The winner of the $25 Winn-Dixie Gift Card is Yvonne B.

CONGRATS Yvonne!!  Look for an email from me – I’ll need your mailing address to get this gift card to you.

Happy shopping!

Opinion Outpost is a survey research site.  They reward in both giftcards and cash.  I’ve been signed up with them for almost 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say.  They offer a  giftcards, checks, as well as the ability to donate to the Red Cross.  I usually cash out in the form of Amazon E-certificates or checks.  They recently raised the minimum for checks from $5 to $20, but earning is easy and the checks come fast.

I have no complaints for Opinion Outpost.  You will not qualify for every survey, but I do qualify enough that I don’t feel like its a waste of my time.  Surveys are generally compensated adequately for the amount of time spent.  You earn $2.00 for every referral you make after they complete their first survey.

A recent article on The Consumerist found the TLC show, Extreme Couponing, has sparked a trend of out-of-control couponers who ransack stores with little regard for fellow shoppers. Merchants have taken notice and many major retailers are starting to change their policies. Here are some of the big ones.

Rite Aid
Rite Aid has taken the same steps as Target to crack down on shoppers looking to exploit BOGO coupon offers. The drug store chain has also made other changes including limiting the number of coupons per item to four. If inventory is running low, managers may limit the numbers further.

Target
The biggest change at Target comes to their buy one, get one (BOGO) policy. They now only allow one BOGO coupon per purchase. Previously, customers could “stack” Target printable coupons, combining store and manufacturer BOGO coupons to get both items for free.

Walgreens
Many high tech shoppers have even started to crack coupon barcodes, allowing them to use coupons on products they’re not intended for. Walgreens is working to combat this fraud by adopting a new type of barcode. New barcodes will be able to hold more data and can better make sure Walgreens coupons are used for the right product.

Publix
At Publix stores throughout the country they’re also limiting the number of coupons that can be used on one product. Their new policy limits couponers to one manufacturers coupon and one store coupon per item.

Shopping with coupons is certainly a smart way to save, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Here are some basic do’s and dont’s to help you coupon with class.

DO play by the rules. Couponing isn’t too complicated and common sense should get you by in most cases. Rules vary store to store, so if you’re planning to use a large amount of coupons, it helps to brush up on coupon policies before you shop. This includes making sure you’re buying the item the coupon is intended for and checking to see if they’ll accept expired coupons or not.

DON’T clear the shelf. In the eyes of casual shoppers, clearing entire shelves of popular sale items crosses the line between couponing and hoarding. If you really want to stock up on certain products, try making multiple trips or call ahead and ask a manager if they’ll set aside an order for you.

DO be organized before you check out. It’s a nightmare for cashiers and people waiting in line when you hand over a haphazard pile of miscellaneous coupons. It’ll be much appreciated if you clip them before hand and make sure they’re all facing the same direction. Also, remember to remove coupons for products you didn’t end up buying.If you are using mobile coupons, have them ready on your smartphone for the cashier to scan.

DON’T shop during the busiest times. The stress level of those waiting in line during peak times is high enough. Using dozens of coupons takes time and will only irritate other shoppers. Instead, go shopping when business is slow. It takes the pressure off to complete the transaction as quickly as possible for both you and the cashier.

DO be polite to the cashier and fellow customers. Sure, you might have some knowledge other customers and even clerks don’t, but it’s no excuse to treat others like they’re beneath you. If a cashier isn’t familiar with coupon policies, stay calm and ask to speak with a supervisor. They’re much more helpful if you don’t lose your cool. When your cart is overflowing, give those behind you a heads up that you’ll be using coupons. If someone is waiting with just a loaf of bread and gallon of milk, let them cut ahead.

DON’T steal coupons! A growing trend turning the tide against couponers is theft. Newspapers and newspaper subscribers are increasingly finding coupon inserts stolen. This is a big no-no and can get you into some serious trouble. Many people will willingly part with their unused inserts if you ask nicely.

Written by Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch. 

Our washing machine is trying its hardest to stop working.  I’m milking it, but I know that any day – any moment for that matter – it may stop for good.  Sometimes when the load is all done, I open it to find it still filled with water.  Not good.  There’s other issues too.  Granted, it is just a basic model and has worked great for me for years.  And I will admit that it does present a nice little excuse to upgrade. 

We have also had periodic issues with the air conditioner.

Our house, like any other house, is full of well functioning machines that make our life easier. We have become adjusted to them and while on one hand we are spoiled by them, our increasingly busy lives makes some of them essential.  When they stop working for us, it can throw our lives upside down and the funds aren’t always there for a pricey repair or replacement.  A Florida home warranty would prove very beneficial if the air conditioner breaks.  Life in Florida without an air conditioner is not very comfortable. 

American Home Shield offers home protection plans that can help you from getting caught off guard when a much needed appliance breaks, you find yourself with a serious plumbing issue, or something goes a little faulty with the electrical system.  In some cases these issues can lead to further damages in the home and unresolved could be a safety issue. 

Links provided by AHS.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

GOOD DEAL SHOPPORTUNITY!

Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe

Regular price $29.00; Right now: $18.00

 To get the Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe for only $17.99, click the logo below:

Also available (most almost 50% off):

Cloud B Soothing Sounds Sleep Sheep $17.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Mimicking Monkey $21.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe On The Go $16.99
Cloud B Polar Bear Cub Aroma Pillow $11.99
Cloud B Natural Double Sherpa Baby Blanket $21.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Sleep Sheep On The Go $16.99
Cloud B Pink Velboa Stroller Blanket $11.99
Cloud B Blue Velboa Stroller Blanket $11.99 

NOTE: This deal is LIVE and available as of this posting.  Savvy Frugalistas is not responsibile if this deal is no longer available.

TripAdvisor has launched a new sister site called SniqueAway.  It’s a by invitation only, member site that features top brand and A-List accomadations at very affordable pricing.  Each 4 to 5 star hotel deal is offered for a limited time only.  The featured hotels will showcase pictures, accomdations, reviews, as well as local hotspot. 

When you find a deal you like, book quickly.  Deals only last 7 days or until sold out.  They also offer a referral program which can allow you to earn credits from family and friends you refer.  I’ve been a member for a week and the deals that I have seen are really good.  The hotels offered are beautiful and the prices are excellent.  They also give you a “snique’ peek of what hotels will be featured soon.  If you are heading to Disney, be sure to look check out the Bonnet Creek deal on Feburary 17th.  Join Today!  As a BzzAgent I received a invitation to SniqueAway

After the previous post was published earlier today, there have been issues with the site.  I’m working on them and hope to have it fully functional again soon.  I apologize for any inconvenience.

With the holiday season gone our household is slowly getting back to normal.  All family celebrations take place at our place, so I usually spend the week before cleaning like a mad woman, only to have the whole place trashed in a few days.  The two biggest places I fret over are the guest bathroom and the kitchen.  Those are the 2 rooms I instantly notice in someone’s home. 

Mr Clean is offering a line that has the cleaning power you expect from Mr Clean, but the smell you love from Febreze.  I tried out the Mr. Clean disinfecting bath cleaner with Febreze and Mr Clean Magic Eraser bath scrubber.  I must say I was impressed with both products.  My guest bathroom was due for a serious cleaning.  I used the disinfecting bath cleaner on my sink and was very pleased with the results.  Cleaned with ease, no residue and best of all, no stinky chemical smell.  With the scent of Febreze in the cleaner, the bathroom smelled great without any extra fragrance needed.  The Mr Clean Magic Eraser also worked great.  I had a few spots on my counter they would not come up with a regular wiping and the Eraser took them right off.  Even better, the Magic Eraser now includes a cleanser, larger and contured for easier cleaning.  The only thing I noticed is this seemed to fall apart quicker then the traditional Magic Eraser’s. 

At a suggested retail price of $3.69, both products are affordable and are a great value.  They will leave your bathroom with a inviting smell, rather then a overpowering chemical smell.  As you start the new year off with new resolutions before sure to pick up one or both of these great new products.  It’ll make cleaning your house a littl more enjoyable.

I received this product in exchange for this review.  This is my honest opinion of the products I received.

If so, then I have a little suggestion for you.  A Music Box.  It may be a little old school (ie: traditional) and I’m sure you can find a music box melody in the app store somewhere, but go with me for a minute.  They are beautiful and have a way of saying ”you are special”, whether given to someone you care about or as a gift to yourself.  While music boxes - nice ones anyway – aren’t  exactly in the frugal shopping category, there are times when you make that special purchase anyway. 

Baby Music Boxes make great gifts for a baby shower, birth, Christening, or first birthday by honoring a special child and giving him or her something that will last longer than that uber cute outfit or the latest in baby gear.  Long after all that stuff is packed up and shipped out, a music box can still be with them, perhaps even passed down in years to come, becoming an heirloom and perhaps creating a family tradition. 

So, the next time you are left pondering what to get the person that has everything – or what to gift the new baby that isn’t so commonplace – perhaps consider a music box. 

Sponsored editorial.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Those winter winds are blowing and they are C-O-L-D.  Granted, here in Florida those winds probably aren’t nearly as cold as the winds you are feeling.  Regardless of where you are {in this hemisphere anyway!}, it is winter full on and we could all certainly use an excuse to think ahead to warmer days. 

The word of the day? Picnics.  Think warm breezes, sunshine, a red-n-white checkered blanket, yummy food, and great company. Ahh.  Makes you almost forget those 14 inches of snow piled up outside, doesn’t it?  Why not go do a little fun shopping – and by go, I mean using your computer while you stay inside and toasty warm – for Picnic Baskets and BBQ Sets.  Oh, yes, Bar-B-Ques are on the horizon also!  Nothing like a fun get together with friends, hanging out on the deck, with ribs, steak, hamburgers and/or hot dogs cooking on the grill… 

{Pardon me while I go raid the fridge because I have just made myself hungry.}

{OK.  I’m back.}

With these visions now in my mind, I am so ready for the winter blues to be on their way and can’t wait for Spring to be ushered in! 

Sponsored Editorial.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.