Category: Frugal Living Tips

Today’s thrifty tip is to call companies of products you either love or had an issue. I have a few favorite items, and I do call the company every few months to rave about the product or pass on some suggestions. I always ask to be placed on a mailing list or about coupons. Most will just give you some coupons just for calling. Some won’t give anything but that is a small percentage. If you do have a complaint, then just be courteous but let them know your disappoint. Some companies will ask to have it mailed back if it’s a defect. So don’t throw it out just yet. I always get either a refund check or a free item coupon when this occurs. This is another great way to get great coupons for the things you use anyway.

Today’s thrifty tip is bring samples on vacation. Why carry all those full size containers of toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shaving cream, shampoo, and such? It would be much easier to bring the smaller travel sized samples. Unless you have a coupon to make it either free or under 50¢ cents, then don’t buy the travel size items in the store.

Just spend a little time daily requesting free samples. Look through my FREEBIE LIST HERE to find many samples to request. I post new ones daily.

You also get great coupons that you can buy again for later. Some coupons do have the wording “not good on travel or certain size items” so do read the fine print.

If you bring the smaller items, then you will have more room for your souvenirs. Less chance of having something leaking in your suitcase. If you leave behind a travel size item then you won’t be so upset compared to leaving behind a $5 or more item.

Today’s thrifty tip is buy an aloe vera plant. This is a wonderful plant that you can use for many first-aid remedies.

Aloe vera is great to use on: scrapes, insect bites, stings, cuts, burns and especially a sunburn. You can also use it for acne and patches of eczema.

All you have to do is cut off a small piece and squeeze out the gel to apply on the affected area. If you know someone that already has a plant, then ask for a couple of shoots. I have mine in a pot on a sunny windowsill inside my house. They are very easy to grow, and require little water since it’s part of the cactus family.

Do you own an aloe vera plant?

On today’s shopping trip, I went to several stores to pick up all the deals for this week. I first went to Rite-Aid and bought the Garnier Shine and had a $1 off coupon. So total was $3.25 and I am getting back $3.99 with rebate.

Then I went to Walgreens and bought the Airwick Flameless Candle and Glade Scent Candle. I paid $6.46 with tax and I’m getting back $4 in rebates so total is $2.46 for both items. That was 99 cents each. I also bought 3 Glade refill candles for $2.45 after rebate and coupon. They had 2 of them on clearance for $1 and I got one free with that coupon. I like to give the Trio candles as presents to the lady that delivers my mail and such.

I went to CVS and got the following:
2 Trident gum
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
4 Herbal Essence Shampoos (they have one that I can’t get anywhere else)
2 Bic Soleil Razors
1 Schick Intuition Razor (have rain check from last sale)

I used $15.74 in coupons and 9.79 in ECB’s so grand total was $6.42! I spent $16.13 total on everything and I’m getting $7.99 back in rebates for a grand grand total of $8.14 for all of it! The razors are going to be part of those Christmas gift bags. I also had to do some Wal-Mart shopping and bought 5 Skintimate Shaving creams that were $1.47 each and after $1 coupons I got them for $2.54 with tax. Those will also go in the gift bags. I missed that sale when they were $1.74 each and I think that was Walgreens. I don’t know how I missed it, but this is still good. My nieces love the smaller ones to use when they sleep at a friend’s house. I had another wonderful shopping trip and saved so much.

Today’s thrifty tip is turn your bottles upside down to squeeze out the last remains. I do this with all my bottles of shampoo, conditioner, dish liquid, and such. I also will add a little water and shake well to use it all. You would be surprised at how much more you can get from a bottle. I usually get at least 2-3 more uses this way.