous others.)

Sign up and sign in.  They will also e-mail specials and newsletters.

http://www.hormel.com/updates/coupons/

Ready Seat Eat  from Conagra Foods (Hunt’s, Pam, Healthy Choice, Pam, Chef Boyardee, Marie Callendar’s, Orville Reddenbacher, Reddi Whip, Wesson, Fleischmann’s, and another long list of items.)

http://www.readyseteat.com/profile/newsletter-opt.do?newsletterOpt-50984=Y

Making Life Better by Unilever Products (Knorr products, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Country Crock, Jif, Lipton teas and rice/pasta products, Ragu, Skippy, and many bath and laundry products.)

http://www.makinglifebetter.com/offers/Coupons/

SnackPicks.com  (Keebler crackers and some Kellogg’s brands)

Sign up, then click on the coupons and savings link.  Make sure you approve for them to send you newsletters and updates, as they will send either high-value coupons to your e-mail inbox or provide links to print coupons. 

http://www.snackpicks.com/en_US/home.html

 Kellogg’s.com (Kellogg’s products, mostly cereal,  Pop-Tarts but other products, too.)

This site is a shared site with Snackpicks.com but often has different coupons.  There may also be other printable coupons under the Offers & Promotions tabs and “Other Coupons” section.  

http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/home.html

Betty Crocker.com  (Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Cascadian Farms, Muir Glen tomatoes, Yoplait Yogurt, Pillsbury products, General Mills cereals, and more!)

Sign up and sign in, and you will be sent special offers via e-mail and newsletter.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-promotions/coupons/default

Nestle Very Best Baking (chocolate chips, baking products, etc.)

http://www.verybestbaking.com/Coupons-Promotions/Coupons-List.aspx

Pillsbury

Sign in and print coupons and get the newsletter for extra printable coupons

http://www.pillsbury.com/coupons-promotions

Land O’ Moms (Land O’ Frost deli meats and kits)

They’ll want you to give your name and e-mail address.  Sign up for the Newsletter to receive news and special offers.  The latest coupon is usually on the right-hand side of the home page. 

http://www.landomoms.com/ 

Pompeian Products (Olive oil, vinegar, and grapeseed oil)

http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/operations/offers/Pompeian/PompeianCoupons.html

On the Border Products such as chips, salsa, and sauces from Truco Enterprises

http://www.trucoenterprises.com/files/coupon.pdf

International Delight Creamers and other products

http://www.internationaldelight.com/special-offers

Coffee-Mate creamers

http://www.coffee-mate.com/Offers/Default.aspx

King’s Hawaiian Bread and Rolls

http://www.kingshawaiian.com/club/

Hiland Dairy Products  (Dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, orange juice, etc.)

Must sign up to be able to print.

http://hilanddairy.com/coupons/coupon-list

Wholly Guacamole and Salsa (Facebook page; they almost always have a coupon there!)

https://www.facebook.com/WhollyGuacamole/app_399260323430416?

Michelina’s Frozen Entrees and Dinners
http://www.michelinas.com/savemoney.aspx

Chinet Paper Plates, Cups, and Napkins

Sign up for their Newsletter, and they will send you a link every month to an awesome coupon that is usually $1.00 off one of their items.  This is a great way to stock up on paper goods, especially with the holidays coming up!

Link to join here:

http://www.mychinet.com/club/join/referrer:|promotions

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Sign up, then sign in.  The link for coupons is in tiny print at the menu on the bottom of the page. 

http://www.bluebell.com/

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Coupon

Again, sign up/sign in, and then you can print.  It’s usually for $1.00 off.

https://www.bluebunny.com/iScreamTeam/SignIn.aspx?required=1

Tabasco Sauces

http://www.tabasco.com/site-tools/grocery-coupon/

Underwood Deviled Ham (lower left corner of page)

http://www.underwoodspreads.com/

Marie Callender (If available, they'll be here)

http://www.mariecallendersmeals.com/promotions.jsp

* More printable coupon Links

Pilgrim’s Chicken

$1/1 frozen OR fresh (top right of page, in the blue strip)

http://www.pilgrims.com/

Reser’s Fine Foods

(Deli salads, potato salad, etc.)  

Sign up for the Newsletter at the top right side of the page, and coupon links will be e-mailed.  Some may be present on their special offers page.

http://www.resers.com/special-offers/coupons

Nature’s Own Bread

Sign up/sign in, and accept the newsletter.  E-mails will be sent periodically with links to coupons. 

http://naturesownbread.com/

Roman Meal Bread

Coupon link is bottom right of page.  They usually always have a coupon link there.  Also sign up for e-mail newsletter to receive special offers.

http://www.romanmeal.com/

Litehouse Foods

(Dips, dressings, and glazes)

Sign up to receive $0.55 off any Litehouse product. You will also receive periodic e-mails with links for coupons.

http://www.litehousefoods.com/offers-page

Red Gold Tomatoes (Tomato Country website)

Sign up, and you can print a $0.50 off coupon.  Once you are registered, enter your e-mail address, and a link will be sent. 

Sign up for the newsletter, and a link will be e-mailed to you.  If you have a store that doubles coupons, these tomato products will oftentimes be free or nearly free.

http://www.redgold.com/welrg12502

Old Orchard Juice

Printable coupons on their website.  Must sign up to print.  Sign up for newsletter, and additional savings will be e-mailed to you.

http://oldorchard.com/promotions/

Welch’s Juice

May or may not be coupons on this page.  Check periodically.  However, sign up for newsletter, and coupons will be e-mailed to you.

http://www.welchs.com/promotions

Bar-S Meat Products

No current promotions, but check back for coupons.  Sign up for e-mailed newsletter and coupon links.

http://www.bar-s.com/promotions/promotions.php

French’s

Mustard, Worcestershire sauce, fried onions, Dijon mustard, etc.

http://www.frenchs.com/my-frenchs/create-an-account?redirect=/promotions/coupon

Sparkle Paper Towels

Coupon right on home page for $1/1 6-pack regular rolls or larger (may change to napkins, depending on time of year).

http://www.sparkletowels.com/

Mt. Olive Pickles

Warning!  Turn your volume down.  There is music that plays on this site!

Have freebie giveaways and newsletter.  Most of their coupons are in the form of hangtags, but will occasionally e-mail coupons.

http://www.mtolivepickles.com/

Kashi Products

(Cereals, granola bars, etc.)

Check page periodically for coupons.  Sign up for e-mail newsletter to receive e-mailed offers. 

http://www.kashi.com/events/coupons

Emeril’s Food Products

Coupon for $1/2 any Emeril food products.  Includes sauces, seasonings, etc.  Other coupons periodically. 

http://www.emerilscooking.com/promotions.asp

New World Pasta

(American Beauty, No Yolks noodles, Wacky Mac, Ronzoni, and Creamette brands)

Sign up for newsletter, and links to coupons will be mailed. 

Also check their Facebook page, as they periodically offer coupons there, as well.

https://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/sweeps_general/form.cfm

Garnier Hair Products

Sign up, and they will often e-mail you exclusive coupons, especially for new products. 

http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/home.aspx

Maybelline

Sign up for their newsletter (bottom right of page), and they will often mail exclusive coupons. 

http://www.maybelline.com/

Incredible Edible Egg Facebook Page

There is often a $0.55/2 coupon promotion.  This is a coupon off ANY BRAND OF EGGS!  It’s a promotion by the association of egg producers. 

Like their page, then print.  This makes for extremely cheap eggs when there is a sale!

https://www.facebook.com/IncredibleEdibleEgg/app_433292576729358

Yankee Candle Company

They will e-mail coupons and notices for special exclusive sales.  Shipping is a flate rate of $5.00 for orders under $100, so this is a great way to stock up for gifts, especially with Christmas coming up.  They recently had wax tarts on sale for $1.00, used in wax warmers.

http://www.yankeecandle.com/home2

Earthbound Farms Organic Vegetables

Sign up for newsletter, and they will e-mail links to coupons.

http://www.ebfarm.com/

Organic Girl Greens

Sign up for e-mail, and coupons will be e-mailed.  Also like their Facebook page, as it often has printable coupons.

http://iloveorganicgirl.com/

Vidalia Onions

Facebook page.  They will have seasonal coupons, so keep an eye on their fan page.

https://www.facebook.com/VidaliaOnions?ref=ts&fref=ts

California Cuties (Clementine type oranges)

Sign up for newsletter, and e-mail coupons will be sent seasonally.

http://cutieskids.com/

Arm and Hammer (Baking Soda, Toothpaste, Laundry Detergent, Cat Litter)

Create account and print coupons from coupon page.  Sign up for e-mail newsletter, and links to coupons will also be e-mailed. 

http://www.armandhammer.com/Resources/SavingsCenter.aspx?CampaignId=Toothpaste

Silk Soy Milk

Coupon on lower right-hand corner of home page.  Sign up for newsletter, and coupons will also be e-mailed to you.

http://silksoymilk.com/

Freschetta Pizza

Link to coupon.  Enter e-mail to print.  Sign up for newsletter to receive coupons in e-mails.

http://www.freschetta.com/coupons.htm

*Updated from 11/15/2012 onward (post published 11/17/2012)

Campbell’s Kitchens

Campbell’s Soups, Pepperidrge Farm Bread, Chunky Soup, Swanson’s Chicken, Pace Products, V8, Spaghetti Os

Create profile, then log in to print.

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/savingscenterlandingpage/couponsandspecialoffers.aspx

Better Oats Instant Oatmeal

$1 off 3

Enter your name, e-mail address, and zip code.

http://www.betteroats.com/taste-test-facebook/

More Grocery Savings Strategies - 2 trips

This is one of those weeks I go out of my way to make a couple of trips to the grocery store.  My favorite store, Homeland, was having some sweet deals that I knew would allow me to get quite a few groceries for a really good price.  Homeland doubles coupons up to $1.00, BUT they will only double one like coupon per trip.  Combining those double coupons is what allows these deals to be so great, but sometimes you have to be creative in getting double coupons.  This means I sometimes make a trip to a different store on the same day so the coupons will double.  We're lucky in that we have 3 Homeland stores in Muskogee, two within 1 mile of each other, and the other is across town.  That makes getting these deals much easier. 

In order to get the deals I wanted, I visited two separate stores.  I also bought meat at the first store using the strategies noted in a prior post, and then made a second run.  I'll show photos and prices/scenarios from both runs to hopefully help and compare.  When I can, I'll provide links to sign up for newsletters and coupons that were e-mailed. 

Total for trip #1 was $52.78.

Total for trip #2 was 41.33

Filled up with gas (see way below) for $2.749 per gallon with rewards points for $21.18.

There are photos and prices for both trips, so don't forget to scroll down to check them out!

This is trip #1: 

There was a special going on where if you bought 10 Red-Gold Tomato products, you would receive a $5.00 automatic rebate on your grocery total.  Red-Gold offers coupons from their website and e-mailed newsletters.  Plus, there are coupons for Red-Gold diced tomatoes and Sloppy Joe Sauce in the Homeland Cares Coupon books.  These could be used in combination with the $5.00 to get these products basically for free.  This technique is called "stacking."  It means using manufacturer coupons along with either store coupons or rebates in order to get maximum savings.

Here are prices, coupons, and totals for the first trip:

Fresh limes  4 @ $0.09 = $0.36 

Yellow onions x2 = $0.93

Bell Pepper x2 @ $0.79/lbs. = $0.94

On the Border Tortilla chips = $2.99 

Coupon for $0.55 available HERE which doubled to $1.10

Final $1.89

Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes with Chiles x3 $0.75 = $2.25*

Less Homeland Cares Coupon for $1.00 off 3 cans 

Doubled to $2.00= $0.25*

Red Gold Tomato Sauce x2  @ $0.75 = $1.50*

Less printable coupon from Red Gold $0.50 off 2 cans 

Doubled to $1.00  = $0.50*

Red Gold Diced tomatoes with chipotle peppers x3 @ $0.75 = $2.25*

Less Homeland  coupon for $1 off 3 cans 

Did not double because already used one = $1.25*

Red Gold Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Onion x2 @ $0.75 = $1.50*

Beef top Round Roast  = $16.00 

Beef Chuck Roast  = $8.59

Beef Top Round Steak = $4.15

Boneless Butterfly Pork Tenderloins = $4.15

Bonless Butterfly Pork Tenderloins = $4.82

Thin Cut Boneless Pork Tenderloin = $5.30

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts = $4.06

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts = $3.80

*Purchased 10 items so received $5.00 off total order

**Used $5.00 off $50.00 purchase from Enjoy the City coupon books.

Trip #1 FINAL TOTAL (tax incl.) = $52.78

Trip #2 (Photo above)

5 lbs. Russet potatoes x2 @ $1.39 per bag =$2.78 (stacked one on top of the other in photo)

Kraft 17.5/18 oz. BBQ Sauce x2 = Free**

Minute Rice 14 oz.  = $1.50

Coupon for $ 0.60, doubled to $1.20               

Final price =  $0.30

Minute Rice 14 oz. = $1.50

Coupon for $0.60  (did not double because of prior coupon)

Final price = $0.90 (still a good price!)

 

Red Gold Tomatoes with Chiles x3 $0.75= $2.25

$1.00 coupon doubled to $2.00

Final price = $0.25*

Red Gold Sloppy Joe Sauce x2 @ $0.75 = $2.25

$1.00 coupon doubled to $2.00

Final price = free*

Red Gold Tomato Sauce x2 @ $0.75 = $1.50

Printable coupon for $0.50 doubled to $1.00

Final price $0.50*

Red Gold Sloppy Joe Sauce x2                              

Coupon for $1 (did not double because had one prior but still good price)

Final = $1.25*

Libby’s veggies x4 @ $0.79

Coupon $1/4 doubled to $2.00

Final price = $1.16 for 4 or $0.29 each

Williams Chili seasoning x4 @ $0.89

Final $3.60

Nabisco crackers x3 $1.99 **

Coupon for $1.00 off 2 doubled to $2.00

** Store special for $3.00 off purchase of 3 Nabisco cookies/crackers

Final = $0.97 for 3!!

Keebler Club crackers x2 @ 2/ $5.00

Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final = $3.00

Freschetta Pizza $3.99

Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final price= $1.99

International Delight Creamer

Coupon for $0.55 doubled to $1.10

Final = $0.89

Coffee-mate creamer x2 @ $2.45

Coupon for $1/2 doubled to $2.00

Final:  $2.90 or $1.45 each

Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved Meat 16 oz. $4.99

 Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final:  $2.99

Oscar Mayer Weiners 16 oz.$1.99**

Borden Shredded Cheesex3 @ $2 = $6.00

Coupon for $1 off 3 doubled to $2

Final = $4.00

Lay’s Kettle Cooked chips x2 @ $3.00

Coupon $1 doubled to $2

Final = $4.00

On the Border chips  $2.50 (in-store sale)

Coupon for $ 0.55 doubled to $1.10

Final = $1.40

Best Choice Cream Cheese $1.45

Hiland Sour cream $1.93

*Buy 10 save $5.00

**Buy Oscar Mayer Wieners 16 oz. get 2 Kraft BBQ sauces free. 

FINAL TOTAL with tax included = $41.33

Homeland has a gas station outside the store at Chandler and York.  You can accumulate cents off per gallon with use of your store card.  I had accumulated $0.55 in savings.  So I filled up my tiny little car's gas tank and got 7.786 gallons of gas@ $2.749 per gallon for a total of $21.18.  

So my grand total for the day was $115.29!!!