KMart doubling coupons

Kmart will be having several Double coupon Days, Weeks or Weekends.

Super Double Manufacturer Coupons up to & Including $2 Value

Amount of Credit from doubling a coupon cannot exceed the retail price of an item. No cash or in-store purchase credit will be awarded for any amount exceeding the retail price of the item. Limit 1 coupon for each item purchased. Only 1 coupon will be doubled per item. You may only purchase 4 of the same items using double coupons. Coupons do not apply to sales tax. Limit 75 coupons per customer per day. Internet coupons or copies of manufacturer instant coupons are not valid.

Offer excludes products prohibited by law, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medication. Not valid on Non-merchandise, federal or state regulated items, prior purchases, Lands End. Sears merchandise run on Sears registers within Kmart and Kmart.com. In the event of a return, coupon savings may be deducted from refund. Sears Holdings(Kmart) reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time.

Available at participating Kmart and Super Kmart locations.

Example deals:

Tylenol $3.99 - $2MQ = Free
Gillette Body Wash $4 - $2MQ = Free
Resolve Carpet cleaner $4.50 - $1.25MQ = $2
Oust $3.50 - $1.50MQ = $0.50
2 Olay Quench $4.99 - $2MQ = $1.98
Hershey extra dark chocolate $1.89 - $1MQ = Free
Kotex Lightdays $1.29 - $0.75MQ = Free
Vive Pro $3.49 - $2MQ = Free
Olay Body Bar Pack $4 - $2MQ = Free
Lime A Way $2.66 - $1 Peelie = $0.66
2000 Flushes $2.99 - $1MQ = $0.99
Enddust $3.29 - $2MQ = Free
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner $2.66 - $1MQ = $0.66
Lysol All Purpose Trigger $2.66 - $1MQ = $0.79
Airborne Lime $5.99 - $2MQ = $1.99
Wet Ones $2.29 - $0.75MQ = $0.79
2 Rubbermaid containers $3.49 - $1MQ = $2.98

To spend or not to spend?

As most of us know, yesterday was called "Black Friday". It is the day when many businesses depend on consumers to spend Billions of dollars on "stuff" in order to make a profit. They spend tens or hundreds of millions on advertising and "loss leaders" to get people into the store.

And people were actually mobbing the stores to save a few dollars. Standing in line all night, etc.

The bigger questions are: Did they save any money? Did they help the economy? Did people spend more than they had to?

My interpretation: People go into the stores only planning to buy "one thing", but see all of the "great deals that people would love to receive for 'Christmas'" and go nuts. Everything gets thrown on Visa or Mastercard. The real winner? Visa and Mastercard. They are making a few percent of each purchase made.

The real losers? Our saving accounts.

In reality, we would all do better by just doing the following:
1) Avoid mass chaos
2) Carefully make a plan. Be Intentional about our gift giving and buying
3) AVOID DEBT for Christmas.
4) Give of ourselves, give our time and focus.
5) For Christmas, actually celebrate "Christmas". Investigate, plan, discuss, read, etc.
6) Prioritize family. Be intentional.
7) If you REALLY have to buy something, try to get it for the best price possible.
- Check online coupons
- Can you get it "preowned"?
- Call around and investigate
- Can you get free shipping online and save a trip to the store?
- Can you pitch in with someone else and share giving the gift?
- are you SURE that you NEED that gift? :)

It is just so easy to put Buying and Spending above People and Christmas this time of year, so we have to be careful. :)

Michaels Crafts super-printable coupons for this weekend

http://mic.michaels.com/BonusCouponUS.aspx

For those of you who spend money on crafts this time of year!

Money saving tip: Inflate tires

This is the time of year when temperatures drop from the 50's down to the 30's.
It is especially important to re-check your tire pressure to save money on fuel, especially if you are taking a long trip. An inexpensive gauge is only a couple dollars and a worthwhile investment to keep in the glovebox.

If you are taking a long trip, here are some good tips:
1) Check tire pressure and condition, rotate if necessary. Consider "siping" if expecting some ice.
2) Check all fluids the week before. (Oil, anti-freeze, steering fluid, etc)
3) Carry an ice-scraper, flares, a blanket, some food and water, maps, and a cell phone.
4) Tell friend or family when and where you will be traveling
5) Look for discounts prior to traveling. (travelocity, priceline, etc.)
6) Buy chains now before you need them. I tend to buy them at Les Schwab tire centers, and if you don't use them, they'll refund them in teh spring. They will also check your tire pressure, do siping, and tire rotations.
7) Don't forget your camera!!! And bring extra batteries and/or the charger. :)

Welcome!

Welcome!

Come help yourself and others in the area save as much money as possible!

We all need to spend money, but one of our goals is to spend as little as possible for what we need to buy. We all need to buy food to eat, clothes to wear, haircuts, etc.

The goal of this blog is to put forth general money saving tips, as well as local deals, bargains, and promotions for the area west of Portland. (Beaverton, Hillsboro, etc.)
(employee discounts, fresh deals, give-aways, etc.)