I'm certainly not blaming Kmart for doing business the way they choose. We have a choice where to shop, and that can most definitely include Kmart or any other store.
What I take issue with is that some stores (my Kmart in this case) were hardly prepared for the promotion, and this left shoppers with less to work with than I feel they could have. For example, leaving very little product on the shelf, not training staff in how to handle coupons, and having only one lane open during an obviously busy promotional period -- these are all signs that they are trying to take advantage of the increase in business, but not really trying to make the experience better for the shopper.
I do know that some good friends of mine got some very good deals on stuff at Kmart. I won't knock the deal as "evil" just because it was NOT a good deal for me. But I also know that several shoppers were so excited to hear about double coupons and failed to notice that they could have saved just as much by shopping just about anywhere else for most items.
I appreciate that Kmart had a limit of 4 like coupons per transaction. This kept any one overzealous buyer from coming in and grabbing ALL the bodywash or dental floss. But since my Kmart probably only had 6 of each to begin with, it makes it impossible for most of us to take advantage of the "savings."
It's a delicate balance of savvy, persistance, and moderation. Find what works for you, but don't be afraid to share your tips, and call a bad deal when you see it.
This year I wouldn't mind because I'm pregnant, but any other year, if I walk into a holiday party and don't get to have one little cocktail before dinner, I'm not gonna be feeling very merry. And I hardly think I'm an outlier there.
Coupon shopping (when done correctly) is awesome and has saved our family a lot of money! The key is to RESEARCH. Don't blame the stores if you're the one spending money and coupons where you shouldn't. I know people who scored major loads at Kmart on the double coupon deals and paid pennies out of pocket! And yes, it is worth the time and money to research. You'd be surprised at how much you can slash off your total.
seems the doors/hinges broke and the door came down on him...
that's all the stronger those doors are??? I'm surprized, that the folk in the front at the doors were not squashed, by those behind them....before the doors came down...
and the doors are glass...how could anyone walk on a glass door and not lose their footing??? cause the door isn't exactly laying flat on the floor
anyone that would of stopped to help him, would of met the same fate I beleive...
no, I try to make a point to stay home on black Friday...I simply don't care for crowds.
I feel very sorry for this young man and his family...
how they can examine tapes/video etc and place blame??? people were being pushed from the back, they had no choice but to go forward...or else...
and I was quite upset when I read that when the police, said the store was closed and all must leave, one woman spoke up and said "I have been waiting in line since (whatever time) this morning" totally uncalled for...
Yes, I think Wallmart is to blame...and I think they need to have one very long talk with the manager of that store....because I would think he is he one that would make the decision on security type of thing...
Yeah the Kmart deals can be a bit deceiving. I went and purchased some shampoo, cereal, and a few other HBA items that were very cheap after coupons, but walked away from most items as they were way overpriced. I just recently started using coupons again and am amazed at the number of people who hoard goods that they couldn't possible use themselves. What is the point of buying 20 bottles of shampoo or 6 nailclippers just because they are free? I've been reading some of the refunding blogs about the piles of stuff people get for cheap to free, often by taking the whole pile of coupons that are placed by the product in the store and using them all for themselves. Then they proceed to thank God for their good deals, and I'm thinking "couldn't you love your neighbor as yourself and leave some product or coupon for the next person, who is quite possibly out of work and is in need as well?" It seems like gluttony to take so much more than you need for the near future.
Sorry for the rant. Times are tough for lots of people and I just wish there was a bit more love going around...
Coupons are indeed evil marketing tools. On the other hand, my local supermarkets have stopped doubling, which counter-intuitively has made them more evil.
By the way, Restaurant.com is running a promo where they will let you email a $10 gift certificate to up to 3 friends until 12/25-- for FREE! Not a bad deal.
Hi, they have another promotion on ipod nano. I turned in the claim form plus shipping in the beginning of Nov. So far, no nano yet. Customer service line coulndt help me or don't have a clue. I am frustrated. I am going to close my accounts by Jan'09 if I don't get the nano. Their customer servie really sucks !
I am going to TESTIFY! I had these made my mother in law at Thanksgiving. When she told me they were the cake mix cookies, I almost fell out. I have never tried the recipe thinking that it probably wouldn't be that great. But, my MIL made the cookies, she added walnuts, pecans, raisins, and peanut butter chips. They honestly tasted like "completely from scratch" cookies.
This is going to be my new way to make cookies!!
Some of the combinations I want to try are "dried cranberries and pecans", "chocolate chips and peanut butter chips", and "variety of dried fruits and nuts".
Can't wait to get to baking!
SO, learn from me, don't be a recipe snob!! :) Try it!
All tips are great! I wanted to add a new favorite of mine: sesame oil. I tried it over some steamed rice and the taste lingered in my mind for hours! That's what makes the seaweed salad so addictive.
Thanks for the list, Andrea. I especially enjoyed reading the articles by: Get Rich Slowly, Free Money Finance, and I Will Teach You To Be Rich. I also recommend "A Disciplinary Tale"
I went once with the intention of only buying things i could get free or very cheap. I spent HOURS preparing coupons. My first disappointment was to find out they wouldn't double INternet printables (although at least they accepted them). The only thing that made the trip worthwhile at all was that there was a Glade catalina going on, and they actually doubled the $2 Catalinas as well (although the clerks said they wouldn't double them, the register did).
Still, it was just too much work and most of the stuff they had at KMart I woudln't want anyway.
I have to be very careful when using coupons. Like you, I can often find the same items for less at different stores. I also tend to buy things I don't really need, or buy more than I need of some items, just because I have coupons.
Groceries are the worst for me. For example, I needed canned crescent rolls for a recipe. I needed one can, which at our Aldi was $1.49. But another store had name-brand on sale and I had coupons, bringing the price down to $1.14 each. So, did I save 35¢ by buying the one I needed? NOOOO. I bought FIVE of them because they were such a good buy with my coupons, and ended up spending $4.21 cents more than I needed to. They'll be eaten, for sure, but I really didn't need them and didn't need to spend the extra money.
Looking again at the little budget you posted, I'm guessing that the money you listed as "rent" actually includes food and utilities (since you don't list them separately). If that's the case, then you probably couldn't save much money by moving.
Looking at your other recent post, I'm also guessing that you're disabled. This makes a huge difference, of course. Being disabled puts substantial constraints on the sorts of things you might do to either cut spending or boost income.
With that in mind, I'd have to say that I don't have enough information to provide any useful advice. For one thing, you don't say if any of the income you list is from disability payments--if it is, earning any money on the side might reduce that income--and the general advice to do things yourself rather than hiring someone to do them for you may simply be impossible. Even with more information, I don't know that I'd have anything useful to suggest.
You're right about the potential price differences between stores, Linsey. It's definitely something to be on the lookout for if you are trying to make a major savings score with the double coupon gig. One of these days, I really am going to organize a price book . . .
Andrea, thank you for writing the post. You wrote down my thoughts exactly. This is not even about Walmart, or Target, or Capitalism anymore. It's about the people. What human beings have become habitually and what's on their mind. Certainly it is not compassion.
The biggest question I have is - of all those people who ran over or around the guy, did anyone, ANYONE (and it seemed no one) think, "Wait a minute, I am running over a guy here, maybe I should check on him?" Criminal justice, moral issue, mob mentality, and judgement aside. This news speaks more loudly about people than what happened, and no one wants to admit it.
I use old blue jean tops and attach a handmade patchwork skirt for a cute little skirt my daughters love. I have a website with some of them along with other patchwork garments all made from recycled materials. Feel free to take a look. www.colorfullygreen.com Thanks.
Thanks for the camper/van suggestion. Unfortunately, I don't have any money to buy one, not to mention that I no longer have a license to drive.
Several years ago I had an extended hospitalization, during which my car - which was parked at the back end of the driveway furthest from the street, with two other cars parked directly behind it closer to the street - got a bunch of tickets because the tags were expired.
I didn't even know about the tickets until it was too late to contest them. With late fees yada yada I owe several hundred dollars and my license was suspended until the tickets are resolved. I never returned home because I was not able to walk up the steps - family flew me to stay with them - now I live umpteen thousand miles away and doubt the tickets will ever be resolved.
So I don't expect to be doing any driving in the foreseeable future.
Alright, I got my box and hooked it up and all was fine. But as one of us is on the laptop, when we hit ENTER or other activities, the box that tells you what is on and the channel pops up on the TV screen. So our wireless laptop is somehow making the box think we hit something on the remote. Also how can I get my favorite channel programed on it as it doesn't register while doing the channel search. Only thing is Dec 1st they said they were going digital and would take them 24 hours, but it's 3 days later.
So I bought boxes, but not happy yet.
Won't your credit union up your withdrawal limit if you ask them? Typically most banks/credit units cap you out at 300 dollars per day in ATM transactions as a default setting, but you can request a higher limit if a higher limit is what meets your needs.
Most dryers run around 170F at the high setting. I don't think that will damage your clothes but you didn't say what they are made of.
Generally, any heat treatment temperature over 160 will kill bugs and their eggs pretty fast. I'm guessing even 120 or 130F would do it it you exposed them for a longer period of time.
I'm certainly not blaming Kmart for doing business the way they choose. We have a choice where to shop, and that can most definitely include Kmart or any other store.
What I take issue with is that some stores (my Kmart in this case) were hardly prepared for the promotion, and this left shoppers with less to work with than I feel they could have. For example, leaving very little product on the shelf, not training staff in how to handle coupons, and having only one lane open during an obviously busy promotional period -- these are all signs that they are trying to take advantage of the increase in business, but not really trying to make the experience better for the shopper.
I do know that some good friends of mine got some very good deals on stuff at Kmart. I won't knock the deal as "evil" just because it was NOT a good deal for me. But I also know that several shoppers were so excited to hear about double coupons and failed to notice that they could have saved just as much by shopping just about anywhere else for most items.
I appreciate that Kmart had a limit of 4 like coupons per transaction. This kept any one overzealous buyer from coming in and grabbing ALL the bodywash or dental floss. But since my Kmart probably only had 6 of each to begin with, it makes it impossible for most of us to take advantage of the "savings."
It's a delicate balance of savvy, persistance, and moderation. Find what works for you, but don't be afraid to share your tips, and call a bad deal when you see it.
Thanks for the comments!
Linsey Knerl
This year I wouldn't mind because I'm pregnant, but any other year, if I walk into a holiday party and don't get to have one little cocktail before dinner, I'm not gonna be feeling very merry. And I hardly think I'm an outlier there.
Coupon shopping (when done correctly) is awesome and has saved our family a lot of money! The key is to RESEARCH. Don't blame the stores if you're the one spending money and coupons where you shouldn't. I know people who scored major loads at Kmart on the double coupon deals and paid pennies out of pocket! And yes, it is worth the time and money to research. You'd be surprised at how much you can slash off your total.
seems the doors/hinges broke and the door came down on him...
that's all the stronger those doors are??? I'm surprized, that the folk in the front at the doors were not squashed, by those behind them....before the doors came down...
and the doors are glass...how could anyone walk on a glass door and not lose their footing??? cause the door isn't exactly laying flat on the floor
anyone that would of stopped to help him, would of met the same fate I beleive...
no, I try to make a point to stay home on black Friday...I simply don't care for crowds.
I feel very sorry for this young man and his family...
how they can examine tapes/video etc and place blame??? people were being pushed from the back, they had no choice but to go forward...or else...
and I was quite upset when I read that when the police, said the store was closed and all must leave, one woman spoke up and said "I have been waiting in line since (whatever time) this morning" totally uncalled for...
Yes, I think Wallmart is to blame...and I think they need to have one very long talk with the manager of that store....because I would think he is he one that would make the decision on security type of thing...
just my 2 cents worth
Yeah the Kmart deals can be a bit deceiving. I went and purchased some shampoo, cereal, and a few other HBA items that were very cheap after coupons, but walked away from most items as they were way overpriced. I just recently started using coupons again and am amazed at the number of people who hoard goods that they couldn't possible use themselves. What is the point of buying 20 bottles of shampoo or 6 nailclippers just because they are free? I've been reading some of the refunding blogs about the piles of stuff people get for cheap to free, often by taking the whole pile of coupons that are placed by the product in the store and using them all for themselves. Then they proceed to thank God for their good deals, and I'm thinking "couldn't you love your neighbor as yourself and leave some product or coupon for the next person, who is quite possibly out of work and is in need as well?" It seems like gluttony to take so much more than you need for the near future.
Sorry for the rant. Times are tough for lots of people and I just wish there was a bit more love going around...
5 gallons water w/ 3 pounds sugar would yield about 3.5% alcohol by volume so that would be 5 * 0.035 = 0.175 gallons or 660mL
Very useful chart can be found on:
http://www.geocities.com/mipeman/sugar.html#calcsug
Also, use google to do the conversions... For example I typed into google:
3 pounds per gallon in grams per liter
Google returned 71 grams per liter...
I looked at the chart and viola, ~3.5% alcohol :)
Enjoy
Coupons are indeed evil marketing tools. On the other hand, my local supermarkets have stopped doubling, which counter-intuitively has made them more evil.
Great ideas-- I love the rain check one!
By the way, Restaurant.com is running a promo where they will let you email a $10 gift certificate to up to 3 friends until 12/25-- for FREE! Not a bad deal.
http://renaissancetrophywife.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/something-for-noth...
In these days of mass produced goods it's nice to receive something that someone has obviously put love and care into producing.
Hi, they have another promotion on ipod nano. I turned in the claim form plus shipping in the beginning of Nov. So far, no nano yet. Customer service line coulndt help me or don't have a clue. I am frustrated. I am going to close my accounts by Jan'09 if I don't get the nano. Their customer servie really sucks !
I am going to TESTIFY! I had these made my mother in law at Thanksgiving. When she told me they were the cake mix cookies, I almost fell out. I have never tried the recipe thinking that it probably wouldn't be that great. But, my MIL made the cookies, she added walnuts, pecans, raisins, and peanut butter chips. They honestly tasted like "completely from scratch" cookies.
This is going to be my new way to make cookies!!
Some of the combinations I want to try are "dried cranberries and pecans", "chocolate chips and peanut butter chips", and "variety of dried fruits and nuts".
Can't wait to get to baking!
SO, learn from me, don't be a recipe snob!! :) Try it!
Shelle
All tips are great! I wanted to add a new favorite of mine: sesame oil. I tried it over some steamed rice and the taste lingered in my mind for hours! That's what makes the seaweed salad so addictive.
Thanks for the list, Andrea. I especially enjoyed reading the articles by: Get Rich Slowly, Free Money Finance, and I Will Teach You To Be Rich. I also recommend "A Disciplinary Tale"
Carl
http://www.financialtales.com
I went once with the intention of only buying things i could get free or very cheap. I spent HOURS preparing coupons. My first disappointment was to find out they wouldn't double INternet printables (although at least they accepted them). The only thing that made the trip worthwhile at all was that there was a Glade catalina going on, and they actually doubled the $2 Catalinas as well (although the clerks said they wouldn't double them, the register did).
Still, it was just too much work and most of the stuff they had at KMart I woudln't want anyway.
I have to be very careful when using coupons. Like you, I can often find the same items for less at different stores. I also tend to buy things I don't really need, or buy more than I need of some items, just because I have coupons.
Groceries are the worst for me. For example, I needed canned crescent rolls for a recipe. I needed one can, which at our Aldi was $1.49. But another store had name-brand on sale and I had coupons, bringing the price down to $1.14 each. So, did I save 35¢ by buying the one I needed? NOOOO. I bought FIVE of them because they were such a good buy with my coupons, and ended up spending $4.21 cents more than I needed to. They'll be eaten, for sure, but I really didn't need them and didn't need to spend the extra money.
@ poor boomer:
Looking again at the little budget you posted, I'm guessing that the money you listed as "rent" actually includes food and utilities (since you don't list them separately). If that's the case, then you probably couldn't save much money by moving.
Looking at your other recent post, I'm also guessing that you're disabled. This makes a huge difference, of course. Being disabled puts substantial constraints on the sorts of things you might do to either cut spending or boost income.
With that in mind, I'd have to say that I don't have enough information to provide any useful advice. For one thing, you don't say if any of the income you list is from disability payments--if it is, earning any money on the side might reduce that income--and the general advice to do things yourself rather than hiring someone to do them for you may simply be impossible. Even with more information, I don't know that I'd have anything useful to suggest.
Sorry I can't be more help.
I went to Kmart double dollar days on two separate occasions, and it was just OK.
As you said, their prices are much higher than you could find in other locations.
I did get some freebies, thanks to some coupons, but I also found the checkout process to be a bit underwhelming.
The screen that they have to touch to indicate which coupon matches which product needs to be improved.
Oh well, I still got a lot of things for about $5!
I particularly like how you broke down the categories. It really shows how many ways there are to give gifts from the kitchen.
You're right about the potential price differences between stores, Linsey. It's definitely something to be on the lookout for if you are trying to make a major savings score with the double coupon gig. One of these days, I really am going to organize a price book . . .
Andrea, thank you for writing the post. You wrote down my thoughts exactly. This is not even about Walmart, or Target, or Capitalism anymore. It's about the people. What human beings have become habitually and what's on their mind. Certainly it is not compassion.
The biggest question I have is - of all those people who ran over or around the guy, did anyone, ANYONE (and it seemed no one) think, "Wait a minute, I am running over a guy here, maybe I should check on him?" Criminal justice, moral issue, mob mentality, and judgement aside. This news speaks more loudly about people than what happened, and no one wants to admit it.
I use old blue jean tops and attach a handmade patchwork skirt for a cute little skirt my daughters love. I have a website with some of them along with other patchwork garments all made from recycled materials. Feel free to take a look. www.colorfullygreen.com Thanks.
Guest -
Thanks for the camper/van suggestion. Unfortunately, I don't have any money to buy one, not to mention that I no longer have a license to drive.
Several years ago I had an extended hospitalization, during which my car - which was parked at the back end of the driveway furthest from the street, with two other cars parked directly behind it closer to the street - got a bunch of tickets because the tags were expired.
I didn't even know about the tickets until it was too late to contest them. With late fees yada yada I owe several hundred dollars and my license was suspended until the tickets are resolved. I never returned home because I was not able to walk up the steps - family flew me to stay with them - now I live umpteen thousand miles away and doubt the tickets will ever be resolved.
So I don't expect to be doing any driving in the foreseeable future.
Alright, I got my box and hooked it up and all was fine. But as one of us is on the laptop, when we hit ENTER or other activities, the box that tells you what is on and the channel pops up on the TV screen. So our wireless laptop is somehow making the box think we hit something on the remote. Also how can I get my favorite channel programed on it as it doesn't register while doing the channel search. Only thing is Dec 1st they said they were going digital and would take them 24 hours, but it's 3 days later.
So I bought boxes, but not happy yet.
Won't your credit union up your withdrawal limit if you ask them? Typically most banks/credit units cap you out at 300 dollars per day in ATM transactions as a default setting, but you can request a higher limit if a higher limit is what meets your needs.
Most dryers run around 170F at the high setting. I don't think that will damage your clothes but you didn't say what they are made of.
Generally, any heat treatment temperature over 160 will kill bugs and their eggs pretty fast. I'm guessing even 120 or 130F would do it it you exposed them for a longer period of time.