A Very Frugal Christmas!: SWAGBUCKS=FREE Christmas Gifts

How would you like to pay for Christmas gifts with gift cards that you earned for free?

About a year ago, I was introduced to SWAGBUCKS.   Basically, it is an online search engine similar to google that rewards you with points (or swagbucks) for various searches.  For example, about ten minutes ago I search for "Huggies points 2011" and I received 10 swagbucks for my search.  Once you get a good amount of points, say 450, you can exchange them for giftcards, prizes, or even donate to your favorite charity.  450 points will get you a $5 giftcard to amazon.com (my new favorite online store).

Does it work?  YES!  I have earned at least $50 in Amazon giftcards in the past six months. I have around 880 pts. ready to be redeemed at this time. It takes 7-14 days to receive the gift card or code once it is submitted, so don't expect to have it immediately.

How do you sign up? Simply visit this link and fill out the information.  Be careful, there is only one account per household.  If you sign up with two and they figure it out, they will cancel your membership. While you are signing up, please enter SBPAYSFORME as a code on the second page of the registration to get an additional 80 for a total of 110 swagbucks right away.  This is only good through November 17th.  


How do you earn Swagbucks?  There are several ways to earn swagbucks. The first and easiest way is use their search engine.  Many times I won't get the swagbucks on the first page of results, but as I click to the second or third, my swagbucks will show up.  You may also do surveys, play games, watch Swagbucks TV, complete offers, print coupons & use them, and a variety of other tasks to earn Swagbucks.  I would suggest downloading the toolbar so you can remember to search using Swagbucks. 

You can be guaranteed 5 Swagbucks a day by doing the following:
Click on NOSO and Skip Offers — 2 Swagbucks
Take the Daily Poll — 1 Swagbuck
Login Via the Toolbar — 1 Swagbuck
Click on Trusted Surveys — 1 Swagbuck

In addition, follow Swagbucks on facebook and the Swagbucks blog to keep updated on free codes or contests.

Get a $50 voucher for only $20 to Abe's Market...Think Christmas Gifts!

Check out the latest deal with Eversave. Purchase a $50 voucher for $25. Then, Use the Code SPOOKY for an additional $5 off expires today.  Lots of ideas for great Christmas gifts!  Here is what I am thinking about buying:

This is priced at $27.99.  We are getting a play kitchen for all three of our kiddos this year for Christmas and this will be perfect!

These are $12.99.  This would make a great gift for my niece.

Priced at $12.99 also for my niece.

The total of my items would come to $53.97.  They have free shipping on orders over $49.  So I would pay $23.97 plus tax for these three items.  Sounds pretty good to me!

A Very Frugal Christmas!: Take Advantage of Daily Deal Sites for Great Savings!

We officially have less than two months to Christmas!  Have you started your shopping yet?

Today, I wanted to share with you a great way to save on Christmas gifts.  Over the past year, I have been introduced to several daily deal sites where you can purchase a gift card or voucher for way less than it is worth.  For example, in September, I was able to purchase a $20 gift card to Chili's for only $10.  I always give a gift card to someone as a part of their present.  I am hoping to find another deal soon for Chili's and combine the two together into one gift card at half the price.  What a great way to save right?  In addition, if you find a great deal at most of these sites and you refer other people to it, you can get yours even cheaper!

Here are some great sites to watch:

• Groupon
• Eversave
• Saveology
• Savemore 
• Plum District

Most of these you will have to pick the nearest large city, but it doesn't mean that you can't purchase a deal from another city.

There is actually a local deal site of Central Illinois, plus WEEK 25 has a local deal featured on their website daily.  These are usually for restaurants and entertainment, but worth checking out.

• Heartland Daily Deals 
• Today's Hot Deal 

 I will share great deals as the come up!

A Very Frugal Christmas!: FREE 2 Day Shipping From Amazon for Christmas Gifts

Have I told you lately that I love freebies?  One of my most favorite freebie is free shipping from Amazon.  If you haven't shopped on Amazon.com before, you need to start...Now.  Not only do they have great everyday prices, very comparable with Walmart, but their sales are awesome.  One thing that makes an online sale even sweeter is free shipping.  Amazon has a great program called Amazon Mom, which is a free program for anyone who is a mom/dad/caregiver.  It is simple, sign up and for three months, you will receive free two day shipping on any item that is purchased on Amazon and fulfilled by Amazon.  (There are outside sellers on Amazon that have their own shipping policies, so be careful before buying.)  For every $25 you spend in the baby store, you will get an additional month of free shipping.  You really can't beat this.  Go here to find out more and sign up! 

A Very Frugal Christmas!: Shop Online using coupons and Earn Cash Back!

We are still a few months away, but I hope you have started your Christmas shopping! In the past, I have found that I can do almost all my Christmas shopping online.  This year will be the same.  With three kids, there is no way I can get to an actual store and shop without losing my sanity!  Here are a couple of tips to help you with your online shopping experience:

1.  Before placing an order online, ALWAYS check for coupon codes.  Many times you will be able to find a code for free shipping or a percentage off.  Some companies restrict the use of codes to one or two, so you will need to be able to figure out which discount will help you the most.  However, there are several companies who will let you stack coupon codes and get a percentage off AND free shipping.  For example, I know Shutterfly will allow you to use as many as you want.  I placed an order recently and was able to use a free shipping code, 10 free photo cards code, and a $10 off of $50 coupon code.  Now, how do you get the coupon codes?  Check out my favorite websites: 

• Retail Me Not 
• Coupon Cabin 
• Ebates ***MY FAVORITE***

2.  Sign up for Ebates and earn cash back on almost any store on the web. GET $5 FREE upon signing up!

How it works: 

• When you are ready to shop, search the websites above or google for coupon codes, then head to Ebates. 
• You will need to sign in in order to get the cash back.   Then, search for the store that you are wanting to purchase from.  You will see how much Ebates is willing to give you in cash back next to the store name. 
• Click on the name and you will see a "Tracking Ticket"  and then it will direct you to that store's website. 
• Make your purchase using your coupon codes.  Usually within, 48 hours you will receive an email notifying you that they have acknowledge that you used Ebates with that store and will be receiving cash back.  It's as easy as that!
• They send out actual checks every quarter.  I have received over $50 in checks in ther past year. 

Note:  There are many other cash back websites, but this one is the one that I have had the most success with. 

3.  Combine coupon codes and cash back for really great deals!  For example, right now Ebates is offering 10% Cash back at GAP.  Plus, use the code GAPNOW for 35% off the Entire website until October 22nd.  

A Very Frugal Christmas!: Making a list and checking it twice!

I don't know if it was the cold rain, but yesterday I was in the mood for Christmas music.  Then, I checked the Christmas Clock online today and realized that there were only 72 days till Christmas!  I thought I would kick off my "A Very Frugal Christmas!"  posts to hopefully help you save money this Christmas.  My goal is to do a little Christmas shopping each week so I can be done by December 1st.  Then, I can relax and enjoy the season. 

Today's goal is to make a list of all the people you would like to buy gifts for.  Note, I am not saying that you "have to buy for" because giving should not be forced.  Start by listing everyone on your list.  Try not to leave anyone out...the mail carrier, teachers, etc.  Then pick an amount you would like to spend on each person.  Then, you can also list possible gift ideas.  Once you have a budget set...stick to it!  Here is a simple Christmas Budget sheet that I like.  Also, the Organized Christmas has a great list of planner sheets that you can download. 

So, get to it...turn on some Christmas music and make that list!  

A Very Frugal Christmas!

I love the holiday season.  I love absolutely everything about it...the Christmas Story, the sparkling lights, the music, the snow, the hustle and bustle of shoppers, the gift giving, the fifteen family get togethers, the chaos...everything.  In fact, usually by October I break out my favorite Celine Dion Christmas CD and start my shopping.  The Season is wonderful.  What I don't like is December 26th...the let down.  It's over.  The bills start coming.  It's cold, and snowy, and we are broke!  Well, not this year!  We have made the decision to have an all cash, frugal Christmas,and I am going to LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!  Each week, I will be sharing with you frugal gift ideas and money saving tips so you can do the same.  Please tune in...you won't want to miss out!